There's a lot of freedom in this discussion, particularly with all the action that will (or at least very realistically will) happen. The rules are simple--what will the 25-man roster look like when the Twins open up their new stadium in two and a half years? If someone who would be under contract is gone, or if someone who should be arbitration eligible isn't there, give a reason why. Enjoy.
In this first grouping, this is what I imagine the roster could look like if the Twins dealt Johan to Boston. Ellsbury and Lowrie grace the lineup, with Masterson appearing in the starting rotation. Both Kubel and Cuddyer are gone, each shipped off in classic cost-reduction tradition. I also decided to keep Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey in this scenario, while other pitchers are blocked and/or otherwise not with the organization. Andy LaRoche, my new favorite third-base prospect of choice, arrives mid-2008 when Nathan is shipped to the Dodgers when their 38-year old closer Takashi Saito turns inconsistent.
Starting Lineup
Pos Name Age
CF Jacoby Ellsbury 26
2B Jed Lowrie 26
C Joe Mauer 27
LF Delmon Young 24
1B Justin Morneau 29
DH Erik Lis 26
3B Andy LaRoche 26
RF Chris Parmelee 22
SS Trevor Plouffe 24
Bench
Pos Name Age
OF Ben Revere 22
IF Alexi Casilla 25
OF Ozzie Lewis 24
IF Brock Peterson 26
C Jose Morales 27
Rotation
Pos Name Age
SP1 Francisco Liriano 26
SP2 Scott Baker 28
SP3 Justin Masterson 25
SP4 Anthony Swarzak 24
SP5 Kyle Waldrop 24
Bullpen
Pos Name Age
LR Kevin Slowey 26
MR1 Yohan Pino 26
MR2 Brian Duensing 27
SU Jose Mijares 25
SU Jesse Crain 28
CL Pat Neshek 29
In this version, the Dodgers come through for the Twins, meaning Kemp and Billingsley replace Ellsbury and Masterson...and of course LaRoche is still there. Lowrie is gone in lieu of Casilla moving into the starting lineup. Glen Perkins and Nick Blackburn appear in this scenario, but largely the bigger pieces remain the same. Cuddyer and Kubel are still notably absent, mostly because I'm taking a step off the deep end and going with Lis and Parmelee.
Starting Lineup
Pos Name Age
CF Matt Kemp 25
C Joe Mauer 27
LF Delmon Young 24
1B Justin Morneau 29
DH Erik Lis 26
3B Andy LaRoche 26
RF Chris Parmelee 22
SS Trevor Plouffe 24
2B Alexi Casilla 25
Bench
Pos Name Age
OF Ben Revere 22
IF Matt Tolbert 28
OF Ozzie Lewis 24
IF Brock Peterson 26
C Jose Morales 27
Rotation
Pos Name Age
SP1 Francisco Liriano 26
SP2 Chad Billingsley 25
SP3 Scott Baker 28
SP4 Anthony Swarzak 24
SP5 Glen Perkins 27
Bullpen
Pos Name Age
LR Nick Blackburn 28
MR1 Yohan Pino 26
MR2 Brian Duensing 27
SU Jose Mijares 25
SU Jesse Crain 28
CL Pat Neshek 29
Enjoy your Monday. Bring on the Winter Meetings.