tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post2682954500732241895..comments2024-02-17T04:00:25.925-06:00Comments on The Platoon Advantage: 3rd Place Isn't That Hard To DoThe Common Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09994070642805307798noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-49218265951521118182011-02-02T21:51:50.509-06:002011-02-02T21:51:50.509-06:00I think the White Sox are well ahead of the Twins ...I think the White Sox are well ahead of the Twins right now, but I think the Twins are well ahead of the Tigers. By "well ahead," I mean like five games, so really anything can happen, but I certainly wouldn't expect third place.<br /><br />Nico: the thing is, Morneau was <i>so</i> good in the first half of last year that he gave them more than he usually does in a full year. And then they had Thome's season <i>on top of that</i>, so Morneau's getting hurt was arguably almost a blessing, even though it meant Cuddyer had to "play" first base. A full, productive season of Morneau -- assuming he's back to earth and his pre-2010 productive self, not the MVP-level 2010 version -- will not come anywhere close to giving them what he and Thome gave them last year.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07840958382433052735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-54585839355472584032011-02-02T21:37:44.575-06:002011-02-02T21:37:44.575-06:00I agree with your premise, TCM, but I'll note ...I agree with your premise, TCM, but I'll note that *IF* the Twins were to get a full, productive season from Morneau, then they would not - additionally - need to replicate Thome's 2nd half. Thome basically stepped in for Morneau on offense and granted, he did slightly outproduce him, but really, a full season of Morneau might nearly equal the production the Twins received from that/their spot last season.<br /><br />Also, I don't think it's entirely appropriate to <i>expect</i> good seasons from Peavy or Jackson, nor Morel or Viciedo. Dunn, yes. And really, Dunn may be enough.NicoSamuelson2noreply@blogger.com