I admit this is kind of ridiculous looking at this before the beginning of the season, but being bored after watching a horrible Golden Gophers basketball game, I wanted to take a look at the Twins options if they are out of the race and looking to unload, what that looks like, and what are the options for 2013.

Free Agents for the 2012 season for the Minnesota Twins

Carl Pavano (37)

Scott Baker (31) 9.25M option

Fransicso Liriano (29)

Ryan Doumit (32)

Jason Marquis (34)

Matt Capps (29) 6M option

This could be a major problem, and this is what Terry Ryan has to figure out. The Twins current payroll will be right around 100M this year, if you read Phil Mackeys article on 1500ESPN http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Mackey_Like_it_or_not_scaling_back_payroll_is_right_move_for_Twins010512, it makes perfect sense to keep the payroll where it is. The entire season revolves around Mauer, Morneau, Span. Not to mention, look at the contract years for our starters. We do have major problems at the starting pitcher position after this year, we don't have the minor leagues to help us right now. Here is a list of the FA starting pitchers, thanks MLBtraderumors.com

What I can't do is determine what teams are going to be in races, or teams that need a starter after an injury that may be in the race, if we are out of the race in July, what are the best options? Do we resign Scott Baker for the 9 Million, are we shopping Liriano this season, I am sure Pavano would be the first to go. One thing that most concerns me is we have 1 pitcher signed as a starter in 2013, Nick Blackburn. So not only do we not have anything close to an Ace now, we don't even have a #1, #2, or #3 in 2013. Look how many free agents are going to be under the age of 30? The Twins were banking on Kyle Gibson, and then he needs Tommy John, as a Twins fan I hope he comes back to be the talent he has to offer.

Kyle Gibson R (24) ETA 2013

Liam Hendricks R (23) ETA 2012

Adrian Salcedo R (20) ETA 2014

Hudson Boyd R (19) ETA 2015

Alex Wimmers R (23) ETA 2014

Manuel Soliman R (22) ETA 2015

Madison Boer R (22) ETA 2014

Corey Williams L (21) ETA 2013

Matt Hauser R (23) ETA 2012

These are the Twins top pitching prospects, not one of these are on MLB top 100. Looking at 2013, looking at projections we add Gibson, Hendricks, Hauser, Williams. We need pitching prospects that can help us the next coming years. My guess is we sign Scott Baker if he stays healthy, Kyle Gibson makes his way into the rotation, then we have Blackburn. If we are in the mix, who are we going to trade, we don't have that much to give up, although we do have a big draft coming up. If the Twins get Mark Appel from Stanford in the draft, that will definitely help, as he is predicted to be a "franchise" pitcher, we would maybe be able to look at giving up an outfielder. This will also be a big year for Ben Revere. If you look up the free agent list for outfield, you will also see a name all of us know, Torii Hunter. This will be an interesting scenario if Revere doesn't have a good season, we would still have Span, Willingham, and Plouffe, we would need something off the bench as well as an outfielder, who may be able to start as well. The way I look at how the outfield looks, I can easily see the Twins signing Hunter at a pretty low price. This is really going to be an interesting first 40 games of the season, then see how we use Marquis, Pavano, and Liriano as trade bait, and see what we can get for them.

I will say it now. Liriano will be a Twin in 2013 and Baker will not. I guess I would be wrong if Liriano is traded for another strong LH pitcher, but I see this as being the case.

There is a good chance that payroll drops again next year. Less revenue= lower payroll. Next January, Phil Mackey could be defending an Eighty Two Million dollar payroll.

I can agree with this, but I get his point in the fact of what happens if we spend another 20 million and Morneau and Mauer aren't healthy? I think if we keep it in check, find out the health factor, we would have money to spend at the trade deadline/ or free agents next year. I am worried about what the market looks like for good starting pitchers. It would be great to see Baker healthy all year, pitch to his age/potential, along with Liriano putting a complete season together, putting their talent and age together this would be the year they perform.