Twins sinking fast

It's hard to be optimistic about this year's Twins. Last week, after beating the Yankees on ESPN, they were three games over .500 and within striking distance of the White Sox. Now the team's three games under .500 and are about to be passed by Cleveland.

And it's not as if the Twins have been close to winning. The White Sox shelled them. Minnesota split the first two games in Cleveland, and then the Indians lit up Livan Hernandez.

The Indians scored 12 runs and had 18 hits in a 12-2 shellacking. The Twins had as many errors as runs.

It sure looks like the Indians are primed to make a move, while the Twins' moves might be trades with contenders.

The brain trust -- if you could use the word brain in connection with the uneven trade the Twins made with the Mets, and the much superior offers the Red Sox made -- will have to consider whether to hang on to all their players, or if they'll deal with someone offering prospects. All I can say is: Make a good deal this time! It's no time for a fire sale.

Despite the lopsided loss, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau had good games. Mauer had two hits and Morneau three. Unfortunately, the rest of the lineup is not producing. Carlos Gomez, Jason Kubel, Craig Monroe, Michael Cuddyer and Alexi Casillas went hitless. Ouch.

Hernandez is the team's supposed No. 1 pitcher. But now it appears American League hitters have figured him out.  He gave up seven earned runs in three innings, and his ERA rose to 5.84. That doesn't cut it.

Hernandez is, like Carlos Silva, an innings-eater. If he can keep the ball down and the Twins score, he'll be OK. If, if, if .... His stuff isn't that good. He can't throw it very hard anymore.

You have to wonder if he'll even be on the team at the end of the season. The Twins' young pitchers have been reaspnably good, and maybe they have someone else in the farm system.

As for the Indians, you have to wonder whether they'll keep ace C.C. Sabathia. He's unlikely to be with the team next year. What if the Indians fall back 10-15 games in July? A team like the Cubs might want to make a deal.

Cleveland's a strong team that's been crippled by injuries. Jake Westbrook is likely out for the year. Injuries to Fausto Carmona and Travis Hafner have also been out.

But I think the Indians will make a run. Though, let's face it, you can't really tell from them beating up a feeble Twins team.