Twin City Blues

Minnesota Twins 2007 Record: 79-83 (3rd in AL Central)
2008 Prediction: 4th in AL Central

In

• Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie (TAM) - acquired for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett - 11/28/07
  
• Mike Lamb (HOU) - signed to a 2 year, $6.6 million contract with an option for 2010 - 12/14/07
  
• Adam Everett (HOU) - signed to a 1 year, $2.8 million contract - 12/13/07
  
• Craig Monroe (CHC) - acquired for a player to be named later - 11/13/07
  
• Howie Clark (TOR) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/22/07
  
• Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra (NYM) - acquired for Johan Santana - 2/1/08
  

Out

• Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett (TAM) - traded for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie - 11/28/07
  
• Carlos Silva (SEA) - signed to a 4 year, $48 million contract with a $12 million mutual option for 2012 - 12/20/07
  
• Torii Hunter (LAA) - signed to a 5 year, $90 million contract - 11/21/07
  
• Johan Santana (NYM) - traded for Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra - 2/1/08
  
• Chirs Heintz (BAL) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/1/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Sidney Ponson
  
• Matthew LeCroy
  
• Josh Rabe
  
• Jason Tyner
  
• Rondell White
  
• Lew Ford

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Joe Mauer
1B - Justin Morneau
2B - Brendan Harris
SS - Adam Everett
3B - Mike Lamb
LF - Delmon Young
CF - Jason Pridie/Carlos Gomez
RF - Michael Cuddyer
DH - Craig Monroe

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Francisco Liriano
Scott Baker
Boof Bonser
Kevin Slowey
Phil Humber/Glen Perkins

Projected Opening Day Closer
Joe Nathan

Improvements:They might have lost their ace, but the Twins got a 22-year old speedster in the form of Carlos Gomez in return. The Twins also signed veteran infielder Mike Lamb, who will most likely play the role of third baseman in 2008. Lamb, a part-time player for the majority of his career, has never reached the 500-at bat plateau, but if he plays up to his potential, he could finally make that mark this season. He is certainly an offense upgrade over Nick Punto. Additionally, the Twins finally got their power-bat/DH man in Craig Monroe. While he only he hit 12 homeruns between the Tigers and Cubs in 2007, he does have 3 seasons of 20+ homeruns, and should provide some pop from the right side, to complement Morneau and Mauer. The Twins should also have 24-year old Francisco Liriano back in their rotation by Spring Training. Liriano, who had Tommy John surgery last November, could give the Twins a huge boost in the rotation.
Lack of improvement: The Twins have a lot of young arms in their rotation, and their bullpen for that matter. And with Santana now in Queens, none of the members of the rotation will have more than 3 years of big league experience. In 2007, the Twins experimented with a couple of veteran pitchers (Sidney Ponson and Ramon Ortiz) who didn't really pan out. But with Carlos Silva now donning a Mariners' uniform, the Twins are in desperate need for a pitcher with some veteran leadership-capability. Jeff Weaver is a name that comes to mind.
Keys to success: Now that Santana is finally dealt, the young arms of the Twins' pitching staff are going to have to show huge strides of maturity in 2008. And if Liriano is healthy, it will be interesting to see if he is able to fool hitters with his wicked slider like he was in 2006 before his horrific shoulder injury, leading to Tommy John Surgery. If he is, look out batters, as he has some of the nastiest stuff in the league.