STATE OF THE TWINS

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UPDATE 12/10/09 - 8:33 AM PST
Now that RHP Carl Pavano (5-4, 4.64 ERA in 12 starts after being acquired on Aug. 8) has accepted arbitration, it will be interesting to see if the Twins still feel the need to add another starter. With the offensive firepower the team possesses, they are currently in good shape with a rotation of Scott Baker, Pavano, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Brian Duensing. But is this rotation good enough to get the Twins past the 1st round of the playoffs or do they still need to add another top-of-the-rotation starter before that happens?

UPDATE 11/23/09 - 12:51 PM PST
LINEUP - The middle of the lineup returns in tact with AL MVP Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel. That foursome did some serious damage in 2009, accounting for 118 HR's, 393 RBI's, and 130 doubles. It also helped that leadoff hitter Denard Span (.392 OBP, 23 SB)was always on base. Newly acquired J.J. Hardy (.229 BA, 11 HR w/MIL) replaces free agent Orlando Cabrera (.284 BA, 9 HR between OAK/MIN) at shortstop and with Joe Crede also departing as a free agent, third base is currently up for grabs with Nick Punto (.228 BA, 16 SB in 125 games) and Brendan Harris (.261 BA, 6 HR in 123 games) the leading candidates for that job. Delmon Young, still only 24 years old, appeared to finally turn the corner halfway through the season (.300 BA, 9 HR after All-Star break). The Twins are hoping for more of that in 2010.

ROTATION - Scott Baker won 15 games and reached 200 innings for the first time in his career, establishing himself as the ace of the staff by going 8-2 with a 3.28 ERA after the All-Star break. No question the Twins could use another front line starter but Kevin Slowey (10-3, 4.86 ERA in 16 starts) and Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.03 ERA in 33 starts) are both good pitchers who have potential to win 15+ games with this lineup and bullpen. Lefties Francisco Liriano (5-13, 5.80 ERA) and Glen Perkins (6-7, 5.89 ERA) both struggled in 2009. Liriano could end up in the bullpen and Perkins will likely be on the trade block this winter while another lefty, Brian Duensing, probably earned a rotation spot with an outstanding performance during a late-season audition in the rotation (5-1, 2.73 ERA in 9 starts).

BULLPEN - Joe Nathan remains one of the best in the game (2.10 ERA, 47 Sv) and setup men Matt Guerrier (5-1, 2.36 ERA, 33 holds) and lefty Jose Mijares (2.34 ERA, 27 holds) were outstanding. Jon Rauch was 5-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 17 relief appearances after being acquired from Arizona. Rob Delaney (3.44 ERA, 7 Sv, 78 K in 83.2 IP between AAA/AA) and Anthony Slama (2.67 ERA, 29 Sv, 112 K in 81 IP between AAA/AA), both 25 years old, are coming off of excellent minor league seasons and could be ready to help.