Twins Thoughts
A lot of MLB columnists that I read proclaim that their picks are fearless. Well, when I make mine, they will definitely be fearful. Especially this year. And especially because of the Twins. I have always had a good read on the Twins. Back in 2000 when they started to show life for the first time in 8 years, I told a few friends, "This team is gonna break .500 next year, and they'll be in the playoffs the year after that." It remains to this day my greatest prediction, and I doubt it will ever be topped.
Well, unlike the Vikings, who I pick to (and sincerely believe will) win the Super Bowl every season, I'm never blind to the Twins problems. They are the team I will love as long as I am alive and as long as they are in Minnesota (different topic for a different day). They are also the team I know the most about year in and year out.
Anyways, after a great three year run on top of the division (and after three near misses in the playoffs) last year was the year I saw my Twinkies decline. And while ESPN and SI and others made them the trendy pick to win the World Series, I knew better. First of all, the trendy pick never wins the World Series. That's why the White Sox won't repeat this year. It's also why the Brewers, God bless 'em, will dip back under .500 this year. Second of all, anyone who looked close enough at the team last year knew what was gonna happen. Pitching was great, hitting was young. You just couldn't expect all of those guys to flourish. Sure, Mauer and Morneau are studs. But they never had a full season in the bigs. Neither had Cuddyer or Bartlett, or any of the dozens of middle infielders (or so it seemed).
Well this year, the Twins are the trendy pick to finish third in the AL Central. I like having them back in that underdog position. But I'm also fearful that for once the experts might be right. And I don't really have any substantial reasons for it. It's just a gut-feeling.
The two guys I work under got back from Spring Training not so long ago. Well they love the teams chances. They also loved being in Florida, in the sunshine, engulfed in baseball, and in that blissful state that is the Optimism of Spring Baseball. So I just don't trust what they tell me. I like our moves. I think a few veteran guys filling in where we don't have youth is good. Luis Castillo excites me. So does Rondell White. I'm a little skeptical about Tony Batista, but a lot of guys play well after a season in Japan. And frankly, as long as Ruben Sierra isn't in the batter's box against one of our relievers, I'm VERY happy.
So where is this long-winded analysis going? Nowhere really. Because this team could finish anywhere from 1st to 4th in the division this year. I've lost the feel for the team I always have a feel for. The pitching will be great, but the hitting is still the question. So is the team chemistry. So are injuries. This team can't handle injuries and that's what scares me about them. The young guys will be much better this year. But those old guys need to hold up if we want any chance at returning to the playoffs. That's all I have to say about that. My fearful picks for the season coming before the Indians-White Sox opener on Sunday Night. And you can hold me to them.
Well, unlike the Vikings, who I pick to (and sincerely believe will) win the Super Bowl every season, I'm never blind to the Twins problems. They are the team I will love as long as I am alive and as long as they are in Minnesota (different topic for a different day). They are also the team I know the most about year in and year out.
Anyways, after a great three year run on top of the division (and after three near misses in the playoffs) last year was the year I saw my Twinkies decline. And while ESPN and SI and others made them the trendy pick to win the World Series, I knew better. First of all, the trendy pick never wins the World Series. That's why the White Sox won't repeat this year. It's also why the Brewers, God bless 'em, will dip back under .500 this year. Second of all, anyone who looked close enough at the team last year knew what was gonna happen. Pitching was great, hitting was young. You just couldn't expect all of those guys to flourish. Sure, Mauer and Morneau are studs. But they never had a full season in the bigs. Neither had Cuddyer or Bartlett, or any of the dozens of middle infielders (or so it seemed).
Well this year, the Twins are the trendy pick to finish third in the AL Central. I like having them back in that underdog position. But I'm also fearful that for once the experts might be right. And I don't really have any substantial reasons for it. It's just a gut-feeling.
The two guys I work under got back from Spring Training not so long ago. Well they love the teams chances. They also loved being in Florida, in the sunshine, engulfed in baseball, and in that blissful state that is the Optimism of Spring Baseball. So I just don't trust what they tell me. I like our moves. I think a few veteran guys filling in where we don't have youth is good. Luis Castillo excites me. So does Rondell White. I'm a little skeptical about Tony Batista, but a lot of guys play well after a season in Japan. And frankly, as long as Ruben Sierra isn't in the batter's box against one of our relievers, I'm VERY happy.
So where is this long-winded analysis going? Nowhere really. Because this team could finish anywhere from 1st to 4th in the division this year. I've lost the feel for the team I always have a feel for. The pitching will be great, but the hitting is still the question. So is the team chemistry. So are injuries. This team can't handle injuries and that's what scares me about them. The young guys will be much better this year. But those old guys need to hold up if we want any chance at returning to the playoffs. That's all I have to say about that. My fearful picks for the season coming before the Indians-White Sox opener on Sunday Night. And you can hold me to them.