After a thriller one-game playoff between the
Twins and the Tigers on the final day of the season, one would think that the Twins would be the most energetic team entering the playoffs. That would be needed for any team that was set to face the Yankees, who comfortably waited to see who would dare challenge the best team in baseball.
Twins and the Tigers on the final day of the season, one would think that the Twins would be the most energetic team entering the playoffs. That would be needed for any team that was set to face the Yankees, who comfortably waited to see who would dare challenge the best team in baseball.The Twins not only came out with a win, but they came out with a thrilling win. It was a win that many thought gave Minnesota a chance to compete. That thought was soon diminished, as the Yankees swept the Twins off the table, en route to a World Championship.
It's no surprise that a team so quickly diminished wouldn't hesitate to improve as much as possible. The Twins did just that by signing J.J. Hardy and Orlando Hudson this offseason.
J.J. Hardy, a 27-year-old shortstop, has shown some incredible offensive ability in his short career. He hit 50 homers over the course of two seasons, and drove in 154 runners in that same span. Although last year was a bit of a falloff for him, hitting 11 homers and 47 RBI, Hardy will undoubtedly help a team that could really use some offense.
Orlando Hudson is a solid veteran hitter who has a .282 career batting average and a .348 on-base percentage.
By slipping these two very talented players into their lineup, the Twins can now maneuver around with other talented players such as Alexi Cassila or Nick Punto. A trade could be possible, or the Twins can move them around and rest them. Either way, the Twins don't need to rely on inconsistent players anymore.
Hudson and Hardy are also great defensive players. With Hudson, a four-time Gold Glove winner, at second and Hardy at shortstop, pitchers like Nick Blackburn, Brian Duensing and Carl Pavano, who pitch to a lot of grounders, will be helped tremendously.
Their offensive ability will also help Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. These are two of the best offensive players in the league, but have had to hit around below average hitters their entire career. With Hudson and Hardy on board, teams will have a lot of trouble pitching around Mauer and Morneau, who will also have many more RBI opportunities.
Although he has fallen off a bit in the past couple of seasons, Orlando Hudson also adds an element of speed to this team. If you insert Hudson into the two hole, his threat to run will get Mauer a lot more good pitches to hit.
Ultimately, these two new additions benefit every aspect of the Twins team. Considering the Twins were strong enough to make the playoffs without these two players, they must now be considered an awfully dangerous team as we move into the 2010 season.
http://twitter.com/nycoleman
