To say last season was a disapointment for Morneau, would be an understatement.  The line coming from the Minnesota media was the M&M boys (Mauer and Morneau) were ready to tear the league apart.  But sadly, Morneau did not deliver.  Mauer had a solid year, keeping his average up, still recovering from that ugly knee injury.  But Morneau's #'s plumetted.  Expected to be the first 30+ HR hitter for the Twins, he only delivered 22 HR's, 79 RBI's and a .239 batting average. 

Really, he can't be blamed too heavily.  Morneau was hit by a barrage of illnesses over the offseason, and came into camp severely overweight.  Over that offseason, he caught Chicken Pox, Appendicitus, and a lung infection (that eventually became pnuemonia).  On top of all that, he was beaned hard in the season opener against the Mariners, which put him on the 15 day DL right from the start.  This year, Morneau is healthy, and after helping Team Canada make a decent push in the WBC, ready to go.

He's red with anticipation. Actually, those are just his new contacts.  Morneau is the latest ballplayer to experiement with the tinted contact lenses, and Morneau likes them, saying they are just like sunglasses.  Morneau has also experimented with his batting stance, in an attempt to hit lefties better.  Morneau scrapped that stance, but according to new hitting coach Vavra, "it reminded him to keep his weight back."

What to expect this year?  I think this is the year we finally see the Justin Morneau that had twins scouts drooling.  a 30 HR season is not out of the question, but i believe his biggest improvements will be in terms of batting average.  look for something in the .280-.300 range.  Morneau will definately see enough AB's to get a rythem at the plate, becuase with the departure of Matthew Lecroy, the Twins have no other realistic options at first base, a dangerous proposition, but one the Twins will have to live with.  (Batista, luis rodriguez, cuddyer, and tiffee could all play in a pinch)