30 Teams in 30 Days: Minnesota Twins

So far on 30 Teams in 30 Days, we have examined the whole NL and the AL West. You can scroll up and down the posts list on the side to see any of those 20 teams, so we are getting close to the finish line. Today we begin the AL Central and the Target Field Twins. The Twins were involved in two trades, removing two OF starters in Denard Span and Ben Revere for pitching help in Vance Worley, Alex Meyer and Trevor May; at least GM Terry Ryan got a nice return for them. So, the Twins finished last, and I am expecting such a finish again, though I think they'll break 70 wins this year. Let's take a look....

Starting Lineup
CF Darin Mastroianni
2B Jamey Carroll
C   Joe Mauer
1B Justin Morneau
LF Josh Willingham
DH Ryan Doumit
3B Trevor Plouffe
RF Chris Parmelee
SS Pedro Florimon

This lineup isn't as bad as most fifth place teams, so let's break it down. Mastroianni is very much in the mold of Span and Revere: he's great defensively and really fast. In part time, Mastroianni stole over 20 bases last year. He's probably just a place holder for Aaron Hicks, yes, but he's a sleeper for 40 SB's. Carroll is Carroll: an all contact, no power, all grit. Now, 3-6 can be very good. Mauer's healthy and put up a nice season last year. Morneau, even more so, is finally healthy and in a contract year. Would it surprise me if Parmelee just replaces him in 2014? No, not at all, but pressure's on to produce. The Willinghammer had a career high in games played and HR's and RBI: he's undervalued in fantasy. I like Doumit a lot: check out my piece on him here - http://floriofacts.blogspot.com/2013/02/fantasy-sleeper-mess-at-dh-ryan-doumit.html. Plouffe had surprising power, but be careful with him and Parmelee producing. Florimon's just a body to fill the spot. I think this lineup can surprise, but be careful - tread lightly.

Starting Rotation
SP Vance Worley
SP Scott Diamond
SP Kevin Correia
SP Mike Pelfrey
SP Kyle Gibson

Last year's rotation was god awful. A-w-f-u-l. It's a little better, but at least young talent is on the way. The Vanimal (Worley) will probably start opening day. He's only 25 and has 2 years under his belt. He'll be even better in Minnesota. Diamond was a nice surprise but his K rate has me skeptical of long-term success. Correia and Pelfrey are veteran bodies. Pelf did well before getting hurt and Correia should be alright for eating innings. I think Gibson has a nice shot of making the rotation: he was their top prospect before Tommy John surgery. He's healthy and a better option than the rest. Better, but not quite there.

Bullpen
CL Glen Perkins
SU Jared Burton
SU Alex Burnett
SU Brian Duensing
SU Casey Fien

Perkins really turned his career around. A bust as a starter, he moved to the pen and established himself as a quality closer. He and Jared Burton are a very underrated 8-9th inning duo. The rest leave a little to be desired. Burnett doesn't strike out anybody and Fien is a candidate to not repeat last year's success. Duensing belongs in the pen. The other spots are up for grabs in my view. Not a great pen, but Perkins and Burton help a lot.

Sorry Twins fans, it's 5th place again. The team is not as bad as it was but Terry Ryan needs 2 more years to fix it. Around 70-72 wins, here.