Time Has Come to Abandon Ship

The Minnesota Twins have lost 11 times in their last 12 games, and losing 90 games for a third straight season looks like it is in the bag. Yet the season is not over for the Twins, and I say that because they can still better themselves for next season right now, and by doing that they need to do these things.

First of all let manager Ron Gardenhire go; I will be the first one to admit that this is not Gardy's problem, but he looks worn out by the situation and he has given this organization six division titles. It is time for this franchise to have a new voice in the locker room. The front office put Gardy in a no win situation this season, because they did not give him an extension last season which he did not deserve; but then they handed Ron a pitching staff that is so bad that Gardy wishes he could have Francisco Liriano back.

TRADE, TRADE TRADE! We have just under three weeks until the trading deadline, and the Twins have a handful of players that might be appealing to other teams like Justin Morneau. Justin is a free agent after this season, and has shown signs of his pre-concussion self, but also Morneau has expressed interest in resigning with the Twins, and the inability of Chris Parmelee to hit for average in the Majors might have the Twins thinking about resigning the former MVP. Also Ryan Doumit, Doumit has been one of the most clutch hitters for the Twins this season, and his ability to play multiple positions is something that other teams would love to have. Also Jamey Carrol, Carrol who is 39-years-old, yet is still a reliable defender, and a decent hitter. Also I would tell every team out there to take their pick of Kevin Correia, Mike Pelfrey, P.J Walters, and or any other starting pitcher not named Gibson, May, Meyer, and Stewart in this organization.

There are two names that should not be traded, which are Joe Mauer, and Glen Perkins. They are both All-Stars and are young enough that this franchise can build around them for the future. I do not care if you think Mauer is over rated because once Mauer retires his name will go down in history not only as the best hitting catchers of all time, but as one of the best hitters to ever play baseball. Perkins who is becoming one of the best closers in the game right now, and, who is a type of guy you would want to build your bullpen around.

Bring up prospects. You are about to lose your fans this season, and in order to fill Target Field you need to sell the fans on why they should continue to come out to the ball park even if their team is sinking faster then a Christian Ponder under thrown pass. Miguel Sano would be a big draw, I mean fans have been hearing this name for years; and to see him play this season would draw a big crowd. Sano who is in Double-A right right now might not be that far away from making his major league debut, look at Aaron Hicks who never played in Triple-A yet made the jump to the majors from Double-A. I wouldn't rush Byron Buxton up here because he is only 19, and is currently in High-A ball, but Sano is ready for the majors. If this franchise wants to sell season tickets for next year, then they need to show the fans who the players will be next season, which is why Sano, Trevor May, Alex Meyer should make their major league debut this season, because once the fans start thinking about Minnesota Viking football they wont come back to baseball until they get sick of watching the Minnesota Wild free fall at the end of the regular season.

It is hard to imagine that this franchise is only three seasons removed from making the playoffs, yet it feels like it has been forever since we saw the New York Yankees beat up the Twins in the fall of 2010, but hey at least we haven't had 20 straight losing seasons...sorry Pittsburgh Pirates fans, the Twins need to start focusing on 2014, and the first thing to do is appoint the next manager because Gardy won't be roaming the Twins dugout come next spring. We are not even at the All-Star game yet for baseball and already Minnesota Twins fans have already shifted their focus to football. Minnesota might have the most diehard fans out there, but they know better then to continue to shell out money on tickets just to see the starting pitcher give up six earned runs in the first inning.