"You hear about the future, the future. I don't know who gets to decide when that is or when they think that is...You have a core of a lineup that can compete with anyone in the league. One of the best closers in the game. Young starting pitching that might be missing one veteran guy to show them the way...It makes a difference to have someone like that.'' - Justin Morneau

Is this the year the Twins will act, and attempt to improve their club in the offseason?  I certainly hope so, and it looks as though the Twins have taken the first few steps in their attempt to improve the ballclub and give Minnesota, yet another October, but hopefully, this one will be longer.

• The Twins recently traded Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for SS J.J. Hardy.  This step improved the infield defense and the production from SS, however, it decreased the outfield's defense with a pitching staff that induces a lot of fly balls.

Do I like this trade?  Yes, I do.  However, with Gomez gone, this leaves Young in LF, Span in CF, and Cuddyer in RF.  Young is terrible in LF, CF is Span's worst position of the three outfield spots, and Cuddyer is getting older and he was never very good in RF to begin with.

However, the infield defense improves enormously.  Hardy provides a gold glove presence at SS, which has been lacking since Gagne manned that position in the early 80s - 90s.  The infield saw a flux of players through 2B and SS.  Last season, Tolbert, Punto, Harris and Cabrera all played at SS.  Cabrera has seen his defense steadily decline, as good be seen while playing for the Twins.  With Hardy, the Twins are assured of an excellent, gold glove caliber, defensive SS.

• The Twins picked up Michael Cuddyer's option.  Cuddyer had a career year in 2009 and there is some discussion and arguement about whether the Twins should have picked up Cuddy's option.

My views on this subject are pretty neutral actually.  I can see both sides of the issue created on previous boards here.  Yes, Cuddyer had a career year last year when he hit 32 homers while maintaining a decent average.  Yet, Cuddyer has been injury riddled in his previous seasons with the Twins, and he is only getting older.  Is Cuddyer worth the $10 million option that could have been used toward a free agent?  In my opinion, I think he is.  Cuddyer adds that extra year for Revere to polish himself in the minor leagues.  The side I do not like of the $10 million is the fact that the $10 million owed to Cuddyer could have been used on Mauer's extension or getting a productive 2B or pitcher.

• The Twins are now in discussions with Joe Mauer over a possible extension.  Mauer's contract will be up in 2010, leaving him wide-open to the gold mines of the east, New York and Boston, to sign.  What will it take to negotiate a contract with Mauer?

In my opinion, I think Mauer would like a 5 year deal worth $95-100 million dollars.  This contract would allow the Twins some breathing room to go out and sign a veteran pitcher to a contract for the next year or two.  One consideration with Mauer is that Mauer would like to win, he wants the team to improve.  Will Mauer take a cut in salary in order that the Twins might obtain the pieces of the puzzle that will almost ensure a trip to the World Series?  I believe he will.  Mauer wants to win more than anything else, but he also wants to stay in Minnesota.  However, he will not if the Twins just continue to use players such as Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto for 2B and 3B.  I am sure that Mauer would be willing to take a cut in salary, as long as the Twins vow to improve their team by signing some quality players.

• What are the Twins needs as of this point?

1. 2B
2. SP
3. 3B

* I believe 2B to be top priority.  The Reds are supposedly willing to deal Brandon Phillips in order to cut some salary.  If this is true, the Twins should trade for Phillips.  Phillips would provide the Twins with great defense up the middle (complementing Hardy nicely) and would provide a power bat for the middle of their order.  What would the Reds be looking for in return?  Well, certainly, if the Reds want to cut Phillips 6.75 Million dollar contract this year, they will be look for a return of players with sub 6 million dollar contracts.  What do I believe will get the Twins Phillips?  The Reds want promising players in return with some decent potential.  Perkins/Liriano, Delaney, and Casilla could be traded to Cincinnati for Phillips.  Perkins/Liriano both have potential, though both have dealt with injury problems in the past.  However, a change of scenery and a change to the NL might just improve these players (i.e. Kyle Loshe).  Casilla still has tons of potential, although it may be hard for Twins fans to realize this.  However, a change to the NL might just help Perkins/Liriano and Casilla improve and reach their potential.

* Obtaining a Starting Pitcher should be the next priority.  Harden and Bedard will probably demand some egregious contracts despite their injury history.  Does this mean that the Twins should not look at obtaining them?  Absolutely not, however I would be very cautious based upon their injury history.  That said, I believe the Twins should offer a contract to Ben Sheets, who has seen his share of arm troubles in the past.  If the Twins could offer a contract similar to Crede's, I would be overjoyed!  Twins should offer Sheets $3 million guaranteed with incentives of $500,000 for every 100, 150, 175, and 200 innings pitched with a $5 million option for 2011.  This could potentially mean that the Twins offer Sheets $10 million over two years - a risk well worth the potential reward.

* Finally, I think that the Twins final priority should be 3B.  With Valencia in AAA, the Twins shouldn't go out and sign a big name (i.e. Beltre) to a three year contract.  Valencia is the Twins 3B of the future.  I believe the Twins should offer a similar contract once again to Crede.  In the days when Crede cannot play, Punto could play at 3B.  In order to provide more relief to Crede's back, the Twins could play Punto everyday from the 8th inning on.  This would give playing time to Punto, which is something Gardy wishes to do, yet at the same time, providing a great defensive 3B for the first 7 innings, 3 days a week.  If Crede ever goes down with an injury, Valencia is ready to step in.  I believe Valencia should be given a shot by August (at the latest).  If indeed Valencia is our 3B of the future, the Twins should get him as much playing time in the majors as possible.

1. Phillips - 2B (6.75 Million contract for 2010)
2. Sheets - SP (3 Million guaranteed)
3. Crede - 3B (1 Million guaranteed)

This make a potential 10 Million dollars wrapped up for 2010 in the areas the Twins must address most.  Phillips is a proven 2B, Sheets is a low risk - high reward pitcher, and Crede is a premier defender.  10 Million dollars does not seem too much to spend on fixes to the Twins roster.  With Morneau, Phillips, Hardy, and Crede, the Twins would have one of the best infields, both offensively and defensively, in the entire league with a rotation that featured a strong ace (Sheets) with 4 young and proven pitchers.

Twins lineup (with Punto):

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

Twins lineup (without Punto):

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

Rotation:

1. Sheets
2. Baker
3. Slowey
4. Blackburn
5. Duensing/Swarzak