It's often been said that it's impossible to judge an off-season until 3 seasons have passed. In 2004 things looked to be heading up for the Vikings, They found themselves a steal of a draft pick in Kenechi Udeze at 20th overall and were the favorites in the NFC North.

Draft Choices:

1. Kenechi Udeze -DE- (20th overall)
2. Dontarrius Thomas -MLB- (48th overall)
3. Darrion Scott -DE- (88th Overall)
4a. Nat Dorsey -T- (115th Overall)
4b. Mewelde Moore -RB- (119th Overall)
5. Rod Davis -MLB- (155th Overall)
6. Deandre' Eiland -FS- (184th Overall)
7. Jeff Dugan -TE- (220th Overall)

Free Agent Signings:

Jermaine Wiggins -TE-
Antoine Winfield -CB-
Marcus Robinson -WR-
Keith Newman -LB-
Steve Martin -NT-
Darren Bennett -P-
Tyrone Carter -S-

Free Agent Losses:

Greg Biekert -LB- (Retired)
Denard Walker -CB- (Oakland)
Henri Crockett -LB- (Unsigned)
Fred Robbins -NT- (New York Giants)
Charles Stackhouse -FB- (Unsigned)
Hunter Goodwin -TE- (Atlanta)


The 2004 NFL Draft was very good to the Minnesota Vikings, not only are 6 of the 8 players drafted still on the roster, each of those players have found themselves a role on the team. Kenechi Udeze (when healthy) has started for the Vikings at defensive End. He hasn't lived up to the first round expectations, but he has still managed to hold down a starting job. Dontarrius Thomas has been a back-up in his time with the Vikings, plagued by physical talent too disproportionate to his mental ability, he has bounced his way around on special teams, but looks to be ready to compete for the starting MLB spot left vacant by Napoleon Harris. Third Round pick Darrion Scott has become a solid back-up at Defensive end and has played well in relief of the injured Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze in the last few years. Nat Dorsey barely cracked the starting line-up and was cut before the 2006 Season. Mewelde Moore has become an excellent punt returner and third down back for the Vikings. He has shown versatility and an amazing knack for the big play in the new WCO. Fifth Round Pick Rod Davis has contributed strongly in special teams and has given the Vikings depth at Linebacker. Deandre Eiland never cracked the starting line-up and was cut soon after his drafting. Jeff Dugan has become a solid back-up TE and has recently received a contract extension.

The 2004 NFL draft was a solid draft for the Vikings, they provided themselves 1 Starter, depth at several positions, and have had 6/8 of their selections make the roster. I give this draft a C+/B-, with the potential to become an A if Udeze and Thomas live up to pre-draft expectations.


The Vikings also made several strong signings in free agency. Antoine Winfield has become a leader on the Vikings defense and has held down the #1 corner role since he became a Viking. His ability to support against the run and cover opposing receivers makes the Vikings defense much stronger. TE Jermaine Wiggins, although recently cut has given the Vikings some great production. He led the Vikings in receiving for 2 years, and strongly outperformed anyone's wildest expectations. He has yet to sign to a new team for the 2007 season. Marcus Robinson has been a solid contributor in the Red-zone for the Vikings offense. He never developed into the #2 receiver the Vikings hoped he would be, but has contributed to the offense. He was cut mid-season in a shocking move by Head Coach Brad Childress. Kieth Newman was a solid depth signing for the Vikings, he gave the Vikings defense production in spurts, but was cut before the 2006 season. Darren Bennett was brought in to give the Vikings stability at punter, but his performance resulted in the worst season of his career. Tyrone Carter was signed in 2004, but did not make the roster out of camp. Steve Martin provided the Vikings solid depth, but did not last long with the Vikings.

The offseason receives a grade of A because it found Starters Antoine Winfield and Jermaine Wiggins, and did not produce any busts who received large sums of money. This was a strong offseason by the Vikings.

The Free Agents who left the Vikings either retired, or were back-ups for the remainders of their careers with the exception of Fred Robbins. He has become a starter for the Giants, and has produced well on their defensive line.

Overall the 2004 offseason was a success in terms of personnel. They brought in several starters and gave themselves excellent depth Signings. Overall Grade B-/C+ (could become higher if Udeze and Thomas start to play better).

After the Gophers first Big 10 victory (probably the only one), Glen Mason must be feeling good about his program. Who wouldn't be proud of victories over Kent State, Temple, NDSU (barely) and Indiana? Glen Mason has "coached" this gopher program to 3 music city bowls, and a few other meaningless bowl games.

When his contract was set to expire, what does the U of M administration do? Reward mediocrity with a 1.6 million per year contract.

This season, Glen Mason has not only shown an incredible lack of coaching ability, admitted to being out-coached by NDSU (Div 1AA), but also a complete lack of class. He has resorted to calling our student section a bunch of drunks in the media, and shouted back at the chants of Fire Mason! at the end of the NDSU game.

I can't say I know enough about college head coaching vacancies to know whom could be an adequate replacement for Mason, but right now I'm fairly certain I could coach the Gophers to the same number of wins this season. (any of you reading this know who would be available?)

Miscellaneous:

-Liriano needs Tommy John Surgery. So No Cy 1A and 1B for the Twins this year, but all is not lost. The Twins still have Matt Garza and Boof Bonser who proved they had the ability to play on the national stage last season. Twins will need to find themselves an adequate 5th starter in Free Agency or put their faith in rookie Glen Perkins.

-Carlos Silva was re-signed. Move makes a lot of sense with Liriano out for the year. He has a full off-season to find the sinkerball he lost this season. If he can go back to 04 and 05 Form, he has the potential to be an excellent #3 or #4 starter for the Twins.

-Vikings Offense Blows. This may be the league's worst 5-3 team if they manage to beat the Niners today. They have shown an ability to run the ball, but cannot pass. Brad Johnson is not an adequate NFL QB, and sadly the Vikings have no other legitimate option.

-Brian Rolston is a stud. Who else could score with a slapshot on a Penalty shot? The Minnesota Wild might be the best team in the Western Conference.

-Is anybody as deep as the Sabres? The team has 3 lines that can score, and lack a true superstar. If the Sabres can stay healthy, they will win the Stanley Cup this year.

Japanese pitching Phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka (one of the most highly touted japanese pitchers in years) has apparently signed with the Minnesota Twins.

 This hasn't been reported anywhere, but he is listed on the Twins roster at CBS sportsline.com

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1145060

 

^^ That is his player page, notice the Twins logo

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/roster/MIN

 ^^ There is the Twins roster, he is listed there as well...

 I won't believe he is actually a Twin until something pops up at twinsbaseball.com but this is very good news for twins fans, and a shocking move really  because of the price tag he is rumored to command...



 

Twins Fans... Baseball Fans... and Others reading this... I have seen the future, and it is good. 

 

In the aftermath of the Twins shocking sweep at the hands of the Athletics, I am forced to wonder what could have been.  What if Liriano doesn't go down with a mysterious elbow injury?  What if the Twins could learn to stop swinging at the first pitch against Zito, even as he consistantly proved he couldn't find the strike zone with both hands and a flashlight.  What if Johan hadn't hung a change-up to Thomas in game one?  What if?

 But I could sit and dwell on the worst series of baseball the Twins played in the last 3 months, or I can look at the future.  This Twins roster is full of young players who gained valuable (albeit a small amount) of playoff experience, a roster that I felt was a year away from playoff contention got a taste of the big show. 

 This experience I can relate back to college hockey.  Last season the Badgers were the national champions.  (Shocking, I know)  But the year before that, the Badger squad earned a surprise bid into the frozen four, their young squad, led by only 2 seniors gained valuable experience against the nations best talent.  The next year, they rolled through the competition and eventually won the title. 

Could this be the future for the Twins?  They have a young roster that will return as in-tact as GM Terry Ryan chooses.  Mauer and Morneau will both be offered long-term contracts in this offseason to avoid the gamble that is arbitration.  The Twins hold an option on Castillo, Bartlett has not reached arbitration eligibility, and Punto will be arbitration eligable.  Kubel is not aribtration eligble yet, Hunter is under contract, and Cuddyer will be offered arbitration.  The Twins could field a lineup nearly identical to the one presented now. 

 The Twins will be looking to add a power bat to their line-up by bringing in a legit DH threat.  Someone to take the pressure off of Morneau in the power game. 

 The Twins staff looks to be the league's most dominant for the next 3-4 years with Johan, Liriano, Bonser, Garza and Perkins all young, and with MLB experience.  The Twins may look to add a veteran pitcher to their roster, and slide Perkins into a bullpen role at the beginning of the season (similar to how Liriano was used initially this year)

 The Twins may look to trade one of their young bullpen studs for a LF bat or a DH.

 My prediction for the 2007 Roster:

 2b - Castillo

3b - Punto

C - Mauer

RF - Cuddyer

1B - Morneau

CF - Hunter

DH - (FA)

LF - Kubel

SS - Bartlett

 SP - Johan

SP - Bonser

SP - Liriano (Splitting Johan and Liriano is a good idea)

SP - Garza (proved he was MLB ready during the stretch run)

SP - FA

 Bullpen:

 Nathan

Rincon

Neshek

Reyes

Perkins

Guerrier

 

(Crain = Traded)

 I don't know who the Twins will go out and get, but I believe the Twins will be bringing in a new DH (or better grooming Rondell White for the position)

 The Twins will look for a Veteran, innings eating pitcher to put at the bottom of the rotation.  The Twins have a lot of young pitchers who will put together solid performances, but throw too many pitches, resulting in exits after 6 innings.  The Twins need a guy who can come in and post an era of 4.5 and eat up 7-8 innings a start. This will take an actual investment by Terry Ryan, but this team has be considered a world series favorite.

 How will the Twins pay for my additions and the re-signings?  Simple... Radke is going to retire, 9 Million dollars off the books.  Stewart Will not return 6 million off the books.  Rondell White will not return 3 million off the books.  Lohse' 4 million no longer ont he books.  That is a combined 22 Million dollars of salary no longer affecting the Twins roster, this should allow the Twins to get long-term deals to the M&M boys, and sign two quality free agents without raising the payroll beyond 75 million dollars, a number pohlad should be able to stomach considering the new Stadium in the future. 











 

What a wild ride it has been for the Twins.  From 12 games back in the division, at a point where all hope seemed to be lost, to beating out the Tigers by one game. 

To be honest I never expected this.  When the Twins were 12 games back, I called for the Twins to dump their veterans, and start building for the future.  They were a team with little going for them, and I felt it was time to get the kids like Cassilla, Span etc. some playing time because the season was shot. 

My wish came true, Castro, Sierra, and Batista were dumped, and Punto, Bartlett, and Tyner were put into the starting line-up.  But something unexpected happened.  As the Twins committed to youth and speed, things began to turn around, and their season was ressurected.  At the time I was excited by the new-found talent on the roster, but still believed the playoffs to be out of the question.  I was determined to enjoy a taste of the future today, but still viewed the Twins 1 or 2 years away. 

 But the Twins kept winning, and they made the Division a three team race.  As the season progressed, the Red Sox and White Sox dropped out of the Wild card race, which left the Twins and Tigers alone to fight for the Division.  While it took a collosal collapse by the Tigers, the Unthinkable happened, The Royals swept the Tigers, and the Twins overtook them in the division on the final game.

Now the Twins prepare for their playoff series against the A's.  This is a series where I believe the Twins (despite losing Liriano) have a strong advantage.  I'm predicting a victory in 4 games for the following reasons.

Johan Santana pitches game one.  There isn't a better 2nd half pitcher in the game right now that Johan Santana.  Game one is the most important game of the series, with Johan on the mound the Twins will not need to bring in their best bats, 3 runs should be enough. 

 Brad Radke pitches game two.  There isn't a hungrier pitcher in all of baseball right now.  Radke is pitching like an iron man, despite a stress fracture and a torn rotator cuff, Radke has forced himself back on the mound and gotten by on grit and determination. 

M&M's (Mauer-Morneau) - The AL batting Champ Catcher, and the MVP himself Justin Morneau create a lot of punch in the Twins line-up.  Mauer's uncanny ability to find his way on the basepaths combined with Morneau's ability to rake the RBI's will create havoc for A's pitchers.

 Torii Hunter - Torii has found the perfect time to live up to his batting potential.  He has caught fire and has reached a career high in HR.  The Twins will need his bat if they want to score some runs against the A's strong pitching staff.