Twins Still Fighting For Division Crown, But Next Year Should Be Special

(MADISON, WI) -- The Minnesota Twins are fighting.  With 10 games left in the season, the Twins continue to fight to jump the Chicago White Sox for first place in the AL Central.

For a team that many thought would finish 4th or even 5th in the division, this in of it's self makes this season a very admirable one. But even if the Twins don't make up 2.5 games on the White Sox and finish second, don't get down Twins fans; this surprising season is setting up a special one next year.

I hate to already be previewing next season, seeing as there is still a chance for the playoffs, but the opportunities of next year are too much for me to handle. Lets take a look at this team, in terms of next year:

Catcher

You have to feel good about this position. Joe Mauer has had a terrific season and still could win the batting title. He didn't break out power wise, but he is going to drive in over 80 runs. He is the best defensive catcher in the game, and his pitchers take comfort in that. Expect Mauer to continue to get better, and a stat line next year of .340 with 20 homers and 100 runs batted in no longer is a stretch. Add in Mike Redmond, a solid hitter against lefties and a great clubhouse presence, and you have a solid position next year for the Twins.

Infield

While there is some question marks, there is also plenty of quality. Justin Morneau leads the infield at first base, and in 2008 is having another MVP quality year. His homerun numbers are down, but he is still going to drive in a career high in runs and his batting average is over .300. At 2nd base, Alexi Casilla finally emerged as the starter here. After getting called up, Casilla gave the Twins the spark and defense they needed. He is a solid number 2 hitter, and gets on base for Mauer and Morneau. He will improve his defense next year, and should hit around .300. He also has the ability to steal 20-30 bases. Backing up Casilla is Matt Tolbert, who can hit and field. If given the chance, Tolbert could also hit .300 and steal 20-30 bases. The left side of the infield is where the question marks begin. What to do at shortstop? Adam Everett is NOT the answer here, and it's hard to see the Twins making a significant free agent signing here again. So who plays here? Nick Punto has the experience and the glove, but is a liability with the bat. Brenden Harris can play short too, and his bat is better then Punto, but there is a definite drop off in defense. I think when it all sorts out Punto will win out because of his "web-gem" quality defense. At third, we have more options. The signing of Mike Lamb back fired, and he is no longer with the club. However, Brian Buscher established he can hit right handed pitching, but struggles against lefties. A platoon of Buscher and Harris is an option, but I'd really like to see the Twins make a move here. Someone like Adrian Beltre of Seattle could be an option, but again, it's not the Twins style to make a splash in free agency. Matt Macri or Luke Hughes are also options, but I think in the end Buscher and Harris could handle the position just fine. It would be ideal if former first round pick Matt Moses would have developed into the starter here next year, but he is still a work in progress.

Outfield

Here is where the excitement starts for me. The Twins outfield is loaded, with Delmon Young, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, and Jason Kubel. However, this also creates a dilemma. When right fielder Cuddyer went down with an injury this year, Span was called up and has played great. He has established himself as a premier leadoff hitter, who can work the count and get on base. Plus, his defense in right field is an improvement over Cuddyer. In center field, we have Gomez, who really is lightening in a bottle. He makes so many special plays in field, and has the best range of any outfielder in the majors. However, he is very inconsistent in so many areas. His hitting has been a mess, and he makes terrible base-running errors. He will finish with 30+ stolen bases, but he has been picked off on numerous occasions. If he can learn to become a more patient hitter, and a smarter ballplayer in general, he can be special. There is a reason why General Manager Bill Smith traded Johan Santana for this guy. In left field, Young has played well this year. Everyone expected him to come in and hit 30 homeruns, but that's not Delmon Young. He might have that ability one day, but right now, he is a .300 hitter who will hit a lot of doubles. He has been average defensively, but he has a rocket arm and that keeps alot of runners from trying to advance. Kubel has excelled as the designated hitter, and he should end up with over 20 homers and 80 RBI's. Jason Pridie has all the tools to be an effective outfielder as well, and will fight for a roster spot this spring. Cuddyer had a 100 RBI season only two seasons ago, so where does he fit in? His power has noticeably been missed in the lineup. It will be very interesting to see what GM Bill Smith does this winter with the outfield. Could he trade Cuddyer for a power 3rd baseman or shortstop? Could Cuddyer convert back to 3rd base? All interesting questions heading into the off-season.

Starting Pitching

This is another exciting position, with so many young and talented pitchers. The ace will be LHP Francisco Liriano, who has come back late in this season with a fury. He has pitched lights out, and should give the Twins a legitimate number one starter next season. Liriano has the stuff to win 20 games, and with another year of strengthening his arm, he should be ready to led the staff. RHP Scott Baker started this season as the Twins number one, but he fits perfectly as a number 2. thus far, Baker is 9-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 158 innings pitched. In a full year, you could expect Baker to win 15 games with a similar ERA. The 3, 4, and 5 spots have legitimate candidates. LHP Glen Perkins had a break out year, going 12-4 with a 4.50 ERA. You could expect to see his ERA go down, and wins to go up next year. He has excellent stuff and command, and should only get better with experience. RHP Kevin Slowey is a poor man's Brad Radke, and has had an effective year. He is 12-10, with an ERA under 4, and very good command. RHP Nick Blackburn has also pitched well, going 10-10 with an ERA just over 4. With a year of experience under his belt, expect him to improve as well. However, these 5 aren't exactly set in stone. RHP's Phil Humber (acquired in Santana deal), Boof Bonser, Kevin Mulvey and Brian Duensing will all fight for rotation spots. Expect this position to be a strength next year.

Bullpen

Usually a stregth for the Twins, the bullpen has been disappointing. Closer Joe Nathan is still a dominant closer, but the set up has been average. The return of Pat Neshek will help. He set up Nathan before he went down with an elbow injury. Jessie Crain has been only average, but should improve as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Matt Guerrier has been utterly terrible, but the optimist in me says he should get immensely better next year. Dennys Reyes has been a good left handed specialist, and the addition of Jose Mijaries and "Everyday" Eddie Guardado has solidified the left handed relief. Bullpen effectiveness seems to vary from year to year, so only minor improvements would do wonders for the Twins.

Prediction

I think it would be reasonable to expect 90+ wins out of this team next year. Young players, with success and experience, almost always improve. And if that remains true, this will be a better team next year. So many of the Twins are young and learning, and a year under their belt --in a playoff chase-- will do wonders for all of their development. The White Sox are an aging team, and their pitching can't be as good as they were this year. The Tigers will be a threat, but who knows what to expect from them? The Royals are the Royals, and the Indians look as if they may begin to rebuild. Will Cliff Lee win 22 games next year? Most likely not.

As much as I'd like to see this team go to the playoffs this year, we may have to wait. But it will be worth it. Next year should be special, and should end with a playoff trip that will give the Metrodome an appropriate sendoff and give the Twins plenty of momentum moving into their new stadium. So cheer up Twins fans, we have a big summer to look forward to next year.