Was it Worth it?

Yesterday, the Twins got a win over the Indians in the 13th inning. Johan tied a career best with 14 strikeouts, but he did give up a homerun and triple in the 1st and another homerun in the 4th. Those few mistakes aside, Johan pitched an incredible game. But I ask you, at what price did the win come? Was this win really worth losing 3 of the Twins' most steady players? Mauer has been one of the most consistent hitters for the Twins, and would lead the team in AVG if he qualified. He's also thrown out 10 of 22 base stealers (45.5%) which is 3rd in the AL. Morneau has been in a slump as of late, but can hit the ball a mile when he's on. Punto has come
in from the bench to take the starting 2B job and has filled in nicely. While he may not be an incredible threat at the plate, he does hit near .300. His defense is above average and he and Castro have become quite the DP combination.

Morneau hyper-extended his elbow in BP before the game, and had to leave the game after batting in the 4th. His loss cannot rationally be explained on the length of the game, however, as his injury happened regardless of the length of the game. As good news goes, Morneau's x-rays came back and did not reveal any injury. Morneau is now listed as day-to-day. Punto pull his hamstring trying to steal a base in the 7th. Game length did not much effect on this injury either. This injury still occurred within normal game time. Hammies go all the time. There is not much one can do to prevent a pulled hamstring. If it was going to go, it was only a matter
of time. Otherwise this can be chalked up to an accident. All that's left to do is let Punto recuperate. The Twins placed Punto on the 15 day DL. It is Mauer's injury that concerns me.

Since May 25th, the Twins have played 8 games. Mauer has played in 3. This was, at least partly, due to the injury Mauer sustained to his groin. With Mauer's well-known knee problems and this recent groin injury, why would Gardenhire leave Mauer in the game into the 12th inning. While it's not certain when during the course of the game Mauer got hurt, I think it
is a bad move any way you slice it to leave him in that long. I keep Mauer in through the 10th, 11th tops. Bring in Mike Redmond. He may not have the bat of Mauer, but as back-up catchers go he is one of the best in the league. Maybe lose today and keep Mauer healthy, or leave Mauer in and hope he doesn't get hurt. With Mauer's history, past and recent, of injury, this is a no-brainer. No single game is worth risking Mauer, especially a June game against a .500 ball club.

Now the question becomes what do to with the lineup. With Punto's injury, the Twins recalled Terry Tiffee, whom they had just sent down 2 days ago. The following are the regulars who are not injured:

Stewart - LF
Ford - DH/OF
Hunter - CF
Jones - RF
Cuddyer - 3B
Castro - SS

The replacement of Mauer with Redmond is fairly obvious. Looking at the bench, the Twins have available:

Abernathy - 2B
LeCroy - 1B/DH
Tiffee - 1B/3B
Rodriguez - 2B/SS
Ryan - OF

Michael Ryan is a non-factor at this point as no injury occurred to the outfield. Ryan still provides a left-handed bat of the bench, which could prove useful in pinch-hitting situations. He'll also give regular outfielders a chance to take a day off. It is 1B and 2B that are a little more tricky. When Morneau was injured after being wanged in the head with a pitch in Seattle, Tiffee and LeCroy manned first base. I see LeCroy playing there since Tiffee is still in a funk at the plate. However, Gardenhire will probably think a crucial at-bat in the late innings will be
a good place to pinch-hit Tiffee to see if he remembered how to hit yet, because that's how Gardy rolls.

Second base presents itself as either Abernathy or Rodriguez. Abernathy played Wednesday and the last 3 innings Thursday. Rodriguez has seen playing time scattered across 7 games since being called up. As for overall experience, Abernathy played 117 games for Tampa Bay a few years ago, but since then has had seasons of 2 and 10 games in the majors. Rodriguez still has not totaled 10 games of major league experience. I think this one is a toss-up. I didn't get to see yesterday's game, so I've not had the opportunity to form an opinion about Abernathy. What I've seen of Rodriguez has given me reason to believe that he will be an fine replacement until Punto can return. Expect to see these 2 sharing time at second base, with Rodriguez also letting Castro have a day off at SS.

For all you people who still want to see Cuddyer playing second base, Gardenhire could set up the infield (from 3rd around to 1st): Tiffee, Castro, Cuddyer, LeCroy. Other emergency/after multiple switches/just plain crazy lineups could see Cuddyer playing 1B, LeCroy catching, and/or any combination of Rodriguez/Tiffee/Castro/Abernathy/Cuddyer at 3B/SS/2B.

For tonight's game, it is fairly safe to assume that Mauer and Morneau will not be playing. As for the time table of their returns, I don't know when the lineup will be back to normal. Tonight, the Yankees send Mussina (R) to the mound. Mussina has absolutely owned the Twins in the past. Coupled with the fact the Twins are trotting out a couple of bench players makes the outlook bleak for the game. You never know what will happen, but I sure wouldn't be putting money on the Twins tonight. The lineup tonight will probably look something like:

Stewart - LF - R
Cuddyer - 3B - R
Ford - DH - R
LeCroy - 1B - R
Hunter - CF - R
Jones - RF - L
Castro - SS - R
Rodriguez/Abernathy - 2B - S/R
Redmond - C

Let's hope for the speedy, but not before they are ready, return of Mauer and Morneau to the lineup.