MLB Playoff

Baseball preview: Minnesota Twins

After finishing in third place in the AL Central last season (79-83), the Minnesota Twins decided that it was time to try new things in order to get to the top of the division again. First, center fielder Torii Hunter headed to the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent in November. In order to replace Hunter’s presence in the outfield, the Twins shipped starting shortstop Jason Bartlett, right-handed pitcher Matt Garza and a minor league reliever to the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Delmon Young, infielder Brendan Harris and a minor league outfielder. In order to replace Bartlett, the Twins signed veteran shortstop Adam Everett. Then, they signed his former Houston Astros teammate – third baseman Mike Lamb. However, the biggest move of the offseason came in the last few days of January. They traded superstar pitcher Johan Santana to the New York Mets for outfielder Carlos Gomez, who could replace Hunter in center field, and three pitching prospects (Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey). Although the Twins lost their best hitter (Hunter), starting shortstop (Bartlett) and two of their top starting pitchers (Santana and Carlos Silva), they’ve retooled with young talent that will help them be contenders again within the next couple years. Minnesota Twins 2007 record: 79-83 (3rd in AL Central) Key additions: OF Delmon Young, 2B Brendan Harris, 3B Mike Lamb, RHP Livan Hernandez, CF Carlos Gomez, SS Adam Everett Key losses: LHP Johan Santana, CF Torii Hunter, RHP Carlos Silva, RHP Matt Garza, SS Jason Bartlett, OF Jason Tyner Most valuable fantasy performers: 1. Justin Morneau, 1B – One of the other matters of business for the Twins during the offseason was agreeing to an extension with Morneau. He signed a six-year extension worth $80 million in January. He’s the perfect player for the Twins to build around because he’s a left-handed power hitter. Morneau only hit .271 last season after hitting .321 in 2006, but he still had 31 home runs and...

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