2DAY'S 2 CENTS Twins vs. Vikings Two local teams racing to bottom of scrapheap

The Twins and Vikings both entered the 2013 seasons with different levels of optimism. The Twins were hoping that moves to shore up their starting pitching, plus the advancement of young players, would push them back toward respectability after 99- and 96-loss seasons. The Vikings were attempting to build on a playoff season in which second-year QB Christian Ponder started all 16 regular-season games. Both, however, have taken terrible stumbles. We're taking a look back at the past three calendar years to gauge the level of dysfunction within both organizations:

Twins

Category

Vikings

195-291 (.401 winning percentage)

Regular-season record

since Oct. 25, 2010

Team went 5-20 in the final 25 games of 2013 to finish with 96 or more losses for the third consecutive year.

Low

point

Team lost 23-7 on "Monday Night Football" to the previously winless Giants, playing its third starting quarterback in six games this season.

39-game run during June and July of 2011 in which Twins went 27-12.

2012 season in which Vikings went 10-6 and made playoffs; 8-24 in all other games in this stretch.

Starting pitching. ERA for Twins starters ranked 26th in MLB in 2011, 29th in 2012 and 30th in 2013.

Glaring issue team has

tried — and failed — to address

Quarterback play. The Vikings drafted Christian Ponder in the first round in 2011, but their merry-go-round at the position continues.

Organizational structure

shake-up

Rick Spielman promoted from VP of player personnel to general manager in January 2012.

Minor league system has top prospects, including Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano.

Future glimmer

Team still has some young talent, including safety Harrison Smith, lineman Matt Kalil and three 2013 first-round picks.

michael rand