2011 Twins

[PierBridge]

Good Luck on Gardy being fired guys....

I expect an off year and no play-offs for the Twins in 2011. Baseball is to difficult of a sport to do what the Twins have done the last 8 or so years.

But more than likely I'm wrong and we'll be in for another great season with the Twins being one of the best teams in the league.

I actually rate this 2010 season my 3rd favorite of All Time behind the 87 & 91 seasons of course.

Go Twins/Gardy!

[bucketmouth64]

They will need to have an answer for 1B if Morneau's career is over. Maybe put Mauer at first and platoon catcher with Morales/Butera. O-Dog's a free agent, doubt we have anyone in minors that can play 2B so bringing him back or sign a younger free agent. Third base is Valencia's. At DH they could put Kubel/Young there if Thome decides to retire. What's Cuddy's status? Is he under contract? Pithcing is a big issue. Duensing will be in rotation next year, that leaves others for trade bait. Doubt Gardy will be fired. He'll have to retire or really tank a season.

I do think they didn't do the right thing at the end when they rested starters. They lost their edge and it carried over into the playoffs.

[SledNeck]

fire Kubel

[zamboni]

I am 99.9% sure Thome returns next year. I am right 50% of the time tho, so don't take that as gospel

[JBMasterAngler]

No reason to believe the twins won't win the central next year, maybe even easier than this year.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

The Sox are a big question mark...they have a lot of tweaking to do.

Indians have a long ways to go and I see a handful more years worth of rebuilding.

Tigers might be close but we will have to wait and see what moves they make. They have some good pieces though.

Royals are probably the scariest of the group. They have an awesome system of youth coming up through the organization, probably the best in the big leagues. It's just a matter of a year or two before the Royals are at the top of the division.

[Cicada]

Joe Girardi is who I was refering to. He was the 2006 manager of the Year for the Florida Marlins and was fired at the end of the season for not getting along with the owner of the club.

The Twins are a mature team, in years, and they like to promote from within. If they were a bunch of younger guys, they might lean towards promoting the triple-A manager, who would be more familiar with the players. It's not like the organization to go headhunting to bring in a big name to satisfy fan's wants.

As far as playing the Yankees. It's tough to stand out (Mauer) when the guys hitting around you aren't performing. The whole team failed, not on the shoulders of one guy. When you play the big boys, you can't underestimate the importance of being healthy. I would like to have Morneau in the lineup anytime you are playing for keeps.

[MNice]

I think they need some heart, they really looking like they didn't belong. I saw an interview with Cuddy after and he was laughing??? I guess I'd laugh too if I could make that kind of money doing anything!!

[harvey lee]

For sure, they need at a minimum, one very good starter for their pitching staff.

Two would really help.

[Jarrod32]

I think the Twins were 0-for-the-ALDS with runners in scoring position. That is NOT on Gardy, and was the biggest factor in their series loss. Twins were in position to win both games 1 and 2, but couldn't get it done with RISP.

They went out and made trades to bolster the bullpen and get Fuentes and Capps, which meant you could now use Rausch for the mid-to-late innings. They didn't use those guys (Rausch and Fuentes) properly. Those guys are all closers. They can go in and put out fires and 'save the game' in the seventh (or sixth or eighth) innings. They just weren't used properly. That is on Gardy.

Next year they have to make the mid-season move (or off season move) with an eye toward moving on in the playoffs. Winning the division is no longer enough. The window might close soon; next year, it is time to trade the stud prospect or two for that top tier starter or key bat that will help you in the playoffs...something they didn't do this year (not wanting to give up too much for Cliff Lee).

[B. Amish]

they need a team shrink

[genegodawa]

More batting practice next year to prep for playoffs...maybe an exhibition series against the Cubs just beforehand to bolster their confidence????

[zepman]

Gardy doesn't get near enough heat from the fan-base.

Molitor would be a great replacement now.

The twins are a joke to the folks in New York.

They are a "soft" team and that comes from the manager.

[PierBridge]

Whether you are down for it not.... Gardy WILL be signing a NEW LONG term deal with the Twins here shortly! In other words he'll be the skipper of the Twins for the foreseeable future with a Tug-BOAT of cash for a job well done.

As our team is we're probably good enough to win it all if the timing and stars are aligned but we could use that big ace in the starting rotation like mentioned above.

[PierBridge]

Can you explain how we are soft because of Gardy?

[Duffman]

The team has great chemistry, but it lacks fire. We do not have guys who will get all fired up, yes at times there's a spark, but you rarely see much emotion from the likes of Mauer, Kubel, Morneau, Span, Young, Thome, and almost the complete pitching staff. Attitude, we needs some of it.

As for 2011, keep entertaining me boys. This year was fun, I'm not going to let a dozen hours of baseball in October spoil the hundreds of hours I was entertained this past summer. (I want the chance to play the Yanks again next October)

[maros91]

Where do the Twins need to improve next season so that they can win a playoff series?

1. Stud Pitcher

2. Get rid of Cuddyer

[SledNeck]

1. Stud Pitcher

2. Get rid of Cuddyer

exactly

a guy making 10+ mil that has cuddys numbers is ripping the organization off

[ItsaCrappieLife]

1.) new batting coach - can't seem to hit in the postseason if their life depended on it. Plus sick of watching players like Ortiz go somewhere else and change from postseason zeros to postseason hero's.

[genegodawa]

Didn't follow 'em much at the end of the season, but my impression is they quit hitting about 3 weeks ago. It's a terrible thing when the whole club goes into a slump.

And when the superstars like Delmoney or Kubel or Thome or Mauer slump and can't clutch or even get something started (notice I didn't include Cuddy -- nyuk, nyuk), well there ain't many stud pitchers that can keep a team afloat then anyway.

So, it's just "wait 'till next year".

Where have I heard that before?

[bisonthunder]

Twins 2011 needs:

1. A Legit #1 starter

2. A Legit #4 hitter that will scare the Yanks and light a fire under mauers a$$

(sorry but morneau doesnt count as he cannot be counted on to be healthy anymore)

3. A Legit #2 starter... Move Pavano to #3... Frank to #4... and Duensing to #5

4. Need to get rid of Baker and Slowey... terrible efforts by both

5. A legit starting SS and 2nd that aren't hurt 60% of the season

6. Confidence for Span or he can leave too...

The additional ticket revenue should cover this list...

[Big Dave2]

exactly

a guy making 10+ mil that has cuddys numbers is ripping the organization off

What will Mauer's numbers need to be next year to justify 24 mil?

[Coach1310]

Thanks Dave... for reminding us you have a problem with Mauer's contract..... I wasn't aware

They need to do some tweaking, but most of what we want, won't happen. Just by looking at the ALDS, put the Twins lineup card along side the Yankees and tell me WHERE the Twins have an advantage.

#1 Starter: Sabathia or Liriano

Catcher: Mauer or Posada

1st Base: Cuddy or Texiera

2nd Base: Hudson or Cano

Shortstop: Jeter or Hardy

3rd Base: Valenica or A Rod

Left Field: Young or Gardner

Center Field: Granderson or Span

Right Field: Kubel or Swisher

DH: Thome or Thames

I would say we win the Catcher and DH spot. Left field is a push and we lose the rest...... hard to fault the Manager(although he deserves some criticism if we are going to praise him when the club does well). Joe Torre was a bum until he went to All Star-ville in New York.

[Coach1310]

My prediction of next years opening day lineup:

Span CF

Casilla 2B

Mauer C

Morneau 1B(hopefully)

Young LF

Thome DH(hopefullly)

Cuddyer RF

Valencia 3B

Hardy SS

Opening Day starter: Liriano

I don't see many, if any new faces as a regular player for the Twins. I believe Cuddy's option has been picked up already. I think they will do what they can to re sign Thome. I don't see Kubel's option being picked up and I really hope they buy out Punto or at least restructure.... if they don't, then I truly believe he has compromising pictures of Gardy. There aren't really any power, #1 starter available, unless you think Lee is that guy and we have a shot at him. I would love to see them go after a young, freaky fast outfield to maybe play center. I think Span's defense was disappointing this year..... I just don't see much change anywhere except the bullpen.... Crain, Rauch, Guerrier are all Free agents.... I would like to see them all back, but it depends on the price.

[mrklean]

i dont buy into casilla at all hes got speed and decent fielding but everyday 2nd i dont know i still have flashes of him and gomez just scares me. the one thing we can all agree on is if they pick up puntos 5 million dollar option we should have a revolt. Will the twins keep spending the money they need to to make another run? Many though this year was the year.