Despair

 

Just a week ago, the Twins were in the hunt for a Wild Card spot. Sure, they had some issues against the teams from Texas, but the losses were tough luck losses, and a reason to be frustrated, but not discouraged. They were close. They were still fighting. And then they played the Reds and Brewers, over the last week, going 1-5 and not looking particularly competitive. Whatever instinct there was not to panic is gone now. Actually, panic is already in the past. It just feels hopeless. 

The Twins are getting regularly blown out now. The offense that was an issue most of the season is 8/9ths dead. Byron Buxton is playing out of his mind, to no avail. The starting pitching is struggling, and the bullpen is worse. They aren't doing anything right, at the moment. If you want the team to be buyers at the deadline, then what do you address? How? Everything needs work. 

At the beginning of the season, there was so much optimism about the development of the young core. Injuries are one thing, but in retrospect, a more troubling sign is that the Twins were looking for a left handed outfield hitter if they were going to be buyers. You know, like Trevor Larnach or Matt Wallner. Both players have been part of the roster for a while now, but neither has had the breakout anyone anticipated. Had the Twins been in on that secret even sooner than the rest of us? 

The Twins are buoyed by their 13 game winning streak. Had they merely played .500 during that stretch, they would, at this point, only be better than the White Sox in the American League. Are the Twins and our fans too prone to leaning into these long streaks? Are the Twins a legitimately bad team, or do you want to pin the blame on the disruption to the pitching staff? A devastating injury or disruption to the staff almost always seems to precede a Twins collapse.

But never mind that. The diagnosis is grim, but what about the prognosis? The prescription? Frankly, with as clustered as baseball is in the standings, there aren't many sellers, and the prices are going to be high. In a normal year, I would be awaiting some windfalls for trades of players like Willi Castro and Chris Paddack. Heck, if the Twins really think that the left handed hitting needs improvement, Larnach or Wallner could go, for all I care. A full reset with a Byron Buxton trade would potentially leave the system flush with talent.

This is not a normal year, however. The Twins are up for sale, and despite Rocco Baldelli apparently having his contract picked up for next year, the entire front office is fighting for their jobs. A tactical reset, a full rebuild, whatever you call it, Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll are giving up on this iteration of the team. That is not how you prove your worth to a new owner.

It may not be the best for the future of the team, or make much logical sense, but for Falvey and Zoll, it is best for them to double down on this team. Pablo Lopez WILL come back. Zebby Matthews WILL come back. Maybe Connor Gillaspie will stabilize the bullpen. Rely on the definite, but make things happen.

The Rockies and Marlins are the best bets to be sellers, and the best potential partners for the Twins. Take a swing and grab the best players -- again, it doesn't matter their position, really -- on both teams. RP Jake Bird and corner infielder Ryan McMahon would both help the Twins from the Rockies. Marlins 2b Otto Lopez and OF Dane Meyers have been better than Jonah Bride, at least.

Do something. Standing pat as the team slides further isn't fun for fans or players, obviously, but also doesn't play well for your next employer. Shake up the team ASAP and try to pull out of this funk.