The Twins experienced a high finance week in which the franchise committed $104 million in future compensation to Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau, and saved part of the Pohlad family fortune by not paying Johan Santana $100 million or more, instead shipping him to the New York Mets (previously predicted here) for four prospects.
It’s nice having Joe Mauer, Cuddyer and Morneau locked into long term contracts, and Delmon Young looks like a heck of a prospect, but reality is the Twins appear less like a pennant contender this year than last. How else can it be with Santana, arguably baseball’s best pitcher gone to the Mets, and Torii Hunter, one of the American League’s top five outfielders, chasing down extra hits and hitting home runs for the Los Angeles Angels?
The Twins will be a popular choice for third or fourth in the five-team Central Division behind Detroit, Cleveland and likely Chicago. The division will draw support as baseball’s best and it will certainly test the young Twins who feature a roster now of players between 22 and 26 years old.
If you’re into the “blame game” about losing Santana, go ahead and scream at Barry Zito and his agent for escalating the free agent starting pitcher market to crazy levels. Zito left Oakland after the 2006 season and signed with the Giants for $18 million per year. That changed the money game for elite pitchers like Santana.
Without Santana the pitching staff is in search of a numero uno. No guarantees that anyone will fill the No. 1 stud role in 2008 but Francisco Liriano is the most intriguing guy to watch. Manager Ron Gardenhire said on WCCO Radio Sunday that “Liriano can get anybody out.” Sports Headliners will top that: Liriano has better “stuff” (pitches) than Santana.
That kind of hype means nothing if the 24-year-old left hander isn’t fully recovered from the elbow surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2007 season. Gawd he was good in 2006, though, 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 2006. The man can blow both his changeup and fast ball right by the best of hitters.
Another pitching name that keeps coming up is 24-year-old Nick Blackburn. He debuted in a limited role last season with the Twins and had a 7.71 ERA, but he was impressive in the Arizona Fall League and is considered a prospect in the starting pitching competition.
Pitching coach Rick Anderson told Sports Headliners back in December that he likes competition and figures to see plenty of it among his potential starters in spring training. He talked about “relying on young kids” and “on the job training.”
This figures to be an exciting team to watch mature toward winning seasons in the new ballpark starting in 2010. As the Twins look for answers with their starting pitching, the bullpen could remain special with veteran Joe Nathan and others who have been effective in the past. Plus, the Twins figure to score runs including behind the bat of the 22-year-old Young, regarded by some scouts, according to the Sporting News, as the best young hitter in the game.
Another newcomer of interest is shortstop Adam Everett. He made only seven errors in 2006 playing for Houston.
Here’s something else to help you survive the snow and wind chill until spring. The 2008 home schedule has more pop than usual. The Yankees play two series in the dome, not one as in the past. The Red Sox play four games, not three. Hunter and the Angels play here in the opening series in what will be a much anticipated opener.
And now we know the starting pitcher won’t be Johan Santana.