I think the underlying point is that Twins fans are in pain over what has happened to this season. I am, and it would be nice to be acknowledged of the fact, somehow – in some way by this organization.

I’m glad jbiowa brought up the point about Gardy’s comment yesterday where he said, “we plan on having a really good baseball team next year…”

My reaction to that immediately was, HOW?

How are we going to have a really good team next year with the “pitch to contact” philosophy the Twins have and the fact that the entire rotation is made up of #3 guys?

I think the Twins are going to have to make some serious moves to convert the pitching staff into what it takes to win the central division – let alone make it to the world series.

I think Bill Smith has a lot of atonement to do for the mistakes he’s made in the past, and based on his track record of poor player evaluations and transactions, I truly lack confidence in the front office’s ability to make the types of moves necessary to make the Twins a championship caliber team.

He did appear to be pretty honest in that interview. Brian Duensing has also been pretty honest about his problems and apologized to fans.

Other than that, all I see is a bunch of heads in the sand — particularly from the front office and on-field staffs.

Gardenhire’s comment yesterday really irritated me: “Jim wants to get in the World Series, and I told him, we plan on having a really good baseball team next year, get everybody healthy and start the year that way and we’ll talk over the winter.”

No one cares about some vague “plan” that starts only by getting everybody healthy. At this point, we need to hear an acknowledgment of the failures (not just the injuries) and we need to be convinced that you have a very specific and competent plan for turning things around (even though I think that a true turn-around will take several years).

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think Bill Smith needs to go. I’d leave the decision on whether Gardenhire & his staff need to go or simply be re-worked up to the new GM but frankly, they look like they need a new infusion of energy, ideas and talent.