By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
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Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515 |
To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Astros, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, each team's X-Factor and top prospect.
PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Denard Span
LF Ben Revere
C Joe Mauer
1B Justin Morneau
RF Josh Willingham
DH Ryan Doumit
3B Danny Valencia
SS Jamey Carroll
2B Alexi Casilla
PROJECTED ROTATION
Francisco Liriano
Scott Baker
Carl Pavano
Nick Blackburn
Jason Marquis
Francisco Liriano
Scott Baker
Carl Pavano
Nick Blackburn
Jason Marquis
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Matt Capps
Set-up - Glenn Perkins
Closer - Matt Capps
Set-up - Glenn Perkins
Top Prospect - Miguel Sano (1B)
Breakout
Francisco Liriano - A mixture of setbacks have stalled Liriano's career. First it was Tommy John surgery, then it was confidence, followed by the new and rather large Target Field. If he is ever going to become and all-star starter for the second time in his career it is going to happen this season. At 28 year-old he is still young to breakthrough.
Francisco Liriano - A mixture of setbacks have stalled Liriano's career. First it was Tommy John surgery, then it was confidence, followed by the new and rather large Target Field. If he is ever going to become and all-star starter for the second time in his career it is going to happen this season. At 28 year-old he is still young to breakthrough.
Bust
Matt Capps - I'm not sure why the Twins did not set up an option B, but the ninth inning belongs to Capps and there is no one breathing down his neck. So while he may reach 30 saves based on opportunity, the ERA should be higher than preferred and he is a strong candidate to lead the league in blown saves.
X-FACTOR
Justin Morneau - If the Twins want any shot at making last year an outlier and a season to forget, they are going to need their power hitting first basemen hitting fourth all season. 162 games are probably out of the question, but if they can get 140 from the 2006 MVP and the 2009 MVP Joe Mauer playing more often than rehabbing, they easily could return t o the top of the A.L. Central. I believe if Morneau can stay on the field he is still capable of MVP numbers.
Justin Morneau - If the Twins want any shot at making last year an outlier and a season to forget, they are going to need their power hitting first basemen hitting fourth all season. 162 games are probably out of the question, but if they can get 140 from the 2006 MVP and the 2009 MVP Joe Mauer playing more often than rehabbing, they easily could return t o the top of the A.L. Central. I believe if Morneau can stay on the field he is still capable of MVP numbers.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 63-99
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| The M & M boys needs to stay healthy in the Twin City |
PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd in the American League Central
***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
Check back tomorrow for the Washington Nationals
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