The Minnesota Twins won't top their worst record in franchise history, but are scarily close.
Call it Minnesota's do-or-die playoffs, the Twins need a pair of victories in their final games of the season to avoid a 100 loss season.
Once before has Minnesota suffered the abject distinction of triple digit defeats. That came in 1982.
Of course, this is all funded by the largest payroll the team has ever seen and ninth highest in baseball.
While Joe Mauer recovers from pneumonia and an assortment of other ailments that have ultimately kept him sidelined half the year and Justin Morneau continues to decline in health since last year's concussion, Minnesota's season has limped along.
Long out of contention, the youngsters have had a chance to play every day. Technically, the saplings are longing to make a good impression on management; perhaps, they'll receive a shot to make the roster next year.
In reality, very few are contributing.
The average every-day baseball position player and starting pitcher contributes two wins per year (WAR).
Nationals' Danny Espinosa is tops among rookies, boasting a 3.6 WAR. Former Twins catcher Wilson Ramos is second.
By comparison, Tsuyoshi Nishioka is dead last. The shortstop the Twins invested sizable time and money on has cost the Twins 1.4 victories in 68 games this season. Trevor Plouffe and Rene Tosoni haven't fared much better.
Plouffe is the worst fielder among rookies and has been responsible for point-six losses this season, a WAR identical to Tosoni's.
Luke Hughes is plus point-five and Brian Dinkelman is plus point-one.
Among rookie pitchers on the Twins, Jim Hoey, Alex Burnett and Kyle Waldrop have hurt more than helped and Scott Diamond and Liam Hendriks have barely had positive impacts.
It's too bad, too.
To this point, only Ben Revere and September call-up Chris Parmelee seem to demonstrate abilities worthy of consistent future playing time.
Revere has plus range and speed, but possesses a terrible throwing arm. Parmelee walks at a high rate and has shown good power.
This off-season the Twins could lose Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Joe Nathan and Matt Capps. And if Mauer and Morneau aren't healthy to start next season, it would mean more playing time for some of these aforementioned Bambis.
Suddenly 100 losses doesn't seem so scary.
(WAR Explanation Below)
Context:
League-average WAR rates vary. An average full-time position player is worth 2 WAR, while average bench players contribute much less (typically less than 1 WAR). Average starting pitchers also are worth around 2 WAR, while relief pitchers are considered superb if they crack 1 WAR.
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