2010 Minnesota Twins

[klo626]

i didn't see a thread for the twins so i decided to make one.
I just wanted to see what you guys thought of the twins offseason.

[Bigworm]

Quote: Originally Posted by klo626

i didn't see a thread for the twins so i decided to make one. I just wanted to see what you guys thought of the twins offseason.

So far so good - I like the direction the team is heading in. Our bullpen should be much better this year with Neshek coming back and Lariano apparently looking very good so far (though he may end up being a starter and not a bullpen guy). Our lineup should also be better with the acquisitions we made so far this off season even though it was pretty good last year already. Hopefully they can get the Mauer deal finalized soon though so it isn't a huge distraction. One of the big questions that remain will be our starting rotation. At this point anyway, we really don't have a staff 'ace' which may be a problem if/when we get into the playoffs...which I'm pretty confident the Twins will. Should be a fun season though

[sweny5632]

I think the offseason has been great. Definitely one of the better that I have seen in the 25 years I have been a Twins fan.

It will be nice to have a power threat off the bench with Thome and also when an outfielder needs a day off you can put a guy in the lineup that can actually do some damage.

The Hudson signing was awesome imo. A gold glover that can get on base. It also puts Punto one step closer to his real position for good which is utility man/defensive replacement. He is not an everyday player.

The real question is 3rd base. Im assuming right now it will be a Harris/Punto platoon. Personally I think if Valencia has a decent spring training, they should hand him the keys and see what the kid can do. The lineup is pretty solid top to bottom, so its not like he is going to have to tear the cover off the ball all the time, just hold his own. In fact with how deep the lineup is he going to see alot of fastballs as it is. If Gardy doesnt trust his defense come the late innings then you bring in Punto or Harris.

[dust247]

Who do you think will be our closer come opening day?

[Juiceman]

Offseason - B+ grade. I think Thome was a nice (good priced) addition and so was Hudson. I think they needed to pursue 3rd base a bit harder than they did and they left pitching pretty iffy. I do think Slowey is underrated and maybe even Blackburn. Punto isn't an everyday player and I'll never understand that signing back when it happened. Harris I think could be an every day player, but not sure about 3rd base.

I think our batting lineup looks fantastic right now.

I'm not so confident on signing Mauer as others seem to be. I don't think he feels any ties to staying here in Minnesota. He's changing in terms of what he wants professionally and it's going to cost the Twins a LOT of money to keep him and I'm not sure we'll get it done. I'm not trying to be pessimistic either. I'd love to keep him. I just don't think it's a can of corn.

As far as our closer, boy...I don't know who can do it. I think the Liriano idea is intriguing and might be a good fit for him. It's a very different kind of pressure vs. being a starting pitcher and I wonder how he'd handle it. I think right now Guerrier is a better fit than Rauch. In fact, I think Guerrier can do it. We'll see. That would give us Mijares and Rauch for set-up which is a nice combo.

Can't wait to hit up Target Field!!

[klo626]

Quote: Originally Posted by dust247

Who do you think will be our closer come opening day?

i hope nathan but probably rauch or liariano

[klo626]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring...ory?id=5015108


Its official Nathan out for the season

[klo626]

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=min



Im sure you already know