I began the season feeling our Twins, (and they still are our Twins), would win the division. I wasn’t alone and Sports Illustrated, among others, picked the Twins as the Central Division champions. But, as Secretary of State John Foster Dulles once said to then-President Dwight Eisenhower, “It’s time for an agonizing reappraisal.”

The Twins were a .500 ballclub all season, but due to similar play from the Tigers and the White Sox they remained a contender. However, the loss to Cleveland the other night spelled the beginning of the end and it will take a near miracle for the folks at 34 Kirby Puckett Place to win the division.

It’s a shame to waste Joe Mauer’s year, but he can’t do it all by himself and that seemed the case as the season wore down. Fellow All-Star Justin Morneau has faded badly after the All-Star game hitting around .225 since the break.

Mauer has played extremely well and should be the American League MVP. There may be a few carpers out there concerning Joe’s play. But let me ask you this: Where would the Twins be without him?

It is extremely important that the Twins re-sign Joe. Can you imagine the pall Joe’s leaving would cast on the team and the new stadium? No matter what they have to pay or players they have to acquire, it couldn’t cost more than the revenue lost by his absence now and in the future.

Another positive is Denard Span. The second-year Twin is in the top 10 in batting average and plays all the outfield positions and plays them well. Jason Kubel has proven to be a fine DH.

OK, that’s three positives. Are there anymore? Yes, Scott Baker has proven he is worth the money and may develop into an ace, a stopper of losing streaks. I think that even though Joe Nathan has proven to be human, you have to put him on the plus side of the ledger.

There are our stars, along with Morneau, and they are the players the organization has to build around. Sure, Michael Cuddyer has been better than average this year, but one out of three years is not something you can depend on. Who else? Well, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier have been good relievers, but one cannot build a team around two relievers. Brian Duensing and Jeff Manship have done well for rookies, but unless you have a Mickey Mantle or Bob Feller you cannot build a team around unproven rookies.

That about sums up the stars and possible stars. It’s startling to see so few players that are substantially above average. But while others may make good plays, get good hits and pitch well at times, they are limited players and a team of Carl Pavano, Jesse Crain, Joe Crede, Alexi Casilla and Delmon Young’s do not make a pennant winner.

Some negatives: I admire Ron Gardenhire as a man and as a manager, but the Twins need a third outfielder behind Span and Cuddyer. Young and Carlos Gomez do not meet average Major League expectations. A fan always has their favorites among a team’s players and one of my favorites has been Gomez. I have enjoyed watching his enthusiasm and joy in playing the game. He also has enormous potential, but let’s face it, next year will be his third year and it’s time for Gomez to fish or cut bait. Gardy needs to decide between Gomez and Young and install one as the third outfielder. This back and forth has not been fair to either one.

This topic turned out to be lengthy and there could be more to say in the future. And I would be very pleased if proven wrong about the Twins’ chances this year and will be happy to write about the Twins’ comeback if it