It’s mostly seashells and balloons for the Minnesota Twins right now, only days after opening spring training camp near the beach in Fort Myers, Florida. Popular opinion is this team looks like the best in years, a possible World Series entry in the fall.
But not so fast, my friends.
Spring training optimism emanates from even the most mediocre of franchises. The start of a new season can create a euphoria that defies logic. That’s not the accusation about the glowing predictions for the 2010 Twins, but let’s not plan a championship parade from Target Field to Hennepin Avenue yet.
A concern this team must eventually put to rest is not so much performance by its players, but availability. The Twins have several players, including key contributors, who have been cozy with the injured list.
Joe Mauer played only 109 games in 2007 and last year missed the first month of the season. Although Mauer is only 26, he plays catcher, the most punishing of positions. The three-time batting champion, two-time Gold Glove winner and 2009 American League MVP is indispensable to the Twins.
First baseman Justin Morneau was the AL MVP in 2006 and at 28 remains among the elite players in the league. He averaged about 600 at bats from 2006-2008. But if he thought he was an Ironman, a back injury that sidelined him after September 12 for the remainder of the season proved he wasn’t. Both Mauer and Morneau have experienced severe back problems, sometimes not the best place to have injuries and expect a long career.
Outfielder Michael Cuddyer, 30, had a career season last year, hitting 32 home runs, with 94 RBI and a .276 batting average. He was exceptional in the clutch and steady, as usual, in the field. The season contrasted with 2008 when injuries seemed to follow Cuddyer around and he played in only 71 games, with 249 at bats.
Joe Nathan, among baseball’s elite relievers in recent years, had off season elbow surgery to remove bone chips. Nathan was sometimes ineffective late in the season including the playoff series when the Yankees swept the Twins. At 35, Nathan has thrown a lot of pitches over the years. Will his arm be healthy and effective for another 40 saves or so?
If not, the Twins might be able to receive help from Pat Neshek, but after missing all of last year following elbow surgery his potential is unknown. Neshek, 29, has a violent right handed delivery that has produced impressive numbers in the past such as a 2.19 ERA in 2006. But that delivery doesn’t seem like associated with longevity.
Kevin Slowey will be counted on as a starter after his season ended last year in early July. Slowey, 25, had wrist surgery and should be ready to produce for a pitching staff that isn’t completely set on its starting rotation and relievers. Among the reasons for that is not knowing what to expect from former starters Francisco Liriano (major elbow surgery in 2006) and Glen Perkins (arm tendinitis last year). Both are 26.
So if there’s a championship parade you can count on seeing most of the players. They will be healthy and able to attend.