Twins show signs of greatness

By Joel Myhre (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 06:00 a.m., February 7, 2010

As you force yourself to watch the Super Bowl between New Orleans and Indianapolis this evening, crying in your beer over what could have been had the Vikings not fumbled and bumbled their way to a loss in a game they dominated, keep the following thoughts in mind:

The Twins are less than two months away from playing in a new outdoor stadium. And, if everyone stays healthy, the team should be good – quite possibly, very good.

Judging by the gobs of people who attended TwinsFest last weekend in the Metrodome, knocking my daughter over on occasion while we found her a pink hat and a pink bat, I’m not the only one who has this thought.

Unlike the Vikings, who seem to have long stretches of mediocrity separated by short stints of almost greatness, the Twins for the last decade have been consistently good. And to paraphrase Brett Favre, the pieces could be in place to be a World Series contender.

What got me thinking about it was this week’s signing of All-Star second baseman Orlando Hudson, who fills a huge hole in the infield and at the second spot in the lineup. With Hudson, the Twins add a guy who can play great defense and hit for average, to go with outfielder Denard Span and infielders Nick Punto and Brendan Harris. They have four, and maybe five guys who are 30 home run, 100 RBI types in Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and two 20 home run, 80 RBI types in Delmon Young and J.J. Hardy.

What it means to the layperson: a lineup that has both speed and power and that should be among the best run-producing teams this side of the New York Yankees.

The bullpen, led by closer Joe Nathan, gets submarine ball guy Pat Neshek back this year, and should be as deep as any in the majors.

As for the pitching staff, the Twins have four solid starters in Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey and Carl Pavano. If there’s anything that the Twins lack, it’s an ace. Ever since they traded away Johan Santana, the team has had a lot of OK starters, but not that stopper guy. What they could really use is the Francisco Liriano of 2006, when he was basically unhittable for half the season. Since then, Liriano was out due to injury, and, most recently, a shadow of his former self.

The word down in winter ball is that he’s regained his form, throwing a fastball in the mid-90s and pitching that unhittable slider again. If that’s the case, the Twins will truly be in business. If not, they still will be very good because they have a lot of other starting options.

So as you watch the Super Bowl while winter is still slapping us in the face, give thought to the hope that springs eternal – the Twins of the spring of 2010.

n n n

I have had several people ask me why the Sertoma Club decided to have its fishing derby on Super Bowl Sunday.

I always respond by saying that there couldn’t be a better day.

The Super Bowl actually gets played at 5:30 p.m., and the really good commercials don’t start running until the game actually gets started. Our fishing derby takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Pebble Lake, with the raffle lasting about 30 minutes after that. So, unless you’re really hyped about watching sob stories about New Orleans Saints fans (and frankly, I’m not), come out to the derby, catch some fish, have lunch, buy some raffle tickets, and you’ll be home in plenty of time for the kickoff and funny commercials.

Joel Myhre is The Journal’s general manager. E-mail him at joel.myhre@fergusfallsjournal.com

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