Minnesota Twins are nothing more than mediocre

**Ficklone02** · 09-08-2010, 12:48 PM

Any word on if Morneau will at least be available to pinch-hit in the postseason?

**MrGreg** · 09-08-2010, 01:02 PM

I'd prefer if they won the division in 162 games this year

**GeronimusClone** · 09-08-2010, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Topshelf

GeronimusClone,

I am very impressed with your Twins' knowledge. Keep it coming. I've been a life long fan of the Twins and Vikings.

In 1987 I got my picture taken with Bert Blyleven and Tim Laudner and it was over for me. Lifer.
I was sitting here trying to recall the '87 squad from memory. I want to say it was Gladden, Puckett, Bruno in the outfield. Gagne, Gaetti, Hrbek in the infield, Laudner was catcher, Blyleven, Viola, Reardon were two of the pitchers that stood out the most. Was Al Newman second base then?

**IowaSTATCyclone** · 09-08-2010, 01:07 PM

No one's going to beat them in the snow. Too bad they won't have home-field advantage.

**GeronimusClone** · 09-08-2010, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

In 1987 I got my picture taken with Bert Blyleven and Tim Laudner and it was over for me. Lifer.
I was sitting here trying to recall the '87 squad from memory. I want to say it was Gladden, Puckett, Bruno in the outfield. Gagne, Gaetti, Hrbek in the infield, Laudner was catcher, Blyleven, Viola, Reardon were two of the pitchers that stood out the most. Was Al Newman second base then?

Now I'm trying to remember 1991 - Gladden, Puckett, Shane Mack, Gagne, Gaetti, knoblauch, Hrbek, Black Jack, Tapani, Aguilera, Erickson, Brian Harper catching. Chili Davis was a DH too.

**jdoggivjc** · 09-08-2010, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ficklone02

Any word on if Morneau will at least be available to pinch-hit in the postseason?

Probably depends on when his headaches go away. They are not messing around with this concussion that he has, simply because of his history of concussions, and the Twins have been playing so well without him that there's no need to rush him back.

I remember an argument from earlier this year - whether Mauer or Morneau was the MVP of the Twins. This picked up especially after Mauer's slow start to the season and the Twins seeming to ride what early on was a breakout year for Morneau. But considering how the Twins have played since the All Star Break without Morneau, I think it is pretty obvious at this point that Mauer is the Twins' MVP.

**jdoggivjc** · 09-08-2010, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by IowaSTATCyclone

No one's going to beat them in the snow. Too bad they won't have home-field advantage.

Win game 1 and/or game 2 and they will.

**GeronimusClone** · 09-08-2010, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Probably depends on when his headaches go away. They are not messing around with this concussion that he has, simply because of his history of concussions, and the Twins have been playing so well without him that there's no need to rush him back.

I remember an argument from earlier this year - whether Mauer or Morneau was the MVP of the Twins. This picked up especially after Mauer's slow start to the season and the Twins seeming to ride what early on was a breakout year for Morneau. But considering how the Twins have played since the All Star Break without Morneau, I think it is pretty obvious at this point that Mauer is the Twins' MVP.

I don't think there's any question that it's Mauer. He's the foundation that the team has been built around. Not that Morneau isn't a valuable cog in that wheel, but he's not the MAN, so to speak, on the team.

**bawbie** · 09-08-2010, 01:28 PM

How can you forget the immortal Randy Bush?

**edr247** · 09-08-2010, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Ficklone02

Any word on if Morneau will at least be available to pinch-hit in the postseason?

I don't know. But I don't know if we'll call him in unless we really need him.

Anyway, first priority is to make this division out of reach. Clinch it with a bunch of games to go, and rest up guys. Last year we won the 163rd game, in extra innings, only to have to fly out to NYC for the first game like later that day against the Yankees. Not the way you want to go, IMO.

Our lineup is fine, if our batting was a bit more consistent...especially with guys on base/scoring position. We leave too many runs off the board, to be honest. Can't do that against the likes of the Yankees or Rays. Especially in close games.

**FDWxMan** · 09-08-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

In 1987 I got my picture taken with Bert Blyleven and Tim Laudner and it was over for me. Lifer.
I was sitting here trying to recall the '87 squad from memory. I want to say it was Gladden, Puckett, Bruno in the outfield. Gagne, Gaetti, Hrbek in the infield, Laudner was catcher, Blyleven, Viola, Reardon were two of the pitchers that stood out the most. Was Al Newman second base then?

Steve Lombardozzi.

**FDWxMan** · 09-08-2010, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Win game 1 and/or game 2 and they will.

Or just finish ahead of the East champ.

And if you think it isn't impossible for the Twins to win 100 games, I would say its probably more likely to finish as AL #1 seed.

Originally Posted by FDWxMan

They also aren't out of it for home field up to the World Series. They are only 4 games back of the Yankees and only 2 1/2 back of the Rays for best record.

Considering the fact that the Yanks and Rays still play each other 7 times this year the Twins have a great chance to make up a ton of ground and make that a race as well.

**jtd9046** · 09-08-2010, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by FDWxMan

Or just finish ahead of the East champ.

And if you think it isn't impossible for the Twins to win 100 games, I would say its probably more likely to finish as AL #1 seed.

Have to lock down the division before they can even remotely start to think about that scenario.

White Sox are playing too good of ball to count them out right now.

**FDWxMan** · 09-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

Have to lock down the division before they can even remotely start to think about that scenario.

White Sox are playing too good of ball to count them out right now.

Very true. Though I was talking to my dad today about that very scenario.

If the Twins can lock up the division next week with a good series in Chicago and the Twins come down to the final week with the Central in had, it will be interesting to see how much of a dance the Twins play between resting everyone and trying to lock up home field if they're within a game or two.

My guess will be they basically ignore it but there could potentially be some big impact games for the B and C-squad against Toronto at the end of the year.

**Ficklone02** · 09-08-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Probably depends on when his headaches go away. They are not messing around with this concussion that he has, simply because of his history of concussions, and the Twins have been playing so well without him that there's no need to rush him back.

I remember an argument from earlier this year - whether Mauer or Morneau was the MVP of the Twins. This picked up especially after Mauer's slow start to the season and the Twins seeming to ride what early on was a breakout year for Morneau. But considering how the Twins have played since the All Star Break without Morneau, I think it is pretty obvious at this point that Mauer is the Twins' MVP.

The question on who is more valuable I think somewhat depends on who else Gardy has available in the lineup. When we were playing more smallball it was really crucial to have Justin hitting the pharanas in....conversely, now that we have added more power, especially big Jim, its really important to have Joe in there. To me Joe's the most important piece though all else being equal because he does everything well, including running the bases and keeping opposing runners from stealing.