2008 Minnesota Twins Predictions & Season Preview

Bill Smith is in as the GM for the Twins while former GM Terry Ryan spends more time scouting. Center fielder Torri Hunter ended his 15 years with the organization by signing with the Angels. Smith traded top pitching prospect Matt Garza and shortstop Jason Bartlett to Tampa Bay for Delmon Young. The biggest change the Twins have made is sending Johan Santana to the New York Mets in the offseason. This is a new-look Twins' team that is once again relying on their farm system to overachieve as they have for years now. The Twins still have several key players that know how to win, but their pitching staff will be hurting mightily without Santana at the helm.

Starting Rotation:

The health of phenom Francisco Liriano is still in question, making the Twins' rotation messy-looking as we near spring training. Liriano will have to return to his dominating form from a couple years ago for Minnesota to have any chance of competing in the AL Central. The Twins are still left with an inexperienced rotation with the likes of Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Boof Bonser, Glen Perkins and Nick Blackburn. The Twins did get some great prospects for Santana so if they pan out like the organization hopes, this staff could be a bunch of overachievers in 2008. But on paper, we would take any of the other AL Central team's staff over the one the Twins have in front of them.

Bullpen:

Joe Nathan is easily a top-5 closer in this league and could become quick trade bait if the Twins aren't competitive when we reach mid-season. Pat Neshek was dominant for the first half of last year before tiring from overuse. He needs to improve his stamina and the Twins will be left with one of the best one-two punches with Neshek and Nathan finishing games. The problem will be getting these studs the lead. Dennys Reyes struggles to stay healthy in 2007. He was dominant against lefties but has never had a string of success outside of his '06 season. Jesse Crain returns from arm surgery. He and Neshek will compete to become the Twins' closer of the future. Juan Rincon has been mentioned in trade rumors constantly for a year now. Matt Guerrier, once a mopup man, has become one of the most valued member of this staff. Too bad the starting rotation doesn't have the credentials that this 'pen has.

Line-Up:

Jason Pridle impressed the Twins in a previous spring training as a Rule 5 draftee and will get his shot in CF and as their leadoff hitter. Brendan Harris comes over from Tampa and has a little pop for a 2B that gives the Twins a right-handed bat between Pridle and Joe Mauer, who will man the 3rd position in the lineup. Mauer will be desperately needed to produce as he did in 2006 while winning the AL batting title. LF Delmon Young is a great young talent who produces power. His acquisition secures that Minnesota will not miss Torii Hunter so much in the middle of this line-up. Justin Morneau may be the best 5-hitter in the league, but he needs to get back to using the whole field and drawing more walks game in and game out. RF Michael Cuddyer is the ideal No. 6 hitter as long as Young does his job in the No. 4 hole. Cuddyer could put up 100 RBIs if he stays healthy with what he has in front of him. Jason Kubel had a strong second half as a DH last season, showing the promise that made him a top prospect. Kubel will bat 7th and DH once again this season. 3B Mike Lamb has shown that he can hit for power. Now he just has to do it in a different uniform after coming over from the Astros. SS Adam Everett is an exceptional infielder who might be an upgrade over Nick Punto's offense. These former Astros will bat 8th and 9th in the lineup respectively. C Mike Redmond is an ideal veteran backup at catcher who can hit and manage pitchers when Mauer is in need of some rest. IF Nick Punto is a solid bench guy that can play many positions in the infield. He just has to regain his swing and confidence at the plate to see more than just marginal playing time. OF Craig Monroe was huge for the Detroit Tigers during their world series run a few years back. Monroe is a threat to hit the long ball every time he takes hold of a bat. He could be a key role player for the Twins this season while filling in at the outfield positions. IF Alexi Casilla is a candidate to win the second base job and may be too flighty to be just a bench player.

Twins 2008 Predictions:

The Twins are trying to rebuild, but they are trying to do it more quickly than most teams in a rebuilding year. They want to be contenders when they open their new stadium in 2010. Multi-Billionaire owner Carl Pohlad is too stubborn to compete with the giants of the game in the free agent market, so the Twins will continue to rely on their farm system. They look for cheap free agents and trades to remain competitive in a division that appears to have passed them by. They Twins are hoping the goodwill they've built up during their return to competitiveness in this decade, and a handful of promising young players, will carry them through a rebuilding year….or two. The Twins will be good enough to beat out the Royals for a 4th place finish in the AL Central. Their starting rotation just doesn't have enough to match the likes of Sabathia-Carmona, Verlander-Bonderman and Buehrle-Vasquez to overtake the Indians, Tigers and White Sox in this stacked division.

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his MLB picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbooks and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

2008 Minnesota Twins Odds:

Odds to win AL Central: 10/1
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant: 20/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 40/1

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

American League Central