Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Twins fall to Tigers again

Wow. They lost again. And worse this time. They now got beat badly by Nate Robertson after Jeremy Bonderman, two guys the Twins have beat up in the past. 8-1 was the final score. Its almost impossible to see this team as contenders when they just get slaughtered by mediocre teams with bad pitching. (Giants, Tigers, and even the Dodgers in a way) The Twins once again managed absolutely no offense, getting five hits and one run in the first off of Lew Ford's RBI single. After that, it was just atrocious. And the fielding and pitching didn't show up either. Michael Cuddyer made two errors, giving him thirteen on the year.

That's unacceptable and makes me incline to agree with Jim Souhan that the Twins desperately need a veteran infielder. And I agree that the man to go should be Kyle Lohse or even Joe Mays. Or, yes, even Micheal Cuddyer, who has proven himself to be below the exectations created by being drafted in the first round. Why? Simple; the Twins have ample pitching in the minors, with guys like Scott Baker and Boof Bonser ready to be promoted, with Fransisco Liriano not far behind. Trade some of our mediocre starters or Cuddyer and get what the Twins really need: offense and veteran presence, especially in the infield. Guys like Joe Randa and Rob Mackowiak are likely to be available, as they are having good seasons on bad teams. Whatever it the solution, something needs to happen.

Other than the offense and defense, the pitching wasn't too great either. Joe Mays continued the trend of not-so-good starting pitching, though the bullpen had a very productive night. Beyond that, what more can I say? Its embarrasing to watch the Twins beat themselves and be content playing with guys that do not show the patience at the plate or the intelligent decision making abilities that are so key to winning, especially for the pitching-based Twins. Its time to make a move. Trade Lohse, Cuddyer, or Mays and get the Twins what they need soon, before any hopes of making the playoffs fade.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is time to understand that this isn't a playoff team. We are rebuilding, and it is time to get on with it...trade all three, Cuddyer, Mays and Lohse. Oh, also trade Jones and start planning to compete in 2007.

Anonymous said...

trade Hunter as well

Nick N. said...

I would not quite make that jump already Roger. I'm in as bad a mood about the play lately as anyone, but we are not yet at the All Star break, and still within a few games of the Wild Card. I don't think that guys like Mays, Lohse, or Cuddy have much trade value, none of are having good years nor do they have much upside anymore. If we want to obtain an offensive player, we're going to have to ship one or two of our minor league pitchers... which I'd be fine with since our AAA staff has so much talent with guys like Liriano, Baker, Bonser, Bowyer, and Durbin that many of those guys aren't even going to get a chance in our organization.

And for those who don't think a trade would do anything to help a team with problems in so many areas, just look at how much the Polanco trade has bolstered the Tigers.

Nick M. said...

Agreed, but I still say trade them all and see what we can get. I believe that a guy like Mays, who has a 4.22 ERA (which would be less in NL maybe) isn't doing terrible, so he may have some value in a trade. The point is, give Durbin, Bowyer, Bonser, Baker, and all the other guys we have waiting chances if we are going to rebuild. So, in a way, I agree with Roger in saying it may well be time to jettison those guys and give those guys chances. Sorry, but I've been waiting to see those guys pitch, not Mays or Lohse.