Everybody's hurt, and things look gloomy.

 

Orders for the day: Attack!

My point (or counter-point) would be that I don't care about their salary, someone has to step up and lead.

Where is Nick Punto when we need him? Although I agree that he should remain in Rochester for a few months, Ben Revere provides a spark/fire that this team desperately needs.

When he his leadership (and mouth) was still in MN, they did not lose 99, did they?

Ha. That is such a worthless point. That team was destined to lose 99 games, with or without Cuddy. There were holes all over the field...obviously.

He seemed to be the one guy who believed in accountability.

I have no idea how anyone thinks Cuddy's leadership would help this team win games. It might, but what, 1-3 a year, at most? And, he's not built for this field offesnively. If they had kept him, Willingham would not be here (for more production at less money). That was a good decision by Ryan. But, looking at the majors and the minors and their previous willingness to spend money (or not), I think they are likely to be one of the 5 worst teams this year, next year, and maybe the year after. By then, Mauer will be out of his prime, and saving all those prospects will have not paide off, again.

... he also brought a clubhouse presence that a Joe Mauer or Denard Span has yet to possess. You can't blame Cuddyer for leaving, he could see where things were headed. It's too bad the team's management didn't have that forethought.

And you've spent how much time in the clubhouse? And your definition of a good kind of leadership is the guy who bolts after one bad season? Huh.

Well said Nick. At least it will be a nice night tonight going to the game.

It's important to stress accountability - thanks for that, Nick. You and Seth were right to predict 77-82 wins for this team - that is their actual ability level. For me, there's an important distinction between a team that sucks and a decent team that's playing like ass. You can't blame players that suck for losing - after all, they suck! This team, however, has no business playing as poorly as they have. Step the hell up is right.

At this point, do they need to sign Oswalt just to save face??

Your article is right on the mark. I, also, figured a .500 season would be the best we could expect. We have some EXCELLENT hitters on this team who for some odd reason can't buy a hit. It is so disheartening to watch. We knew the starting pitching would be dubious, but again who could have predicted it to be as AWFUL as it has been. The new players are doing fine, especially Mr. Willingham. The RF situation really confuses me--they send Ben R. down, get Clete Thomas, dump him, get the new guy--Kumatsu? WHY didn't they keep either Cuddy or Kubel, rather than play roulette with these other guys, or just let Ben play, and let him figure it out this year. Mauer is a great hitter, but can't seem to get the big hit when we really need it. I was so encouraged by Morneau for a week or so there, and then....i don't have any answers. They pay many people big money to figure that out. I have been a fan for 51 years, and will continue to be, but, THIS IS SO HARD TO WATCH!

Here is my counterpoint: He was the "leader" after Hunter left. What exactly did the Twins win or accomplish (other than a division championship, and that thanks to Delmon Young, btw) with him as the leader? Not. that. much. And go back and read his statements after the game 163 loss in Chicago to talk about "stepping up" and being ok with losses... And that was a game that he personally could have won with a take out slide at the plate, instead he did not want to have contact with AJP... So Cudduyer and his alleged leadership was part of the problem and not the solution...

 

Wow, didn't think there was anyone you despised as much as Gardenhire, but apparently there is! And as with Gardy, your personal dislike of Cuddyer making you willfully blind to certain facts, which leads to irrational conclusions.

 

1) The Twins lost Game 163 in '08 by one run. The most Cuddyer could have done is tie the game if he had scored. Last I checked, you don't get a bonus run for knocking the catcher over. He could not have "personally won" that game

2) Cuddyer was 1-3 with a double. The rest of the team was 1-23 with no XBH. So pinning the loss on Cuddyer is just plain silly. Not as silly as ripping on Gardenhire for attending his daughter's college graduation, but it's up there.

3) The Twins did not win a divison title after Hunter left. They won 2. Funny how 2009, Cuddyer's best year as a Twin, gets ignored in your little diatribe. Cuddyer deserves a lot of credit for the division title that year for the way he played after taking over first base for an injured Morneau. Certainly more than Young deserves for the 2010 division title.

Hey Nick, congratulations on being quoted by ESPN in the latest power rankings.

Fortunately, Terry Ryan should have plenty of budget to fill at least two rotation spots with quality pitchers next season.

 

Unfortunately, the lineup is also in dire need of upgrades at 5 spots; and even if Morneau is healthy next year, he'll probably need to be replaced in 2014, too. I don't think money alone could fix enough holes to make the team a contender anytime soon. I expect we'll have to wait for Ryan to rebuild the farm system before we get back to enjoying pennant races again.

I think we're past using Morneau and healthy in the same sentence. Its time to fire sale this thing and start from scratch. It might be time to pull the plug on Mauer. I've never seen a supposed "leader" this comfortable with losing.