Minnesota Twins Must Fire Ron Gardenhire If 2013 Season Isn't Better

Ron Gardenhire has been the manager of the Minnesota Twins since the 2003 season and the Twins have experienced success under Gardenhire. The last two seasons however have been disasters for the team with last-place finishes each year. I think the time may have come to show Gardenhire the door if he can’t improve the team in 2013.

While that sounds like a radical idea considering how young and inexperienced this team could potentially be, there are enough veterans on the roster right now where 66 wins isn’t acceptable. Joe Mauer has regressed some the last couple years and Justin Morneau has been hurt but after a while, you have to find a way to piece together a better team than one that can’t break the 70-win mark two years in a row. I would expect the Twins to dismiss Gardenhire if the Twins don’t win at least 75 games in 2013. It is only a nine-win jump from last season and the team did improve three games from their 63-99 season in 2011. There must be consistent improvement or a new manager is needed.

There is no argument that the pitching staff in Minnesota is subpar and that will cause the team to lose many games but the law of averages has to come into play somewhere. With players like Mauer, Morneau and Josh Willingham in the everyday lineup, the Twins can’t afford another miserable season. Otherwise, it may be time to trade two of those players away and show Gardenhire the door on their way out of Minnesota.

Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.