Not The Same Old Twinkies

While watching last night’s game, I noticed the Minnesota Twins made some moves this offseason.  It seems Gardenhire was frustrated after the 2010 postseason and had the front office make some deals. This may be the result of the team moving to Target Field.   

The move to Target field allowed them to improve their payroll to $115 Million this season.  The drawback of Target Field though, is the lack of home runs in the new stadium.  They dropped from 96 total home runs at home in 2009 in the Metrodome, to 52 at Target Field last season.

Gardenhire wanted to make the team faster and more versatile.  It’s a nice way of saying the Twins could no longer wait for the home runs from Morneau, Mauer & Cuddyer.  Although Denard Span has some speed, the Twins only had 68 stolen bases all season. (Twins lowest in franchise history)

During the offseason they signed 26 year old Tsuyoshi Nishioka to a 3 year deal from Japan’s Pacific League.  Nishioka was named their starter second baseman, when the Twins allows Orlando Hudson to enter free agency.  They also traded JJ Hardy and replaced him with a 26 year old shortstop, Alexi Casilla.  Although it could be dangerous to replace the middle infield, the Twins needed to take a risk in order to score more runs. 

The AL Central is shaping up to be a battle between the Tigers and Twins with possibly the White Sox in contention.  The AL Central now has three teams with payrolls higher than 100 Million!  (Only division in MLB)

Side Notes

• In a battle of lefties, CC Sabathia gets the start tonight against Brian Duensing.  Tonight would be Freddy Garcia’s opportunity to pitch but Girardi bumped Garcia until tomorrow night instead.  Presumably, to allow CC the start on Sunday night in Fenway.
• Even with the Opening Day loss, CC boasts the highest winning percentage of any starter in MLB at home, over the last two years - - .818!!!
• Duensing did not have much success with the Yankees last season.  He took a loss on May 25, when AJ Burnett threw a shutout, although Duensing only allowed 1 run.
• Duensing pitched game 3 of the 2010 ALDS against Hughes and again took a loss, allowing the Yankees to sweep the ALDS.
• The Twins have won the AL Central in 6 of the last 9 seasons.