Minnesota Twins 2004 Outlook

[sweaver]

Players in: Joe Nathan, Henry Blanco, and a bunch of young pitchers.
Players out: A.J. Pierzynski, Eric Milton, Dustan Mohr, Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins, Tony Fiore, Jesse Orosco.

C: Mauer
IF: 1B Mientkiewicz, 2B Rivas, SS Guzman, 3B Koskie
OF: Stewart, Hunter, Jones, DH LeCroy
Bench: Blanco, Ojeda, Punto, Cuddyer, Ford, Restovich.

Rotation: Radke, Santana, Lohse, Mays,?
Bullpen: Nathan, Romero, Rincon, Pulido

There are rumors the Twins are seeking to deal an outfielder (especially Jones) for a pitcher. That would make sense, as they have a surplus of OF, and a lack of P.

[gyb13]

not much muscle in that lineup...

Originally Posted by gyb13

not much muscle in that lineup...

Yeah, I am afraid that not even that division will hide their offensive problems this time around - even if they get decent pitching which is FAR from a given.

They still have some chips to deal but the bench is getting thinner - Augie Ojeda!

[KCBOOMER]

I still think the Twins are the team to beat. All the AL Central is suspect so having some ifs is not a big deal. Relative to the rest of the division the Twinkies should have the best pitching which will permit them to at least hang in against teams outside the division.

If Mauer hits and they trade for a 2B they could be very good.

[gyb13]

let's just hope they keep santana in the rotation the whole year

[sweaver]

They brought back Rivas, so they apparently intend for him to play 2B again. And his poor offense and mediocre glove are a drag on the team.

Originally Posted by sweaver

.......and birthday boy. .

Sweav...happy B'day? Belated Bday?

[sweaver]

4-0 today (Jan. 10).

I suspect Santana is in the rotation to stay. That is likely part of the reason they parted with Eric Milton, because Santana can be their main lefty now. Plus someone else was willing to take Milton's contract.

[rcartman28]

I'm not real impressed that they spent $6 million a year on Stewart when they could have replaced him with Ford or somebody similar and used the money to keep Hawkins and Guardado. I keep hoping they can move Jones somewhere for a pitcher or second basemen or something. I think they can still win the division (thank goodness they are in the AL Central), but they seem thinner in pitching and still lacking for power (except on the bench if they keep Restovich, Morneau, and/or Cuddyer around).

[Firpo Marberry]

Originally Posted by rcartman28

I'm not real impressed that they spent $6 million a year on Stewart when they could have replaced him with Ford or somebody similar and used the money to keep Hawkins and Guardado. I keep hoping they can move Jones somewhere for a pitcher or second basemen or something. I think they can still win the division (thank goodness they are in the AL Central), but they seem thinner in pitching and still lacking for power (except on the bench if they keep Restovich, Morneau, and/or Cuddyer around).

You've got Cuddyer and Restovich at 25 and Ford will be 28. These guys are getting old. Cuddyer has shown zero power in the majors and has been simply awful. Restovich seemed to be working so hard to keep his whiffs down once he landed with the big club last year that he didn't hit for any power. I'm not impressed with either in the field. They they have Mike Ryan, who's, what, 27?

I'm sure this will still be referred to as a "young club" but it's not young anymore, and Rivas and Guzman have to improve, although each seemed to show marginal more plate patience last season, so it's possible.

[Rajah]

At the very least, they should trade Mienty and get Morneau in there. They really need a power bat. If Cuddyer and Restovich are busts, so be it. But to keep a defense first first baseman around when you've got a guy who can knock the cover off the ball waiting in the wings is something the Cubs would do.

[KCBOOMER]

I didn't mind them signing Stewart, but they need to package some of those other corner OF's and/or Mienty for a middle infielder.

[Firpo Marberry]

Originally Posted by Rajah

At the very least, they should trade Mienty and get Morneau in there. They really need a power bat. If Cuddyer and Restovich are busts, so be it. But to keep a defense first first baseman around when you've got a guy who can knock the cover off the ball waiting in the wings is something the Cubs would do.

When I saw Morneau's swing last year, I was enthralled. Then it turned out he couldn't hit a curve ball.

Mientkiewicz, agreed, you can't carry a defensive first baseman on a team with no middle infield punch. You can get away with it if you've got Jeter and Soriano in the middle. But Morneau was overmatched last year. If he can take the job away from Mientkiewicz, OK with me. You'll hear a lot of whining from Minnesota fans, though. For some reason they've become convinced great defense at first base is a necessity. It's a luxury to me given this team's offense.

[tyruschen]

Who'll be their closer this year? Seems like Nathan, Romero, Rincon and Pulido are not sure things. I heard Twins are interested in Urbina. Will they make another move?

[hopbitters]

Originally Posted by tyruschen

Who'll be their closer this year? Seems like Nathan, Romero, Rincon and Pulido are not sure things. I heard Twins are interested in Urbina. Will they make another move?

Nathan was pretty consistent for SF last year. He only has one save in his career, but he would be my top choice among the current lot.