Health of the M&M boys key to Twins 2012 hopes
The Minnesota Twins partied like it was 1996 last season, losing 99 games and playing more like those basement boys in the mid to late 90s rather than the Twins we’ve become accustomed to over the last decade. The key reason was health, as the Twins ended up with just two players having enough at-bats to qualify for the end of season awards, while a 4.58 team ERA, 29th in the Majors, hardly helped matters.
The star duo, former AL MVPs Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, had horrendous times with injury and the key to the Twins being able to challenge again this season would be a healthy and productive season from their two biggest stars. Prior to last season, the former flatmates had combined for just shy of a .300 AVG, 25 homers and 105 RBIs per 162 games. In 2011 though, the figures were grim with the duo only managing a total of 151 games, hitting just seven dingers and batting .259.
The amount of money thrown at the M&M boys has led to the Twins having to scrimp and save elsewhere, a strategy that saw the departures of three veteran players in the off-season. Joe Nathan left as the Twins all-time leading closer, while outfield duo Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel appeared in nearly 1900 games and hit over 1000 RBIs. With such a massive importance placed in Morneau and Mauer, can the Twins cope if there’s another injury hit season?
IN : Jason Bulger (RP – L.A. Angels), Sean Burroughs (INF – Arizona), Jared Burton (RP – Cincinnati), Jamey Carroll (INF – L.A. Dodgers), Samuel Deduno (RP – San Diego), Ryan Doumit (C – Pittsburgh), Jason Marquis (SP – Arizona), Steve Pearce (INF – Pittsburgh), Wilkin Ramirez (OF – Atlanta), Aaron Thompson (RP – Pittsburgh), Daryl Thompson (RP – Cincinnati), J.R. Towles (C – Houston), Josh Willingham (OF – Oakland), Joel Zumaya (RP – Detroit)
OUT : Michael Cuddyer (OF – Colorado), Eric Hacker (SP – San Francisco), Steve Holm (C – Colorado), Dusty Hughes (RP – Atlanta), Chuck James (RP – N.Y. Mets), Jason Kubel (OF – Arizona), Jose Mijares (RP – Kansas City), Joe Nathan (RP – Texas), Jeremy Reed (OF), Jason Repko (OF – Boston), Matt Tolbert (INF – Chicago Cubs).
Catchers : At the time, the mega contract given to Joe Mauer seemed the sensible option and a good bit of business, but after a season plagued by injuries, some are beginning to question the durability, and desire, of the 28 year Minnesotan. He’ll be the first choice when healthy, but expect him to DH and play the field a lot more than he’s used to. Ryan Doumit is a terrific back-up who can also provide some pop, but is weak defensively, while Drew Butera is the exact opposite. Doumit can play in a variety of positions too. J.R. Towles is an intriguing Spring Training invite, especially as the Twins expect to carry three catchers on their roster, while Rene Rivera saw time last year but struggled.
Infielders : Like Mauer, Justin Morneau will be first choice at first when healthy but is expected to see more time at DH. This season will be a vital one for the Canadian as he struggled massively last year with the after effects of a concussion that ended his MVP-like 2009 season after three months. Jamey Carroll has been brought in due to the poor play of Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Carroll is a 38 year veteran who will provide defensive stability to a position that sorely lacked it last year. Nishioka, meanwhile, could start the season in the Minors to regain his confidence following a disastrous rookie year that included a broken leg within the first week of the season. Danny Valencia seemed to get it in the neck from manager Ron Gardenhire on numerous occasions last year, but he has enough about him to suggest that he could be the Twins third baseman for a good few years, while Alexi Casilla has been inconsistent but provides speed and defence. Australian Luke Hughes, who homered on his first career at-bat in 2009, will fight for the utility role from the bench. Chris Parmelee and Brian Dinkelman were two of some very few bright spots last season with the rookie duo combining to hit .329 in 44 games. Expect them both to be given a serious look during Spring Training. Dinkelman can also play the outfield, while Parmelee could DH. Sean Burroughs is a one-time top prospect who is a non-roster invite, but hasn’t played much in the Majors since 2006.
Outfielders : Josh Willingham is effectively a slightly cheaper version of the departed Michael Cuddyer and will provide the bombs, having averaged 22 homers in the last six years. Denard Span and Ben Revere are all about speed and defence, although Span, like so many on the Twins roster is coming off an injury hit season. Revere led the team with 34 stolen bases in 2011. Back-up will be provided by Rene Tosoni, who played 60 games last year despite being 6th on the depth charts coming out of Spring Training, such was the injury woes in the Twins outfield, and Joe Benson. Both players struggled, but were forced into the deep end too early. Oswaldo Arcia is a highly rated 20 year old prospect who will be at Spring Training, but it would take a repeat of the injuries of last year to see him suit up for the Twins this season.
Designated Hitter : While Trevor Plouffe is first on the depth chart, it will be rotated around to accommodate both Mauer and Morneau, along with the hot hand, should there be one, from the likes of Parmalee and Doumit. Plouffe has great pop, but has struggled defensively, so DH could be the ideal job for the 25 year old.
Starting Pitchers : A workmanlike rotation is led by veteran Carl Pavano, entering his third full season in Minnesota. He was the only starter not to spend time on the DL last year, going 9-13 with a 4.33 ERA that is only slightly higher than his career number. Francisco Liriano threw a no-hitter, but struggled through a 5.09 ERA. The southpaw burst onto the scene in remarkable fashion in 2006, going 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA but has never regained his form following Tommy John surgery at the tail end of that season. His form will be key to the Twins chances. Scott Baker had a career year, with a 3.14 ERA, but managed only 21 starts due to injury. Nick Blackburn has been a big game pitcher for the Twins, but has a tendency to be horrific for a whole month or more. He’ll be entering his fifth season on the Opening Day roster, while veteran Jason Marquis is another typical Twins pitcher, brought in from Arizona. The 33 year old will pitch in the AL for the first time, but will be helped by pitcher friendly Target Field. The rotation seems set, with the majority of those next in line for a starting spot also being possibly key components to the bullpen.
Relief Pitchers : Following the departure of Joe Nathan, Matt Capps returns as the closer following an uncharacteristically poor season last time out. What was once a strong point for the Twins is now perhaps their greatest weakness, but Minnesota native Glen Perkins emerged as a terrific set-up man last year having previously been a starter and completed a remarkable turnaround after threatening legal action against the club a couple of years ago when he felt his demotion to the Minors was a contract based ploy. Elsewhere, it appears to be a bit of a mish-mash. Brian Duensing has been impressive as a reliever, but struggled last year in a starting role, while the likes of Lester Oliveros, Liam Hendricks, Scott Diamond, Jeff Manship and Anthony Swarzak are all relatively inexperienced, inconsistent and all are able to step up into the starting rotation if needed. Of the quintet, Swarzak is probably the most likely to have a major role. Phil Dumatrait was one of the most successful relievers last year, with a 3.92 ERA in 45 games and is a non-roster invite, as are Jared Burton and Jason Bulger. Both have decent shots at making the roster, with their experience possibly a key factor, in a tight and packed race. Alex Burnett appeared in over 60 games last season but struggled and will need to improve to hold down a roster spot this year, while the oft injured flame-thrower, Joel Zumaya was signed but tore his elbow ligaments just 13 pitches into his first bullpen session and, as has been the case too often, his season is over before it even began.
PREDICTION : The bullpen is a major worry, but the Twins have regularly been able to find hidden gems in that department. Clearly the health issues surrounding Morneau and Mauer are the key issues heading into the season and if the duo are unable to perform, then it could be a long, hard season again. I just don’t see how so many injuries and sub-par seasons from the likes of Capps, Span, Duensing etc will be repeated. It’s a risk, but I have them in second place.
