Letter to the Twins

Dear Mr. Ron Gardenhire:

The season is winding down as you know and there's still hope, a slice of optimism missing to begin the season, that a division title is within reach. Congratulations.
Just because the Twins weren't expected to be in this position at the outset with a revamped and always dangerous Detroit and Cleveland in the division, doesn't mean it's OK to play for next year in September.
C'mon Gardy.
Chicago is without front-runner MVP candidate Carlos Quentin, 30 homer threat Joe Crede and starter Jose Contreras. The Sox's young pitching, much like that of your team, is breaking down; tiring. Yet your on the surface healthy ball club continues to slip up more.
Your conservation, bordering stubbornness is harder to understand than an infinite series problem. What is it about being reluctant to make changes, make adjustments?
First, it was Carlos Gomez.
The rookie batted leadoff for 3 1/2 months with an OBP lower than Nick Punto's 2007 effort (.281 vs. .291) before you came to your senses. He failed to reach .330 after the first 10 games. Remember how fans disliked the piranha for such a lousy effort?
Second came Livan Hernandez.
Clubhouse leader and mentor aside, the guy deals a mixture of slothful, hanging curveballs and juicy fastballs. He gets batted around like a pinata on Cinco de Mayo.
It's understandable you held off on Francisco Liriano until he commanded his pitches. But to say you didn't have anyone in your rotation to bump when he did? Interesting.
Most recently, it has been the bullpen, mostly Matt Guerrier.
OK, he pitched well last year (2.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). He even pitched well in the first half, posting a modest 3.35 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Doesn't mean that when his numbers blimp up to 10.2 and 2.53 over the past two months he remains a viable option. Every time out, it seems, he either gives up the game-tying or -winning run, or he allows it to score. Once reliable, the man has lost his confidence and ability to throw strikes with anything offspeed. You should stop casting him in a supporting role, relegating him to clean-up duty.
You say the entire staff is wearing down. Guerrier is tenured. There's little to work with.
You're right. Except that no one else is posting a double-digit ERA when it matters most, in September.
Eventually, you made the right decision about Gomez and Hernandez. Will the obvious finally be revealed to you about Guerrier?
Hopefully, before it's too late.

Looking out for your interests.

Warm regards,

Haggy