I'll be honest. Todd Sears' heyday on the Twins roster was before I returned from school back in May. He had a game-winning homerun in one game and a homerun off of Pedro Martinez in another. If I had been able to see these highlights in real time with my own eyes, I probably would hold a special place in my heart for Todd Sears. However, I have never really seen him contribute much to the team besides an excellent sliding catch of a foul ball in Oakland. Don't get me wrong, I think Sears is a valuable person to have in the organization. However, his value is to acquire some other talented A-ball pitchers from a team that needs a stopgap solution at first base. In an organization with first baseman all over the place, he really is just wasting roster space.
Plus, Gardenhire's obsession with platoon splits leads him into some poor tactical decisions regarding Sears. While Flounder can crush a lefty, I would much rather see him hit against a righthanded pitcher than Sears. Gardenhire, however, feels the need to pinch hit late in games and remove one of the bonafide offensive threats from the Twins' lineup. It's quite frustrating to watch. In the one instance in which LeCroy was left in the game - the Baltimore game on Wedesday August 6 - Flounder came up with a clutch two-run double in the ninth inning off of a right-handed pitcher. Please, Gardy, let Flounder hit!
Updated August 12, 2003
No less than two days after I pointed about the absurdity of having Sears rot away on the bench, the Twins sent him back to Triple A. Much like Tom Prince, Sears is simply being crunched out of playing time by much more deserving players. The Twins should flip him to another team for a low level prospect to allow him a shot while also restocking the farm system.
Updated September 12, 2003
Well the Twins finally traded Sears, well after the time when his value was at its peak. He was traded to the San Diego Padres for a light-hitting shortstop in the low minors. Fortunately for the Twins, this is exactly the type of trade at which Terry Ryan excels. For example, Lew Ford was acquired this way from Boston. Best of luck with the Padres to Mr. Sears. (Also, I am very happy that Sears was traded outside of the division so he cannot hurt the team in the future ala Casey Blake with the Indigenous People.)