Mediocrity is frustrating

Ahhh yes, the all-star break; a time for the midsummer classic, the home run derby, the schmaltzy celeb softball game, and rousing songs by relevant musical acts like...Counting Crows? I don't know about you, but "Mr. Jones" gets me AMPED.
Its also a time to reflect on a rather uninspiring first half for our favorite team, the Minnesota Twins. Only 2 games above .500, 7 behind the wild card, and 8 behind the division lead; a team that produced 3 all-stars this year, whilst Pat Neshek was included in the fan vote...so 3 and a half all-stars. At times the twins were dominant (32 runs in the first two games in Chicago), and at other times non-existant (only 4 runs the last two of the same series). Sure, there has been injuries, but also some piss poor production also (nick punto I am looking at you), a rotating door rotation outside of Santana, Silva, and Bonser (who is on thin ice). We saw the debut of Kevin Slowey, who at times looked like Brad Radke in terms of control, but also at times looked like Brad Radke in terms of giving up moon shots. Scott Baker is feast or famine; Ramon Ortiz has been relegated to long relief. Matt Garza is the latest starter; hopes are high after a masterful season debut. However, anyway you cut it, our pitching rotation is a giant question mark. Remember, much of last years push was due to Francisco Liriano's dominance; you can find him sipping mai tais rehabbing his encounter with Tommy John.
Joe Mauer missed a month; and considering what happens when he plays, its a miracle Mike Redmond hasn't missed a month. Justin Morneau's done his best to play through injuries, although he looked ridiculous in the home plate collision with Miguel Olivo in Florida. After a small home run drought, Morneau seems to have hit his stride with a recent trip through the windy city. Seriously, without Morneau and Torii Hunter, we'd be battling the Royals for the cellar.
So what needs to change for us to be worth a shit in the second half? First, we need some stability from our starters; Santana is hitting his midsummer stride, so that leaves us a rather motley crew to ask this from. Carlos Silva, once considered dead, looked terrible in Chicago. Boof Bonser looks great for about 4 innings, then his fat ass hits the wall. Scott Baker is an enigma, capable of gems like the games in Milwaukee and the hard luck loss in Detroit, but also capable of games like Texas and Chicago. Matt Garza, who seems like the sentimental favorite, looks more seasoned than his time last year, but anyone can pitch one good game- so the true assessment will be how he does now that he essentially has a spot in the rotation. He is projected to have top of the rotation upside, but he is still relatively inexperienced at the Major League Level. Who knows though, maybe he could have a Liriano like impact. Baseball is funny like that.
Second, we need another bat. Morneau and Hunter can't be counted on game in and game out to shoulder the entire load- Mike Cuddyer's got to get his shit straight, especially since he is sitting in a very very desirable position in the lineup; behind platesetters Castillo, Mauer, and to a certain extent Jason Bartlett, and before Reigning MVP Morneau and Torii Hunter. Jason Kubel just plain pisses me off, and I need more consistency from his plow-pulling ass before I anoint him the every day left fielder. Nick Punto...put the fucking ball on the ground and run; but I have to imagine he is on a short leash because we need more than 3 pop-ups a game. Maybe it is high time for Terry Ryan to get off his ass and make a goddamn deal, before I lose my attention span and there is a fan mutiny. And I am talking a legitimate deal, not some "sign and hope" horseshit like Bret Boone and Phil Nevin. Get someone who can play everyday third base without being a liability, and can contribute offensively. We have pitching prospects up the yin-yang, so deal one for someone worth a shit. Twins Nation is getting pretty tired of hoping guys like Rondell (my calf exploded) White and Jeff (Kirk Gibson's knee double) Cirillo can contribute. And don't even think about bringing up Ken Harvey, just put that notion to rest Terry.
Third, we need the Tribe and the Tigers to falter. Because if 1 and 2 don't work, then we are bound for another mediocre half, and a 3rd place finish.