Is The "Twins Way" The Definition Of Insanity?

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

- Albert Einstein

Technically, Einstein's definition of the word insanity isn't actually correct, however, it does make one think about various situations from time to time.  Whether it be for personal or professional reasons, many people actually ask themselves that question when they are not getting the results they're looking for.

Twins fans have been banging their heads against the wall throughout the first week of the 2012 season.  Some have been optimistic about what lies ahead, while others are looking at this first week as a harbinger of things to come.  But, are the Twins becoming the collective poster child for Einstein's famous definition?  The evidence points to a resounding "yes."

The "Twins Way" is something all Twins fans have learned to accept over the last ten years.  It started with the "Get To Know 'Em Boys" in the early 2000's and continued with the "Piranhas" a few years later.  Those collections of players had distinctive identities.  Fundamental play, timely hitting, and consistent hustle were traits those teams shared; traits this 2012 bunch appears (at least early on) to be lacking.  So given what transpired last year, and what has been seen early this season, it truly appears this team might be headed down the same path it took in 2011 unless something changes.

That "something" isn't one thing in particular.  In the offseason, everyone considers themselves a better General Manager than whomever is holding that title for the Twins, in this case, Terry Ryan.  I, myself, am guilty of it, as many of you are.  I still contend there was more that could've been done this past offseason with regard to bringing in players to plug a few key holes.  Quite frankly, in my opinion, just because the Twins didn't spend their money wisely last year doesn't mean they shouldn't continue to spend money on talent; they just need to be wiser about how they spend it and who they spend it on.  Regardless, the roster, at the moment, is what it is, and we know who the key players are.  Unfortunately, the biggest issue this year appears to be depth within the pitching department, and that's something the team will have to continue battling through.

The "something" I referred to centers around the offense, and isn't just one thing, but perhaps a series of things.  Things meant to potentially alter the insanity that currently is the 2012 Minnesota Twins.

• Switch Up The Batting Order

This is by no means an exact science, but perhaps changing up some of the roles in the lineup might do a few people some good.  For starters, it's very evident by the fan reactions of late that the honeymoon period for Joe Mauer being the "Hometown Hero" may have run its course.  Fans are expecting much, much more for Joe than they're seeing.  Is it possible the responsibility to the team coupled with the expectations of the fans has become a bigger burden on Joe than he's able to take on right now batting third.  Although Jamey Carroll has had a few good at-bats thus far, drawing six walks from the two hole, is it possible he might be better suited as the eighth place hitter?  Might someone like Danny Valenica see better pitches hitting before Justin Morneau?  The answer to all of these questions is...who knows.  The point is, at what point does Ron Gardenhire decide to try something a little different in order to potentially get a different result?

My thought here is a simple one.  When healthy, Denard Span has been one of the best lead-off hitters the Twins have had in recent memory, so he stays put at the top of the order.  Move Carroll out of the second spot, and shift Mauer up.  Now, Joe's responsibility has shifted from driving in runs to getting on base, thus allowing him to swing a little more freely.  Over his career, speaking strictly percentage-wise, his numbers are better batting second than they are third.

So, with Joe now out of the third spot in the order, who slides in?  This may get a few laughs, but I'm being completely serious when I say...Danny Valencia.  Valencia has the ability to drive the ball and hit for a bit of power at times.  Better yet, he's a right-handed bat separating Mauer and Morneau, which could prove to be potentially beneficial in later inning situations.  Plus, anyone who has supervised or managed employees knows that sometimes, you have to empower unrealized talent in order for that talent to realize it in themselves.  Give Valencia an opportunity to take the next step in his maturation process as a hitter and as a player.

Similar to Span at the top of the order, no changes need to be made to the four and five spots.  If Josh Willingham continues to pound the ball as he has during the first week, Morneau will no doubt begin to see a few better pitches, and will begin to start hitting them hard again.  After Willingham, I would move Chris Parmelee into the sixth spot in the order and drop Ryan Doumit to seventh, rounding out the bottom of the order with Carroll and Alexi Casilla.  Here's what the lineup card would ultimately look like:

1.  Denard Span, CF (L)

2.  Joe Mauer, C (L)

3.  Danny Valencia, 3B (R)

4.  Justin Morneau, DH (L)

5.  Josh Willingham, LF (R)

6.  Chris Parmelee, 1B (L)

7.  Ryan Doumit, RF (S)

8.  Jamey Carroll, SS (R)

9.  Alexi Casilla, 2B (S)

• Consistency Is Bliss

This one won't take long to explain.  Through eight games of the 2012 season, Gardenhire has trotted out six different lineups.  Knock on wood, but there are no injuries of any kind to any position players that we're aware of, yet the same lineup has not been brought out to home plate in two consecutive games thus far.  Quite honestly, this high school mentality of "everyone needs to play" is a bit absurd at this level of ball.  All nine guys I listed above in the ideal lineup should be coming to the ballpark each and every day EXPECTING to be in the starting lineup, regardless of who's on the mound for the opposition.  Now, I understand getting guys a day off here and there, but there needs to be some consistency if this thing is ever going to gel.

• Make It Happen On The Bases

In their first eight games of this season, the Twins have stranded a total of 60 runners on base.  If we're being realistic, it would've been more had the Twins been able to muster more than two hits in the finale against the Orioles.  Ultimately, the offense is relying more on trying to advance runners by just moving station to station.  In the past three seasons, the team has ranked no better than ninth in the American League in Stolen Bases, and no better than 18th in all of baseball.  With their speed, there is really no reason both Denard Span and Alexi Casilla shouldn't steal at least 30 bases a season.  Putting those runners in motion may bring a great deal of risk into the equation, but could also yield a hefty reward to a struggling offense.  Think of it this way; the Twins are tied for the Major League lead having grounded into 11 double plays this season.  They also lead baseball in the groundout to flyout ratio.  If you decide no to straight steal them, utilizing the hit and run could get opposing fielders out of position and open a few holes in the infield.  This was the type of hustle exhibited by the original Piranhas, and is something that could prove to be just what the doctor order this season.

Again, these suggestions are probably a little drastic, and maybe even unrealistic.  However, there might be something even more unrealistic than my thoughts...

...The idea that Twins fans will continue to support this team if something...anything...doesn't change.