When a team wins, many flaws are covered up. Conversely, when they lose, flaws are readily noticeable. That’s true of most everything. Think back a couple of decades to when the Twins won the ‘87 and ‘91 World Series, the Metrodome was looked upon affectionately. But during the down years and losing seasons, it became a dirty place smelling of old hot dogs.
It is true of the current Minnesota Twins that while winning, flaws are overlooked and even accepted as part of the make-up of the team. Not so when they’re losing, particularly when the flaws contribute to the losses and the losses begin to mount up.
DicknBert, Twins’ announcers, contribute to our surprise when the flaws become evident by their not mentioning them previously. I don’t blame them, for they are obviously following the party line. To give an example; in a recent Tampa Bay game there was a pop fly ball to shallow right field and the fly was not caught by right fielder Cuddyer and, because of the misplay, Joe Nathan then had a runner on second with one out instead of two outs with nobody on base. The inning then unraveled and Tampa won the game. They never explained that Cuddyer lost the fly in the ceiling and that it should have been the second out and Nathan was not to blame. It rested with the outfielder.
The Twins haven’t changed. They started the season with concerns. Their outfield has less range than any other in the Central Division. Delmon Young has limited coverage in left field. That is also true of Michael Cuddyer in right field who has difficulty going back on fly balls. When he picks up the ball he does have a good arm. Denard Span is an average center fielder when the Twins need a Kirby Puckett or Torii Hunter, given the mobility of the fielders flanking him. The need is especially evident when flyball pitchers Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey are on the mound.
Fans were concerned with the middle infield and with the injury to Nishioka, those concerns have come home to roost. The other day anager Ron Gardenhire had Cuddyer playing second base with Matt Tolbert at shortstop. Not a pennant-winning combination.
To sum up, we’re talking about the outfield range, the middle infield and the inability of Joe Nathan to close. The flaws are there, but the good news is they were always there, and we all thought they could be overcome. And they will be through hard work, injury recovery and good planning. We do have a first-rate closer available in Matt Capps. Joe Mauer will be back and the good news is that his problems may have been closely related to intestinal flu. Nishioka will be back and the infield has a good chance of being solid again. That will help immensely. For example, the fly ball that Cuddyer missed would have been caught by the speedy Nishioka if he was playing second.
If the Twins can play .500 ball until Mauer and Nishioka get back, the Twins will do well the rest of the season. They, along with Gardenhire, will combat the flaws as mentioned above. Kubel has played well in the outfield. Delmon Young looks to be improved from last year as he made a couple of fine plays coming in on sinking liners. Cuddyer may become the most versatile player in the majors and while he won’t win many Golden Gloves, he is a good guy to have on your side.
The Twins may have an early rough patch, but they will handle their problems and when they do, they will be a better team.
