Cheering For Capps?

Had last night’s loss not pushed the Twins to 10-25, I would be willing to come into today’s post speaking optimistically about strong starting pitching and about promising turns for batter like Doumit, Dozier and Mastroianni.

But, the team is 10-25, 15 games below .500 and 9 games out of first place in a very weak division. Trying to put a positive spin on yet another loss would be like polishing a turd. Yes, you can do it – but who the heck wants it after it’s done?

Why Not Shut Pavano Down?

After the game, Carl Pavano noted that his velocity was up slightly from his last two starts. His fast ball was hitting 87 with regularity and even touched 89 on a couple of occasions.

That being said, those watching Pavano last night could see that something wasn’t quite “right”. In fact, something hasn’t been quite “right” with Pavano’s pitching since the New York series. His last 4 starts have seen him lacking solid location and giving up way too many runs. Last night’s 4 earned run outing was deemed “promising” by the Twins coaching staff but I’d argue that it was unnecessary. If the injury really is only an inflammation, why not let Pavano miss one start and heal instead of throwing him out there at 80% efficiency? This was a winnable game with a starting pitcher who didn’t “fall apart” in the middle innings. If Pavano is 100%, I have a feeling that this game takes on a completely different outcome.

Pulling For Capps

(Chalk that line up in the category of “Things I never thought I would type”)

Last night, as Matt Capps trudged out to the mound for the top of the 9^th in a tied game, Twins Territory collectively held their breath. It’s almost instinctive at this point in time. As soon as Capps takes to the mound, no matter the lead or the situation, fans are prepared to watch it disappear. This is largely due to Capps’ horrible performance in 2011 where it seemed like he gave away as many games as he saved. When the Twins front office decided to bring Capps back for another try this season, the fans collectively swore in frustration.

Capps is associated (unfairly) with the downfall of the Twins. While he was responsible for coughing away many leads in 2011, the truth is that team wasn’t very good anyway. It reaches beyond the bad 2011 outing, however, and into the deeper psyches of Twins fans. Capps is forever linked to the collapse of the Twins organization in the form of a horrible trade that sent solid prospect (now everyday starter – until his injury) Wilson Ramos to the Nationals. (Subsequently, this trade has allowed Drew Butera to be the team’s emergency backup…talk about a downgrade…)

Is it Capps’ fault that he was part of this trade? No, of course not. Is it Capps’ fault the Twins traded away Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, Johan Santana and JJ Hardy and all they received in return was Delmon Young and a bunch of mid level prospects who didn’t pan out. Nope, Capps’ wasn’t involved in that at all. He’s simply the unfortunate face that has to be associated with the decline of a once strong franchise.

That being said, I’m not a fan of Matt Capps. (Before you call out hypocrisy – just know that I don’t hate him for any other reason beyond his ability to pitch). Simply put, I don’t think he has the ability to be a shutdown closer. He seems to struggle in high pressure situations, he tends to leave pitches up and over the plate (bad at any time, especially when you’re protecting a lead) – frankly, I don’t trust him to act with the game on the line.

Now, with both sides of the argument presented – I’m here to say that Twins fans should be cheering like crazy for Matt Capps to do well this season. Why? Trade value. Take a look around the majors. Closers are dropping like flies. From ineffective outings to injuries, closers are on rotation in Toronto, Los Angeles (both teams), San Diego, Chicago, New York, Boston, Tamp Bay – a multitude of teams have either swapped closers due to injury or just plain ol’ ineptitude.

Perfect.

If Capps can continue to pitch well this season (or until the trade deadline) the Twins may find themselves in a position of power. Teams could be desperate for a closer and the struggling Twins have one who has been excelling. Suddenly the player that Twins Territory cannot stand, the player that is associated with a horrible trade becomes a hero – when he’s traded away. If the Twins can swing Capps to a contending team for some minor league (AAA) pitching, doesn’t that make things a whole lot easier to swallow?

Capps is gone, the team gets deeper (where they need it) and continue to stack their roster for the next two years. It’s a Twins fan's dream come true. That’s why we need to be pulling for Capps Twins fans, his success might yield a payoff in July.

Also on that list of “valuable in July” players are:

Jamey Carroll – To a team that needs bench depth or that lost a starter to injury

Justin Morneau  - AL Team that needs a bat to DH (Yankees, Rays, Orioles, Angels)

Josh Willingham  - NL Team that needs a power bat, AL in need of a DH

Ryan Doumit  - See Willingham, also replaces an injured catcher (Nationals)

Carl Pavano – Pitching depth (Yankees, Rangers, Angels, Dodgers, Nationals)

Jason Marquis  - Pitching depth (Same teams)

If any of the above guys can get some momentum going into the trade deadline, they become immensely valuable assets for the Twins. (Span is on that list too – I don’t want to see him traded. If I ignore it, it will go away…right?)

It’s hard to look at your favorite team and think about auctioning away players, but as fans we have to be willing to admit when your team is not ready to contend. The Twins are not ready to contend. 2013 will see them improve and by 2014, they could be scary good. There’s no sense hanging on to older players today when then can be converted into the missing parts for a title run in two years.

It’s that reasoning that has me saying (for the first time ever) Go Capps.