Finally, the Off-Season.

Normally fans are sad when their respective sport's season ends.

I was happy. I was happy, excited, enthused, thrilled, elated...

You get the point.

To put it in a better way, I was exhausted. The way the Twins' season ended put a bad taste in my mouth (as well as my wallet, which I will describe tomorrow) and it was annoying/depressing seeing Yankees win it all. From the first pitch of that World Series, the season was dead to me. Investing so much into that last month of the season set my friends and myself up for a gigantic fall, and we fell hard. It was like taking a charge from new Timberwolves center Nathan Jawai in a pickup game, then having Vikings offensive tackle Phil Loadholt fall on you inadvertently fall in the lane on top of you in said pickup game. We took a beating.

But now that is all over. The Yankees won, the Phillies are still...good?...and the Metrodome is closed. Bring on Target Field, the opening series vs. Boston, and a Joe Mauer contract extension. None of those things have happened yet, but here are a couple of things that have:

1. The Carlos Gomez Trade

Did I see this coming? To be honest, no. When was the last time we made a 2-man trade this early in the month of November? Were talking history here. It was nice to see a bit of Twins news interjected for a split second during the Yankees talk; that is the main thing I am taking from this trade. A dude with possibly gone potential for a guy with possibly gone potential. At least J.J. Hardy has (had) power. He might need it. This does help clear out the outfield though, Young, Span, and Cuddyer from left to right all year next year would be fantastic.

2. The Free Agents

Orlando Cabrera, Carl Pavano, Ron Mahay, Joe Crede, and Mike Redmond have all filed for free agency. With the Hardy trade, it is fairly obvious that Cabrera won't be back for next season. What he gave us at the end of the year (.289, 5 HR, 36 RBI) was nice, but would he be able to do it again next year at his age? Bringing in Hardy gives us a young, athletic option (the thinking behind Gomez in 07) and hopefully we will be able to catch magic in a bottle with him...much like we did with Cabrera.

In my opinion, Pavano is the one man on this list we should try and bring back (minus Redmond, give him a lawn chair in the bullpen all year long). Much like Cabrera he was huge during the stretch run (5-4, 4.64 ERA, 1.371 WHIP, 0.9 HR/9) and what he did in Game 3 at the Dome, although accentuated by many beers, was beautiful (7 IP, 2 ER, 9 K, 0 BB). I was there (again, as you will learn tomorrow) and it was too bad he got the short end. We need him next year.

As for the final 3, we should see them in another uniform, or in the free agent pool for some time to come. Mahay is easy to replace, Crede is just too big of a risk with the back, and with Danny Valencia and Brian Buscher in the minors his playing time would have been further decreased. As with Redmond, it will most likely be a tear filled farewell. I love this guy. What else do you want in a baseball player? Facial hair - check. World Series - check. 3 career triples - check. .270+ career BA - check. I would love to see this guy back, but he is simply a victim of age. With many options in the minors, and Jose Morales already showing his worth this past season, it looks like Ol' RedDog is on his way out. I will miss you.

3. The 40-Man Roster

Currently, the roster stands at 36 players. Kevin Slowey, Boof Bonser, and Pat Neshek were all added within the past week, and if we can get a full season out of ALL of these guys...well that's better than bringing back Ron Mahay. In all seriousness though, having this trio for all of 2010 would be a very nice addition. Slowey was 10-3 (I have no idea) before his season ended right around the All-Star break, and we haven't seen the human forms of Bonser and Neshek in close to 2 years. If we can get these guys back to 2006 form (Neshek: 4-2, 2.19 ERA, 53 SO Bonser: 7-6, 4.22 ERA, 1.276 WHIP) here is what we could be looking at: Blackburn, Baker, 2006-ish Bonser (yes it is a stretch), Pavano, and Slowey. Throw in a Liriano with some confidence under his belt, and a bullpen with 2006-ish Neshek (a smaller stretch than Bonser), Rauch, Guerrier, Duensing, Keppel (the getting out of the Detroit jam Keppel, not the getting into the jam fashion), Swarzak, Nathan...okay you get my point. This could look good.

4. The Joe Mauer

Other than winning a Gold Glove the other day, patiently waiting for his MVP award, and staring in a new Target Field commercial, nothing has happened in the Mauer corner. Do I expect a new contract this winter? I'll put the odds at around 75%. Not sure if we will see it in 09' but when the new year rolls around, definitely expect to see things heating up. We gotta keep this guy. He can't leave. Seriously. Everyone knows the stakes here; lets hope the Twins do not drop the ball on this (I don't expect them to).

So that is about it. The 2009 MLB season is over, and I am spent. From the Opening Day Liriano disaster to the final nail in the Dome's coffin, it was a trip. One that took me from the bottom of a bottle, back to a full one, then another bottom with plenty of peanuts and Dome Dogs along the way. Tomorrow you will learn of my final 24 hours of the Twins 2009 season, one that I already have forgotten.

It Still Stings.

Watching the Yankees-Angels ALCS, I still have a bad taste in my mouth. It has been a week and 1 day since the Twins were swept out of the ALDS, closing out the Metrodome in a melancholy fashion and it still gets to me. I haven't been able to wear my Twins hat, or any of my Twins shirts (especially the well timed arrival of my Central Division champions roster shirt that came last Wednesday). Right now, Baseball just sucks.

I don't know if it is just the sport itself, or the way we lost all 3 games, but the Twins collapse has just been hard to get over. For instance, I am a Cleveland Browns fan. Right now, they are 1-5 with perhaps the most inept offense in the NFL. They are really bad. But as I have watched them for almost half a season now, it doesn't bug me. When Derek Anderson complete 2 of 17 passes, I'm not mad. When I see Eric Mangini's puzzled/confused/completely lost look that he displays at least 8-10 times a game, I don't grind my teeth. I don't know if it is because I expected the Browns to be bad, or that I am just use to the Browns being the Browns; their 1-5 record just doesn't bug me.

Going back to the Twins however, it is just pain. Whenever I see their logo or hear them mentioned in any sense, I instantly get in a bad mood. I don't know if it is because I completely bought into them this past month and watched when they broke my heart...(I think that's it).

I am the one to blame though. While being caught up in their memorable run, I failed to check the blind spots that come with being a Minnesota sports fan. I failed to relive the numerous strikeouts of Jason Kubel, the mental mistakes of Carlos Gomez, and the dead arm of Francisco Liriano. I forgot that Joe Nathan always likes to make his saves interesting, that after a record high batting average with RISP the Twins had fallen back to earth. That maybe after a 17-4 mark in the final 21 games and once again needing a Game 163 to decide things, there was simply nothing left in the tank. The Yankees came into town smoking a couple of Marlboro Lights, leaning on a lamp post, nodding their heads. They knew what to do.

In the end though, I was there. I was there for the closing (of the baseball aspect) of the Metrodome was finally shut down. I could go on for about 50 more sentences on this subject, but I am going to save that for another post. It is an epic tale.

Game 164.

About a month and a half later: I AM BACK.

Yep, I was gone. I did not write about one of the most exciting months of baseball a team has ever lived through. That was an oversight on my part, but here we go:

It took 17 wins in 21 games. It took 5 straight wins to end the season. It took an extra regular season game. It took extra innings in the extra game. It took cases and cases of beer between my friends and I to simply watch this season. And it all came down to...

...Alexi Casilla. Yes, Alexi Casilla. The man who I have not exactly been the nicest to this year, the man who finished the season batting .202, the man who's OPS dropped nearly 130 point from last season. Simply, he was the man who was having a really, really bad season.

But not anymore. That is all gone. Everything that Casilla did (or didn't do) is completely forgiven for in my book. You almost made me cry last night. And in a good way. Thank you.

Now that that is out of the way, WHAT A FREAKING GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean seriously, where do you start? The Kubel home run? How about the Cabrera catch and throwout double play? Ron Mahay throwing to one batter? Joe Nathan...looking scary? Back to Cabrera with his short lived go-ahead home run? Bobby Keppel somehow, and I mean somehow, getting out of whatever he got into last night? Don Kelly almost registering the game-winning run against us? DON KELLY?!? I am almost reaching cloud nine once again just writing this.

But in the end, it comes back to Casilla. After a horrible season (putting it lightly), a general shunning after the Cabrera trade, going back and forth between the majors and minors, and almost ending his 2009 season (and possibly his Twins career) by being thrown out at home on a potential game-winning Nick Punto sac. fly, he drove in the winning hit in the 12th to send us to the playoffs. There is only one team that could happen to, and that is the Minnesota Twins.

***By the way, doesn't anyone think it is a little ironic that Carlos Gomez scored the now infamous winning run? Two of the season's biggest disappointments are now in the center of the Minnesota sporting world next to Mr. Favre. Again, only the Twins.

SO...now we get to play the Yankees. Lets do this thing.

Everyone do a little "hip bumping" tonight.

Please Don't Leave Joe!

Another week, another Twins saga. It seems this season has been all over the place huh? We win games, lose games, lose 3 games, lose...you get the picture. It isn't just in terms of games though, the roster this year has been overhauled numerous times as well. The most recent addition was pitcher Jon Rauch, claimed off of waivers from Arizona this past weekend. The 6'11' hurler (tallest in the majors) took the win last night, hopefully there is more of that to come.

Also in the news was injured 3rd baseman Joe Crede. Everybody knows Crede's back trouble, and now it has landed him on the disabled list. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune (odd timing) detailed Crede's possible plans for retirement, but Crede was quick to refute the claims:

"I read that article the other day. I don't know where they based that off of," Crede said about the original speculation reported Sunday in the Chicago Tribune. "I know I have more years in me left. I still love the game. I still love coming to the ballpark every day. I have no plans of retiring. I thought it was kind of funny when I read it, actually."

Stay with us Joe! The batting average in the .230's hurts, but I will take the home runs and overall coolness.

As for today, the Chicago White Sox are in town. Everybody knows what that means.

Top of the 3rd:
Twins 0 - Sox 0

Scott Baker Everybody: Twins 2 - Orioles 1

Beautiful game last night. It reminded me of 2002, or 2003, 0r 2004, or 2006, or even last year. Just for the fact that the Twins have won 6 out of 7, and done it the Twins way. Or in Kenny Powers talk, "The Powers Way."

The Twins defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 last night behind Scott Baker's gem of a game. Baker went 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 5. There wasn't much offensive support, but what else would you expect? Jason Kubel had a sac. fly, that is ALL you really need isn't it?

As always, defense and "nimbleness" on the base paths proved to be the winning factor. Denard Span made a wonderful catch in left field that left him sitting on the bullpen bench (only in the Dome) and Orlando Cabrera had his 12th stolen base of the year.

All in all, it was a Jason Bartlett-esque (I miss that guy) for the Twins:
1. Span's catch was not only impressive, clutch, and uplifting, it was pretty funny too.
2. Baker was on top of his game. He is 10-1 since June. What?
3. Alexi Casilla went 2-3 with a run scored. He is now batting .202. Celebrate!
4. Matt Weiters, Melvin Mora, and Caesar Izturis all left runners in scoring position with 2-outs for Baltimore. Thank you.

So a win to start the series, can we continue this "streak" we are on? As of today, we are only a game behind Chicago for 2nd place, and just 4.5 behind Detroit for 1st. Didn't it seem we were about 10,000 games out a week and a half ago? To me it did. As for tonight, there is an added layer of intrigue. The Twins have called up Armando Gambino to start tonight's game. He went 5-3 with 2.83 ERA in 36 appearances (5 starts) with AAA-Rochester. Hell, why not give the kid a chance? He will replace Anthony Swarzak for the time being, and well wear #63. Again, I am all for this. The nice appeal Swarzak had after his first start has completely worn off. You can see that I emphasized that.

It Was A Mess: Twins 5 - Royals 4

Gardy said it best after the game: "When we play the Royals, it's a mess."

That much is true. But the Twins were able to turn a mess into a victory, beating the KC Royals 5-4 last night. The Twins held a 4-3 lead going into the 9th, but on a 3-2 pitch with 2-outs, Kansas City's Brayan Pena launched a solo homer to right field off of Joe Nathan to tie the game.

That was it for me. I left the TV and refused to watch the rest of the game. Luckily, Nathan made me pay for my disloyalty. He stranded 2 runners in the 10th, receiving the win, all while frowning at me for doubting him. I am sorry.

Orlando Cabrera gave the Twins the 5-4 lead, tripling in Alexi Casilla in the 10th. That sentence sounds a bit weird doesn't it? Whatever, I'll take it. The Twins didn't take the lead till the 8th inning, as starter Nick Blackburn gave up 3 runs over his first 3 innings, but he eventually settled down, going 7 innings, giving up the 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out 6. It's too bad he couldn't get the win.

All in all it was an Exciting, Yet Totally Expected Twins win:
1. Seeing Nathan fight his way through the lineup brought back good/bad memories; he gave up 4 hits in 2 innings.
2. Cabrera driving in the winning run was only fitting.
3. Gomez and Casilla (batting 8th and 9th) went 4-7, scoring 2 runs with 1 RBI.........
4. ..........HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED BEFORE WITH THOSE TWO?

So yes, a 5-4 win. Those are always nice. Especially within the division, we totally need those. If only we were playing Chicago, or Detroit...but whatever. Tonight we have Brian Duensing going against Kyle Davies. Both of these guys have ERA's above 5. So I guess we will just see what happens.

The 10 Run Waterloo

Last night was painful. It hurt.

Looking at the box score, it is hard to find any positive...things. Delmon Young had a solo homer, so that was nice? Maybe?

Anthony Swarzak: 5 IP, 6 ER
Bobby Keppel: 0.0 IP, 3 ER
Nick Punto: 0-3
Joe Crede: 0-3, 3 LOB
Justin Morneau: Had to fly back to Minnesota to get his ear checked out...remember how Denard Span had this problem? He went on the DL because of that. Lets hope it doesn't come to that.

Joe Mauer went 1-4 in the DH spot, dropping the average to .378...can't complain about that.

So all in all in was a Texas Sized Loss for the Twins:
1. Swarzak, why was he out there in the 6th inning?
2. Keppel, why was he in the game after Swarzak?
3. Crede's inning ending, bases loaded double-play in the 6th was the death nail.
4. Marlon Byrd had 2 home runs. Whenever that happens, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM.

So now it is on to Kansas City...Blackburn is up against Luke Hochevar tonight...we need to win this series. See you guys on the flipside.