Previewing the Twins of 2006

Febuary is nearing a close and spring is just around the corner, Football season is nothing more than idle speculation and rumors, the NHL is on hold while the Olympics get their roll on, but baseball season is just beginning. 

Ah... this is the time of year where knowledgable baseball fans begin to talk about cacti and grapefruits.  Yes, Spring training is upon us, the time of year when a young kid can find a role for himself on the 25 man roster, a time for vets to get back in shape, and for all to prepare for the grueling 162 game stretch.  Now is when the experts tell you who will be good, who will suprise you, and who (of course) is doomed for failure.  At least at the local level, the message for the Twins is very bleak.  Most Writers are hesitant to put the Twins above where they ended the last season (third place).  The writers are at best cautiously optimistic becuase of what many believe to be a questionable off-season. 

While many people believe this to be true, I think of the Twins as a team that is much better than the media perception.  In this article I will attempt to convince you to believe the same.  Feel free to comment, compliment, or call me terminally stupid. 

The Twins have lost several players over the offseason, including (but not limited to):

Jacque Jones, RF:  Jones, a 7 year veteran of the Twins, was a large part of the semi-recent re-surgance of the Twins.  Averaging 20 Homers a season, Jacque was a solid bat on a twins line-up, but his recently dropping batting average has left much to be desired.  Jaque Left the Twins for roughly 6 million dollars per year (over 3 years), something that i cannot concieve giving a player whom cannot hit a lefty to save his life (.201 average vs lefties in 2005), and whom is slowly becoming a liablity in the line-up.  The Twins saved a lot of money by allowing him to walk, which they use to cover the increasing contracts of Hunter Johan Santana. 

Joe Mays, SP:  An enigma of a pitcher, loaded with talent but lacking in production, Joe was finally sent out to a different pasture.  After a solid 2001 season, Joe recieved a massive 4 year contract sending him 20+ million for seasons of 4-8, 8-8, 0-0, and 6-10.  The Twins made the easy decision and chose not to excersize the 6 million dollar option on his contract for the 2006 season.  Allowing Joe to walk saves the twins over 6 million dollars, and is an addition by subtraction.  His spot on the rotation will go to either Baker or Liriano depending on their performance in spring training. 

J.C. Romero, LHRP:  J.C. is an enourmously talented reliever, and I believe the Twins didn't get nearly enough in return (  MIF Alexi Casillia).  J.C. was the Twins best Lefty reliever last season, and although he battled inconsistancy and surrendered far too many inherited runners, His departure leaves the Twins with a gaping hole in the bullpen.  I think the Twins will end up regretting allowing Romero to leave, but I think the Twins were left with few options because of Romero's combative attitude. 

The Twins have also added some New faces to the Roster:

Luis Castillo 2b (Marlins):  The Twins sent a few prospects (Travis Bowyer, Scott Tyler)over to Florida fanning the flames of the firesale happining in the Marlins organization.  Castillo is a proven #2 hitter, a position the Twins sorely lacked, plugging names like Punto and Castro into the spot with little to no success.  Castillo is also a well respected defensive player, and is a solid addition to the Twins.  Although his SB #'s are slowly declining, he is still a great baserunner with the ability to hit at or around .300.  He could be the catalyst that ads some luster to the American League's worst offense from 2005.  Projection:  .303 avg, 15 SB, 8 HR, 61 RBI. 

Rondell White LF/DH (Tigers):  The Twins were amongst the rumors of every aging DH to come onto the market in the 2005/06 offseason, and they decided White would be their man.  Barring injuries, White will be the Twins primary DH for the 2006 season (a position filled by comittee in 2005).  His abilities in the outfield have slowly been diminishing, but his bat has remained strong.  He has the potential to be a 30+ HR hitter if he remains healthy.  As a full-time DH, White should have the best opportunity to stay healthy and remain in the line-up.  Projection:  .292 average, 28 HR, 84 RBI (125+ games)

Tony Batista 3b (Japan):  The Twins international scout had this to say about the Twins' newest 3rd baseman Batista:

"Batista was a little too heavy when I saw him," McIlvaine said. "He still has the hands to play third, although range is an issue -- and, on turf, that might show up more.

"What he can do is hit the ball. His bat speed is still good, and so is his plate coverage. He has some ability to hit the ball out of the park, which is something this team obviously needs."  -- Star Tribune: 

The article also went on to comment that Batista claims he has lost weight over the off-season.  Nobody expects much from Batista in the Minnesota sports world, but i believe he has the potential to be the X-factor in a line-up desperately searching for the next Big-bat.  My projection:  .264, 23 HR, 66 RBI

Position Analysis:

Pitchers:  The Twins pitching staff is arguably the best in all of baseball right now, boasting names such as Santana Silva and Radke.  At the bottom of the rotation the Twins feature the always frustrating Kyle Lohse, every year seems to be his break-out year, and like alzhiemers patients, the Twins faithfull seem to buy into that, at least partially.  Filling out the rotation will be a rookie, the most likely canidate is Fransisco LIriano, a flamethrowing pitcher aquired in the trade that netted the Twins Joe Nathan for  A.J. Pierzynski.  Scott Baker is also a canidate, but may need to wait for Kyle Lohse to pull off his token implosion before he gets his shot at the rotation.  The Twins bullpen is amongst the best in the league as well.  Although left handed relief is up in the air, the Twins still have several solid pitchers on their roster, including Joe Nathan, Juan Rincon and Jesse Crain.  Look for this staff to be in the top 5 overall in all of baseball, and they will need to be with the suspect run support they continually get. 

Hitters:  The achilles heel of the Twins has been their inabillity to get productive at bats from their starting 9.  For the Twins to be successful, Morneau will have to improve upon his average 2005 season, Mauer will need to continue his development into one of the league's best catchers, and newcomers White, Castillo and Batista must produce. 

Potential Line-up/ Rotation:

#1 Shannon Stewart (RF)#2 Luis Castillo (2b)

#3 Joe Mauer (C)

#4 Rondell White (DH)

#5 Torii Hunter (CF)

#6 Justin Morneau (1B)

#7 Tony Batista (3b)

#8 Lew Ford (LF)

#9 Jason Bartlett (SS)

Rotation:

#1 Johan Santana

#2 Brad Radke

#3 Carlos Silva

#4 Kyle Lohse

#5 Fransisco Liriano

This effectively ends part 1 of my Twins preview, I hope you enjoyed it, My next installment on the Twins preview will be a projections for all of the Twins players.