Twins' Position-By-Position Breakdown

I believe the Twins are set to enter the season right now. They do not need anymore free agents (i.e. Jarrod Washburn). So here is my first preview for the Twins this year.

First Base-

Justin Morneau is one of the top first basemen around. He will man first at least 5 nights a week throughout the season. This year though Justin has something that he has never had before, a backup. Jim Thome is not someone you want playing first on a nightly basis, but every two or three weeks maybe he can go out there and get the job done and let Justin DH.

Second Base-

Orlando Hudson is a signing the Twins almost had to make. He is exactly what they needed; above average glove with the ability to hit second. Backing up O-Dawg will be potentially one of the most valuable utility men in the game. Nick Punto has the ability to play three infield positions with superb defense. Alexi Casilla is the second basemen in waiting. He had a terrific year two seasons ago. Hopefully he can dig himself out of Ron Gardenhire's doghouse and regain some of that promise. Matt Tolbert could also play a similar role to that of Punto.

Shortstop-

Another big acquisition, J.J. Hardy fills a huge hole for the Twins. He needs to hit like he did in Milwaukee two years ago. If he does or even comes close to that then the Twins have found the shortstop for the foreseeable future. He also brings a plus glove to the field. Punto will back him up here.

Third Base-

Brendan Harris should be the starter here in my opinion. It is possible that the team could bring in someone like Joe Crede, but not likely. I believe Harris could be very productive as a third basemen. He could hit 9th. Punto will be the backup. Danny Valencia could see a call-up at some point to take over here.

Catcher-

Huge position battle here. Okay maybe not. Joe Mauer may very well be the best player in the game today. The intrigue here is when will the Twins lock him up long-term. Notice I say 'when' not 'if'. Jose Morales is one of the top backups in the league.

Outfield and DH-

Denard Span is quickly becoming one of the best center fielders in the league. He also is a very good leadoff hitter. Michael Cuddyer is the right fielder. His fielding may be interesting to watch without that baggie which he has played so wonderfully for the past few years. He also serves as the primary right-handed complement to Mauer, Morneau, and Jason Kubel. Delmon Young is the big wild card. He has the talent to be a superstar. His problem is performing consistently. In my opinion I think what he did in the last month of last season is a preview of what is to come this year. I can see him providing another right-handed complement to those lefties. Jason Kubel is one of the of the top DHs in the league, if not the best. Jim Thome is also a great DH, but his talents will be great to have as a late game pinch hitter.

Starters-

This staff is lacking a true 'ace'. Although it does have four 2-3 starters. Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Carl Pavano are all solid and give the team a chance to win night in and night out. Now Baker will be the 'ace' going into the year, but by the end of the year it is possible it will be someone who I have yet to mention, Francisco Liriano. He will likely be the 5th starter to begin the year, but he appears to have finally got some of his stuff back from the Tommy John surgery. He has received glowing reports from the Dominican League. Hopefully that translates into this season. He may very well determine how far this team can go.

Bullpen-

Joe Nathan is one of the top closers in the game, if not the top one. Jose Mijares, Jon Rauch, and Matt Guerrier have all shown they are effective set up men. Pat Neshek is perhaps the most dominant arm other than Nathan, if he returns to the level he was at before his injury then this will be quite possibly the best bullpen in baseball. Jesse Crain has also set up in the past and is a very good arm. Brian Duensing will be the long man and can step in to the rotation if need be.

25 man Roster

1 Denard Span CF

2 Orlando Hudson 2B

3 Joe Mauer C

4 Justin Morneau 1B

5 Michael Cuddyer RF

6 Jason Kubel DH

7 Delmon Young LF

8 J.J. Hardy SS

9 Brendan Harris 3B

Bench

Jim Thome 1B/DH

Jose Morales C

Nick Punto Utility

Jason Pridie OF

Rotation

1-Scott Baker

2-Nick Blackburn

3-Kevin Slowey

4-Carl Pavano

5-Francisco Liriano

Bullpen

Joe Nathan

Pat Neshek

Jose Mijares

Matt Guerrier

Jon Rauch

Jesse Crain

Brian Duensing

Other pieces that might help-

SP Glen Perkins

SP Jeff Manship

RP Anthony Slama

IF Alexi Casilla

IF Matt Tolbert

3B Danny Valencia

Minnesota Vikings Offseason Plan

The Vikings may be the most talented team in the NFL. Of course, they won't be playing in the Super Bowl though so that means there is work to do. The following is what I believe needs to be done to prepare for a even deeper run in to next year's playoffs.

Quarterback: My belief is that Brett Favre will not want to end his career on that costly pick, when he could return to a team this talented. The Vikings should allow him to skip all OTAs and mini camps and just show up for training camp. His return means there is no need to resign Tavaris Jackson. Sage Rosenfels is a more than capable backup. The only need for a QB would be a 3rd string project in the draft.

Running Back: Adrian Peterson is a stud plain and simple. His fumbling problems can be fixed (Look at Tiki Barber a few years ago). Chester Taylor is a good back but he is expandable because of Peterson's greatness. Albert Young and Ian Johnson can share backup duties. Naufahu Tahi will probably be brought back as fullback.

Pass catchers: Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin form as dynamic of trio as there is in the league. Darius Reynaud and Jaymar Johnson should return as the 4th and 5th recievers. Visanthe Shaincoe is turning into a premier tight end. Jim Kleinsasser is a good blocking tight end that can also back up at fullback. I would love to see the Vikings add a late round pass catching tight end to this group.

O-Line- Bryant McKinnie and Steve Hutchinson are a solid left side. Anthony Herrera is a good right guard. John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt did okay in their first seasons starting. Ryan Cook Artis Hicks are a very good back ups at multiple positions. So up front I'd say we are set.

D-Line- Jared Allen and Kevin Williams are two of the best at their positions and will be here for a long time. Pat Williams is great but the question is how long does he have left. Ray Edwards has shown great promise and I think we will bring him back in 2010. Brian Robison is quality depth at end. Jimmy Kennedy may be the future replacement to Pat Williams inside but until then he is great depth.

Linebackers- Ben Leber and Chad Greenway will start. E.J. Henderson is great assuming he's healthy. Jasper Brinkley will back up Henderson in the middle. Erin Henderson, Heath Farwell, and Kenny Onatolu will also provide depth and be key special teamers.

Corners- Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin are the starters. Benny Sapp is a terrific nickel back. Asher Allen will be the dime back.

Safeties- Here is the interesting part. In my opinion, I'd like the Vikings to find two new safeties. For strong safety, I think we should trade for Bob Sanders from the Colts. At free safety, I would either move up in the first round and get Earl Thomas or go out and trade for Kerry Rhodes from the Jets. I then say we trade away Madieu Williams. We can keep Tyrell Johnson and Jamarca Sanford for depth.

Special Teams- Chris Kluwe and Ryan Longwell are pretty solid. Harvin and Reynaud handle returns well.

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Trades:

2nd round pick to the Colts for Bob Sanders SS

3rd round pick to Jets for Kerry Rhodes FS

Madieu Williams for a 5th rounder

Resign:

Jimmy Kennedy, Benny Sapp, Artis Hicks, Ryan Cook, Ray Edwards and Nafahu Tahi

Draft:

1- NT Terrance Cody Alabama

4- QB Jevon Snead Ole Miss

5- DE George Selvie USF

5- CB Amari Spievey Iowa

6- TE Tony Moeaki Iowa

7- WR Kerry Meier Kansas

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53 Man Roster

QB- Favre, Rosenfels, Snead

RB- Peterson, Young, I. Johnson

FB- Tahi

WR- Rice, J. Johnson

WR- Berrian, Reynaud

WR- Harvin, Meier

TE- Shiancoe, Kliensasser, Moeaki

LT- McKinnie

LG- Hutchinson

C- Sullivan, Cook

RG- Herrera

RT- Loadholt, Hicks

DE- Allen, Selvie

DT- P. Williams, Cody

DT- K. Williams, Kennedy, Guion

DE- Edwards, Robison

SLB- Leber, Heath Farwell

MLB- EJ Henderson, Brinkley

WLB- Greenway, Erin Henderson, Onatolu

CB- Winfield, Allen, Spievey

CB- Griffin, Sapp

FS- Rhodes, T. Johnson, Frampton

SS- Sanders, Sanford, Abdullah

P- Kluwe

K- Longwell

LS- Loeffler

What is next for the Twins?

Of the playoff teams, no one seemed to have more holes than the Minnesota Twins. Going into the offseason they needed: a third baseman, a shortstop, a second baseman, and at least one starting pitcher.

So far they have filled two of those needs. They agreed to trade Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Then they brought Carl Pavano back to be a veteran presence in the rotation. They also added Clay Condrey to their bullpen. So that leaves third base and second base as the two unanswered questions.

In recent days, Jarrod Washburn has been linked to the Twins. If this is true, then he would set their rotation in stone and make talented young pitchers like Francisco Liriano, Brian Duensing, Jeff Manship, Glen Perkins, and Anthony Swarzak expendable. So two or three of them could be moved to fill the needs at second and third.

One possible deal would be to move Glen Perkins, who the Twins really have no need for, to the Padres for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Twins have made this offer before so it would have to be enhanced. The Padres could use a middle infielder so I would add in Alexi Casilla, another player who isn't really in the future plans of the team.

Now the Twins also have a problem at second base. The player to fill this position should be able to hit second in the order so Joe Mauer can move into a RBI spot in the third slot. The Twins have some options here. Felipe Lopez, Orlando Hudson, and Orlando Cabrera are free agent possibilities. Although my personal favorite idea is trading for Macier Izturis. He has hit second and played second for the Angels, but he is the odd man out of the Angel infield with Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar, and Howie Kendrick all starting. In order to get him I would trade Matt Guerrier and a mid-tier prospect.

Now here would be the new team.

1 Denard Span CF

2 Macier Izturis 2B

3 Joe Mauer C

4 Justin Morneau 1B

5 Michael Cuddyer RF

6 Jason Kubel DH

7 Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B

8 Delmon Young LF

9 J.J. Hardy SS

Bench

IF Nick Punto

C Jose Morales

OF Jason Pridie

IF Brendan Harris

1 Scott Baker

2 Nick Blackburn

3 Kevin Slowey

4 Carl Pavano

5 Jarrod Washburn

Bullpen

Closer- Joe Nathan

Set-up- Jose Mijares

Set-up- Pat Neshek

MR- Jesse Crain

MR- Jon Rauch

MR- Clay Condrey

Long-man- Francisco Liriano