2010 MLB Predictions/Previews: Minnesota Twins
Hard to believe, as many of us watch the snow fall outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
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MLB Team Preview – Minnesota Twins
They’ve changed the way they do it, but the Minnesota Twins keep winning. In recent years, led by Johan Santana and pre-surgery Francisco Liriano, the Twinkie philosophy was to dominate via pitching and win plenty of 3-2 games. Last season, after the pitching staff encountered one disaster after another, the bats came to life. All of a sudden, the Twins enter 2010 as one of the American League’s better offensive teams.
Joe Mauer’s raw ability was never in question. We saw from the moment he entered the majors that he had the eye and contact ability to become this generation’s Tony Gwynn, an elite hitter who enjoyed life north of .350 one year after another. But the power caught most of us off guard last year. Mauer exploded for 28 homers and won the AL MVP award.
He paces the offense but he’s truly not alone. Justin Morneau is another former MVP; while he’s prone to slumps, he’s still a reliable 100-RBI producer. Denard Span is a solid leadoff man, Michael Cuddyer provides decent pop down in the order and both Delmon Young and J.J. Hardy are still young enough to become post-hype stars. Perhaps the most interesting (and under the radar) development last season was that of Jason Kubel. The former top prospect put it all together and led the team with 103 RBI. Given his pedigree, it wouldn’t be a stretch for him to at least flirt with that success again.
The Twinkies will score. But they won the AL Central last season by winning plenty of 6-5 games. In other words, the starting staff didn’t do its part. Scott Baker is a quality pitcher but his extreme flyball tendencies led to an off 2009; he’s really a great No. 2 starter forced into a No. 1 role. 
Kevin Slowey looked like the next Brad Radke in his breakout 2008 season, walking just 24 batters in 27 starts. He jumped out to a 10-3 record in 2009 but a broken wrist ended his season in July. Only time will tell if he can regain his impeccable command of the strike zone.
Carl Pavano and Nick Blackburn occupy the “innings eater” spots in the rotation and at least won’t kill the Twinkies. The final spot may up for grabs but Liriano will obviously earn it if he can even be half the pitcher he was before his 2006 Tommy John Surgery.
The Twins bullpen is money in the bank, right? Joe Nathan is among baseball’s top closers and his supporting crew, including Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain, is reliable as ever? Well, not so fast. Breaking news as of this morning: Nathan has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and may undergo Tommy John surgery. In all likelihood, he’s done for 2010. That’s a massive blow to Minny’s relief pitching.
Unless you count Nathan, the Twins didn’t lose any significant pieces from their division-winning 2009 roster. However, let’s remember that they needed a play-in game to edge Detroit in the Central. Let’s also remember that the White Sox won the division the year before that and should be much healthier this season. Since Chicago’s bats almost match Minnesota’s and the White Sox have a superior starting rotation, I see the Twins falling just short this season. Nathan’s injury makes that all the more likely.
Twins Prediction: Second, American League Central
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