The Minnesota Twins have become a team that just can't get over the hump. They've won four division titles since 2002 and fell one win short of another AL Central crown last year. In that stretch, they've won only one playoff series. This year, in their final season at the Metrodome, they're hoping for one more magical ride, like 1987 and 1991, when they won their only two World Series titles.
It's an exciting time for the franchise, as the Twins get ready to move into Target Field, their new outdoor ballpark, in 2010. All their core players are back from the team that went 88-75 last year, losing 1-0 in a tiebreaker against the Chicago White Sox. The Twins are one of the youngest teams in the majors, and theoretically, they should be better with an extra year of experience. But with their budget, they need almost everything to go right.
Rotation
The old man of the starting pitching staff is Scott Baker, who turned 27 in September. He heads a group that helped the Twins exceed most expectations last season, after they traded Johan Santana to the Mets. The win-loss totals weren't flashy, but all five of the Twins' young starters were solid, and all of them are back. Baker went 11-4, including 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA in September, when every game felt like a must-win. The Twins figure Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and Glen Perkins will be steady again, and they hope Francisco Liriano blossoms into a true No. 1. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Liriano wasn't as electrifying as 2006, when he made the All-Star team as a rookie. Still, after a three-month stint at Class AAA, he went 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA, and there's hope he'll be even better this year.
Management
No matter how much roster turnover they face, continuity is a hallmark of Twins management. Under owner Carl Pohlad, they've had two team presidents, three general managers and two field managers since 1986. The Twins gave Gardenhire a two-year extension in November, which will keep him under contract at least through 2011. Gardenhire is 622-512 and has won four division titles in seven years as manager. The only managers with more regular-season victories since 2002 are Joe Torre (675), Mike Scioscia (646), Tony La Russa (634) and Bobby Cox (623). But Gardenhire is a 6-15 in the postseason. The Twins would love to see that change.
Difference maker
Cuddyer had a career year in 2006, when he batted .284 with 24 homers and 109 RBIs. Hand injuries lowered his production in 2007, but the Twins showed their faith, giving him a three-year, $24 million deal. Last year, Cuddyer ran into a string of bad injury luck and batted .249 with three homers and 36 RBIs. He played only 71 games, including just 58 in the outfield, and the Twins missed his right-handed presence in their lineup. They're counting on him to bounce back this year, at age 30.
Final analysis
The Twins won't sneak up on teams the way they did last year, when few expected them to contend. On paper, it's hard to say they have improved themselves, but this team has a knack for squeezing out a few extra wins every season. In Mauer, Morneau and Nathan, the Twins have three of the top players in the AL, and they are loaded with young, inexpensive talent. But their offseason shortcomings left them little margin for error again, and it will take another 1987- or 1991-like storybook season for them to keep the Metrodome rocking for one last October.
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Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 11, 2009
