FanPost

To Rebuild or Not To Rebuild

Is that the question?  Aren't small market teams perpetually in rebuilding mode in some sense of the word?  It's sad to see Torii go as he has been a big part of the Twins for quite a while now...  but that is the economics of baseball and the Twins are living proof.  

To rebuild?  Does it make sense to rebuild since the reality of what most of us knew was going to happen anyway happending with Torii leaving?  Does it make sense to trade Santana?  Does it make sense to trade Nathan?  Would the Twins be really that much worse?  If the Twins were to obtain a young CF, a decent 3rd base option with which any offense was provided, a decent LF/DH option (Kubel taking care of one or the other), is the offense really going to be any worse than last year?  

How about the pitching?  With Garza, Slowey, Baker, Bonser and the return of a healthy Liriano and Perkins, the pitching will be solid.  That's not even mentioning the up and comers in the minors.  

If the Twins got a major league ready 3rd basemen and CF for Santana (plus more) and a major league ready DH/LF for Nathan (plus something more), would it make sense to pull those triggers and begin rebuilding?  With these moves, the Twins would be a very young team - a lot of growing pains and stupid mistakes, but it would be fun.  And they would contend again very soon.  

I know it is much easier being an Arm Chair GM than what Bill Smith is going through but without the money that the big market teams have, it might make sense to rebuild now and have the youngsters ready for 2010 and the new stadium.  Tickets and budget aren't going to be a problem for the next two years as the new stadium will sell out regardless of what's on the field in '08 and '09 - but there has to be a winning product for '11 and beyond - look at Pittsburgh and Milwaukee - they dropped by a lot in attendance after their first year becuase they didn't have a winning team.  I say go for it and trade Santana and Nathan - their value won't be higher than it is now - and be some what ready for next year and gear up for a big push in the new stadium.