6. Minnesota Twins

Big Leagues- The Twins quietly had a very successful offseason.  They only added one major new player with Tsuyoshi Nishikoa coming over from Japan.  He's a slick fielding infielder who should hit close to .300 for the Twins.  Last year he lead Japan's top league with a .346 average.  But, the moves they made that should help them greatly, is retaining Jim Thome and Carl Pavano. (Pavano's deal with the Twins is imminent as I'm writing this).  The truth with this team is they are never very exciting, and you never talk about them preseason, but they'll always end up in the playoffs.  If Justin Morneau can shake his post concussion symptoms and stay healthy over the whole year they could make some noise in the playoffs.  Delmon Young really grew up last year, and the Twins look at him and Michael Cuddyer as their right handed power.  Francisco Liriano looked spectacular at times last year, and it looks as if he has finally overcome his Tommy John surgery.  Scott Baker and Carl Pavano provide a formidable middle of the rotation.  The wild card for the Twins is Joe Nathan coming back from missing the entire 2010 season.  They have a backup plan in Matt Capps, but if Nathan and Morneau can stay healthy they might finally be able to get past the first round of the playoffs.  There lineup would look like this if today was opening day:

Catcher- Joe Mauer

1st Base- Justin Morneau
2nd Base- Alexi Castilla
Shortstop- Tsuyoshi Nishioka
3rd Base- Danny Valencia
Left Field- Delmon Young
Center Field- Denard Span
Right Field- Michael Cuddyer
DH- Jim Thome/Jason Kubel
Pitching- Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Brian Duensing, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, (Carl Pavano)Relief- Matt Capps, Joe Nathan

Top 5 Prospects-RHP Kyle Gibson- The 22nd pick in the 2009 draft had a great first full season in the minor leagues, and already got a non-roster invite to spring training for the Twins in 2011.  Last year he started 26 games with a 2.96 Era and an 11 and 6 record. He came out of the University of Missouri and has a very polished game for such a young player.  He most likely will start next year in Triple A with the logjam in Minnesota with their starters, but he most likely will get the first call if someone gets injured.

RHP Alex Wimmers- The Twins 21st overall pick in the 2010 draft from The Ohio State University had a breakout last two seasons at Ohio State.  He showed a great mixture of a 90 to 93 mph fastball and a solid curve and changeup to compile an 18 and 2 record in 2009 and 2010.  Wimmers does not have amazing stuff, but he's another polished college arm who should fly through the system.  Look for him to take a similar path as Gibson last year and get to the majors sometime in 2012 if everything goes well.

SS-3B Miguel Sano- Last year the Twins threw 3.15 million dollars at the young teenager and scooped him up from other teams.  As a 17 year old last year he split time between shortstop and third base and batted .307 in 61 games.  He struck out nearly once a game but showed decent power with 7 home runs and 16 doubles.  Sano is still too young to project, but he could turn into a bust or a superstar.  That risk is just too high for him to be ranked ahead of Gibson and Wimmers.

RHP Liam Hendriks- The 21 year old Australia had a great season in Single A last year.  He was simply older, and better than all of his competition.  He pitched in 19 games and had a 1.74 Era in 108 innings. He struck out 105 batters and only walked an amazing 12 batters.  12 walks in 108 innings is almost unheard of, in any level.  It doesn't look like the Twins will rush him like they did with Gibson, and a good 2011 season in Double and Triple A could catapult him to top prospect status.

OF Aaron Hicks- Hicks was the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft and for a long time projected as a star outfielder.  In our eyes though, Hicks only projects as an average outfielder in the future.  He is still young and a lot of things can change, but there is no one thing he does exceptional well to think he has star potential.  Last year, his second in Single A, he only hit .279 with 8 home runs and 27 doubles.  He should play in Double A next year as a 21 year old, and that will be a major season in figuring his long term potential.

Payroll and Direction- The Twins have been a team the past few years who has been stuck in the 1st round of the playoffs.  This could be the year they could get over the hump if they stay healthy.  They are no longer a small market team, spending 100 million dollars last year on salary.  They locked up Joe Mauer for a very long time, and have solid young arms coming up behind Francisco Liriano.  They are the favorite to win the AL Central, and if things fall into place they could make a run deeper into the playoffs.