The Houston Astros, they of the 49-67 record, are still a full 10 games behind the Twins, so they’ve pretty much locked up the #1 pick in next year’s draft, but the Twins have the opportunity and the motivation to continue losing games as they head towards the series finale against Kansas City. But this is not about losing. If the Twins draft 2nd or 5th in 2012 they likely will not see any windfall from that draft until at least late 2013 (if they take a highly touted college player) or even 2016 and beyond (if they take a toolsy high school player like Aaron Hicks). By the start of the 2014 season this Twins team will look radically different. Joe Mauer’s knees will have two additional years of abuse, Justin Morneau would probably have to take a big pay cut to still be with the team, and the stable of veterans in the outfield (Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and Jason Repko) will all be gone. The Bullpen and the Starting Rotation will probably experience nearly 75% turn over from this disappointing 2011 campaign. That is going to leave a lot of holes, but nothing that can be filled with a single high first round draft pick. It is safe to say that tanking down the stretch is NOT the best course of action. (more…)