NEWYORK-The decisionmakers for the Twins must undertake a delicate operation this winter.
They must alter their team chemistry and organizational philosophies to better enable them to compete against powerhouse teams in the playoffs, without damaging the admirable ethic that has served them so well over the past 10 regular seasons.
They must, like some mystery novelists, try to write the ending before crafting the beginning.
Here are my point-by-point recommendations on how to react in the wake of the Twins' most embarrassing playoff loss in recent history:
1. DON'T BLAME THE MANAGER
Ron Gardenhire is one of the most important figures in one of the most successful franchises in sports.
If Gardenhire has a relevant flaw, it's that he is highly emotional and intense. That's also his greatest strength. In the new American sports culture that draws its wisdom from football, too many people think a baseball manager can alter a game the way a football coach can call plays or substitute quarterbacks.
Some of the greatest managers of all time enjoyed limited postseason success. Atlanta was right to revere Bobby Cox despite his team's playoff failures, and Minnesota should regard Gardenhire similarly.
2. ACQUIRE POWER ARMS
The Yankees and teams of their ilk love facing pitchers of the Twins' ilk -- strike-throwers lacking dominant stuff.