Jeff: So Tell Me Hank

It's been quite an offseason in baseball so far, with some pretty hefty names, and even heftier contracts being thrown around. I'll spare you the whining about my Mariners for what they have and (mostly) haven't done. Hey at least the Seattle brass is willing to spend some money, so even if they spend it poorly, that's better than what Twins fans go through most offseasons. I've said it before, and I'll say it again for all to hear: Terry Ryan is every bit as good a GM as Billy Beane in Oakland. Every year, while other teams are building their teams by throwing around money like they're spending at a 5-star restaurant, Ryan is forced by Tightwad Carl to try and build a contender with food stamps. The Twinks were able to put together 3 straight Central division pennant winners on breadcrumbs, but last year proved even with somebody as talented as Ryan, you can only build on the cheap for so long before it catches up with you.

Now, the Twins can't spend lavishly like other franchises, which is fine because I believe you need to build through a strong farm system like they have, as have other franchises like Cleveland, Oakland, and Atlanta. However, if the Twinks want to compete with the Sox and Tribe this year, they NEED to add two big bats, and they're going to have to use some of those vast resources on the farm to get them (having said that they should not deal JOhan Jr, aka Francsico Liriano for anybody. Ryan has made it known he's untouchable, and I whole-heartedly agree. But I think he needs to listen to offers for anybody else). One of those guys I think you absolutely have to have is Texas Rangers 3B Hank Blalock. At just 26, in three full seasons in the majors, the guy has AVERAGED .274/.338 OBP/.471 SLG, 30 HR, and 103 RBI. I don't have to tell Twins fans that those averages are better than the best season for anybody else on the current roster. Third base is a premier power position, and you can count on one hand the number of stud 3B in the league right now (Chavez, Wright, Blalock, Rolen, Ensberg and...that's about it).

According to La Velle E. Neal of the Strib today, the Twins could get him wihtout giving up Liriano, which to me is a no-brainer. The prospects the Twinks would give up in the deal could turn out to be great, but that's an unknown. We KNOW Blalock will be a solid clean-up hitter for the next decade because he's proven it at the major league level. This is a deal the Twins have to make.

If they can get Blalock, then you look at Mike Piazza or Frank Thomas to fill the DH void. Both guys are future hall-of-famers that are shells of their former selves. However, especially Piazza, they could both add some pop to a Twins lineup that desparately needs it from the 5-spot in the order. Adding Blalock and another bat at DH would greatly improve the Twins batting lineup, and would take immense pressure off of 1B Justin Morneau. I think Morneau will be a good power hitter in the major leagues, but last year, asking a kid in his first full season to anchor an order with no other power source was too tall of a task. Getting two good hitters this offseason means you can bump Justin down to 6th or 7th in the lineup and let him adjust to major league pitching. You also would finally provide some protection for Mauer in the 3-spot, making him an even better hitter than he already is. With newly aquired 2B Luis Castillo (a good trade for the Twins, by the way), and Shannon Stewart getting on base at the top of the order, suddenly you'd have Mauer, Blalock, Piazza, Morneau, and Hunter coming up to drive them in. That's infinitely scarier for opposing pitchers than what the Twins sent to the plate last year.

I don't condone "selling the farm" to win now, but to get a guy like Blalock, who not only plays a premium power position, but provides it as well, would serve the Twins well this season and for many more to come. If Carl's not willing to open the purse strings this offseason, Minnesota will get left behind by the Sox and Tribe, and there'll be nothing that Terry Ryan, as talented he is, can do about it.