Minnesota Twins: Keys for a Pennant-Winning Year

As you approach the melting of the snow, one thing arrives at the same time whether or not the snow is still there: Baseball’s spring training!

After last years playoff game heartbreak, the young Minnesota Twins will come into 2009 as a more experienced team looking to be just one game better than they were last year and get back in those playoffs that have been quite common for the better part of this decade.

As pitchers report for camp in a mere seven days and the Twins throw the opening pitch against Seattle on Apr. 6 at the Dome, we will take some time and examine some key factors into the Twins’ success for this upcoming season.

1. Starting Rotation

This was absolutely the No. 1 concern coming into last season. With such a young rotation with Livan Hernandez to anchor it down (literally), many said the rotation was the sink or swim point for the Twins.

Starting early, the young hurlers pitched decent enough to make Hernandez lose his job in favor or the returning Francisco Liriano after his subsequent demotion after a rough start to the season. The rotation proved good enough to stay in the AL Central race.

Coming into 2009, the extremely young rotation with an average age of just 25 years old, a season of experience could go a long way. As the case last year, they will be the most essential part of the Twins success.

2. Third Base

At time of this writing, the Twins current starting third baseman is Brian Buscher. Not necessarily the greatest option coming off of this offseason. Although the Twins are actively perusing former White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, the Twins are in massive need of a power bat at the hot corner before opening day.

3. Short Stop

The roller coaster that is Nick Punto will more than likely start 2009 at short stop. The question is: Which Punto will show up? The 2006 version who had a career year hitting .290 then degrading to .210 in 2007 and then going in between the two in ‘08 with an average of .285. Punto has always had a good glove but can he hit effectively?

4. Left Field

Is it Delmon Young? Perhaps Span? Maybe Cuddyer? Who knows at this point. Young may be traded due to a poor attitude in the Twins’ club house even though many think he may be a future Hall of Famer.

He’s certainly a problem in the club house but he’s young. Some criticize his lack of power that he displayed last season but he does have the skills if he can improve his attitude.

It’s his spot for the taking but with a deeply congested outfield, he’ll have to be a Saint to play everyday. Who ever graces left field

5. Mauer & Morneau

It wasn’t good news that Mauer is said to missing the pitchers and catchers part of spring training due to recover from a surgery to remove a chronic obstruction in his kidney but it is good news that he will be ready for opening day on Apr. 6.

Since these two are the back bone of the team, it’s great to know that they will be 100 percent and the MVP runner up and the AL batting champion will be the staple of this team. If they perform, the Twins perform, it’s a simple yet sweet science that Twins fans love.

6. Bullpen

For the first time this decade, there are huge question marks regarding the Twins’ bullpen. Matt Guerrier having a miserable 2008 and the loss set-up man extraordinaire Pat Neshek due to Tommy John surgery can be contributed to the worst Twins pen in this decade.

The 'pen remains near the same as it was in 2008 with Sinkerballer Luis Ayala added to compete for the set-up job which is a huge vacancy as of now. The 'pen still has a top five closer with Nathan and should be mediocre but it won’t be the elite 'pen we all know.

7. DH

Gardy, you do not have a natural designated hitter but you do have a clustered outfield. You have Young in left, Carlos Gomez patrolling center, and Denard Span proving his MLB status in right. That leaves Kubel and Cuddyer as the odd men out for now. Don’t want to bench them due to their contract costs?

Play them at DH. They hit from different sides of the plate so simply play the match up. They both have pop and will hit for a mediocre average. Play them both if they’re not traded!

8. Go-Go Gomez

Wow, talk about a player with room to grow! Even though he has speed that is amazing, he has a swing that is less than desirable. Imagine Gomez if he could refine his swing. He’d be unstoppable. What do you do? Let him figure it out in the majors? Start him in AAA for the first month and let him mature as a player?

You could start Span in center, Cuddyer in right and Young in left in the interim. Do you really want a player of his skill in AAA though? Gomez could have a break out year if he wants and would help the Twins massively.

Although there are more keys to the Twins having a pennant winning year, those are the eight keys to the Twins being successful in 2009.