The Garza Watch continues

There's good news.
First, the Twins idiotic decision to call-up journeyman Mike Smith instead of Matt Garza didn't end up hurting the team, though it did turn out to be indeed idiotic.
In a game the Twins had to win (you can't afford to lose to KC when you're in a pennant race), Smith was terrible, and the Twins trailed 4-1 after three innings.
He simply couldn't throw strikes, as he fell behind nearly every hitter, walking three and hitting one in three innings.
In 105-degree heat, he threw 80 pitches in just three innings, 46 for strikes.
But the bullpen was great as usual, and Jason Bartlett and Co. rapped 22 hits.
In the four game sweep (the Twins first ever at KC), the Twins put 102 men on base, via 56 hits, 36 walks, five hit batters and five errors.
Again, the good news is that the Twins overcame Smith's struggles, but seriously, who's surprised?
Terry Ryan's reasoning for the decision was that Smith, 28, was more major league ready than Garza, 22.
For once, I'll leave my own opinion out and simply offer this statistic to allow to make your own decision about who's "more ready."
Mike Smith's Triple-A ERA: 3.52
Matt Garza's Triple-A ERA: 1.85.
Apparently 'major league ready' means older, not necessarily better.
But Ron Gardenhire made it clear in his post-game comments that he was very disappointed with Smith's performance, and Gardy has also made it clear he wants Garza now.
I think he might finally get his way, and Garza may be in the rotation as soon as this week.
*Bartlett, by the way, is looking like the next Derek Jeter. With a 5-for-5 day on Sunday, he's now hitting .377.
I always looked at Bartlett as a guy who, best case scenario, would have Greg Gagne's bat and Pat Meares' glove. In other words, a mediocre major leaguer.
But in a couple short months he's shown to be far better than that.
He continues to be outstanding at shortstop, showing great range and a strong arm, while he continues to find a way to get hits.
He'll never have Jeter's power, but aside from that, I think it actually is a fair comparison skill-wise. Of course, that says as much about how overrated I think Jeter is as it does about how good Bartlett is.
Still, to have a guy in the 9-hole hitting .377 isn't too bad.
If I were the Twins, I'd consider signing him to a long-term deal while he' still cheap.
They might as well lock him up, because he's the only decent shortstop (besides Nick Punto, I suppose) in the entire organization.
*Lew Ford is on a Triple-A rehab assignment, and is hitting .286 (4-for-14) so far. Here's hoping that oblique muscle keeps on bothering Lucky Lew.