Minnesota Twins Roster Breakdown

Baseball is back! This is one of my favorite times of the year because we finally have our national past time to follow again. In addition, every team has hope that this is their year. Tomorrow, the Minnesota Twins will begin their pursuit of their first division title in three years. They aren't used to being favorites, but that's exactly what they'll be after surprising everyone by pushing the White Sox to game 163 last year. Ever since that fateful day when the Twins season ended in early October, Twins fans have been waiting to get back at it. The beginning of the season has finally come. Here is my breakdown of the Minnesota Twins roster.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Denard Span
2B Alexi Casilla
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Justin Morneau
DH Jason Kubel
3B Joe Crede
LF Delmon Young
C Mike Redmond
SS Nick Punto

Bench

OF Carlos Gomez
3B Brian Buscher
SS Brendan Harris
C Jose Morales

Infield

The Twins are strong on the corners. Justin Morneau is a perennial MVP candidate at first. He is obviously terrific at the plate and his fielding is becoming stellar as well. Third baseman Joe Crede was a huge addition because he finally gives the Twins some stability at the position. His health is the big question, but if healthy expect a terrific glove at third base and some solid power at the plate. Crede is certainly an All-Star caliber third baseman when healthy. Second baseman Alexi Casilla was a big spark after his call up last year. Look for maybe a slight drop off in his numbers, but Casilla is a guy that knows how to get on base with his speed. Shortstop Nick Punto is the biggest question mark. His defense is nothing short of phenomenal, but if he can bat around .260 or .270 the Twins will be happy. Punto is used to being a utility player, so he will have to make the adjustment to playing every day. Joe Crede and his health are the key to the success of this infield.

Outfield

The Twins have four very capable outfielders on their roster, which is definitely a luxury most teams don't have. In my opinion, Michael Cuddyer should be the odd man out, however, manager Ron Gardenhire plans to use Cuddy and Denard Span virtually every day, so look for Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez to be the ones switching in and out of the lineup. Span will probably see a drop off from his fantastic numbers of '08, but he is still a very patient lead off hitter and a phenomenal outfielder. With improved plate discipline, Carlos Gomez should see an increase in his average and power numbers. In addition, expect more stolen bases from the exciting young phenom. Delmon Young could have a break out year for the Twins this year. Young has changed his approach at the plate, so look for him to pull more balls and hit for more power. I believe Cuddyer is clearly the weakest of the four outfielders because other than his strong arm in right, nothing really stands out to me about his game. However, if healthy, he does have the ability to hit for some power. Jason Kubel can also play in the outfield, but will see most of his time in the DH position. Kubel had a very good year in '08. Look for more home runs and a bit higher average from him in 2009. The key to this outfield is either Cuddyer or Young having a terrific season.

Catchers

Mike Redmond and Jose Morales will have to hold down the fort until the God of Minnesota (Joe Mauer) returns from his back injury. Redmond calls a good game and does a good job hitting the ball to the opposite field. He's one of the best backup catchers in baseball. Morales is a switch hitter who is more known for his bat than his glove. Redmond will get most of the time behind the plate, but Morales will see action 2 or 3 times per week until Mauer is back. Obviously, when Joe Mauer gets back, the Twins will have the best catcher (hitting and fielding) in the league. The key for Redmond and Morales will be to call good games for the Twins young pitchers. The Twins pitchers have often said that they are able to go on auto pilot with Mauer behind the plate because they rarely have to shake him off. Much more important than their hitting is the ability of Redmond and Morales to duplicate Mauer's ability to call great games.

Bench

I love the versatility the Twins have on the bench this season. They will have one good outfielder as a pinch hitting option every night, in Young or Gomez. In addition, Brian Buscher has some pop in his bat and Brendan Harris has a good arm in the field and a decent bat as well. They will also have a pretty good hitting catcher on the bench each night.

Starting Rotation

LHP Francisco Liriano
RHP Nick Blackburn
RHP Kevin Slowey
LHP Glen Perkins
RHP R.A. Dickey

This is clearly the strength of the Minnesota Twins and has been for a long time. When Scott Baker comes back, the Twins will have five starters who put them in a position to win every time out. Francisco Liriano, in his second year back from Tommy John surgery, is primed for a terrific season. Control will be the key for the lefty phenom. Liriano has developed a nasty change up, much like that of Johan Santana, to go along with his fastball and filthy slider. The velocity on the fastball is down a bit, but the bite on the slider is still as good as it was in 2006. Liriano is the key to success for the Twins rotation. Nick Blackburn pitched amazingly in the one game playoff against the White Sox and was probably the most consistent Twins starter in '08. Kevin Slowey has the potential to win 20 games this year. He has exceptional control and a great change up. Glen Perkins has to stay out of big innings and learn how to hold on to leads, but the lefty possesses a good fastball and a sharp curve ball. R.A. Dickey will probably make only a couple starts for the Twins, but it will be interesting to see how the knuckleballer fares. Scott Baker will be key when he returns. Baker progressed a lot last year. He has good control and great movement on his pitches. More importantly, he has the mental toughness necessary to lead this pitching staff. I love the makeup of the Twins rotation. Two lefties and different styles of pitching should make it tough for opposing teams to prepare to face the Twins. One thing these pitchers do have in common is exceptional control, which is the base for their success. They are also very close, which helps in preparation and team chemistry. A young Braves rotation in the making? That remains to be seen, but look for a solid year from this group in 2009.

Bullpen

RHP Joe Nathan
RHP Jesse Crain
RHP Matt Guerrier
LHP Craig Breslow
RHP Luis Ayala
RHP Phillip Humber
LHP Brian Duensing

Probably the weakest part of this Twins team, but an aspect of the squad that has to be and can be good. Since he has come to the Twins, closer Joe Nathan has been the best stopper in baseball. The key to this bullpen will be Jesse Crain. If he can hold down the eighth inning, everything else should fall into place nicely. Crain had a decent '08 after coming off of shoulder surgery. The right hander has looked tremendous this spring. He has a blazing fastball and a nasty curve ball. I think Crain will settle in as the main set up man for the Twins this year. It's certainly what Ron Gardenhire envisions. Matt Guerrier, Craig Breslow, and Luis Ayala will be the other arms called upon most often. Guerrier and Ayala are coming off disappointing seasons, while Breslow did a very nice job for the Twins in 2008. Breslow will be the main left handed option for Gardy. Another lefty option will be Brian Duensing, who is seeing his first time in the big leagues. Phil Humber will be the main long reliever, but he hopefully won't have to be used that often considering how strong the starters are. Speaking of the starters, they are going to have to pitch a little deeper into games in 2009, in order to keep pressure off the pen. Matt Guerrier, Joe Nathan, and Dennys Reyes pitched way too many innings for the Twins in '08, and they really ran out of gas in September. The starters should be able to go a little further into games this year, in order to prevent a drop off from the bullpen late in the season due to being over worked.

DL

C Joe Mauer
RHP Scott Baker

My Picks to Click for the Twins in 2009:

Delmon Young
Justin Morneau
Francisco Liriano
Kevin Slowey
Jesse Crain

If they can stay healthy, the Twins are primed to win the American League Central in 2009. Let's hope six months from now we are looking ahead to the playoffs and celebrating a division championship!

Summer of Stun is back! Let's play!

GO TWINS!!!