Minnesota Twins aiming to increase steals in 2011 in American League
In Fort Myers, Florida, the Minnesota Twins are aiming to make their players ready for the coming regular league season. The team has a lot to do and the offseason expenditure was mostly distributed amongst speedy recruits. The aim is simple: increase base
steals in 2011.
The Twins have a reason for going for speed this season. Target Field became the Twins’ home stadium last season and with that effect, home runs fell in proportion. From 172 homers in 2009, the tally fell down to 142 in 2010.
Manager Ron Gardenhire has talked about the issue in great length and he believes the situation will eventually change when the players familiarize themselves with the stadium and the injured stars make their return.
Justin Morneau played half of the season last year but his role will not be affected by the new team aim. New player, Tsuyoshi Nishioka is in the mix for speed and he’s supported by established stars, Alexi Casilla, and, centre fielder, Denard Span.
"That's the part that we can adjust", Gardenhire said. "Home runs are hard to do unless you go out on the free-agent market and sign big home run hitters. Speed you can get. That's what we've done. We know Alexi can, we know Nishi can run, steal some bases".
Stealing bases will not be easy this season but Casilla tallied career high swipes in 2007 and 2009 with 11. Span had popped up 26 steals last season while Nishioka pulled off 25 steals in Japan.
Tsuyoshi has been proficient in pulling up 25 or more steals for over 5 seasons now and his role will provide the necessary cover Gardenhire needs to produce runs in critical games.
"Not all those days you're going to drive the baseball all over the field, plus our ballpark plays big", Gardenhire said. "So speed can be very good there. I like that though, I like to run, always have. Bunt, run, do those little things - win a lot of baseball
games like that".
The Twins’ steals tally has fallen in the last two years, falling from about 100 runs in 2008 to 68 in 2010.
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