With the Twins headed to Target Field in 2010, they should focus on fixing and filling the glaring holes that they have on their team.  With the burden of the dome off their backs, Target Field will bring in additional revenue for the Twins to use in the upcoming years, but for this offseason, why not spend a little more then your payroll?  The Twins managed to sneak away with the Central Division in Game 163, but they lacked fire power in the NY series (again!), going 3 and out.  The Twins must fix their needs this offseason in order to bring October Baseball into Target Field in its opening year.

The Twins need quite a number of factors to fit in with their already strongly built foundation.  All of these factors may not have to be filled this offseason, but certainly I expect and hope for a few of them to be filled.

Twins Needs:  SP (Ace type), 2B, SS, 3B, RP

Twins Excess:  LF/RF, Utility, 2B, Minor League (AAAA)

• Starting Pitchers:  Before the Trade Deadline, the Twins acquired Carl Pavano, who did quite well for the Twins down the stretch in helping securing a post season berth.  I would not at all be averse to the Twins bringing back Pavs for another season, but I would like them to look at a few names before deciding to bring him back.

Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, Chris Capuano, Doug Davis, Justin Duchscherer, Jon Garland, Brandon Webb, Jarrod Washburn, Brad Penny...

All of the above pitchers have their ups and downs, but all are pitchers who I would approve in a Twins uniform.  Of the above pitchers that I see joining the Twins, Doug Davis, Jon Garland and Jarrod Washburn are the only pitchers that I can reasonably see in the Twins uniform for the right money.

Pretend for a minute that the Twins did sign Doug Davis.  The Twins starting rotation would then look like this:  Baker, Slowey, Duensing, Blackburn, and Davis.

Seth Stoh's presents an argument for the Twins to attempt to sign Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson.  Do I think that this is a good idea?  For the right money, I do.  If the Twins could get Josh Johnson for Delmon Young + Philip Humber + Tolbert/Casilla/Buscher, I would think that it was a very good deal for the Twins.

• Second Base:  At second base this year, the Twins ran into multiple problems.  Casilla started off the year at 2B, batting second in the order.  Due to mental issues on defense, and his inability to advance Span or be the second leadoff hitter, Casilla was quickly demoted.  Then, Gardenhire tried Tolbert, whose first round with the Twins was a disaster.  Then, Gardy stuck Punto there, who he seemed to like in that spot, and Punto held 2B for the remainder of the year, despite hitting .212 prior to September.

The Twins must find a way to finally solve the roller coaster ride at 2B.  Since Luis Castillo, the Twins have had troubles finding the perfect 2B -  a high OBP, low SLG, above average defender.  Who is available for the Twins on the FA market?

Akinori Iwamura, Orlando Hudson, Felipe Lopez, Mark DeRosa, Placido Polanco

Those are the 2B that I could stomach seeing in the blue and red of the Minnesota uniform next season.  Polanco is a Type A, Central Division foe, 2B.  Twins are leery of offering deals to type A players, let alone from the Central Division.  An exemption to that was made this past season when the Twins obtained Joe Crede from the White Sox.  However, would the Twins be willing to give up a draft pick to the Tigers for Polanco?  I do not think so.  Polanco certainly fits the Twins idea of a 2B and Gardy would love his production in the lineup.  However, his type A status especially, will be the downfall of Polanco.

I personally would like to see Akinori Iwamura (only because Hudson will most probably be out of our price range).  Iwamura is the prototypical Twins 2B and would fit nicely in the 2/8 spot in the order.  Iwamura provides solid defense and a steady bat and would be a great addition for the Twins at 2 years/8 million (Punto money).

• Shortstop:  While the Twins went out at the Trade Deadline and signed Orlando Cabrera, who helped the Twins win the Central Division, I do not believe that he will be back in the Twins uniform.  Cabrera certainly helped develop some of the young latin Twins players and provided his normal last minute heroics in game 163.  Shorstop has been another gaping hole for the Twins since they traded away Bartlett, but especially moreso since the days of Cristian Guzman.  Gardy has tried Punto, Harris, Tolbert, Castro, and others at SS but has found nobody (at least to Twins fans liking) in any of his experiments.

Once again, this roller coaster must be solved quickly as Twins fans get impatient for the coming of a new SS with no prospects on the immediate horizon.  Who is available?

Orlando Cabrera, Marco Scutaro, Miguel Tejada, John McDonald, and J.J. Hardy (via trade)

The Twins could always bring back Cabrera, but I hope they do not try him out again unless they sign a decent 2B.  Scutaro and Tejada will be out of the Twins price range.  McDonald is a Punto type player but with better defense; if he can be had for 1 year/2 million, I would like him over Punto at SS, but again this must come with the condition of a decent 2B, as I would not like a middle infield of Punto/McDonald - entire defense, zip for offense.

Personally, I would love it if the Twins would chase and obtain J.J. Hardy from the Brewers.  Hardy had a bad season in 2009, and was sent down in August to AAA, while Escobar was brought up.  The Brewers appear set to trade Hardy as the management really likes Escobar's potential.  With Hardy's bad season and his demotion, the common idea is that Hardy could be had for a middle rotation pitcher plus a low ball prospect.  A trade that I would propose to the Brewers would be Perkins plus Bromberg.  Bromberg is high on the Twins list, but a low ball pitcher and certainly with the Twins ability to gauge players potential, they will quickly be able to fill in his vacancy.'

If Perkins plus Bromberg, or Perkins + McCardell/Fox/Mullins/Waldrop, I would hope that the Twins would obtain Hardy.  With the addition of Hardy, they would solidify SS for a couple years and possibly more, if the Hardy is open to an extension.

• Third Base:  The Twins signed Joe Crede for 3B in 2009 and Crede did an admirable job in his year.  Would the Twins possibly be open to bringing Crede back for another year while Valencia develops some more in the minors?  Maybe, and Crede looks to be the only option on the market.

Personally, I see the Twins standing pat at 3B this offseason, or possibly bringing back Crede, again on an incentive based contract.  I see the Twins starting the year with Crede or Harris/Tolbert/Punto at 3B, then bringing Valencia up at the end of May/beginning of June.  The Twins appear comfortable with Valencia, and I do not see any reason to cheat Valencia of his opportunity to prove his worth.

• Relief Pitchers:  Twins management signed Jon Rauch and Ron Mahay in August to complete their midseason trades.  Twins bullpen improved greatly with these signings and I see no reason for the Twins not to bring these pitchers back this next year.  Still, its always good to see what is available among the RP FA Market.

The only names I am really interested in on the free agent market are Chad Cordero and Brandon Lyon, and I see the Twins bringing back Ron Mahay, who will also be in his FA year.  Lyon is a type B, former Detroit Tiger.  I see the Twins pursuing Lyon, though with several pitchers coming off the DL in 2010, I cannot see an aggressive pursuit of the Lyon.  Twins will have Pat Neshek and Boof Bonser back in 2010.  Neshek and Bonser provide the Twins with two missing pieces and allow the Twins to cut some fat (i.e. Bobby Keppel).

If the Twins go with their traditional 12 man staff, 7 of which will be relief pitchers, here is who I envision in the Twins bullpen in 2010.

1. Nathan - CL
2. Rauch - SU
3. Mijares - SU
4. Guerrier - SU
5. Neshek - MR
6. Mahay - LOOGY
7. Bonser/Liriano - LR

Who do I hope to see out of Minnesota come 2010?:

Delmon Young, Matt Tolbert/Alexi Casilla, Brian Buscher, Bobby Keppel, Glen Perkins, Jesse Crain

Of all the above positions that I have outlined, who do I want the most from every position?:

Doug Davis/Josh Johnson - SP, Akinori Iwamuri - 2B, J.J. Hardy - SS, Joe Crede - 3B, Brandon Lyon - RP

In the above Q&A, Who do I see in a Twins uniform next season?

Doug Davis, J.J. Hardy

Ideal Twins Staff:

1. Johnson - SP
2. Baker  - SP
3. Slowey  - SP
4. Blackburn - SP
5. Duensing - SP

1. Span - LF
2. Hardy - SS
3. Mauer - C
4. Morneau - 1B
5. Kubel - DH
6. Cuddyer - RF
7. Crede - 3B
8. Iwamura - 2B
9. Gomez - CF

1. Redmond/Morales - backup C
2. Tolbert - Utility
3. Valencia - 3B
4. Strong Bench Bat

1. Nathan - CL
2. Rauch - SU
3. Guerrier - SU
4. Mijares - SU
5. Lyon - SU
6. Mahay - LOOGY
7. Bonser/Liriano - LR

Realistic 2010 Twins Staff:

1. Baker - SP
2. Slowey - SP
3. Davis - SP
4. Blackburn - SP
5. Duensing - SP

1. Span - LF
2. Hardy - SS
3. Mauer - C
4. Morneau - 1B
5. Kubel - DH
6. Cuddyer - RF
7. Valencia - 3B
8. Punto - 2B
9. Gomez - CF

1. Morales/Redmond - backup C
2. Tolbert - Utility
3. Harris - backup 3B
4. ???/Huber - strong bench bat

1. Nathan - CL
2. Rauch - SU
3. Mijares - SU
4. Guerrier - SU
5. Neshek - MR
6. Mahay - LOOGY
7. Bonser/Liriano - LR

Even those two changes has really given the Twins a new look.  I would be perfectly content with only those two players on our beloved Twins.  I think they would provide significant improvements to an already strong core unit.