Hoping for Health in Minnesota: 2007 Twins Preview

In theory, Minnesota Twins fans have a lot to look forward to this season.

The Twins are the defending Central Division champions. The Twins have a batting champion in Joe Mauer. The Twins have Johan Santana, the best pitcher in baseball, on board for another season. The Twins have the best bullpen in baseball—anchored by Joe Nathan, who didn't lose a game last year.

And oh yeah: The Twins have the reigning AL MVP, Justin Morneau, starting at first base.

So far, so good.

There are a lot of other bright spots for the Twins. Torii Hunter—who has more Gold Gloves than he has mantle space—is still patrolling center field, and last year he managed hit over 30 home runs. Next to him in right field is Michael Cuddyer, who had a breakout offensive season in 2006 and has a cannon for an arm—the better to gun down runners at third base.

In left field, meanwhile, is the aging veteran Rondell White, who after struggling most of last year with a shoulder injury turned it on down the stretch by hitting .328 and 5 home runs in the last two months of the season. White also went 5-12 with a home run during the Twins' American League Division Series loss to Oakland.

Then there are the "Piranhas." Last year, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen coined the term to describe the hitters at the bottom of the Twins order, who always seemed to nip the opposition to death.

Nick Punto is the piranha you'll find playing third base this season, while Jason Bartlett holds down the fort at shortstop. Last year Bartlett hit .309 while flashing an exceptional glove at short; Punto brings energy and a .290 batting average to the hot corner. Neither has any power, but for some reason a lack of pop never seems to bother Twins Fans. Jason Tyner, another piranha on the roster, is starting the 2007 season on the bench.

At second base, the Twins have Luis Castillo returning. Castillo is a Gold Glover who hit .296 last year as the Twins' leadoff man. Luis Rodriguez, on the other hand, is slated as a backup infielder. Rodriguez has struggled as a major leaguer with limited playing time—but hit over .300 for the Twins' AAA affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, in 2005. He also posted solid numbers this spring.

Jeff Cirillo, a free agent pickup for the Twins, is looking for a spot in an already crowded lineup. One has to wonder how much the former All Star has left in the tank at age 37. Cirillo has been playing part-time during the last few years—but he might get more action this season, as the Twins' injuries have already started to pile up.

But before I get to the medical tent, I should also talk a little about our starting pitching.

Sure, the Twins have Johan Santana. But who else?

Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz, Boof Bonser, and Carlos Silva will round out the starting rotation to open the year. Ortiz, Ponson, and Silva were, collectively, really really bad last season: Together, they went 26-36 with a 5.84 ERA—and the Twins have more than 10 percent of their payroll committed to them in 2007.

Obviously, those numbers are scary. If three of Minnesota's five starting pitchers continue to give up so many runs per game, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the offense to stay healthy and score runs.

And what about that health? Joe Mauer, the batting champ catcher, is already nursing a 'repetitive stress injury' that is affecting one of the bones in his shin. Mauer lost part of the 2005 season to a knee injury, and one has to wonder how long a six-foot, four-inch catcher can stay healthy.

Lew Ford, the primary outfield backup, will miss the first part of the season. Francisco Liriano, last year's rookie phenom who looked to be unstoppable until an elbow injury took him out of action, will be sitting out all of 2007 following Tommy John surgery.

Jason Kubel, the front runner for the DH spot this year, looked like he was going to have an incredible season in 2006 before nagging knee injuries stopped him in his tracks. He'll need to stay healthy if the Twins offense is to perform to its fullest potential.

With a roster full of aging and injury-prone players, the Twins will be playing with fire all year. Minnesota's front office always seems to be willing to gamble on almost-over-the-hill veteransand Twins fans have been burned more than a few times in the past.

Anyone remember Tony Batista?

As the Twins will be facing some of the best teams in baseball all year in the AL Central, they're going to need all the luck they can get.