Guest post: Jeff writes about the Angels (and the Twins)
Posted on July 31st, 2009 – 11:15 AMBy Howard
Howard’s note: Frequent commenter Jeff in So. Cal sat through the pain of the Twins-Angels series last weekend and filed this report about watching the team that’s coming to the Metrodome this weekend, and what the Twins could learn from them. Also, La Velle and Joe (and sometimes myself) now have our Twitter thoughts landing on our Twitter page at startribune.com/twins. You can join in by adding #stribtwins to your tweets. Enjoy the weekend.
I have been attending just about every Twins game at Anaheim Stadium since I moved to Southern California back in 1978. I must say that it is impressive of the increased amount of Twins fans now showing up to support the Twins. I am guessing, but it sure looked like a quarter of the fans last Saturday were Twins fans. We just did not have much to cheer about the first three games. It was not always like that here, but I sure wish that the Twins had played a better brand of baseball to reward all of their fans who followed the team to Anaheim.
It became clear to me watching this series with the Angels that Mike Scoscia really has his team playing fundamental, aggressive baseball. In my opinion, he is hands-down the American League Manager of the Year, plus they were doing it with two of there best offensive players out with injuries! This team just has no quit in it and they keep battling until the last out. It reminded me of how the Twins used to play the game.
I hope that Bill Smith took notice of how the Angels play the game right now. What do you think the chances are of the Twins going 9-1 without Mauer and Morneau in the lineup? That is essentially what the Angels did without Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter. The Angels, like other perennial contending teams, surround there superstars with good complimentary players. When there is a glaring need, their management goes out and tries to get the player they think is going to help push them to the top.
The Twins are blessed right now with three guys in the middle of the lineup who are probably the best in baseball. Mauer, Morneau, and Kubel are having a year that is one for the ages. I cannot think of another team that has a better middle of the order right now.
Those three had a great weekend in Anaheim. The problem is that the rest of the team just wasn’t playing well (even though that changed during the White Sox sweep). For as good as those three guys are, our middle infield is just as weak. This team just cannot rely on those guys every night.
There is still room for a lot of optimism for this Twins team and the near future. This year’s version of the Twins is the youngest team in the American League. We also have the fifth-highest average attendance — trailing the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and just behind Detroit. They are also set to enter next season at Target Field, which should boost attendance.
The Central Division is still there to be had as it appears nobody is going to run away with it. The Twins just have to add some players who will compliment our great hitters, instead of dragging them down every game.
Please, Bill Smith you not only owe it to the fans you owe it to the great players you have already. It will finally send a message to all that you want to win — and win now!!
15 Responses to "Guest post: Jeff writes about the Angels (and the Twins)"
could not agree more… great article
“Please, Bill Smith you not only owe it to the fans you owe it to the great players you have already. It will finally send a message to all that you want to win — and win now!!”
Jeff, yeah, I was at the game Saturday, too.
One thing to take away from the Angels, though, is the weakness of their starting pitching.
The Angels have serious problems in their starting rotation. They give up way too many runs early in the game. Right now, the offense has been picking them up, but, how long can that last?
Well, those 3 didn’t do much against the White Sox and we went 3-0 without the benefit of someone replacing them. You forgot to mention our 4th big guy on our team who blew a 2 run save that would have made us 2-2 in Cal. I would trade Scosia for Gardy though. I get your point but I am still waiting to see our Twins go 9-1 with all our guys.
Des,
The first loss to the Angels was somewhat of a fluke. If the ball doesn’t hit second base, Punto makes the play, game over.
Punto has to get that ball before it hits the base a true athletic shortstop gets that ball game over.
You are right Blake and I think Jeff had some good points in a good article. I just noticed how our big 3 hit well in Cal and lost, then didn’t do well at all and just swept another good team. Angels are just hot right now. I liken it to last year with Cuddyer out, a hot Casilla out, Neschek out, Lamb and Monroe still with us, Livan still in the rotation and we went 18-3. This year has been disappointing so no one can imagine us in a winning streak without key players but last year they did it, then go most of the players back plus a hot Liriano and did poorly after that. Its just a funny game that way
So. Cal, I thought the same thing when I saw the play but not sure it is valid. A batted ball hits the bag so rarely that I don’t think it would be in any shortstop’s mind “Hey, I have to get to it before it hits the bag.” I think you take the route you naturally would take to make the play cleanly and in time. Maybe a quicker SS would have made the play naturally in front of the bag. Nathan walking a guy didn’t help but it is just the sequence that seems to go your way when you are on a hot streak and goes against you when not.
The Angels’ payroll is double the Twins, so any discussion of what the Twins can learn from the Angels has to begin and end right there. That has absolutely nothing to do with Bill Smith and everything to do with how much ownership is willing to spend.
It’s pretty simple, the Twins need to learn how to live in a metro area that is 10 times larger than the Twin Cities so they can have a HUGE budget and over pay for their entire outfield.
It’s pretty simple, the Twins need to learn how to live in a metro area that is 10 times larger than the Twin Cities so they can have a HUGE budget and over pay for their entire outfield.
Please, Bill Smith, don’t trade away the future. Don’t trade Valencia.
Good post, Jeff.
I agree about Scoscia being probably the MOY in the AL.
I’ve made it to a couple of games at the Big A, but haven’t seen the Twins play there yet.
I heard they’ve got the All Star game there next year and THEN they’re going to do some extensive remodeling of the stadium. That seemed kind of bass-ackward to me, but you folks do things different out there, I know!
Enjoyable article; the Twins need to average more fans per game than most other teams. They play in a small media market with (o/s of the Cities) an annual average income below the annual average for the US (albeit, with some set-offs, such as lower RE prices), so the Twins can’t begin to earn in ad revenues what’s available to Seattle, Texas, Atlanta, Philly, and Colorado, let alone NY, Boston, and LA.
Bottom Line: The Twins must depend upon game attendance (and concession sales in the Target) more so than most of the other markets. So, the Twins need to always be near the top in attendance on a year-after-year basis if they’re to be competitive with the other markets.
Bill Smith — like him or not — has done enough to keep Mauer, who wasn’t going anywhere anyway. Minnesota native. Family. Friends. Loves his home. Worth more than money and even championships. Lucky for him, he’ll get plenty of money. And I think it’s 50-50 we win a World Series during his career. The discovery that Ortiz, Ramirez, A-Rod, name the big city franchise player….were all doing ‘roids…Mauer isn’t going anywhere. He’s a Twin for the next decade, and likely his career.
Cabrera is an okay pickup. I think we could’ve done better. I wish we’d gone for a starter. I think the Tigers are a bit scarier after the deal today. I think we’re no more than 40-60 to win the division now. Go Twins.
JimCrikket
Thanks for the compliment.. As for which central team improved the most today I would say it would have to be Detroit by far. They got Washburn not only because of the player he is but also because he pitches extremely well at the Metrodome and I am sure they were well aware of it. I was really hoping that we could have gotten that guy as he wants to play here anyway. Hopefully this winter we will make a push and sign him as he would be a great asset to our pitching staff.
