2013 Minnesota Twins Year in Review

Well, a third consecutive disappointing Minnesota Twins season has come to an end. This year was the first time in a long time where I couldn't wait for the season to end, just so the misery would finally be over.

I feel bad for any fans who went to the team's final homestand this year. They were swept and outscored by a total of 28-13, and looked rather awful from what I've heard. I can't say for sure myself, because I tuned the team out after they traded former MVP first baseman Justin Morneau to the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Pirates for another fourth outfielder and another pitching prospect.

I went to a couple of games again this year, and the results were again predictable: I attended a 7-1 loss to Justin Masterson and the wild card Cleveland Indians and a 3-2 win over the morose Houston Astros, a team that lost its last 15 games of the year en route to a 51-111 record.

I've been a Twins fan for almost three decades now, but I can't remember the last time I've been this apathetic about them. My brother is a season ticket holder, and I know at times he's felt the same way. It's pretty hard to root for a team that set a team record for strikeouts by their batters and has had continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position all season long.

This team has also looked pretty raw in the starting pitching department at times this year. I'm surprised to see that the team's best starting pitcher was Samuel Deduno (8-8, 3.83 ERA in 18 starts). Former Pirate Kevin Correia (9-13, 4.18 ERA in 31 starts) was the veteran leader of the staff, but disappointing years by Scott Diamond (6-13, 5.43 ERA in 24 starts) and former Met Mike Pelfrey (5-13, 5.19 ERA in 29 starts) did little to ease fans this year. Relief pitching was a strong point, anchored by LHP Glenn Perkins (2-0, 2.30 ERA and 36 saves) in his first full year as Twins closer.

The offense, with the absence of Morneau via trade and C/1B/DH Joe Mauer via concussion to end the season, did little to inspire fans this year. One bright spot was the emergence of Brian Dozier (.244 BA with a career high 18 HR and 66 RBI) at second base. C/DH Ryan Doumit (.247, 14 HR and 55 RBI) and LF Josh Willingham (.208, 14 HR and 48 RBI) gave some offensive sparks but struck out more than expected this year.

Another disappointment was the trial of CF Aaron Hicks (.192, 8 HR and 27 RBI, 84 K in 81 games), who had never played about Double-A until this year. The play of Hicks and journeyman Clete Thomas in center field did little to make fans miss the traded Denard Span and Ben Revere.

My brother and fans like myself will probably go to Twins games again next year, primarily because the team is hosting the All-Star Game. Target Field is a great place to see a ballgame, although the fans are growing impatient with three straight losing seasons. I was surprised to see manager Ron Gardenhire get a two-year contract extension this week. I thought for sure he'd be gone. After all, no other MLB manager with three consecutive 90-loss seasons had ever kept their job.

The failures of this team don't rest entirely on Gardenhire's shoulders. The front office and coaching staff also shoulder some of the blame. I seriously think that unless they want to see their attendance finally start to sag, the management staff really needs to look at spending some of the money that went into building this beautiful stadium on players that will improve this team. Otherwise, it may be a Houston Astros type of future for this once proud franchise.