Originally posted at BleacherReport.com

Matt Tolbert, Getty Images

Everybody loves a hard worker. Just ask Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire. He is known around Twins’ Territory as one who adores players who bust their tails, even though the results may not be there.

Perhaps this is the reason Matt Tolbert still finds himself in the batting lineup every day?

Being brutally honest, Tolbert is not a good baseball player. His defense is above-average at second base, but most of that is thanks to his incredible speed. Tolbert’s defensive range is one of the best on the team, but his less-than-desirable offensive numbers have many calling for his head.

Tolbert made the team out of Spring Training last year as a utility infielder. He was the minor-league version ofMark DeRosa, playing nearly everywhere in the infield as well as both corner outfield positions.

Sir Tolbert, versatility is thy middle name.

His defensive prowess aside, Tolbert’s offensive struggles could be the only obstacle keeping him from the national spotlight.

And what an obstacle that is.

Just one game short of his 2008 total, Tolbert already has 18 more plate appearances. This is a result of his sliding—no pun intended—into the second base role on a daily basis. Alexi Casilla was just as good defensively, if not more so, than Tolbert.

However, when Casilla’s triple-slash line fell to .167/.231/.202 in May the Twins felt the need to change things up.

I’m not saying that Casilla didn’t have a demotion coming to him: he obviously did. Casilla didn’t hustle on pop outs and fans were forced to watch him trot leisurely up the first-base line on bunt attempts. The hustle that Gardenhire loves wasn’t evident in Casilla, and the result was a demotion.

The swapping of Tolbert and Casilla was welcomed with a sigh of relief among Twins fans. No longer would a bat worse than most National League pitchers’ be forced into the lineup day-in and day-out. The fact that Casilla’s defense was top-notch didn’t make up for his offensive ineptitude in the eyes of fans.

In fact, offensive ineptitude is not foreign to Twins fans.

Most Twins fans claim that Nick Punto is only kept on the team because of his defensive versatility. To manager Ron Gardenhire, the fact that Punto is consistently battling with the Mendoza line is beside the point.

Now it seems the only thing keeping Tolbert in the big-leagues is the current injury to Punto. There is no room on the roster for two utility infielders. Just as Casilla was demoted, so shall Tolbert.

Gardenhire’s supposed love affair with utility infielders who are horrendous at the plate is both well-known and well-documented in Minnesota. It seems everyone knows of this “weakness” and are quick to join in the criticizing.

Steve Tolleson

This criticism has now been directed at Tolbert. He is going down the same dark road as Casilla and Punto did before him.

This time, though, Tolbert’s days are numbered.

It seems shocking that Gardenhire continues to play these players who lack in the offensive department every day. Sure, most of the time they’re excellent defenders. But when that is balanced against the fact that they only get a hit two times out of ten makes them bad baseball players.

There are guys like 25-year-old Steve Tolleson waiting in Triple-A for their chance at the Minnesota infield. Tolleson has a triple-slash line of .330/.398/.461 in his games at Rochester this year; extremely better than the 27-year-old Tolbert at that level.

Just two years of age separate Tolleson and Tolbert, yet Gardenhire preferred the elder. This is hard to criticise, but the fact that Tolleson is nearly as versatile as Tolbert raises the question, “Where’s the love for offense?”

There is little doubt that Tolleson will play in Minnesota this year. How long that stint will be, no one knows. Whether in September when the rosters are expanded or not, the time is not yet known.

When Tolleson’s name is called, though, let’s hope he impresses Gardenhrie enough to break him of his love for offensively inept utility infielders.

Posted in Opinion No Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Matt Tolbert, Nick Punto, Steve Tolleson

Freddy Sanchez

Most fans prefer to lose via the blowout. They argue, and I agree, that it is less painful to lose when you know the outcome of the game in the fourth inning. In the past twenty-five Twins’ losses only three have been by more than five runs. At least lately, when the Twins lose they lose because of one or two malfunctioning pieces.

If one of these issues were addressed, could the Twins find themselves with a playoff-caliber team? And if so, what one piece are they missing?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Twins are set in the outfield. With Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel, our three “starters” are pretty darn solid. All three have on-base-percentages higher than .360 and both Cuddyer and Kubela have double-digit home run totals. These players are good, but I’m not going to pretend that there aren’t problems. (Delmon Young being given regular starts as one example, and Carlos Gomez continually riding the pine as another.)

There is an abundance of outfielders in Minnesota, so adding another either via free agency or trade would be pointless.

Our starting pitchers have also smoothed out after a rough start. Scott Baker is looking like the ace he was supposed to be, while Nick Blackburn has done a fine job being an innings-eater. He has the most innings of anyone on the Twins’ staff and boasts two complete games (although one was less desirable than the other). Both Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey have also looked great this year, with Slowey near the top of the American League in wins.

Francisco Liriano is the problem. He has consistently had one problematic inning in his starts, and many (including me) have argued that a temporary move to the bullpen is in order.

All of these starting pitchers are under 27 years old. The Twins could make a move for a guy like 31-year old Brad Penny, which would allow for both a veteran presence on the team as well as make it possible for a smooth transition to the bullpen for Liriano. On the other hand, the asking price for Penny (who would only be a half-year rental) would probably be too steep.

Brad Penny

The corner infield is set for this year. Justin Morneau is continuing to do what he does best, being one of the top first basemen considered for the nearing All-Star game. Joe Crede has done a super job defensively while sporting a dismal on-base-percentage. His back has held out so far, though, and few Twins fan could ask for more than what he has done.

The middle infield could use an upgrade. Matt Tolbert has assumed the role at second base and has almost been worse offensively than Alexi Casilla. In his 31 games at second this year, though, Tolbert has committed just one error and has great speed, but watching him go hitless night-after-night is painful, to say the least.

Brendan Harris has been a surprise this year for the Twins, as he is hitting a decent .290/.336/.394. He has almost zero power, but is getting the job done both offensively and defensively. If the Twins were to make a move it would be for a second baseman. Freddy Sanchez’s name has been connected to Minnesota, and with due reason. Sanchez is 31 years old and has a contract that expires after this year, but he would bring at least one compensatory draft pick to the Twins in 2010 and would be one of the best at second base both offensively and defensively.

Although they started the season on a less-than-stellar note, the bullpen has seen three pitchers step up to pull themselves back to respectability: R.A. Dickey, Matt Guerrier, and Jose Mijares. The Twins will occasionally have to put other relievers on the mound, but Bobby Keppel has shown a flash of brilliance with his great debut (with the Twins, not his major-league debut) against the Cardinals yesterday. He mopped up Slowey’s sub-par start by providing four innings of two-hit ball. (Also: Joe Nathan.)

Trading for a bullpen arm isn’t a good idea, as Dan Wade and Josh Johnson said a few days ago via their respective Twitter accounts. From @JoshsThoughts: “Not to mention that bullpen arms are generally a high commodity meaning they will ultimately cost the most. No way, Jose!” From @Dwade: “Trading for bullpen help is a bad idea generally speaking; too much uncertainty. Just look at Aardsma in Seattle!”

The only other position that could be addressed is a utility infielder, but Nick Punto has that market cornered, whether we like it or not.

If I had my way, the Twins would either trade for a middle infielder (preferably Sanchez) or sit tight with what they have. Adding anything else in any other positions would either be too expensive or create more problems than they would solve.

What do you think? As the Hot Stove League nears it’s final month, what should the Twins do? How far away from a World Series run are the Twins, and what should they address?

Posted in rumors 3 Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Bobby Keppel, Brad Penny, Brendan Harris, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Denard Span, Francisco Liriano, Freddy Sanchez, Glen Perkins, Jason Kubel, Joe Crede, Joe Nathan, Jose Mijares, Justin Morneau, Kevin Slowey, Matt Guerrier, Matt Tolbert, Michael Cuddyer, Nick Blackburn, RA Dickey, Scott Baker

Talk about exciting finishes. The ever-faithful Joe Nathan completed his 18th save of the season in a 3-1 Twins’ victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He could have done it easier, without allowing the double to Colby Rasmus, but he did what he needed to by striking out both Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel.

Glen Perkins receives the most valuable performance award tonight. He was absolutely dominant through the first six innings. He only threw a total of 82 pitches through seven innings, but Gardy felt his night should end after seven innings. Guerrier came on for the eighth and started off by allowing two singles before striking out Trevor Green.

Jose Mijares then came on for what looked to be a stress-laden outing. One pitch later he was walking back to the dugout; he had just induced a ground ball-double play out of Skip Schumaker.

The Twins had to win this game. If Guerrier had given up a go-ahead home run during his appearance the ensuing emotional blow would have been huge and hurtful. The Twins dominated in every aspect of the game, and a great effort was put forth against a very good pitching opponent in Wainwright.

Offensively, Minnesota also dominated. Most of the Cardinal’s seven hits came later in the game and all potential scoring opportunities were denied (save one, in the seventh inning).

This 3-1 victory was fun to watch. I was joined in the live blog by TwinsFanInCA and had a great time. All aspects of the Twins were shooting on all cylinders and there were no glaring mistakes. Just a solid victory against a solid pitcher.

Tomorrow the Twins hand the ball to Kevin Slowey. First pitch at 12:10 p.m. central time.

Posted in Game Thoughts No Comments Tags: Glen Perkins, Joe Nathan, Jose Mijares, Kevin Slowey, Matt Guerrier, St. Louis Cardinals

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the background check I wrote on the St. Louis Cardinals earlier today.

Posted in Live Blog 1 Comment Tags: Live Blog, St. Louis Cardinals

Oddly enough, the St. Louis Cardinals are in roughly the same position as the Minnesota Twins. Both have benefited from solid starting pitching, both have a particular pitcher who has outstanding run support, and both teams have had dismal offensive output for their remaining four starters.

The Cardinals will be one of the most active teams this season in any trade rumors, as they seem to be just an offensive bat or two short of a World Series. They have Albert Pujols batting third, but not much more in terms of offensive production. Don’t think that the Cardinals won’t strangle you with run after run, though. To give you an idea of how good Pujols is, he already has 23 intentional walks this year. For some comparison, Barry Bonds had just 31 at this point of his 2007 season. (Bonds had 55 at this point of the 2004 season.)

The Red Birds started the season looking very much like a 100+ win team. They averaged 5.8 runs/game and had a winning percentage of .696. Since then, they have averaged just over 3.5 runs/game and have a winning percentage nearly 300 points behind what it was at seasons’ beginning.

Unfortunately, the Twins will draw Adam Wainwright for tonight’s matchup in St. Louis. Wainwright, clearly the ace of that rotation, has an ERA of 3.58 to go with an 8-4 record. His FIP is 3.85, while his tRA is 4.33.

Injuries have also had an impact on this St. Louis team, as Kyle Lohse, Troy Glaus, and Jamie Garcia are all on the disabled list.

In order to beat the Cardinals the Twins will need their stellar starting pitching to continue. St. Louis, if they beat us at all, will do so playing small-ball. Outside of Pujols they don’t hit very many home runs and don’t hit for very good average as a team.

Tonight, Perkins will need to be extremely wary of Pujols, pitching around him as often as possible. In fact, these Cardinals don’t take many walks, having a BB% of just five percent. Keeping the ball low and throwing appeasing pitches out of the strike zone may be the way to go for Perkins.

If he can induce the free-swinging tendency of the St. Louis lineup the Minnesota Twins should be able to pull above .500 once again.

Posted in Game Thoughts No Comments Tags: Adam Wainwright, Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, Jamie Garcia, Kyle Lohse, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Troy Glaus