After the 2010 Twins season there were many questions and changes were on the horizon. As we head into 2011 many questions have been answered and changes have been made. There are still a couple health related questions but here is how we stand with remaining questions:
Starting Pitching-
Carl Pavano-appeared to be on way out after 2010 due to salary but signed multi year deal.
Francisco Liriano-Health issues appear gone. Was Twins target for multi year deal. Wanted 3/$36 mil. Signed 1 yr/$4mil+. Trade Speculation with Yankees.
Nick Blackburn-Appears healthy amd return to form appears imminent.
Brian Duensing-Split 2010 in bullpen and rotation. Gardy says rotation locked for 2011. Durability?
Scott Baker-Injury Concerns. Consistency Concerns.
Kevin Slowey-Trade speculation with Toronto as most often mentioned. Has not developed as hoped. Could be pen option.
Kyle Gibson- Nasty stuff!! Figures to take someones job after starting in AAA.
Bullpen-
Joe Nathan-Coming off Tommy John surgery. All Spring Training reports positive. Has good mental makeup.
Matt Capps-Solid setup man could close if Nathan has set back.
Jose Mijares-Good set up/mid inning lefty. Mental makeup needs tuning.
Glenn Perkins- Last hope in Twins career is as mid inning lefty. Possible long relief on occasion. Mentally?
Jeff Manship-Solid. Reliable. Good mental make up. Not a lot of experience. Needs to be on not dominating.
Scott Diamond-Rule V pick up end of 2010 season. Solid. Has a chance to stick.
Alex Burnett- Inexperienced. Control issues go with confidence. Will get call ups probably starts at AAA.
Pat Neshek-Needs to rebound from injuries. Velocity down. Mental make up questioned and in Gardys doghouse. Nasty when healthy.
Anthony Swarzak-inexperienced. Needs to be on. Not overpowering. Probably AAA.
Anthony Slama- Recently hurt. Sometimes pitches out of control. Awesome stuff. Needs to pitch smarter. AAA.
Eric Hacker- Question mark. Probably minors.
Jim Hoey-Seems to be solid pickup. Could make opening day. Inexperienced.
Dusty Hughes- LHP waiver claim from KC. Gave up on Rob Delaney lost to Tampa. Could make pen. Need solid lefty.
Deolis Guerra-Last Santana trade asset remaining. Huge upside!! No chance for opening day but sooooon.
Lots of pen options with nothing certain. A trade of Slowey and/or Liriano would probably solidify question marks. Lost Rauch, Guerrier & Crain to free agency as well as end of year rental players from 2010 push.
1B-Justin Morneau-Appears to be ready to return.
2B-Tsuyoshi Nishioka-Great D in spring training. Lots of speed. More comfortable here than SS. Still adjusting to US.
SS-Alexi Casilla-If he stays is up to him. More than likely last chance. Other options below.
3B-Danny Valencia-Solid rookie campaign. Great D. Nice bat. A little more power would help. Still developing.
RF- Michael Cuddyer-Versatile.Leader. Strong arm. Decent bat and delivers. Aging.1B insurance.
CF- Denard Span- Great leadoff hitter. Sees a lot of pitches. Decent bat. Off year 2010. Needs consistency. Speedy.
LF- Delmon Young- Awful D. Breakthrough 2010 with bat. Needs to follow it up. Need defesnive option to platoon.
C-Joe Mauer- Enough said. Needs to recover from minor knee cleanup.
DH-Jim Thome- Resurgent 2010. Repeat would be nice. Going for HR 600.
Util-Matt Tolbert - No bat. Speedy. Good D. Not here for long.
OF UTIL- Jason Repko -Good speed. Good D. Bat ok with more reps. Defensive option to DYoung.
OF UTIL- Ben Revere-Speedy. Developing bat. So so arm. Amazing defensive range and good glove.
BU C - Drew Butera-Calls good game. Throws out runners. Good defensively. Ok bat for #2 C.
DH/OF - Jason Kubel - Decent power. Inconsistent hitter. Has not produced in big games. Defensively average at best. Expensive for results.
Options:
INF - Luke Hughes, Trevor Plouffe, Chris Parmalee, David Winfree, Brock Peterson, Justin Huber, Brian Dinkleman
OF - Aaron Hicks, Rene Tosoni, Joe Benson
C- Danny Lehmann
Roster is getting top heavy without advancing. Trades may become inevitable. Other guys ready to step up and minors could use replenishing, not a lot of major league talent ready.
Tradeable assets: DYoung (defensive liability, inconsistent offense, trade value at its highest now, expensive and going up).
JKubel (inconsistent, big game bust, limited D, expensive).
Cuddy (should be extended not traded. See above. Career Twin.).
GPerkins (LHP can start or relieve, out of options, worn out welcome).
ASwarzak (Decent YOUNG reliever, we have enough in this mold).
MTolbert (Young, good D, Speed, no future in Minny).
ACasilla (Young speedy infielder with upside. Needs fresh start. Other better options available).
All of the above are the opinions of Bleacher View and not the Minnesota Twins although they should be.
We're Gonna Win Twins!!
VOYAGEUR COUNTRY-BOTTOM OF THE NINTH: Fans perspective and analysis of the Minnesota Twins as well as other favorites on occasion the Oakland A's, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and Colorado Rockies. Occasional opinions on traditional rival Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians as well as other hated teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, California Angels (or whatever they are named this week).
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