MLB: Twins outlook

I'm ready for Twins to get started, although am disappointed we made it through another offseason with no big acquisitions. I'd like to see them close out the Metrodome in style in the World Series.
 
AT least they didn't dump Morneau, Nathan, Mauer, or any of the strong role players.
 
AT least they didn't dump Morneau, Nathan, Mauer, or any of the strong role players.
That's true. I love that Twins bring players through their strong farm system and stick with them, but they never make the big moves they need to get it done. I agreed with Santana's frustrations before he left, "Every year they say we are building for the future. When does the future get here?" It has to be frustrating for the guys who have been there a long time. I'm hoping with the kids taking over ownership that will change a little.
 
Any feelings on with Cuddyer back, where does Denard Span and Carlos Gomez fit in? I think Span is better than Gomez, personally. Does DY still play left?
 
They both flash some sweet leather. I honestly would rather have the outfield as it was at the end of the season. Not sure where to put Cuddy.



I think you simply have to have Cuddyer OR Kubel in right field and the other one DH. The team needs that hitting boost over a faster defensive man. You can still have faster guys in center and left.
 
Cuddy will be in RF. You cannot beat his cannon of an arm. It's a great problem to have with 4 very capable outfielders.

Also, I disagree with the disappointment of a 'big' signing. You have seen teams time and time again make the big splash to excite the fans and more times than not it fails. By now you should know the Twins are not going to be one to make that mistake. Sitting tight could mean that they are saving what they can to keep Mauer in MN after '10. Crede was a great signing, low risk with a very high ceiling.
 
Cuddy will be in RF. You cannot beat his cannon of an arm. It's a great problem to have with 4 very capable outfielders.

Also, I disagree with the disappointment of a 'big' signing. You have seen teams time and time again make the big splash to excite the fans and more times than not it fails. By now you should know the Twins are not going to be one to make that mistake. Sitting tight could mean that they are saving what they can to keep Mauer in MN after '10. Crede was a great signing, low risk with a very high ceiling.
With a solid core like the Twins have, a big signing could only help. If the guy turns out to be a bust, they still are solid.
We keep not making that risk so we don't make that mistake, which means we will continue to make it to the playoffs, but not have the push we need to get to the series.
 
Any feelings on with Cuddyer back, where does Denard Span and Carlos Gomez fit in? I think Span is better than Gomez, personally. Does DY still play left?

Gomez could start the season as the odd man out. Span-man gets the nod in CF because he gives the team what they are looking for in the lead-off slot. My only concern is if he has a sophomore slump. If he does, Gomez's improved plate discipline that he developed in winter ball will come in handy.

Cuddyer is a Gardy favorite so he holds down RF until he plays himself out of the lineup. I don't see him ever matching his 06 year, but something between that and the last two years would give the team a nice boost. I'm going to pencil in 15+ HR and 75+ RBI for him to provide some pop in the 5 thru 8 slots. When you can fill these slots with the likes of Cuddy, Kubel, Young, Crede, and Buscher, the bottom half of the lineup should provide a lot of offense. Little Nicky isn't a bad option for the 9th/2nd lead off slot. If it comes down to needing a more potent bat here late in the game, make the switch to Harris.

I believe that this is the year that Delmond Young quiets a lot of doubters. He looks to have reported this year determined to live up to the promise that made him the top overall pick in baseball a few years ago. It took a year of adjusting, but he appears to have embraced the approach that the Twins want him to take at the plate. He is absolutely mashing the ball this spring and could very well have an all-star caliber season.

When it comes to the 4th OF / DH position, I wouldn't trade Kubel for anybody in baseball for this role. He can still play both corner OF slots to rest either starter in addition to murdering right hand and holding his own against left handed pitching. Now that he has come back both physically and mentally from his devastating injury, he has started to show why the Twins considered him a few years ago to be one of the best hitting prospects to ever come through their system. The good news is that he has yet to reach his ceiling.
 
I think the Twins are close, very close... They need another arm or two, be nice to have Matt Garza back...

Don't question that I wouldn't love to have Garza back. That being said, it is possible that they do have the arms right now in Liriano, Baker, Blackburn, and co - they made up one surprisingly solid pitching staff last year, and hopefully they age together like a fine wine. If anything, I'd say that the one arm that we're missing isn't necessarily in the starting rotation, but in the "setup" role. However, if (I forget whether it's Gabnino or Mijares) steps up and performs this year, that spot may be filled.
 
Gomez could start the season as the odd man out. Span-man gets the nod in CF because he gives the team what they are looking for in the lead-off slot. My only concern is if he has a sophomore slump. If he does, Gomez's improved plate discipline that he developed in winter ball will come in handy.

Cuddyer is a Gardy favorite so he holds down RF until he plays himself out of the lineup. I don't see him ever matching his 06 year, but something between that and the last two years would give the team a nice boost. I'm going to pencil in 15+ HR and 75+ RBI for him to provide some pop in the 5 thru 8 slots. When you can fill these slots with the likes of Cuddy, Kubel, Young, Crede, and Buscher, the bottom half of the lineup should provide a lot of offense. Little Nicky isn't a bad option for the 9th/2nd lead off slot. If it comes down to needing a more potent bat here late in the game, make the switch to Harris.

I believe that this is the year that Delmond Young quiets a lot of doubters. He looks to have reported this year determined to live up to the promise that made him the top overall pick in baseball a few years ago. It took a year of adjusting, but he appears to have embraced the approach that the Twins want him to take at the plate. He is absolutely mashing the ball this spring and could very well have an all-star caliber season.

When it comes to the 4th OF / DH position, I wouldn't trade Kubel for anybody in baseball for this role. He can still play both corner OF slots to rest either starter in addition to murdering right hand and holding his own against left handed pitching. Now that he has come back both physically and mentally from his devastating injury, he has started to show why the Twins considered him a few years ago to be one of the best hitting prospects to ever come through their system. The good news is that he has yet to reach his ceiling.
I love Kubel too and wouldn't trade him. He was supposed to be what Morneau turned out to be before he got injured.
 

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