Note to self: Avoid Target Field on Sundays

I had tickets for the Twins game yesterday, but fortunately sold them earlier in the week, in anticipation of the massive hangover that was certain to follow a bachelor party doubleheader on Saturday (Ever tried that?  I don't recommend it).  The combo of said hangover, Kevin Slowey coughing up 4 first-inning runs and the worst Surrender Sunday lineup the Twins have rolled out all season allowed plenty of time for a much-needed nap, so I suppose I should be thankful that hope died early on.  Tip of the cap to the Germany-Austrailia World Cup match (the equivalent of a #1/#16 game during March Madness) that finished the job, and spared me another two hours of watching an overmatched AAA version of my favorite baseball team.

The deficiencies in the lineup have been well documented several places, (including here http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/96284328.html) in better fashion than I could muster.  Truth be told there is nothing new to glean than what is already known, the Twins are thin on bench options with their middle infielders hurt, and Kevin Slowey is going to get shelled once in a while.  Kind of the dog days of baseball season around here already, as things can either go poorly over the next 6 weeks (swoon drops the club out of first) or just okay (players come back from injury, team stretches it's lead), but will never touch great, regardless of record, as long as all the same internal pieces are being employed.  Sure it would be great to see the team return to health, the starters remain generally effective and the bullpen strong, in fact all 3 of those things will be absolutely necessary if the team is going to win this division.  But like most other years when the Twins have seemed solid, the difference will be all about who is added from outside the organization before July 31st.

It's getting more and more apparent that this is a good team when healthy, and could be great.  But without another strong righthanded bat off the bench or in the lineup, they will never get there.  The same can be said for an ace pitcher, unless Francisco Liriano cannot begin to dominate on a regular basis like he did last Friday.  Comparing this year's version to previous division-winning seasons, the team is in a much better place as of mid-June.  But the problem with that, and with the visions of greatness, is that it adds to the frustration when the moment of truth comes, and the team decides to stand pat. 

Now I know that I'm a reactionary fan, and if fans had their way, the minor league system would be ransacked every time the team was within 5 games of first place at the All-Star break.  But given the number of one-year contributors on this team, and the fact that it could do something big, given the right additions, it seems more than ever like now is the time.  Trades happen every year, some work, some don't, none threaten to turn this team into the Kansas City Royals next season.

We keep hearing about prospects that never seem to show up, or are unimpressive when they do; it always seems like the Twins are willing to forgo a shot at a title this season in the name of the dynasty they're beuilding down the road.  It's time to take the "bird-in-hand" approach this year, go get a Ty Wigginton or a Cliff Lee, pay the price and break with the old way of doing things.  Wilson Ramos, Aaron Hicks, or whatever other irreplaceable prospect it might cost is not too much to pay; funny thing about the can't-miss guys is that they usually end up missing.  In the words of Woody Harrelson in Zombieland: It's time to nut up or shut up.

Because until you do, it's just rolling along with the cute little Twins...and I have to watch 3 guys batting under .200 on Sundays.