2008 Preview: Minnesota Twins

Johan Santana and Torii Hunter, two of the best in Minnesota Twins history, are gone. So are a few others as the Twins go through a rebuilding program. The Twins got some exciting prospects from the New York Mets in return for Santana. They traded for Delmon Young and have Francisco Liriano back from injury. And you know manager Ron Gardenhire is going to do all he can to get them to win -- now.

===============
MINNESOTA TWINS
===============
Manager Ron Gardenhire is trying to figure out who's going to hit where and who's going to be in the rotation and bullpen. There's no green in the Twins' uniform, but there's plenty of it on the roster. The starting rotation is full of first- and second-year pitchers, the outfield could include two 22-year-old starters, and only two players on the roster are older than 30. Only three regulars from a year ago will hold down their same position on the 2008 Twins. Biggest mystery: Who's in center field?
Carlos Gomez made a couple of positive impressions in his quest to succeed Torii Hunter in center, including throwing a strike to nail a runner at the plate. But if he's going to be a leadoff hitter, Gardenhire said Gomez will have to cut down his Paul Bunyan swing. "Well, he's working on shooting the ball the other way," Gardenhire joked after Gomez took a cartoonishly hard swing during a spring loss to Boston. "I think he broke the bat before the ball even got there."
A paperwork snag made Francisco Liriano late to Twins camp, but after 18 months of waiting for their projected ace, nobody minded another couple of days. Especially when they saw him throw. Liriano, stuck in the Dominican Republic for 10 days while fulfilling unexpected State Department requirements to receive his visa, threw two half-speed bullpen sessions upon his arrival in Fort Myers, Fla. Then he unleashed all four pitches in a 10-minute stretch of batting practice that left the Twins cautiously optimistic that Liriano will be in the starting rotation come April. "He looked really good," pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "He really let it go and threw free and easy. No pain, no problems."
It's the best possible news for the Twins, who have an array of possibilities for their starting rotation but no plausible ace -- except for the left-handed savant who tore through the American League in 2006 before his elbow gave out. Tommy John surgery cost him the entire 2007 season, but Liriano has been throwing pain-free since November. Gardenhire will take his time easing Liriano back into a regular workload. Liriano will work on a strict pitch count and might even spend the first week or two of April in Triple-A.
RHP Boof Bonser was practically jubilant after his first spring outing, saying, "I feel so much better out there" after losing 30 pounds over the winter. "I feel like I'm exploding toward the plate now, and I don't remember that feeling a year ago," Bonser said.
ARRIVALS: OF Craig Monroe (trade with Cubs), OF Delmon Young and INF Brendan Harris (trade with Rays), SS Adam Everett and 3B Mike Lamb (free agents from Astros), OF Carlos Gomez and RHP Philip Humber (trade with Mets), RHP Livan Hernandez (free agent from Diamondbacks).
DEPARTURES: INF Luis Rodriguez (waivers to Padres), OF Torii Hunter (free agent to Angels), RHP Matt Garza and SS Jason Bartlett (trade to Rays), RHP Carlos Silva (free agent to Mariners), LHP Johan Santana (trade to Mets), OF Jason Tyner (free agent to Indians), OF Rondell White (retired).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Scott Baker
2. RHP Boof Bonser
3. LHP Francisco Liriano
4. RHP Livan Hernandez
5. RHP Kevin Slowey
How many Twins starters spent all of 2007 in Minnesota's rotation? Um, zero. Liriano was on the disabled list, Slowey and Baker started in Class AAA, and Bonser lost his job with a second-half slump. Yet the Twins believe they have the makings of a strong rotation once it matures. And LHP Glen Perkins and RHPs Nick Blackburn and Philip Humber could easily step into one of those slots. The key to the staff -- perhaps to the Twins' season -- is whether Liriano can return from Tommy John surgery to approach the unhittable form he showed in 2006. If so, losing Johan Santana won't do nearly the damage that Twins fans fear.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Joe Nathan (closer)
RHP Pat Neshek
RHP Matt Guerrier
RHP Juan Rincon
RHP Jesse Crain
LHP Dennys Reyes
Nathan shows no signs of slipping at age 33, but if the Twins can't remain in the AL Central race, he could become prime trade bait at midseason. His contract expires at season's end, and he likely is too pricey for a rebuilding team. Fortunately for the Twins, Neshek and Guerrier established themselves as reliable setup men in 2007, though they wore down as the season went along. That won't happen in 2008 if Crain returns from shoulder surgery and Rincon bounces back from a terrible season. PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. CF Carlos Gomez
2. C Joe Mauer
3. LF Delmon Young
4. 1B Justin Morneau
5. RF Michael Cuddyer
6. DH Jason Kubel
7. 2B Brendan Harris
8. 3B Mike Lamb
9. SS Adam Everett
The heart of Minnesota's lineup could be transformed if Young is the budding superstar that the Twins believe him to be and if Kubel finally emerges as the extra-base slugger the Twins have long projected. A healthy Mauer and a Morneau who is determined not to peter out in August and September also promise to provide more than last year's 718 runs. The biggest unknown in improving Minnesota's production, however, comes at the top. Gomez appears the answer to the Twins' needs -- a precocious glove in center field and a speedster for the leadoff spot -- but his inexperience and lack of plate discipline could force the Twins to send him to Class AAA for a year.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Mike Redmond
INF Nick Punto
3B Brian Buscher
OF Craig Monroe
OF Jason Pridie
Gardenhire grew tired of lacking pinch-hitting options in the late innings of 2007, but the Twins should have some decent bats on the bench this time around. Buscher showed signs of developing power during his rookie year, and Redmond actually outhit Joe Mauer while filling in admirably for the injured catcher. Punto moves from starting third baseman to all-around utilityman, and Gardenhire figures to find him plenty of chances to play. The most intriguing hitter on the bench, however, is Monroe, who will be under pressure to produce this spring. Monroe's $3.8 million contract is not guaranteed, so the Twins will want to see some power before deciding whether to keep him.
TOP ROOKIES: RHP Nick Blackburn had a spectacular season at Class AAA, then impressed scouts with an array of pitches in the Arizona Fall League. He has vaulted to the top of the Twins' prospect list, though he must erase from Gardenhire's mind the memory of back-to-back September shellings. Blackburn, LHP Glen Perkins (back from a shoulder injury) and RHP Philip Humber, acquired from the Mets, will all be shooting for the fifth spot in the rotation.
MEDICAL WATCH: OF Craig Monroe (strained right calf) was ready to play after four days of rehab early in camp. … C Joe Mauer (hernia) was bothered by the injury for the second half of the season but didn't need offseason surgery. He says he feels better than he has in two years. … RHP Jesse Crain (right shoulder surgery in May 2007) reports no problems, but will be monitored carefully.