As we move onto the AL Central, we take a look at the Minnesota Twins, who are eyeing another year at the top of their division as they move into a new outdoor stadium, Target Field.
Offense
Because the Twins only get so much press, it is not a surprise that Justin Morneau is one of the most underrated stars in all of baseball. Last season he hit 30 home runs while driving in 100 RBIs before missing the final three weeks of the season due to a stress fracture in his back.
He did all this after a 2008 campaign in which he hit 23 home runs, drove in 129 and finished second in MVP voting.
Morneau is consistent and does his job very well. If he can raise his average from .274 (he hit .300 in 2008) then he will once again be included in the MVP talks as the season comes to an end.
Unlike Morneau, there is no one in the sporting world who would claim that Joe Mauer is not one of the five best hitters in baseball (with all due respect to Pujols, A-Rod, Hanley Ramirez, and Prince Fielder).
After missing 24 games at the beginning of last season, Mauer still ended up having by far the best season of his career, and one of the most statistically jaw-dropping seasons in baseball’s (or at least the Twins’) history.
On top of hitting for an unbelievable .365 average, Mauer finally found his power stroke, blasting 28 home runs and driving in 96 RBIs (both career highs).
This caliber of player at such an important defensive position is possibly the most difficult thing to come by in baseball.
While the Yankees and Red Sox are watching Mauer’s contract negotiations like buzzards waiting for an antelope to die, whoever ends up paying Mauer $20 million or more per year for the next seven years will be able to sleep easy knowing they have by far the best catcher in the baseball kneeling behind home plate.
Denard Span, who recently signed a five-year deal with the Twins, is looking to build on his breakout 2009 season by adding some more power to his already strong arsenal. While manning center field last season Span hit .311 while driving in 68 runners and stealing 23 bases. If he can find some power he will combine with Morneau and Mauer to make a very strong 1-2-3 stretch in the lineup.
J.J. Hardy, who comes over from the Milwaukee Brewers, will be looking to show once again that he has what it takes to be a legitimate starting shortstop, while adjusting to the more difficult American League.
He will need to improve his overall stats (especially at the plate) if he is going to keep his job this season.
Michael Cuddyer, who had a very strong 2009 campaign, will start in right field for the Twins. In his most productive season in his nine in Minnesota, Cuddyer hit .276 while blasting 32 homeruns and driving in 94 runners a year ago.
While I do not think that his numbers will improve this season, look for him to replicate what he did in 2009.
Orlando Hudson, who had a strong first half last season (he made the All-Star game) before losing his starting spot with the Dodgers, will start at second for the Twins. Nick Punto will start at third, Jason Kubel, who hit 28 homeruns and drove in 103 RBIs, will start in left, and Jim Thome will be the designated hitter.
Pitching
While the Twins’ offense, one of the best in the game, is complemented by decent pitching, their starting rotation lacks a true ace.
Scott Baker will get the opening day start for the Twins after winning 15 games and striking out 162 a year ago. He will need to lower his 4.37 ERA, though, if he is going to be the best pitcher on a potential playoff team.
Kevin Slowey, who won ten games in 16 starts last season, will pitch in the two-spot. The 25-year-old is attempting to bounce back from wrist surgery that cut his season short. His steady return will be very important to the Twins’ playoff hopes.
Carl Pavano, who joined the Twins late last season, will pitch third in the rotation after winning 14 games but posting a 5.10 ERA. Nick Blackburn will pitch forth after a ten win season; and Francisco Liriano, pitching in the fifth spot, will try to find the form that made him so dominant four years ago.
While Liriano remains an option to close out games with Joe Nathan sidelined for at least the first part of the season, Jon Rauch is more likely to get his shot as the Twins’ closer.
Prediction
In order for the Twins to win the division again, they will have to stay healthy. It is not a good sign that Mauer, Morneau, and Hardy are already having problems so early in the season.
The AL Central is a strong division and if the Twins falter, the White Sox and Tigers will be waiting to take advantage.
But when healthy, the Twins are the best team in the AL Central. Their offensive production, strong management and consistent pitching should keep them atop the division.
With the Yankees and Red Sox battling it out in the East, only one team will be making the playoffs from the Central, so the Minnesota Twins will have to stay on top to make it to the postseason, which I believe they will have no problem doing this season.