Somehow, the Twins made it through the first week without establishing themselves as the surprise contender of the American League or providing casual fans an excuse to give up and start making their to-do list of other ways to spend the summer. It feels like an interesting season, where we’re allowed to have reasonable expectations for 2008 while watching what unfolds with an eye to the future.

No matter what management alleges, there’s rebuilding going on.

But, first, this sermon from Detroit manager Jim Leyland, whose team is 0-6 despite having the World Series ceded to it before the first pitch of the season was thrown. These were his words after the Tigers lost 13-2 to the White Sox last night, ending a winless homestand. They come courtesy of the Detroit News’ Lynn Henning: “Right now, we just look like a bad ballclub I’m not mad at anyone out there. Personally, I’m embarrassed. I don’t sugarcoat anything, but I’m not gonna rip the team, either. I don’t think that’s an issue right now. There are too many professionals who know what’s going on. I think they understand that. I’m personally embarrassed, and I would hope they are, too. They know we’ve been (awful). I can put on a big show, or the players can have a meeting, and it would read good in the paper. But it’s all eyewash.”

See, it could be a lot worse.

Meanwhile, back on the homefront:

*Gogomez looked like a raw rookie over the weekend, getting one hit and getting baited into trying to stretch a soft single into a single by Kansas City’s Jose Guillen, who looked quite proud of himself for fooling Gogomez into trying to advance. The arms ‘n’ range combination of Gogomez/Delmon/Cuddyer is gonna be fun to watch. As bad as Gogomez looked getting thrown out at second yesterday, it wasn’t as bad as the pathetic humiliation of Kansas City’s Billy Butler, who trotted around first base and got thrown out at second by six feet by Delmon on a liner off the wall in left on Saturday. Delmon’s arm would have been the story of that game, as much as the return of Morneau’s bat, if Mauer had held on to his throw to complete a double play in the second inning.

*I guess Morneau will hit some home run this season.

*Is Cuddyer’s injury really going put the Mauer-batting-second move on suspension? Matt Tolbert has exhibited a good eye and good results so far as an around-the-infield fill-in (.533 OBP in 15 plate appearances), but that too won’t last. After watching fringe players look so overmatched at the plate (Garrett Jones and his ilk) in recent years, it’s been nice to watch Tolbert hang in the way he does.

*Speaking of Tolbert, I’m sure everyone is happy to see that Gardy has anointed him as the 5th infielder and that Nick Punto had only 1 start and 4 at-bats during the homestand. On Saturday, he even managed to avoid detection by the PA announcer when he replaced Mike Lamb at third base in the ninth inning.

*Denard Span’s call-up was a curious move. It feels like equal parts reward for a good spring and marketing effort with other teams, as well as a quick look to see how he’d function as a back-up player — kind of a contemporary Tyner type. Of course, with the Twins needing an outfielder, there weren’t a whole lot of options beyond Span and Jason Pridie in the minors.

*The Twins have walked six batters in seven games. Dontrelle Willis of the 2008 World Series champion Tigers walked seven in five innings on Saturday. As a staff, the Tigers have walked 27. It’s early, but it explains some stuff. Click here for some ugly-butt numbers. Good luck in Boston, guys.

*Get your work done early today. Game time is 3 p.m.

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 7th, 2008 at 8:16 am and is filed under Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.