NewsTwins' surprising finish bodes well for '10
Club looks to build on postseason results in new ballpark
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
10/16/09 3:37 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- The first season at Target Field will undoubtedly be full of excitement due to the return of outdoor baseball to Minnesota. But after winning their fifth American League Central title in eight seasons thanks to an improbable finish to the 2009 season, winning 17 of the final 21 games, the Twins hold even higher hopes for what they can accomplish in 2010. "We got a taste of defeat and we're going to be better because of it," outfielder Denard Span said after the Twins got swept in three games by the Yankees in the American League Division Series. "We want to see what happens this offseason to get us, hopefully, a step further to winning a World Series. That's the ultimate goal. So it's going to be interesting to see what happens." While the Twins were able to capture yet another division title, the club's quick exit from the postseason showed that there are areas the club needs to address this winter. Plenty of question marks linger as the Twins head into the offseason, most notably whether the team can lock up catcher Joe Mauer, who is set to be a free agent after the 2010 season, to a long-term contract. The Twins' 2010 payroll is expected to surpass this year's $65.3 million Opening Day figure, although the club won't publicly disclose what the exact payroll amount for next season might be. Early estimations suggest that it could rise near $85 million as the Twins enter the first season in their new ballpark. The core of the Twins roster is already intact, but a strong nucleus gets expensive quickly and a large part of the payroll increase for 2010 will come from existing players. With eight players under contract for next season, the Twins already have $62.15 million locked up for 2010 and that doesn't include the increases expected with more than a handful of arbitration-eligible players. Mauer's next contract could also weigh heavily on other decisions the Twins make this winter as the catcher could make close to $20 million a year in his new deal. The Twins seem intent on getting a deal done with the All-Star catcher, but the challenge will be figuring out a contract for Mauer that allows the club to remain competitive. The Twins want to assure, like they did with Justin Morneau's deal, that it's structured so they can add the necessary pieces around the catcher in upcoming seasons. So there is a question of just how much the Twins might have available to spend on filling their current holes. The infield is largely unsettled beyond first base with openings at shortstop, third base and perhaps second base. The club also could use a veteran starting pitcher to help solidify a young rotation. Some of those holes could perhaps be filled by a couple of the club's pending free agents, including shortstop Orlando Cabrera and pitcher Carl Pavano. Both players made a huge impact for the Twins following the midseason trades that brought them to Minnesota, and the club will likely look at bringing them back if their prices don't skyrocket on the free-agent market. While it's unclear exactly how much the Twins might be able to do on the free-agent or trade market this offseason, the players are optimistic about the future. "I've been in this organization seven years; I've never seen [the front office] do what they did," Span said in reference to general manager Bill Smith's midseason acquisitions of Cabrera, Pavano and relievers Jon Rauch and Ron Mahay. "I think that's a good sign for the fans and everybody in this clubhouse that it is about winning, and not just putting out a mediocre team and trying to win a championship. It gives me a good indication that this offseason could be pretty good." Contract issuesFree agents: Orlando Cabrera, SS; Joe Crede, 3B; Ron Mahay, LHP; Carl Pavano, RHP; , POS; Mike Redmond, C.
Eligible for arbitration: Boof Bonser, RHP; Jesse Crain, RHP; Carlos Gomez, OF; Matt Guerrier, RHP; Brendan Harris, INF; Francisco Liriano, LHP; Pat Neshek, RHP; Delmon Young, OF
Player options: None
Club options: Michael Cuddyer, OF, $10.5 million for 2011 (Twins have until five days after World Series to pick it up)
Non-tender possibilities: Crain
Catchers
• Joe Mauer, .365 BA, 28 HRs, 96 RBIs
• Jose Morales, .311 BA, 7 RBIs
• Wilson Ramos, .317 BA, 7 HRs, 35 RBIs (AA)
• Drew Butera, .211 BA, 2 HRs, 25 RBIs (AAA)
The Twins haven't had to worry about their catching position due to having Mauer behind the plate for the past six seasons. But that's why it's important for the club to lock up the All-Star catcher, as he is entering the final season of his four-year, $33 million deal. With Mauer behind the plate nearly every day, the Twins don't necessarily need a strong backup and Morales' bat seems enough to keep him in the role. The club also has some depth in the Minors with Ramos and Butera if needed.
First base
• Justin Morneau, .274 BA, 30 HRs, 100 RBIs
• Michael Cuddyer, .276 BA, 32 HRs, 94 RBIs
• Brian Buscher, .235 BA, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs
Morneau missed the final three weeks of the 2009 season due to a stress fracture in his lower back, but he's expected to be healthy for the start of Spring Training. Morneau continues to be one of the primary leaders of this club, both on and off the field. Behind Morneau there is no primary backup at first base. Michael Cuddyer moved from right field to fill in for Morneau during his absence, and could do so again during Morneau's off-days in 2010. Otherwise, the Twins could use Buscher or Brendan Harris in the spot.
Second base
• Matt Tolbert, .232 BA, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs
• Alexi Casilla, .202 BA, 17 RBIs
Other than first base, the Twins' infield is largely unsettled for the 2010 season. Nick Punto was the primary second baseman at the end of 2009 and Minnesota would probably prefer to have that be the case again next year. But Punto could be shifted to shortstop if the Twins need to fill that hole internally. The club could then turn to other infield options such as Tolbert or Casilla at second if needed.
Shortstop
• Nick Punto, .228 BA, 1 HR, 38 RBIs
• Brendan Harris, .261 BA, 6 HRs, 37 RBIs
• Matt Tolbert, .232 BA, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs
The Twins will likely explore what it would take to re-sign Cabrera, who can provide leadership and enthusiasm on the bench even if his defense begins to slip as he turns 35 in November. With no definite solution at the spot, Punto is currently slotted at shortstop although, as stated earlier, the club also likes him at second.
Third base
• Danny Valencia, .285 BA, 14 HRs, 70 RBIs (Minors)
• Brendan Harris, .261 BA, 6 HRs, 37 RBIs
• Matt Tolbert, .232 BA, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs
• Brian Buscher, .235 BA, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs
Third base is a question mark once again for the Twins heading into 2010. The organization has been planning for Valencia to be ready to play the position every day, but the consensus was that he wasn't quite ready for a September callup. It's unlikely that the Twins will resign Crede due to his health questions, but the club has other options to fill in at the spot until Valencia is ready -- including Harris, Buscher and Tolbert -- who held the spot for the final three weeks of the regular season.
Outfield
• Denard Span, .311 BA, 8 HRs, 68 RBIs
• Michael Cuddyer, .276 BA, 32 HRs, 94 RBIs
• Delmon Young, .284 BA, 12 HRs, 60 RBIs
• Carlos Gomez, .229 BA, 3 HRs, 28 RBIs
• Jason Kubel, .300 BA, 28 HRs, 103 RBIs
Span emerged as one of the elite leadoff hitters in the game this season, and the Twins would like to reward him by giving him an everyday spot in the outfield, likely center field. Cuddyer will be back in right to start 2010 after filling in at first for Morneau and Young's emergence toward the end of the year likely earned him the starting nod in left field. Gomez's defense could make him a fourth outfield candidate, allowing him to come off the bench for late-inning situations.
Designated hitter
• Jason Kubel, .300 BA, 28 HRs, 103 RBIs
• Jose Morales, .311 BA, 7 RBIs
Kubel has emerged as another huge left-handed threat in the middle of the Twins batting order. When Morneau was out, Kubel filled in adequately in the cleanup spot. Kubel is expected to get the majority of the at-bats in the DH slot in 2010, but if he's used in the outfield then the club might look to Morales. The Twins will also use the DH spot as an option for Mauer and Morneau on days when they need a breather from the field.
Rotation
• Scott Baker, 15-9, 4.37 ERA, 162 Ks
• Nick Blackburn, 11-11, 4.03 ERA
• Kevin Slowey, 10-3, 4.86 ERA
• Brian Duensing, 5-2, 3.64 ERA
• Francisco Liriano, 5-13, 5.80 ERA
• Anthony Swarzak, 4-5, 3.28 ERA (AAA)
• Glen Perkins, 6-7, 5.89 ERA
The rotation, which was expected to be the strength of the '09 club, suffered its share of injuries and disappointments this past season but the core remains intact. Both Baker and Blackburn proved they are ready to be top of the rotation starters and Slowey will be back after missing the entire second half following wrist surgery. The Twins would like to add a veteran starter to the mix and Pavano will be one of the free agents that they look at trying to re-sign.
Bullpen
• Joe Nathan, 2-2, 2.10 ERA, 47 saves
• Matt Guerrier, 5-1, 2.36 ERA
• Jon Rauch, 5-1, 1.72 ERA (with Twins)
• Jose Mijares, .2-2, 2.34
• Jesse Crain, 7-4, 4.70 ERA
• Pat Neshek, DNP
• Boof Bonser, DNP
• Bobby Keppel, 1-1, 4.83 ERA
Nathan is signed through 2011 so he's expected to be back to anchor the bullpen once again. Although there were some bumps early in '09 for the group, the bullpen was a real strength by the end of the regular season. Guerrier and Rauch combined to give the Twins two strong right-handed options in the eighth. Mijares has emerged as the club's primary left-handed setup guy as well. Crain looked much stronger toward the end of the year, although he's arbitration-eligible and his price could make him a non-tender candidate. Adding Neshek and Bonser back into the mix should help give depth to the bullpen without seeking help from the outside.
Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
