Playing Pepper 2009: Minnesota Twins

As the players start getting themselves ready for another season, I thought it'd be a good idea to do the same.  I contacted a blogger for each major league team and posted them five questions.  This is the result.  You can find the tentative schedule of teams here and today's main post is right here.

Save for that 1987 World Series (which Cardinal fans wonder how much this had to do with that Twins victory), the Minnesota squad has been one of baseball's best stories.  A team that was threatened with contraction in a very small market has consistently put together a strong product on the field.

The Seth of Seth Speaks took the time to answer some questions on players, management, and contention in 2009.

C70: What are the expectations for Francisco Liriano and how does the rest of the rotation shape up?

SS: Last offseason, Liriano was all the talk. This year, he hasn't been the big topic, which is strange because he may be the most important factor in how successful the Twins 2009 season will be.

After a horrible start last year, he turned a corner in AAA and was very good up until his last couple of starts. He threw almost 200 total innings all together. He showed glimpses of his 2006 self.

If he can be that good again, he's as good as anyone in baseball, and obviously would give the Twins the opportunity to win any time he takes the mound.

Scott Baker was named the Opening Day starter for the Twins already, and I think that is a well deserved honor. He has become a very solid top of the rotation type of pitcher the last couple of seasons, and should continue that trend.

Kevin Slowey is a guy that I think will be one of the really good ones. He'll likely never be considered an ace. He is known as a guy without an out pitch, and yet he gets a good number of strikeouts. He's smart and talented, a great combination.

Nick Blackburn surprised a lot of people with what he was able to do in 2008. He is a solid back of the rotation starter.

Glen Perkins, in August, threw shutouts against the Yankees and Angels. I think he will take a step forward in 2009 as well.

To summarize, the Twins rotation, despite a lack of big names, is going to be a strong suit. It's exciting because at separate times throughout the season, each of the starters was the team's best starter.  They have no question marks going into the season. And there is depth as well. Kevin Mulvey, Brian Duensing and Anthony Swarzak are guys that could be ready if needed.

C70: Is Joe Mauer going to stay behind the plate this year or will the Twins start getting him out of there more often?

SS: Joe Mauer will absolutely stay behind the plate in 2009, and 2010, and for as long as he is physically able to. He is that good, that special behind the plate. Obviously he's a great hitter, but he also finally won his first Gold Glove award in 2008.

There is zero reason to move him. When Wilson Ramos is ready, then there could be a plan devised for both to play, but Mauer will do the bulk of the catching.

C70: What is the general fan consensus about ownership and management?

SS: General consensus, if you read blog comments and such, is that the Twins ownership is cheap, unwilling to spend, unwilling to Go For It. They also seem to believe that the Twins front office has simply twiddled its proverbial thumbs all offseason. Some say that the Twins are unwilling to take risks.

The reality, however, is that the Twins have shown the ability and willingness to keep the players that they want to keep at dollar values that make sense. In the last five years, they have signed Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Nathan and recently Jason Kubel to contracts beyond free agency.

They were smart not to give Hunter another extension for five more years. They were wise to trade Johan Santana and get four prospects who could all contribute to the Twins rather than giving him $140 million.

Name a pitcher who signed a $100 million who was worth it. The reality is that the Twins are willing to spend money IF it makes sense this year and in the near future so that it can contend for years to come.

C70: There were rumors that Delmon Young was being offered around.  Would you like to see him dealt or would you rather him stay in Minnesota?

SS: Delmon Young is far too talented to trade for the types of rumors that were out there this offseason. He has had two decent (despite not quite as expected) big league seasons and will be 23 most of the 2009 season. Despite a lack of power to this point, I fully expect him to add power soon because he is too talented and too strong.

My suspicion is that other teams realize that the Twins have an OF situation that includes Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, Jason Kubel, Jason Pridie and Delmon Young. There is good depth there.

I can imagine that any opposing GM would ask for Young out of that group. I think that is why his name was mentioned so often at the Winter Meetings. I do not believe that the Twins were actively shopping Young, and it would take an overwhelming offer for the Twins to consider dealing him.

C70: What are the fan expectations for the Twins in 2009?

SS: Based on the surprising 2008 season that had a very young team lose in a one-game playoff to the White Sox, expectations are that the Twins will again compete for an AL Central title in 2009. Most seem to think that Cleveland will be the Twins biggest competition, and I agree with that, but the division should be solid.

I appreciate Seth filling us in about the Twins and their outlook for 2009.  As I've said before, the AL Central appears to be up for grabs as just about any team can realistically think they can take it.