Bert Blyleven – Minnesota Twins Hurting

As he talked about the Minnesota Twins’ struggles with stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau sidelined much of the season, TV analyst Bert Blyleven said, “When you’ve got one-third of your salary structure in two guys and they haven’t performed like they did in their MVP years, it hurts.”

With Morneau (69 games) still battling concussion issues and Mauer (82) hampered by knee and leg injuries last year, the Minnesota Twins barely avoided just their second 100-loss season in club history; and critics wonder if their long-term salaries have strapped the Twins.

Blyleven, a Hall of Fame pitcher who just signed a five-year extension with the Twins as their broadcaster, talked about the Twins and other baseball topics Thursday while playing in a golf benefit for The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida at the Verandah in Fort Myers.

Joining the Fort Myers resident were pro golfers Derek Lamely and Michelle Shin. They’ll help Children’s Hospital raise more than $10,000.

While the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t sign their big name – Albert Pujols – and the Milwaukee Brewers are likely to let Prince Fielder go, the Twins signed their stars.

Mauer inked an eight-year, $184 million deal with the Twins in 2010, and Morneau signed a six-year, $80-million deal that goes through 2013.

Blyleven said the Twins’ problems went far beyond those two players, but he admitted the team had no choice but to sign Mauer.

“He’s such a big part of Minnesota and the culture and of the fans,” Blyleven said. “He was born right there in St. Paul.

“He was not forced to sign, but they had to lock him up for a long period of time and that costs a lot of money. I think he could’ve gotten better money somewhere else, which is sad to say. I hate to hear he took a discount with that kind of money, but he probably did.

“Look, it all comes down to pitching. (Scott) Baker was out, (Nick) Blackburn, (Francisco) Liriano has not done what the Twins thought he would. (Carl) Pavano is the only real workhorse coming back.”

The Twins did sign outfielder Josh Willingham to a three-year, $21 million deal, but they likely won’t sign versatile Michael Cuddyer, outfielder Jason Kubel or closer Joe Nathan.

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