Starting Pitching-

Ryan Dempster

Erik Bedard

Scott Diamond

Kyle Gibson

Liam Hendriks

Bull Pen

Brian Duensing- long reliever

Anthony Swarzak- long reliever

Alex Burnett- middle reliever

Deolis Guerra- middle reliever

Jared Burton- RH setup man

Glen Perkins- LH setup man

Lester Oliveros- closer

Starting Lineup

LF- Josh Willingham

CF- Denard Span

RF- Ben Revere

1B- Justin Morneau

2B- Brian Dozier

SS- Trevor Plouffe

3B- Danny Valencia

C- Joe Mauer

DH- Ryan Doumit

Bench

Jamey Carroll

Chris Parmelee

Drew Butera

Wilkin Ramirez

I don't think that the Twins are going to chase after relievers this year. They seem to feel that they have plenty of arms there to fill holes and still have depth in the minors. I believe that it is possible that the Twins will have Oliveros close instead of Perkins because they like him as their lefty setup man.

I feel that they know their starting rotation needs some work and some front line starters. I don't think they will be able to get Greinke or Hamels so I feel that they will go the little cheaper route with Bedard, and Dempster will be the one that they will spend a bit more one.

With Plouffe playing much better defense at 3B, I think that they will be willing to slide him back to short. I realize that the defense doesn't look too promising but it is what it is. The Twins are probably going to give Valencia another chance before giving up on him and trading him for a grounds crew worker.

I don't have Blackburn on here because I hope that he is packaged for some minor leaguer. I also think that Span might get sent elsewhere with Blackburn and or Capps for one great minor leaguer or a couple decent ones. That would move Revere to center leaving him as the everyday starter there and leadoff man. In that scenario, Parmelee and Ramirez would platoon right field.

Some of the players would have to be signed to new deals. After signing them and the free agents payroll should sit at about the same as this season, give or take 10 million dollars.

I think that it is a competing group what about you guys? Thoughts? Your own theories?

Sounds like an 80-90 loss team to me, poor defense, mediocre pitching, and a decent but not overwhelming lineup. Sounds like the rangers for most of last decade. I don't really have a better proposition for next year but it's not looking good either way unless we spend some $ on pitching or trade willingham for someone who will be an ace. It looks to me like either way we're playing for 2014

I have to disagree that Carroll is on the bench. Unless Valencia seriously improves, they are going to leave him in AAA until he figures things out. I also think that the closer's job will Perkins' to lose. I also think that the Twins #5 pitcher next year might be Walters, but I wouldn't count on it. Also, you seem to be forgetting that the Twins have Blackburn under contract through next year.

I mention that I would trade Blackburn for whatever I could get.

The thought of anyone of worth wanting to sign with the Twins being predictable is a pipe dream.

That said, I see you deep-six Casilla, who I thonk will be gone, too. I picture Plouffe maybe being the third baseman of the future. The Twins have to figure out what to do with Valencia and the Japanese kid.

The Twins do have bullpen depth, even Manship, Slama and Waldrop are around, as is Carlos Gutierrez and a couple of otehr names.

The question is who is the 5th starter (Walters or DeVries or Bromberg). Gibson will still be a mid-season guy, if the Twins are lucky, and may be the 5th staretr with a late season callup. B.J. Hermsen might make the jump. But if the Twins want a free agent body, they have to make an overwhelming offer early and hope...similar to what they did with Carroll and the Rangers did with Nathan, to land even the guys you talked about.

Valencia and Blackburn may both be untradable.

Gibson will still be a mid-season guy, if the Twins are lucky, and may be the 5th staretr with a late season callup.

Barring a setback, Gibson will be on the opening day roster. He has already begun throwing and will be pitching in games before the end of the season.

Not bad. I would love the Dempster and Bedard additions. Unfortunately, I have to imagine only one of them will actually be signed. I disagree with those who think players won't sign with the Twins. Money speaks. And the Twins are not going to be as bad this year as last and not as bad next year as this. In the AL Central, that might mean the playoffs next year. A Dempster, Diamond, Hendriks, Gibson, Bromberg (we'll say for now) rotation is significantly better than the best rotation the Twins will roll out at any point this year.

Plouffe/Valencia is interesting. I think if Plouffe continues doing what he is doing, the Twins are going to have to try to get something for Valencia. Something. I expect Plouffe to be playing third next year, and Carroll/Dozier in the middle. Doumit is very likely to be traded. Maybe Valencia sticks around as a DH, or the Twins play Parmelee/Morneau/Mauer at 1B/DH in a kind of rotation. Chris Herrmann and Pedro Florimon may be up instead of Butera and Doumit, then.

I have to wonder if there is going to be a market for Jared Burton at the deadline this year. If they Twins can get anything for him, they have to make that trade. I also don't think much at all of Swarzak. Replacing those two I would have Manship and Slama.