For the Twins to be competitive, let alone a contender. The following things need to happen:

 

Starting Pitchers:

1. Twins sign a Shaun Marcum type and he blossoms winning 20 games, with very good peripherals, taking advantage of the pitching friendly environment of Target Field.

2. Liriano Misses Anderson and Gardenhire and he signs a team friendly contract. Reaching deep within himself, he is able to harness his enigmatic pitching abilities. Winning 17 games, Striking Out 230, with very good all around peripherals.

3. Scott Diamond has a comparable season to the one he is having with 200 innings pitched.

4. The 4-5 Starters (Baker, Gibson, Deduno. John Doe 1, 2, or 3) are able to pitch to the level of a contending teams 4 and 5 starters

 

Relief Pichers:

1. Perkins and Burton continue their progression as successful late inning relievers.

2. The Twins leave Duensing alone and let him establish himself in the bullpen and he rewards them by being the shut down left handed specialist.

3. 2 more relievers emerge from the woodwork and do an above acceptable job.

 

Position Players:

C - Mauer has an elite BA season. .340+BA, 90RBI, 550+PA's

1B - Morneau. He reclaims the ability to hit .300+, 30HR+, 100+RBI

2B - Someone who plays good defense and hits over .250 (not holding out too much hope)

SS - See 2B

3B - Mr. June spreads his wealth around the other months playing serviceable defense, hitting .250+ with 25+ HR's

LF - Willingham repeats this season.

CF - Revere (I hate speculating on trades, but I will go with the overall concensus that Span is traded for a few decent prospects who won't be able to help immediately). Revere bats .300+, 100+ Runs Scored, 50 stolen bases.

RF - Parmelee: .280+ Average, 20+HR's, 85+RBI's

DH - Doumit repeats this season

 

Bench: Mastroianni, Carroll, Herrmann, Some Joe Cool bench player who can hit a HR off the bench once in a while.

 

This is within the realm possibility, Right?

 

That's "best team in baseball", not "contending".

 

My sense of imagination got away from me.

So who on 2012 Twins has a comparable trade value as a Gary Ward in 1983?

 

I'll take Rhetorical Questions for $200, Alex, and try "who is Denard Span?"

So who on 2012 Twins has a comparable trade value as a Gary Ward in 1983?

 

I'll take Rhetorical Questions for $200, Alex, and try "who is Denard Span?"

 

The $1000 question is who can the 2012 Twins get for Denard Span with comparable value to 1983 Mike Smithson and John Butcher.

For the Twins to be competitive, let alone a contender. The following things need to happen:

 

Starting Pitchers:

1. Twins sign a Shaun Marcum type and he blossoms winning 20 games, with very good peripherals, taking advantage of the pitching friendly environment of Target Field.

2. Liriano Misses Anderson and Gardenhire and he signs a team friendly contract. Reaching deep within himself, he is able to harness his enigmatic pitching abilities. Winning 17 games, Striking Out 230, with very good all around peripherals.

3. Scott Diamond has a comparable season to the one he is having with 200 innings pitched.

4. The 4-5 Starters (Baker, Gibson, Deduno. John Doe 1, 2, or 3) are able to pitch to the level of a contending teams 4 and 5 starters

 

Relief Pichers:

1. Perkins and Burton continue their progression as successful late inning relievers.

2. The Twins leave Duensing alone and let him establish himself in the bullpen and he rewards them by being the shut down left handed specialist.

3. 2 more relievers emerge from the woodwork and do an above acceptable job.

 

Position Players:

C - Mauer has an elite BA season. .340+BA, 90RBI, 550+PA's

1B - Morneau. He reclaims the ability to hit .300+, 30HR+, 100+RBI

2B - Someone who plays good defense and hits over .250 (not holding out too much hope)

SS - See 2B

3B - Mr. June spreads his wealth around the other months playing serviceable defense, hitting .250+ with 25+ HR's

LF - Willingham repeats this season.

CF - Revere (I hate speculating on trades, but I will go with the overall concensus that Span is traded for a few decent prospects who won't be able to help immediately). Revere bats .300+, 100+ Runs Scored, 50 stolen bases.

RF - Parmelee: .280+ Average, 20+HR's, 85+RBI's

DH - Doumit repeats this season

 

Bench: Mastroianni, Carroll, Herrmann, Some Joe Cool bench player who can hit a HR off the bench once in a while.

 

This is within the realm possibility, Right?

 

That's "best team in baseball", not "contending".

 

A 2b and ss who hits 250 shouldnt be too hard to find, right? Can we call them up from Beloit?

I would like to say yes, but too many things would have to go right for that to happen. Baltimore and Oakland both had it happen this year, but that will require the Twins scouts to make all correct judgements on the trades for pitchers. Twins need to trade for some close to ready prospect pitchers, not impossible but not likely. Clubs value pitching more highly than 30 years ago. Marcum would be the best Twins option on the Fa market and resigning Baker, if he even wants to be here, would help. A trade for some better minor league pitchers with stuff, or finding one or two on the scrap heap would help. Still would like to find one better middle infielder(steven Drew anyone).