Let's get something straight first.

I don't think the Twins can climb out of the hole they are in. They break down in too many areas on a game-to-game basis to expect a sustained turnaround.

But talk of a fire sale is very, very premature.

You want to get the most you can for your players. How much trade value does Delmon Young have right now? Or Kevin Slowey? Or Carl Pavano? Or Michael Cuddyer? Or anyone else you think should be moved?

There are more than two months before the trade deadline. The Twins brass needs that time for players to improve their trade value. The Twins would be wise to wait and see if their players can become more attractive to other teams.

Now for tonight. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire didn't seem as flummoxed as he has been after other games during this march to oblivion. He let it be known that some players came in after the 5-2 loss to Seattle yelling about the b.s. (his words) that has been going on lately.

``That's inside the clubhouse," Gardenhire said. ``I'm not going to talk about who and where."

Oh, but Gardy made sure we knew some guys were ticked off after the game. Is it too late?

``Yeah. We need to show some fire," outfielder Jason Kubel said. ``It's getting real ugly out there. Stuff has been building up....I don't know. I've never been part of something like this."

The Twins have been asking for more fire from themselves for a couple weeks now, which is a little disturbing. With so much on the line this season, which so many veterans in the clubhouse - and with some people in contract years - you would think that emotion would not be a problem for the 2011 Twins.

Then again, I thought offense wouldn't be a problem for the 2011 Twins. I thought they were a lock for 800 runs this year.

Although everything about the current state of the Twins screams top five pick in the 2012 draft. the players haven't given up. Gardenhire, however, wants to see some of the things he heard in the clubhouse transferred out to the field and against opposing pitchers.

``I like to see a little emotion," he said. ``That's not a bad thing. Sometimes you sit back and take it. I don't want guys to take it. Some of our veterans need to step up and let it be known to some of the young kids. I can yell as much as I have, but it comes from the veterans. They need to step up and let it be known that this is a bunch of (animal droppings) and a couple of them did."

Will they respond Tuesday against King Felix Hernandez? They have talked enough about playing better, but it's not happening. Alexi Casilla had a shot to throw out Chone Figgins in the first inning but double-clutched on the throw home. Delmon Young struck out three times, twice on three pitches. Scott Baker pitched O.K. but he couldn't put away Justin Smoak in the third and it cost him a RBI double. A belt-high pitch to Adam Kennedy in the sixth became a homer and Baker failed to put away Carlos Peguero during the next at-bat and gave up another homer,

The Twins need to try something different. Like mistake-free baseball.

If they were truly angry after Monday's game, let's see the response.