2009 Twins Team May Be Set for a 1987 Type of Season

Okay, it's only February and spring training has only just begun, but if the players play up to their expectations, the Twins have a winners shot at a World Series Title.

The Twins need not look far to see how they could achieve such a feat in unlikely circumstances. In 1987, a young and aspiring Minnesota Twins team came from unlikely circumstances to win their first championship since the franchise moved from Washington.

Minnesota now sits with an outfield overstocked with talent, an infield that has three all-stars, one of youngest upside pitching rotations of any team in baseball, a bullpen near full recovery, and an all-star closer that has more than proven his ability.

To say they're a fit is a stretch, especially after the Yankees decided to splurge this past offseason, but in that same context, the Yankees aren't assured anything in light of their prior results when fixed with a superior roster.

So no one can say, in February no less, that their team is a shoo-in, but it is our nature to look at similarities and make educated guesses. The Twins are no where near on the radar for a World Series title, but maybe, like '87, this fact may be their upside.

With the youth of the club playing to their advantage, this team has several chances to make a name for themselves in the coming seasons, but as I've observed in Fort Myers this spring, the Twins may have their best chance, this year.

Here's how the Twins look heading towards their final season at the Metrodome...

Infield: The Piranha, the Batting Champ, and the MVP

This infield is probably the best the team has had in almost 20 years when the Twins last won the World Series in '87 and '91.

With Nick Punto returning to the Twins after finding his groove again and proving his piranha way with strong defense and base hits that eat away at teams, he has proven himself to take a whack at being the solid starter over Brendan Harris and Matt Tolbert. That's not to say both won't find a place switching in for Punto on off days.

Alexi Casilla returns to his second base position with solid control of the position. That's not to say the Twins won't flux with Harris or Tolbert here as well. The Twins are at a benefit this offseason with a surplus of infielders that have solid defensive backgrounds.

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau return as the incumbent all-stars of this team. The homegrown Mauer now has two batting titles ('06, '08) and Morneau was the Homerun Derby champ of '08 and '06 MVP. Both will be returning in the primes of their careers to lead the Twins into '09.

The big story this offseason that the Twins are riding high on is the acquisition of third baseman Joe Crede. Crede completes an infield that has been running a platoon at third base for the past few seasons. Although Crede is coming off back issues, he's known for being an all-star and defensive player with power, which Minnesota has been thirsting for.

Outfield: Musical Outfielders

With the emergence of Denard Span and the recessive play of Delmon Young, this outfield finds itself with four players at just three positions. Span has proven himself a speedy and reliable hitter and a potential leadoff man.

Delmon Young had a dismal year as the Twins left fielder with 10 homers and a .290 batting average. Consider that lucky based on his tight swing that couldn't open to unleash the power Minnesota was dying for last season. However, during this spring training Young has opened his swing and shown much more promise heading into '09. He has a legitimate stake at finding a role in the outfield.

The emotion and comedy of the club would be all but non-existent without Carlos Gomez. The center fielder has all but assured his spot as a starter after an up-and- down season with the Twins in '08. Who could forget the memorable game at the dome in which Gomez shouted with arms raised high as he crossed the plate to complete the first cycle by a Twin since the late 80's and Kirby Puckett.

Gomez' speed and power are surely rising and proving himself to be a key for the future of the club. Not to mention, Gomez' swing is five years more mature this February from where it was last fall. If this keeps up, Gomez won't be moving around too much this season.

Michael Cuddyer is another outfielder who has his role in right field all but cemented. Whether he's in right, left, or center, his ability and veteran years place him in the role as the team's captain and leader as they head into '09.

Considering how much Cuddles stands to earn in '09, the Twins would be foolish to put him anywhere but out in the field. He could have a breakout year, or he could prove his '06 year, his best by far, to be a fluke.

Starting Rotation: The Young and the Restless

This rotation has many critics saying its too young and lacks veteran leadership and consistency. By years, their right, as the oldest pitcher in the rotation is 27-year-old Scott Baker.

Although young, they have a tremendous upside with that youth. They also had the best strike-to-ball ratio in the majors in '08.

Francisco Liriano will return to pick up where he left off and try to shake the "Tommy John" curse, as Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Glen Perkins try to shake the cracks about their ages and prove they are the real deal that made them a AL Central contender in '08.

Bullpen: The Fallen

Late-inning falters were the Twins' Achilles heel in '08 and cost them an AL Central crown. With Pat Neshek on the shelf all season and the bullpen not really finding any answers, starting pitchers lost many of their games, due to late-game collapses.

But not to be completely distraught, the end of the year brought Jose Mijares to the Twins and showed the team his untapped ability. Add in the solid and true ability of closer Joe Nathan and the Twins can move to '09 a bit more confident.

The young pitchers will only get better, Neshek will be back, Mijares will enter the scene, and Nathan will anchor a bullpen hopefully on track to find themselves some time this season.

The Bench, DH, and Skipper: The Benchwarmers (well, not so much)

Ron Gardenhire is on the verge of achieving a Manager of the Year Award, Jason Kubel is signed to three more years in the land of a lot of water, and the platoon will migrate to the center of the infield to help Punto and Casilla.

Not to mention Brian Buscher will try to develop a deeper bat to maybe one day earn the base that Crede has now inherited. Mike Redmond will be returning as an anchor to the bench and as Mauer's insurance.

The Twins have many pieces this year that could give them the needed kick, but... once again...it is only February...but at the same time, it's only two months from opening day.

Play ball.