One year ago, the Minnesota Twins had 63 wins, just as many losses and was six and a half games behind Cleveland and an ice cube’s chance in hell of seeing October.

After finishing the 2007 season 17 games behind Cleveland with a sub .500 record, they traded ace pitcher Johan Santana and lost seven-time Gold-Glove outfielder Torii Hunter to free agency.

What a way to greet 2008.

Now in late August Minnesota is half a game ahead of the White Sox and eleven games ahead of the team that most analysts guaranteed would win the American central, the Detroit Tigers.

It isn’t money that we have to thank for this, nor is it plentiful star power or an easy schedule. The fact of the matter is the Twins are consistently finding ways to win, and they’re doing it with a patchwork team.

The Twins only have solid everyday players at a couple of positions. Joe Nathan is one of the best closers in the Majors, Justin Morneau is a stud and Joe Mauer has established himself as the guy that you want catching for your team over anyone else.

Morneau and Mauer lead the team in nearly every offensive category that matters.  Aside from them, the team is filled in by an ever-changing lineup that doesn’t try and do too much at the plate. While they’re not hitting for power, they’re scoring runs.

What is truly remarkable about this Twins team is that they are on pace to have the highest batting average with runners in scoring position, .318, in the last 40 years. Every hitter on this team excels at getting up to the plate and knocking in runs.

Players like Denard Span and Alexi Casilla have only played in around 60 games, but they’re batting .300 and have driven in a combined 65 runs. Outfielder Delmon Young only has eight home runs, yet he has 131 hits in 119 games.  Shortstop Brendan Harris and designated hitter Jason Kubel may only be batting around .270, but both have an on-base percentage of around .330. In fact, nearly every player on the Twins roster has an OBP over .300. The team average is ahead of powerhouses like the Angels and Rays.

Like the offense, the Twins’ starting rotation is ever changing. Only Nick Blackburn and Livan Hernandez have enough innings in the books to qualify them for the ERA title, and Hernandez isn’t even on the team anymore. By fostering young talent in the minor leagues, general manager Bill Smith has created a solid pitching staff.

Reliever turned starter Glen Perkins has an 11 – 3 record with a 3.90 ERA, and these wins have come against teams like the Angels, Yankees, White Sox and Rangers. Another reliever turned starter, Blackburn, is 9 – 7 with a 3.71 ERA.

Fostering minor league talent is no new thing for the Twins, who have brought up stars like Santana, David Ortiz, Kent Hrbek, Chuck Knoblauch, and Nathan.

Another key to their success is that Smith is not afraid to make changes. Take Livan Hernandez for example. Smith dolled out a five million dollar contract to him during the offseason since he expected him to anchor the rotation after the departure of Santana. After posting a 10 – 8 record with a 5.48 ERA, he was cut to make room for Francisco Liriano.

This was a risky move for any team in contention. How often is a 10 game winner cut in July by a contending team? These are the kinds of moves that make or break the career of a general
manager.

Since being cut, Hernandez is 1 – 2 with a 15.32 ERA for Colorado, who picked him up. Liriano is 4 – 0 with a 1.48 ERA since being called up from the minor leagues.

Everything is going right for the Twins in July and August when it really matters. A 21 – 12 record since the All-Star break places them amongst the best in the league. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, with Adam Everett and Pat Neshek injured, Mike Lamb playing like it’s little league and a pitching rotation with everyone under the age of 27, these Twins have found a way to shine.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.