Chalk up the third consecutive division title for the Twins! The Twinkies walking away with the division crown has become as reliable as Old Faithful in Ron Gardenhire’s tenure as manager. Unfortunately for myself and Twinkie fans alike division championships have become about as satisfying as a trip to the dentist or lunch detention. The Twins certainly have the talent to finally get over the hump and make a post-season run, but they’re going to have to prove it first. With one of the deeper and more reliable rosters in baseball the Twins are our next team on the countdown.
No. 4 Minnesota Twins
Projected Rotation
- Carl Pavano-RHP
Nick Blackburn // Photo: zimbio.com
- Francisco Liriano-LHP
- Scott Baker-RHP
- Brian Duensing-LHP
- Nick Blackburn-RHP
Projected Bullpen
- Joe Nathan-RHP
- Matt Capps-RHP
- Jose Mijares-LHP
- Kevin Slowey-RHP
- Glen Perkins-LHP
- Pat Neshek-LHP
- Alex Burnett-RHP
Projected Lineup
- CF Denard Span
- 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka
- C Joe Mauer
- 1B Justin Morneau
- RF Michael Cuddyer
- DH Jason Kubel/ Jim Thome
- LF Delmon Young
- 3B Danny Valencia
- SS Alexei Casilla
Analysis
On paper the Twins have one of the best lineups in the game. Mauer and Morneau are both MVPs, Thome is a hall of famer, and Nishioka has been compared very closely to Ichiro Suzuki. If the team stays healthy they’ll be pretty scary, but that is one, big, if.
Morneau has spent the better part of the last six months recovering from his freak concussion in Toronto before the all-star break last season. Progress has reportedly been made but it’s been a slow start to spring training for Morneau, who made his first appearance a couple days ago.
In fact the Twins were without Morneau, Mauer, and breakout stud outfielder Delmon Young until this week. Those absences won’t matter if they’re limited to spring training, but if the injuries linger the Twins will have more than just the big bad Yankees to overcome.
The injuries concerns are just that concerns, Ron Gardenhire won manager of the year fir being able to field a decent team everyday despite the injuries the Twins dealt with last season. With a healthy lineup the Twins are World Series contenders. Span had somewhat of a down year in 2010 but is still one of the more reliable leadoff men in baseball, but the big difference maker in my mind is 3B Danny Valencia.
The Twins are at the No. 4 spot - a reason to celebrate. Photo // chicagonow.com
Valencia didn’t play until late last season and still managed to finish third in rookie of the year voting. The fact that Valencia is batting eigth shows the Twins embarrassment of riches at the plate. Last year not too many people had hear of him, but in 2011 everyone will know what the name Valencia means very early.
Twins fans are very optimistic about their batting order, but not so much about the rotation. One thing the Twins do not have is an ace, but while they may lack a Cy Young contender they make up for it with depth, lots of depth. The biggest question is who will start 2011 in the bullpen? At the moment it appears to be Slowey, but he’s not too far behind Baker for the fifth spot.
Pavano and Liriano both had great years last season and will need to provide repeat performances. There’s still optimism that Liriano can return to his unhittable 2006 form after finally recovering from Tomm John Surgery. In 2010 Frankie Fastball was dominant yet inconsistent, he’ll need to step it up a notch this year as the Twins need a power pitcher to take them to the next level.
A lot of arms from last year’s bullpen have departed causing a lot of writers in the business to doubt the Twins. Don’t get me wrong the guys that left were all consistent relievers through the regular season, they’re also the same guys who were consistently shelled by the Yankees in the playoffs every year.
Joe Nathan should be healthy in 2011, and combine him with Matt Capps and the Twins have two all-star closers in the bullpen. Whoever gets beat out for the 5th spot in the rotation will certainly have middle relief capabilities and don’t forget the ever-improving Jose Mijares. The pen is better than it’s getting credit for but it will have to wait for the season to start to prove it.
With or without injury problems the Twins are the best team in the AL Central, but they will HAVE to stay healthy if they want to stop being the Yankees little brother and actually play longer than a week into October.
Well played Mauer…
Dudes, you are killing me. Giants will win more than Mr. Sheen.
Dudes, you are killing me. Giants will win more than Mr. Sheen.