Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 21, 2008 20:35:10 GMT -5
Last season: 79-83, 3rd in A.L. Central
Manager: Ron Gardenhire, 7th season, 534-437 (.550) career record
New faces: IF Howie Clark (TOR), SS Adam Everett (HOU), OF Carlos Gomez (NYM), IF Brendan Harris (TB), RHP Livan Hernandez (ARI), LHP Randy Keisler (STL), OF Jon Knott (BAL), 3B Mike Lamb (HOU), OF Craig Monroe (CHC), OF Delmon Young (TB)
Left town: OF Lew Ford (free agent), RHP Matt Garza (TB), C Chris Heintz (BAL), CF Torii Hunter (LAA), C Matt LeCroy (OAK), LHP Johan Santana (NYM), RHP Carlos Silva (SEA), OF Jason Tyner (CLE), OF Rondell White (free agent)
Overview: This is tough to read regarding what direction they are headed. Just a year away from moving into their new, baseball-only stadium, the Twins sent a terrible message to their fans by allowing long-time centre fielder Torii Hunter to leave through free agency, dealt promising starter Matt Garza to Tampa Bay for malcontent Delmon Young, and then sent ace left-hander Johan Santana, a perennial Cy Young contender to the Mets for a parcel of prospects. It seems that former G.M. Terry Ryan saw the writing on the wall and left last August before the dismantling began. They finished below .500 for the first time since 2000 and the prospects don't look any better this season.
Stat to ponder: The Twins hit just 118 home runs last season, with Canadian Justin Morneau providing 31 of those. The departure Torii Hunter means that Morneau isn't likely to see much to hit this season. Top prospect: LHP Tyler Robertson: While his arrival sometime in the next couple of seasons isn't going to make Twins fans forget about Johan Santana, this 21-year old lefty hits 93 on the gun with an A+ curve.
Hitting
2007 AVG: 264 (18th), RUNS/GAME: 4.43 (25th), HR: 118 (29th)
Scoring runs is a major problem for the Twins, as is hitting home runs, doubles and walking. Manufacturing runs used to be their forte, but that was in a different time by a different team. Young will be expected to pick up the slack left by Hunter's departure, although his 93 RBI as a rookie on a horrible Tampa Bay team showed that the skill is there. Morneau is their only legitimate power threat and it probably won't be long before the big Canadian slugger leaves due to the Twins' small-market payroll and mentality. All this team does is hit singles and without any power, they leave a bunch of runners stranded. Catcher Joe Mauer is a solid hitter, but his 6'5" frame and solid contact should lead to more than 7 home runs.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.15 (8th), OPP AVG: .269 (19th)
After trades and free agency, Boof Bonser is the only Twins pitcher that made 25 starts last season. They are hoping that Francisco Liriano can fully return to form after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. Scott Baker has the stuff to be successful and veteran Livan Hernandez will be expected to eat up significant innings. Joe Nathan is still a top closer but his opportunities will be few and far between if the offense doesn't score enough to keep the Twins in games. The Twins have a solid, veteran bullpen, though it won't mean much in what looks like another sub-.500 season.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: Fourth place, with the Royals nipping at their heels. This team is in rebuilding mode and needs to find some offence to compete.
Manager: Ron Gardenhire, 7th season, 534-437 (.550) career record
New faces: IF Howie Clark (TOR), SS Adam Everett (HOU), OF Carlos Gomez (NYM), IF Brendan Harris (TB), RHP Livan Hernandez (ARI), LHP Randy Keisler (STL), OF Jon Knott (BAL), 3B Mike Lamb (HOU), OF Craig Monroe (CHC), OF Delmon Young (TB)
Left town: OF Lew Ford (free agent), RHP Matt Garza (TB), C Chris Heintz (BAL), CF Torii Hunter (LAA), C Matt LeCroy (OAK), LHP Johan Santana (NYM), RHP Carlos Silva (SEA), OF Jason Tyner (CLE), OF Rondell White (free agent)
Overview: This is tough to read regarding what direction they are headed. Just a year away from moving into their new, baseball-only stadium, the Twins sent a terrible message to their fans by allowing long-time centre fielder Torii Hunter to leave through free agency, dealt promising starter Matt Garza to Tampa Bay for malcontent Delmon Young, and then sent ace left-hander Johan Santana, a perennial Cy Young contender to the Mets for a parcel of prospects. It seems that former G.M. Terry Ryan saw the writing on the wall and left last August before the dismantling began. They finished below .500 for the first time since 2000 and the prospects don't look any better this season.
Stat to ponder: The Twins hit just 118 home runs last season, with Canadian Justin Morneau providing 31 of those. The departure Torii Hunter means that Morneau isn't likely to see much to hit this season. Top prospect: LHP Tyler Robertson: While his arrival sometime in the next couple of seasons isn't going to make Twins fans forget about Johan Santana, this 21-year old lefty hits 93 on the gun with an A+ curve.
Hitting
2007 AVG: 264 (18th), RUNS/GAME: 4.43 (25th), HR: 118 (29th)
Scoring runs is a major problem for the Twins, as is hitting home runs, doubles and walking. Manufacturing runs used to be their forte, but that was in a different time by a different team. Young will be expected to pick up the slack left by Hunter's departure, although his 93 RBI as a rookie on a horrible Tampa Bay team showed that the skill is there. Morneau is their only legitimate power threat and it probably won't be long before the big Canadian slugger leaves due to the Twins' small-market payroll and mentality. All this team does is hit singles and without any power, they leave a bunch of runners stranded. Catcher Joe Mauer is a solid hitter, but his 6'5" frame and solid contact should lead to more than 7 home runs.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.15 (8th), OPP AVG: .269 (19th)
After trades and free agency, Boof Bonser is the only Twins pitcher that made 25 starts last season. They are hoping that Francisco Liriano can fully return to form after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. Scott Baker has the stuff to be successful and veteran Livan Hernandez will be expected to eat up significant innings. Joe Nathan is still a top closer but his opportunities will be few and far between if the offense doesn't score enough to keep the Twins in games. The Twins have a solid, veteran bullpen, though it won't mean much in what looks like another sub-.500 season.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: Fourth place, with the Royals nipping at their heels. This team is in rebuilding mode and needs to find some offence to compete.
