The Minnesota Twins: A Very Scary Team Come Fall

To me, an Atlanta Braves fan, the Minnesota Twins are one of the most intriguing teams headed into the 2009 Major League Baseball season.

After trading away Johan Santana before last season, many experts thought the Twins would struggle to top the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.

One year and a dazzling display from the farm later, the Twins look poised to take the AL Central this season.

Led by Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker (one of the most underrated young pitchers in the game), Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer, the Twins played their way into a tie with the ChiSox, only to lose in a tie-breaker.

This year, I see the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome-dwellers having a fantastic season.

They are returning their key position players from last season along with a healthy Joe Crede, who filled what was, in my opinion, their most glaring weakness at third.

With a mix of speed (Gomez, Span), power (arm: Liriano, hitter: Morneau), and consistency (Nathan, Mauer) many franchises would kill for, along with one of the most productive farm systems in baseball history—their players always seem ready for the Bigs when they arrive—and you have the recipe for a playoff team.

I lust over prospects, and Minnesota has them.

I feel pitching is the key for a successful team, Minnesota defiantly has the arms.

Provided Minnesota takes the Central, which I think they will, their staff should take them DEEP into October.

Call me crazy, but the Twins pitching rotation could allow them to celebrate not only a new stadium in 2010, but also a World Championship.

There's a reason WIN is underlined in "Twins".

"Getcha Ear Plugs Ready" because the HHH Dome is going to be loud come autumn.