The signing of 2008 All-Star third baseman Joe Crede has caused renewed optimism about the boys of summer here in the northland. With the season more than a month away there’s talk of a Central Division title for the Twins, with perhaps the more zealous predicting the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1991.
But not so fast, my friends. There’s a storyline that must develop if the Twins are to make good on the optimism of February. Let’s accept it as fact that the team’s three All-Stars from 2008, reliever Joe Nathan, catcher Joe Mauer, and first baseman Justin Morneau will again be among the best in baseball at what they do. Their supporting cast, while seemingly talented and full of potential, causes an observer to ask questions.
Crede hit 17 home runs last year in just 98 games, but he’s had back surgery in both 2008 and 2007. At 30 years old, how do we know Crede’s back won’t be an issue?
Here’s a more encompassing question: A dugout full of Twins enjoyed success last season but many are still inexperienced. So what? Other teams make scouting serious business and adjustments can be made to exploit weaknesses. We’ll see what kind of adjustments Central Division and other teams make this season.
Exemplifying the inexperience are starting pitchers Nick Blackburn (33 major league starts), Glen Perkins (26 starts) and Kevin Slowey (38). Right fielder Denard Span was a rookie last season, appearing in 93 games. Center fielder Carlos Gomez had played in only 58 major league games until last year when he was in 153. Second baseman Alexi Casilla has 163 games of major league experience.
Then there’s concern about starting pitcher Francisco Liriano who made an impressive comeback last season after missing all of 2007 following major surgery on his left arm. There are no guarantees in life, including pitching arms. An All-Star like Liriano, the team’s most dominant pitcher, is huge in helping to potentially place the Twins among baseball elite.
All winter there have been two topics Twins fans could verbalize even in their sleep. One was upgrading the talent at third base, the other an eighth inning stopper. Crede could be mission accomplished but spring training and the early season will determine whether wannabes like Luis Ayala and Jose Mijares can become more than average in the eighth inning assignment.
So go ahead with your hopes for the Twins but don’t lineup for World Series tickets yet.