White Sox Punch The Twins In the Mouth

By Ted Schwerzler |

Year after year, Twins fans are asked to be patient, to wait through rebuilding, to know that their is a rainbow on the horizon. Last night, as a Twins fan, I might have hit my breaking point, and it comes at the hands of an AL Central division foe. The Chicago White Sox traded for Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics, and signed David Robertson, the former Yankees closer.

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Both moves look to solidify a pitching staff that ranked in the lower tier of major league baseball. With Ronald Belisario blowing saves left and right, Robertson is an immediate upgrade. In Samardzija, the White Sox have a legitimate number two pitcher to put behind Chris Sale, and with other pieces in place, now have a very respectable starting rotation.

So why should these two moves make Twins fans upset? The better question is why aren’t you upset?

The Chicago White Sox have lost nearly 90 games the last two seasons (only losing 89 in 2014), they have been just as dreadful on the field as the Twins. Despite having a couple of years of high draft picks, the White Sox farm system is light years behind the talent that the Twins have in their own. Regardless of the losing, and the lack of depth, the White Sox made two major moves that take them from laughing stock to legitimate contender in an instant.

While the Twins ponder whether or not to sign Kris Medlen or Brett Anderson, marginal pitchers both coming off injuries, or another aging outfielder to sell some tickets, the rest of baseball is passing them by.

Minnesota has more talent in the farm system than it knows what to do with. While some of the rising stars are multiple years away yet, others are relegated to waste at bats in meaningless minor league games. Promotions are made at a snail pace, and trades are always made one step behind. As mentioned, the White Sox have nowhere near the talent of the Twins down on the farm, but they still had the pieces to acquire an ace like Samardzija.

It’s time for the Twins to stop watching everyone else lay the blueprint, while getting passed by on their own. Terry Ryan needs to be held accountable for the talent he has, for the talent he doesn’t use, and for the talent he doesn’t go after.

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