The Twins are 3 games behind the Free-Falling White Sox.  In a division where the Twins looked completely out of.  The Twins had won a ridiculous 18 of 20 (or something like that) and only managed to gain a game on the Tigers and White Sox.  Many Twins fans viewed that run as an amazing and exciting one, but to many that run also signified the insurmountable climb the Twins had to make to make the playoffs.  But after Beating up on the Indians and D-rays, and watching the White Sox lose 3 of their last 4, the Twins have climbed into contention. 

The Twins are closing in on the 6 most important games of the season.  After this series with the Indians, the Twins will head to Chicago for a 3 game series.  If the Twins can manage to Win one of their next two games against the Indians, and 2 of 3 against the White Sox, the Twins will be closing in on the Wild Card.  After the White Sox  series, the Twins head home to host the Division leading Tigers.  This will be the series that decides if the Twins are for real or not. 

The Twins have a good rotation set-up to face the Sox and Tigers.  If everything goes according to plan, the White Sox will Face Radke-Santana-Silva, And the Tigers will Face LIriano - Radke - Santana (Baker would be skipped due to the off day)

In those 6 Games, I believe the Twins will have a strong advantage in 3 of those games, (Santana's 2, and Liriano's game) This should set the Twins up to Win at least 3 of their games, and if Radke continues his stellar pitching, the Twins could be set up to win 4 or 5 of 6 in that stretch.  (With Silva being earmarked for the loss). 

A month ago I would never have been this optimistic.  One Month ago I was looking forward to seeing the kids get experience, and to get ready for the 2007 season.  But the Twins have revitalized their roster by injecting youth into key positions including Dumping Castro, Sierra and Batista. 

Rondell White is your Daddy.  I guess he is a second half player :).  After a season of futility at the plate.  Rondell is finally turning into the decent player the Twins expected him to be.  With the massive amounts of injuries, White's revitalization couldn't have come at a better time.  He finally has dragged his average over .200 and has hit 3 home runs in the second half (compared to 0 the first half).  Yes those Homers have come against the D-Rays and Indians, Two teams with less than stellar pitching, but it's a sign of life from a player who was more likely to be out-righted than started. 

Tyner?  Rabe? WTF Mate?  After losing Ford, Stewart and Hunter to the DL in a 48 hour span, the Twins have been forced to rely on relatively unknown players.  Jason Tyner, a career minor leaguer, finally making his mark at 29.  He has stepped in well at CF in Hunter's absence, and has even notched a game winning RBI in the 10th inning.  Josh Rabe hasn't seen much playing time, but he was called up to fill Stewart's roster spot.  These call-ups have given the Twins much more than they could have expected, and they have helped the Twins to a 9 game winning streak.

Hunter will likely come off the DL as soon as his 15 days are up, and hopefully he will come back to the form that has produced one of his best seasons.  Hunter's stress fracture in his ankle is likely a result of early compensation from his previous injury, but he is a warrior and battled through it for 2 months before taking a couple weeks off. 

Shannon Stewart is likely done for the season.  His Plantar Fasciitis has gotten progressively worse, and Stewart is in the worst pain he has had since the injury was first diagnosed.  For those that don't know, Plantar Fasciitis is an injury to the tendons that connect the heel and toe of the feet.  Basically the arch of the foot collapses, causing an extreme amount of pain.  The only way for this type of injury to heal is a lot of rest, and it often flares up for the rest of a player's career.  Other notable Minnesota players who have experienced this injury recently including Jim Kliensasser and Randy Moss. 

Lew Ford has a strained Oblique, but with the impressive play of Tyner (and even Ro White) Ford may have a hard time getting AB's when he returns.  No player should lose their job due to injury, but that is the cold reality of major league baseball.  Lew Ford might be packaged in a trade, because of his versatility (can play all outfield positions) he would make a good bench player for a national league team. 

Will he stay or will he go?  Recent misinformation has forced Phil Kessell to clarify rumors.  Kessell has not made his decision about going pro yet.  An amazingly talented player, but known as a grade "A" #### to his teammates, would likely bolt for Boston if the Bruins made an offer.  Signing Kessell would make sense for the Bruins, a team that has seen a steady exit of talent from its roster, they could use a player like Kessell To creates some excitement in a city starving for a contender. 

Brad Johnson notably miffed about his contract.  Although he maintains he is a professional, Few players of his average talent level hold so much leverage over a team.  The Vikings have put all of their eggs in a 38 year old basket with a bad contract.  I can solve this predicament with a solution that is favorable to both teams.  Re-structure Johnson's contract with some reachable performance based incentives.  Bonuses for milestones in production, such as starting all 16 games, making the playoffs, winning playoff games, reaching the Superbowl, winning the Superbowl.  Incentives for 20 TD's, 3,00 yards, 10 Wins etc.  Of course all of these incentives wouldn't be in the contract, but set up his contract so if he reaches his incentives, his pay would be comparable to a contract that ranks him around the 24th or 25th highest paid QB in the NFL. 

The same thing could have worked with Daunte.   If Daunte was really that angry about his contract, the Wilf's and company could have set up a deal that would have increased Daunte's contract in a similar way.  Duante would have kept his current contract, but added more incentives based on his recovery from his injury, and his productivity.  Daunte would have been a great WCO QB.   He has an accurate arm, (a career 65% passer) and likely would have worked well in the offense after digesting the playbook. 

Wild Sign Wyatt Smith.  An in-state product, Former gopher and Thief River Falls native, Smith will likely split time between the Minors and NHL.  He will be used as an injury replacement for most of the season.  He is decent at all aspects of his position, but lacks a skill that he excels at.  He should provide the Wild with good depth, and this signing likely will be the final move for the Wild this offseason.