TWINS UNDER 75 1/2
I consider this to be a fairly strong play. I won't play it because I don't want to root against my team. The Twins have so many "ifs" that I think are just two much to overcome.
Hitting:
Despite the fact that they lost Torii Hunter the Twins should be a better hitting team than last year. They added Delmon Young, Mike Lamb, and Gomez with no other key hitting losses, but how much will that help? Joe Mauer should have a much better season than last , but the Twins have two major holes in their lineup. They lack a true leadoff hitter and a DH. Gomes is the leadiing candidate for leadoff but he is young and unproven. He has wheels but scouts say he lacks plate discipline. DH appears to be platooned with Jason Kubel getting most of the time. This guy has never been the same since shredding his knee several years ago. He hasn't gotten it yet and I don't think he is going to get it now. Morneau, Delman Young, Mauer, and Cuddyer are solid middle of the lineup.
Pitching:
We all know that Santana is gone and the Twins have no clear cut #1 starter. The hope is for Francisco Liriano to come back from Tommy John surgery.. He has had his ups and downs this spring but he will be up with the club in mid april. He should be solid, but he can go down with an injury at any time. The opening day starter of Livan Hernandez is a joke, but he will be an inniing eater to save on the pen. The other starters will be delegated to Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, and Boof Bonser. All of whom have potential but Baker and Bonser have shown to be inconsistent at the ML level. The pen can be outstanding especially if Jessie Crain is healthy and Juan Rincon turns back into pre 2007 form. They have to two relievers who can be unhittable at times in Joe Nathan and Pat Neshek..
This is a lot of ifs for a young club.. What gets them is that they play the Tigers and Indians 18 times each and the White Sox and Royals maybe a little bit better this year. Throw in the fact that the owner is cheap and won't make a trade for top line talent. Joe Nathan could be gone at the trade deadline as well. I predict a record of 71 and 91. The young starters will have to be brilliant to get close to .500. I just don't see it happening.
I consider this to be a fairly strong play. I won't play it because I don't want to root against my team. The Twins have so many "ifs" that I think are just two much to overcome.
Hitting:
Despite the fact that they lost Torii Hunter the Twins should be a better hitting team than last year. They added Delmon Young, Mike Lamb, and Gomez with no other key hitting losses, but how much will that help? Joe Mauer should have a much better season than last , but the Twins have two major holes in their lineup. They lack a true leadoff hitter and a DH. Gomes is the leadiing candidate for leadoff but he is young and unproven. He has wheels but scouts say he lacks plate discipline. DH appears to be platooned with Jason Kubel getting most of the time. This guy has never been the same since shredding his knee several years ago. He hasn't gotten it yet and I don't think he is going to get it now. Morneau, Delman Young, Mauer, and Cuddyer are solid middle of the lineup.
Pitching:
We all know that Santana is gone and the Twins have no clear cut #1 starter. The hope is for Francisco Liriano to come back from Tommy John surgery.. He has had his ups and downs this spring but he will be up with the club in mid april. He should be solid, but he can go down with an injury at any time. The opening day starter of Livan Hernandez is a joke, but he will be an inniing eater to save on the pen. The other starters will be delegated to Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, and Boof Bonser. All of whom have potential but Baker and Bonser have shown to be inconsistent at the ML level. The pen can be outstanding especially if Jessie Crain is healthy and Juan Rincon turns back into pre 2007 form. They have to two relievers who can be unhittable at times in Joe Nathan and Pat Neshek..
This is a lot of ifs for a young club.. What gets them is that they play the Tigers and Indians 18 times each and the White Sox and Royals maybe a little bit better this year. Throw in the fact that the owner is cheap and won't make a trade for top line talent. Joe Nathan could be gone at the trade deadline as well. I predict a record of 71 and 91. The young starters will have to be brilliant to get close to .500. I just don't see it happening.
