Twins Recap '07

For the first time since 2005, the Minnesota Twins are watching the Major League Baseball playoffs on TV instead of playing in them. It's not like they deserved to be there this year.

The Twins finished the 2007 season at 79-83, good enough for third place behind the American League Central division champion Cleveland Indians. A distant third place, thanks to a lack of offense, injuries to key players such as Joe Mauer and Rondell White, and ineffective starting pitching. Even ace Johan Santana had an off year.

Now the question becomes: How many of the players you saw in 2007 will be in a Twins uniform come 2008? Terry Ryan has handed over the general manager duties to someone named Bill Smith. You might say Ryan got out just in time, because Smith has the unenviable task of trying to keep the popular Torii Hunter out of the free agent market. And if Santana has another so-so year like this one, the Twins won't have any problems parting with him.

It's not likely the Twins will be able to keep its stars, not as long as owner Carl Pohlad prefers to spend his money on radio stations and jewelry stores. Sure, there's a new ballpark to provide more revenue. But it doesn't open until 2010, and the landlords and Hennepin County are still bickering over the price--which might ultimately determine Pohlad's future financial investment in the team.

Whatever happens, the slide towards mediocrity is just beginning.

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Before we go, here's our projected World Series matchup: Cleveland vs. Chicago Cubs.