Show of hands, who thought the Twins would be in 1st place on August 4th? IMO, if the Twins finish first and Gardenhire isn't at least 2nd in the Manager of the Year award (Joel Maddon is the only other legitimate candadate), there is something wrong with the system. What a job he has done, he and Rick Anderson. And Joe Vavra. They are taking a AAA team and putting them in position to make the post season. And this season, they actually got rid of their dead weights rather than hold on to them (like Rick Reed, Rondell White, etc).
I really wish they had made a move for Adrian Beltre, but if Seattle wanted one of our starters or Span for him in addition to whatever else they were demanding, then I can understand why the Twins did what they did (although we probably could have traded a couple draft picks or minor leaguers but that would ultimately be up to Seattle).
Here's to the rest of the season
