The Twins are in an interesting place. The 40-man roster is, yet again, full. The Twins definitely have a lot of players, but they don't have a lot of great (or arguably even a lot of good) players. It is obvious the Twins won't win a championship with their current team, but that's not to say there aren't bright spots. I'd like to take a quick look at the position players on the Twins' 40-man roster and examine what future, if any, they have with the team.

Catchers:

Eric Fryer: Although he is a replacement-level player, it seems important that Fryer stay on the 40-man roster. I think Pinto and Suzuki should be co-starters this season with Fryer in AAA in case of injury. A 40-man roster shouldn't operate with only 2 catchers, and I don't think there is a better candidate to be the Twins third catcher than Eric Fryer. It's worth mentioning that Fryer's offensive numbers were slightly higher than Drew Butera's last year. I think the Twins will hold onto Fryer until one of their catching prospects (Stewart Turner or Mitch Garver, for example) reach the high minors and are ready to be added to the 40-man roster.

Josmil Pinto: I think Pinto will have some success this year with more frequent repetitions behind the plate and being paired with a pitcher not named Samuel Deduno. Pinto's bat shows a lot of promise and I think he could be a trade candidate down the road if one of our prospects (Turner or Garver) press to become the starting catcher.

Kurt Suzuki: I'm still a little uneasy about the decision to extend Suzuki. He's a good ballplayer, but I don't expect him to stand out offensively or defensively this year. $6 million is also a lot to pay for a backup player, so I expect Suzuki to get plenty of playing time the next two years. I don't see him having a long-term place with the team, but I do think he will play out his contract with the Twins because the Twins will want to keep him if he puts up solid numbers and other teams will be reluctant to trade for him if he puts up poor numbers.

Infielders:

Chris Colabello: I think the Twins should let Colabello try his luck somewhere else. The Twins have plenty of candidates to take at bats at 1B and DH. I don't think Colabello will see much time with the Twins at all, and he could be out-righted if the Twins need roster space.

Brian Dozier: Dozier's next season or two will determine if he becomes a franchise player or a tradeable asset. I haven't convinced myself of either one at this point. Dozier clearly has some skill, but he was quite disappointing offensively in the second half last year. It is definitely too premature to consider trading or extending Dozier. His own improvement at the plate, Danny Santana's ability to play shortstop, and Jorge Polanco's progress as a prospect will all be factors in the ultimate decision.

Eduardo Escobar: The numbers Escobar put up last year were pleasantly surprising. He demonstrated that he has the talent to be a fringe starter in the major leagues. I approve of using Danny Santana as our primary shortstop this year, but Escobar is a good safety net and should get several at bats. In my opinion, it wouldn't hurt to give Dozier, Santana, and Plouffe a day off every week and allow Escobar to get three starts. This would allow the Twins to see how Escobar's bat holds up and increase his trade value. If Santana is successful, I think Escobar could become a good trade chip for the Twins.

Joe Mauer: Mauer will play first base until his contract is over. His offensive numbers should recover a little bit next season.

Trevor Plouffe: If Sano has success and demonstrates the ability to stick at third base, Plouffe becomes our most logical trade chip. If not, Plouffe could be an extension candidate. I think Plouffe's future will be determined almost entirely by Sano's return from Tommy John surgery.

Jorge Polanco: If he continues hitting, Polanco could take Dozier's spot in the field in the future. If not, Polanco could be a valuable utility player.

Miguel Sano: If he sticks at third base, he is the third baseman of the future. If not, he may make Kennys Vargas expendable.

Danny Santana: I hope Santana sticks at short. If he does, I think he will hold down that position until Nick Gordon arrives, at which point one of them becomes a trade candidate.

Kennys Vargas: Vargas should start the year with the Twins. If he has a sophomore slump, he can be sent down to Rochester. I also think Vargas should get two starts at first per week with Mauer DH-ing those days. That will allow Vargas to work on his defense and allow Joe to stay fresh. I think Vargas is the Twins DH for the foreseeable unless Sano can't play third base or his abilities drop off.

Outfielders:

Oswaldo Arcia: I think Arcia will be the Twins best hitter this year. It sounds like he is playing left field, which I think will slightly increase his defensive ratings. Arcia is very young and has a lot of potential. Despite his defensive shortcomings, I think the future Twins lineup needs to be built around him. If he has a breakout season this year I could see him as a potential extension candidate. If not after this season, the Twins could buy out his arbitration years after next season.

Chris Herrmann: If Herrmann was still listed as a catcher I would see the point in having him on the team. As is, I don't see him playing a major role with this club unless a lot of outfielders get injured.

Aaron Hicks: As much as it frustrates me, I am confident Aaron Hicks will be the opening day centerfielder. The Twins expressed their desire to have Torii Hunter help mentor their younger players, and I don't see them stating that then sending Hicks to AAA. I don't have much faith in Hicks anymore. Maybe he can become a 4th outfielder, but I don't see his bat giving him a starting role once Buxton debuts.

Torii Hunter: Hunter will play right field, and give the Twins some offense this year. If the Twins resign him next year, they will have made a mistake. I have mixed feelings about signing Hunter, but at least he isn't blocking anybody right now. Next season he would be blocking Buxton and Rosario (and possibly others).

Max Kepler: If Kepler has a breakout season he could be a decent trade candidate. I see the Twins long-term outfield as consisting of Rosario-Buxton-Arcia, but Kepler could be part of the equation, too.

Eduardo Nunez: I think Nunez offers some value as a super-utility player and pinch runner. He will play for the Twins until a prospect with more promise is ready for promotion. I could potentially see Polanco taking his 25-man roster spot after this season.

Chris Parmelee: I liked what Parmelee did against left handed pitching last year, but I think his time with the Twins is almost at an end. It seems Hunter may have taken Parmelee's 25-man roster spot this season. Since Parmelee actually put up decent defensive numbers last year, I wouldn't be surprised to see another team roll the dice with him.

Eddie Rosario: Rosario could play center field for the Twins come June or July if Hicks is struggling. If his bat holds up, I think Rosario could be the answer in left field once Buxton arrives. I would start him at AAA to see if he is ready to take on major league pitching.

Jordan Schafer: If nothing else, I'm glad we have a better backup plan for Hicks than last year. I think holding on to Schafer is a good idea for now, but I don't see him playing for the Twins in 2016 when Rosario, Buxton, and possibly Kepler are getting closer to the majors.

In a couple of days I will go through the pitchers on the Twins 40-man roster and examine what future each of them has with the club. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!