Twins Success Might Argue Against Competitive Balance

I want to tip my cap to Ron Gardenhire and the Minnesota Twins organization, not just for last night's amazing vault into the playoffs and the red hot streak that forced a 163rd game, but also to how they have built a consistent winner and become a model franchise.

Is there a better run franchise in MLB? It is astounding that the Twins have been able to put winning team after winning team together despite the limitations of the small/mid-market team. The Twinkies were 23rd in payroll this year, but made the playoffs for the 5th time since 2002 (and narrowly missing out last year in a one game playoff). They just aren't supposed to keep competing like this, not after losing Santana, Hunter, and other handfuls of other stars over the years. But here they are again, sneaking into October. Ron Gardenhire, aside from being one of the classiest men to manage a ballclub, might just be a genius. How else can you explain guiding a team with Scott Baker as its ace into the ALDS? Or losing an MVP down the stretch and then really hitting stride. I am just amazed.

As much as a franchise like Minnesota seems to argue against those who cry "unfair!" to payroll and market discrepancy, I think they may just be one more bullet in the gun. For all the success the Twins have had, they have still only managed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs once during this run and likely won't fair any better this year. While it is certainly an accomplishment to make the postseason, they have not been able to be truly competitive once they get there. Now, this is not to slam the Twins or claim they have choked. This is to say: if this is the most successful, well-run mid-market franchise and they cannot get over the hump, what hope is there for really seeing small- and mid-market teams compete at that level year in and year out?

If the Twins can hope for an appearance, but can't keep enough pieces together to make a sustained push in October, what good is it? Maybe the Indians looked good a couple years ago, but after losing Sabathia and then Lee, they are back to rebuilding. The Rockies are starting to look like the Twins after a couple great runs in three years, but couldn't keep Holliday (and maybe Hawpe? Tulo?) and we'll see how they develop over the next couple years. Winning with young talent is what smaller market teams do to have success, but what happens when that young talent becomes too good? They sign with a bigger market team for bigger market dollars. And if that young talent does not all mature at the same time you're left with pretty good teams that just can't quite make it. So teams end up hoping they can hit that perfect window before their talent becomes unaffordable.

This is the very thing that is not a problem with the Yankees...or the Red Sox...or Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, etc. When was the last time the Yankees had to worry about affording their young talent (when was the last time they brought up real talent?) or hitting that window? They will be a threat to win every year because they don't have to worry about it. Sure, teams like the Mets and Cubs prove you can't just buy your way into the playoffs, but they know they could be back there with a couple big signings. A team like the Twins has to do everything right just to make the playoffs, let alone win it all.

So, congratulations, Minnesota. You had another great year doing things the right way. I just wish you had enough resources to make that pay off with a ring.