What's It Going To Take?

So, by the time this inter-league play stretch is over we'll be at the halfway point of the regular season.  We're within striking distance of the Central title and, hopefully, some of the youth is starting to wear off.  What's it going to take to push us over the top?  A few of my thoughts:

- Vocal Leadership: We need to have guys pushing in the clubhouse.  We can't allow another four-game sweep by Chicago, and that has as much to do with what happens off the field as on it.  We just can't be willing to allow anything worse than a split of games with them to finish the season.

- Better Fielding: This hasn't been discussed as much as I thought it would.  Usually a strength of Twins teams, this year we're one of the worst teams in baseball relative to errors.  We don't have the kind of middle relief pitching or power hitting to give up cheap runs.  Gotta catch the ball and make the throws.

- Middle Relief: As for the relief pitching, we have to deliver in the 6th-8th innings.  Bonser could end up being the most important guy on the roster in this regard, but he hasn't shown it yet.

- Delmon: He's started to put the ball in play more and drive in some runs.  His loss of power in a hitters' ballpark like the Dome is perplexing.  If he can provide a threat in the lineup after Mauer/Morneau/Cuddyer then we will be a serious contender.  The table has been set for him plenty of times without him delivering.  Gotta continue to step it up, Del.

- Power Hitter: Would be nice to have the heavy lumber in this lineup, but it appears we'd have to trade for it.  Too many injuries in the infield to dump one of those guys, and I'm not sure we have anyone on the pitching staff to command the kind of hitter we'd want.  I'd hate to give up one of the young guys in the rotation, but if Liriano can truly come back fixed maybe we can afford it.

We all knew we'd have to live through the inconsistencies of a really young team, and they seem to be steadying the ship now.  I can tell you that nobody thought we'd be where we are.  I'm just wondering if we can take the next step up, because it's going to be a pretty big one.  Thoughts?

I agree with a lot of this, especially on the fielding.  Consistent starting pitching is going to be a key for me as well.  I'm a bit on the fence when it comes to trading for a power hitter.  I'm not sure about trading talent away in what most of us would consider a rebuilding year unless it's someone they can sign, and fits into their plans, long-term.  At least they are in a position to do something like that having lost 2 big contracts before this season and with the expected hike in revenue coming up with the new park.

It will all come down to our starting pitching.  We need quality starts from our pitchers.  The more of them, teh more likely we are to overtake the White Sox.  I don't see it being an issue passing the White Sox.  They are old, beat up and one losing streak from Ozzie losing his marbles or job.  Enough with the power hitting as well(not just you making a general statement to Twins fans).  We are 4th in runs total.  Without the power.  Why try adding something to the formula that is not needed?  Not to mention who would we have to give up, just to get this "power" hitter? 

Only thing with hitting I see needing improvment is this free swinging garbage.  Way too many 5-6 pitch innings against quality starters.  We need to start running counts on pitchers that we are having problems with.  It is now part of the game, pitch count I'm talking about. If you can't hit them at least get the pitch counts up so we can get to the bullpen faster.  Carlos Gomez is the biggest "offender" of this.  He has one of the ugliest swings as well.  Someone needs to explain to him, we don't have him for power, that will come with time.  Just make good contact and get on base. 

Twins do need to adjust their batting lineup though. Mauer needs to be #2 with his OBP and lack of knocking in runs this year.  Casilla needs to be the #3 guy, hitting in alot of runs.  Not to mention it makes our batting order Right-Left-Right-Left.  If Cuddyer can't start hitting the ball, we need to put Kubel or Buscher in at #5 until Cuddyer starts hitting the ball the way he should. 

If you put Kubel behind Morneau then it would be two lefties in a row (3 actually with Mauer in front). Cuddy's fine in the 5 hole. His average isn't too great but hes driving in runs. Casilla would be a joke hitting 3rd by the way.

 The Kubel move wouldn't happen unless Mauer and Casilla swapped out.  What does it matter if you have lefty in front or in back of Morneau? 3 in a row would be too much.  Why would Casilla be a joke at #3?  Joe Mauer in 239 at bats has 29 RBI's.  Casilla in 121at bats has 24 RBI's hitting from the #2 spot, which is not an RBI hitting spot usually.  Joe is also hitting into WAY too many double plays this year and is only slapping singles, which is fine.  But, not good for the #3 spot.  Easy to say it would be a "joke", but why?  If you're going to criticize at least go the whole route and explain why. 

Cuddyer is ok, except you need more power from a #5 hitter.  Cuddyer has 3-34 in 211 at bats.  Kubel has 10-38 in 217.  Someone is hitting for more power then the other.  Cuddyer has 80 total bases while Kubel has 100.  Cuddyers slugging is .379, Kubel's is .461.  That also gets Kubel a few more at bats.  Why get a power hitter when we have power on the team, it is just buried deep in line up and not getting enough at bats?  Craig Monroe also has 6 HR's in half of what Kubel has done.  The DH would be perfect for #5 spot. 

I can respect you disagreeing if you would at least explain why. I'm just throwing out ideas to make us more productive without having to get rid of current talent or prospects.  I believe bringing in "power" hitter could screw us in many more ways then help us.  Heck "he" could turn into Delmon Young, get to the dome and forget how to swing for the fences.  Could be a cancer in the clubhouse.  Could lose someone who develops into an all-star(because that is what it will cost for a decent power hitter).  Is it worth it or just stay with what we have and put them in the batting order in which they're playing.