Just like everyone else on this board, I am completely overexcited for the 2010 season to begin.  This is arguably the best Twins team on paper since 1991 and I think we have a legitimate shot at making some noise in the postseason.  However, I think we as fans need to temper our recent "World Series bound" mentality a bit because there are vital question marks going into 2010 that will make or break this squad.

5.  Third Base

From all accounts, it appears that Nick Punto and Brendan Harris will be manning the hot corner this year for the hometown nine.  It is likely that we will see Danny Valencia at some point as well, but I firmly believe the Twins will stick with this seasoned combination unless it fails miserably.  The platoon should feature Harris starting against lefties and Punto wielding his wiffle bat against right-handers.  Harris hits lefties fairly well with a career batting average of .297 and an OPS of .785.  Harris hit rock bottom (.238 avg) against righties last year and although Punto isn’t a world beater by any means, his defense makes him a logical start instead.  Punto’s splits are near identical, but he has shown better OBP skills hitting from the left side.  Last year he coaxed a walk in 15% of his at bats as a lefty and that skill will be significant in turning over the batting order.

With the lineup constructed as is, any production from this group will be a bonus from the 9-spot but strong defense is essential to this platoon playing a key role on this squad.  For all his faults, Punto is a pretty strong defensive presence and his best position is arguably third base.  Harris isn’t a butcher at third, but he is fairly limited with a decent arm making up for some of his deficiencies.  For the Twins to be successful, Punto and Harris need to admirably play the roles of Mike Pagliarulo and Scott Leius.      

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Several years ago, Seth Stohs arranged a draft that three of us participated in by drafting a team from the minor league system.  Seth arranged for us to do it again over the weekend, when four of us completed a draft of 22 players.  Seth asked that we publish our teams on our respective sites, which follows with a brief discussion of each selection:

Starting Pitchers (5):  Adrian Salcedo, B. J. Hermsen, Michael McCardell, Brad Tippett and Cesar Ciurcina

Closer (1):  Alex Burnett

Relief Pitchers (4):  Ben Tootle, Matt Tone, Spencer Steedley and Michael Tarsi

Catchers (1+1extra player):  Wilson Ramos and Alan de San Miguel

First Base (2):  Brock Peterson and Whit Robbins

Second Base (1):  Brian Dinkelman

Shortstop (2):  Trevor Plouffe and Daniel Santana

Third Base (1):  Wander Guillen

Outfield (4):  Juan Portes, Brian Roberts, Angel Morales and Mark Dolenc

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This is my first fanpost, so hopefully I've followed the rules and not embarrassed myself to much.  Here goes.

Is anyone else concerned with how slow this team has become?  I had not even thought about it until this morning when I read this article over at Bleacher Report, where Brandon Erickson suggests getting Crede to improve our still glaring hole at 3rd base.

After doing a little bit of research I discovered we are on pace to have the slowest* Twins team in my recent memory (I was only 4yrs old in 1984 so it doesn't count).   Last year as many of you probably can remember we had a grand total of 85 stolen bases, which is our lowest total since 2002 when we had 79.  After looking at the total amount of stolen bases (last year) per player on our starting roster this year, we are looking at 60 stolen bases!  Which is actually what CHONE projects for us also this year (from the starting lineup).  The last time we stole so few of bases was 1985 when we stole 68.  Also, the 60 stolen bases is factoring in that Punto will get 392 AB (which is up from last yr where he had 359 AB).  I know Punto has his faults, but subtract him from the lineup and we are hands down the slowest team on the base paths in the majors.

The stolen base leaders on our team last year were:

Span - 23

Punto - 16

Gomez - 14

Casilla - 11

So with Gomez now gone, replaced by Hardy (who has a total of 5 career SB) and with Casilla possibly gone or at the least a full time bench warmer replaced by Hudson (8 SB, 50 career SB) there is no doubt the team is slower than last year.  This of course is not even including Thome, which the addition of only makes us more station to station.

So I guess my questions are, does acquiring Crede make us better?  The defense improves, but we would obviously become even slower, since other then Span, Punto is our biggest base stealing threat.  For that matter, would adding Valencia then hurt us both defensively and on the base paths?  Does speed translate into wins?  And lastly, were we really slower last year or was it just us being more conservative on the base paths? 

I wish I could bust out with some stats proving this and that but alas, my inferior mind can not wrap it's head around it.  I am hopeful someone with a more stat based mind can help shed some light on this for me.   I know I for one certainly worry about it our speed, but hopefully it's just me worrying.

*I know stolen bases are probably not the best gage of team speed, but I'm sure it paints an accurate enough picture.

Everyone expects our outfield defense to be pretty horrible. Even though we have a bunch of total homers in this community, we've all come together on this point. So........ I'm going to politely disagree. Ok only a little.

First, I think our defense is going to be bad, as in below average. But, I think our predictions might be a bit too dire. First, as someone pointed out, corner outfield is just low on most priority lists (not negligible, just not a top concern). As Joe Posnanski said "He plays good defense in left field which is a bit like being a punter who who can tackle — handy, but mostly beside the point".

Secondly, I'm going with my guy, and saying that the stats are missing something. I don't use a stopwatch to clock Span, and I don't have the playing/coaching experience to be able to read the quality of his positioning and jumps. But he looks fast (really fast). He hit a triple at yankee stadium a couple of years ago, and the people around me couldn't believe how quickly he got around the bases. I have the same reaction watching him run in the outfield.

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I just posted this in another forum that I frequent. My prediction is quite optimistic for our home town nine, and I know it may be more then a bit of a homer pick, but I LOVE THIS TEAM. With all the additions and the new stadium... I am hopeful that our destiny this year may be great!

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East
1. New York Yankees  98-64
2. Tampa Bay Rays  95-67
3. Boston Red Sox  92-70
4. Baltimore Orioles  73-89
5. Toronto Blue Jays  67-95

Central
1. Minnesota Twins  94-68
2. Chicago White Sox  83-79
3. Kansas City Royals  81-81
4. Detroit Tigers  77-85
5. Cleveland Indians  70-92

West
1. Texas Rangers  92-70
2. Las Angeles Angels of Anaheim  90-72
3. Seattle Mariners  85-77
4. Oakland Athletics  63-99


NATIONAL LEAGUE

East
1. Philadelphia Phillies  94-68
2. Atlanta Braves  84-78
3. New York Mets  83-79
4. Florida Marlins  78-84
5. Washington Nationals  59-103

Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals  93-69
2. Chicago Cubs  83-79
3. Cincinnati Reds  81-81
4. Milwaukee Brewers  78-84
5. Houston Astros  66-96
6. Pittsburgh Pirates  64-98

West
1. Las Angeles Dodgers  95-67
2. San Francisco Giants  87-75
3. Colorado Rockies  84-78
4. Arizona Diamondbacks  75-87
5. San Diego Padres  66-96

AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

ALDS
Yankees over Rangers (4 Games)
Twins over Rays (4 Games)

ALCS
Twins over Yankees (7 Games)

NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

NLDS
Cardinals over Dodgers (5 Games)
Phillies over Giants (5 Games)

NLCS
Cardinals over Phillies (6 Games)

WORLD SERIES
Twins over Cardinals (7 Games)


It's early, and I reserve the right to change my predictions leading up to the season. A lot of signings and injuries can still take place between now and opening day. I feel really confident in my Twins this year. New stadium. New faces (Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson, JJ Hardy to name a few). A long term contract for Joe Mauer soon to be finalized. A rematch of the 1987 World Series with the Cardinals just seems to complete the picture. It should be an awesome season. I really can't wait for opening day! GO BASEBALL!

1. Denard Span CF, should hit around .300 with maybe six or seven homers and 50-60 RBI. As far as defense goes the guy is sweet 'nuff said. Nickname: D-SPAN outfield coverage 24-7

2. Orlando Hudson 2B, Should hit between .270 and .290, .300 would be sweet, add a dozen long balls and 70 RBI's and possibly a gold glove Nickname: (I have not thought of anything funny yet. I am open to ideas)

3. Joe Mauer C, The dude is the second coming of Christ need I say more? Nickname: Baby Jesus

4. Justin Morneau 1B, .300 batting average 40 dingers and 120 RBI's. While he is close to gold glove contention I dont think he is quite there yet, but he might do it why not? Nickname: The Doctor

5.  Michael Cuddyer RF, .250 for the low end .280 for the high end. I am guessing 25 bombs and 90 RBI. Nickname: Cuddybear

6. Jason Kubel DH, I am guessing Thome will cut down Kubel's at bats a bit. I am going to go with a .260 average and 20 homers. When he does play left I will say he is ok at best. Nickname: I have never thought of one for Kubel I will take ideas

7. J.J. Hardy SS, a bit of a question mark. I am hoping he will have a bounce back year. these numbers are optimistic: .275 average, 18 homers and 80 RBI. Great Defense.Nickname: Detective Hardy, helping the Twins solve the mystery of how to win the World Series.

8. Delmon Young LF, I think and hope this should be a make it or break year for Delmon. If he stinks we need to cut our loses and let Thome DH full time. My guess for his numbers: .240 average, 12 homers and 60 RBI. Sub par defense. Nickname: Elmon (he got no D)

9. Whoever 3B, Punto, Tolbert, or Harris. Whatever we get from any of these guys will be bonus. I am still hoping but not optimistic the Twins will bring back Crede.

Hey everyone this is Brandon C. from SB Nation's Yankees Blog Pinstripe Alley. I was wondering if anyone would like to join our standings prediction group. The group is open to any SB nation writer or reader and you get to compete with everyone in SB Nation and see who makes the most accurate pre-season predictions.

You can sign up here http://www.fan-exchange.com/signup.asp

You can join the group here http://www.fan-exchange.com/my/headtoheadadd.asp

The Group ID is 8

The Group Password is mlbsbnation

Please make your username your SB Nation name

Good luck and hope to see you there!

We are entering the quietest three week period of the year for minor league fans.  Fortunately, there was exciting news this week as Bill Smith has done everything possible to make the 2010 Twins the best they can possibly be.  With the exception of one contract that he needs to finish, the signing of Orlando Hudson means Bill Smith's winter is done.  Soon, everyone can stop thinking about baseball and begin watching it!

To open a spot on the 40-man roster for Jim Thome, the Twins waived Steve Tolleson and he was picked up by the Oakland Athletics.  With the signing of Hudson, the Twins will need to create another spot on their roster.  It is likely that this has already been done, however, moves like this normally take a couple days before we find out what it was.  Did the Twins waive someone?  If so, did he make it through waivers so he can be assigned to Rochester?  Or have the Twins completed a trade for an exciting young prospect at a lower level who doesn't need to be added to the roster?  If it is a trade, who was it?  Perkins?  Casilla?  We should all find out within the next few days.....then on to spring training.

The signing of Hudson also means it is less likely that Matt Tolbert will begin the season with the Twins.  With a strong starting rotation, superb bullpen, one of the top young catchers in the game and an infield of Peterson, Tolbert, Plouffe and Valencia...the 2010 Red Wings should be strong contenders in the International League!   

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I just thought the other thread was getting a crowded, and seeing as Jesse was too lazy to write a new post but instead chose to just put a note on Adam's I thought this might help. haha j/k lol and all those things.

I wasn't happy with but was ok with having a Punto or Harris at #2 in the batting order.  What I was most afraid of was a Span injury leading to a Punto, Harris 1 and 2.  This will help prevent that from happening in the event Span gets injured we've still got a good leadoff option.  This is now a lineup that can withstand a few injuries here and there as Thome protects most of our big guns and now we have 2 viable leadoff options.

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Some of you may remember way back in October that I stated the Twins were likely to take the spectator role this offseason, and not do much, but maybe bring in a Veteran Leader, and a "Gamer" type player to light a fire under Punto.  Well, it now appears that I will be feasting on Crow at every Twins game this year.  I was pumped beyond belief when I heard that we had traded for JJ Hardy, even if we were getting rid of possibly the player with the biggest upside to get him.  Gomez was an outstanding fielder, who busted his ass for the ball every time it was hit anywhere near his range.  I loved watching his smooth running style, and will miss his post game interviews.  Peanut Butter mouth had one glaring weakness.  He was impatient.  If he can get some patience at the plate, he's going to be a force in the MLB, but enough waxing nostalgic about GoGo.  We finally have a legit SS again, but I knew Free Agency couldn't end there or we were looking down the barrel of another one and done.  That being said, we waited a while, let things simmer a bit, and then signed Jim Thome to be a Pinch Hitter, and bat off the bench.  A nice predicament to be in, to have two DH's capable of jacking 25 to 30 a year.  I wouldn't argue if I were Ron Gardenhire, and I'm sure he's not either.  Finally the icing on the cake for the season is the signing of Orlando Hudson.  After spending the better part of two weeks reading he was going to be a National or a Ray at 9 million dollars, I was shocked to log onto the internet and find out today that he came to Minnesota for 5 million.  That now gives us a legit batting order top to bottom.  Plus, if the rumors are true, we still have an offer on the table for Jarrod Washburn, and he is interested in joining the Twins, but is still weighing his options.  If he does come to Minnesota, that would make one of our young pitchers *Cough*Perkins*Cough* expendable.  We are now in the luxury of offering a package of Perkins Cassilla, or Perkins Prospect, for a third baseman, or extra outfielder, and then either roll with Harris/Tolbert/Punto, or sign a Crede and wait on Vallencia.  Frankly I'm not overly concerned, as I think Harris will be ok at Third, and we can put him at the bottom of the order, and not have to worry, and if you do go this route we can put Perkins in the bullpen, and then we have an extra arm there, and Alexi C. can still work on getting better, and maybe be our future second basemen we thought he'd be two years ago.  Or we could not sign Washburn all together, and just go into the season as is, and I'd still be quite comfortable.  No matter how you shake it, our lineup will be quite potent.

Denard Span

Orlando Hudson

Joe Mauer

Justin Morneau

Michael Cuddyer

Jason Kubel/Jim Thome

Delmon Young

JJ Hardy

Brendan Harris/Nick Punto/Whoever else.

To me the only glaring holes are the bottom two slots, but I expect Hardy to turn it around, now that there is no sure shot replacement breathing down his neck, and Harris' bat is mediocre, and Punto shows flares of mediocre AB's at times, although he's usually well below average.  But still one easy out is way better than the 4 or 5 we had last year.

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