What’s obvious is the Twins organization doesn’t have pitchers and other ball players in their farm system to help with the mess of this spring. The frequent flyer miles are piling up in a hurry as the organization shuttles players back and forth between here and the Triple A farm team in Rochester, New York.
If the organization has talented reinforcements coming they must be mostly buried deep in the minor leagues. Pitcher Kyle Gibson is a hoped for contributor at Rochester but might not be ready to help until next season. Further down on the organization’s depth chart are potential saviors Miguel Sano, a 17-year-old infielder, and Max Kepler, the 18-year-old outfielder.
What’s frustrating to fans is the Twins have lost personnel during the last several years that could be helping the club. Included are pitchers Matt Garza, now with the Cubs but a 15 game winner with Tampa Bay last year, and Phil Humber, a surprise contributor with the White Sox with his 3.06 ERA. And who wouldn’t take Crain and a 0.75 ERA in his last 10 games for the White Sox?
A year ago the Twins looked overloaded at catcher with Wilson Ramos and Jose Morales. Neither is here now with Ramos at Washington and Morales in Colorado.
Two years ago the Twins acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera to help their Central Division title drive but they didn’t keep him after the 2009 season. Now Cabrera is hitting near .300 in Cleveland.
Another vocal leader and veteran infielder, Orlando Hudson, was a contributor to the 2010 Central Division champions. Now he’s starting at second base for San Diego and while he’s been struggling he looks okay compared to the Twins’ middle infielders.
Garza, Ramos, Cabrera and other ex-Twins could make a difference but Minnesota will have to rally without them. Already 10 games back of first place Cleveland in the division, the Twins have to make up ground this month, not fall further behind.
But is this a team that now−or in the future−is able to contend even in the American League’s least talented division, the Central?