The Minnesota Twins ultimately were too worked over to fight for the division title last season, but with their top guys healthy you can't really count them out in 2012. Let's take a look at their starting lineup with our 2012 Minnesota Twins preview article.
Projected Lineup
Joe Mauer (Catcher) - Injuries limited Mauer to just 82 games played last season. He suffered through pneumonia and a leg injury at different times but did play well when healthy, posting a respectable .287 average with a .360 OBP; still, he was only capable of making 47 starts behind the plate. He finished with just 3 home runs, though, and for the Twins to come back, they are going to need Mauer to remain healthy and put up akin numbers to his career season of 2009.
Justin Morneau (First Base) -After he suffered a career-threatening concussion in 2010, Morneau has not been the same and his numbers clearly dipped from his top seasons from 2006 to 2009. He hit just .227 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI in 69 games in 2011; it is growing more likely that he'll not be able to get back to his former self. But he has shown some encouraging signs this spring.
Alexi Casilla (2nd Base) -This is another Twins player who was dealing with the injury bug and had his year cut short last year. He was nonetheless , ready to show some guarantee when he took the field. He has notable speed that makes him a robust candidate for a high triple count and 30-plus steals if he'll enjoy health.
Jamey Carroll (Shortstop) -The 38-year-old will provide some stability at the shortstop spot after Tsuyoshi Nishioka failed to measure up to his potential in his first year. Carroll posted a .290 batting average in 146 starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, but he's best used defensively at 2nd base and he has little to no power left.
Danny Valencia (3rd Base) -The Twins are hoping that Valencia can continue to develop and break out offensively in 2012. Even though he hit just .246 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI in his first full season, he probably did post a respectable .275 average after July 1. If he continues to develop, he has the potential to hit 25 homers and drive in close to 90 runs in 2012.
Ben Revere (Left Field) -After leading all American League beginners with 34 steals in just 117 games last year, Revere is proving to be a big-time threat when he gets on the basepads. Nevertheless he must show that he will be able to do more with the bat if he wants to keep his starting gig. He batted just .267 with a paltry 14 extra-base hits in 450 at-bats in 2011.
Denard Span (Center Field) - Span is another player who had his season cut short because of an injury. He played just 70 games because of a concussion in 2011, but he does put up solid numbers when healthy. He hit .311 with 97 runs, 10 triples, 68 RBI and 23 steals in 2009. He is widely considered to be the leadoff hitter for Minnesota, but his main worth depends on the fitness of Mauer and Morneau, as he could be a security-net lower in the lineup if one of the two players get hurt.
Josh Willingham (Right Field) - Willingham is being heavily relied on to give Minnesota some pop in the middle of the order. He had respectable power numbers with 29 homers and 98 RBI in 136 games with the Oakland Athletics last year. It'd be a huge plus if he could improve on his low .248 average from last year, but Minnesota needs him more for his power rather than his average.
Ryan Doumit (Designated Hitter) - Another player who the Twins will rely on heavily in 2012 is Ryan Doumit. He'll be used primarily as the DH, but he'll also provide some games as a catcher when Mauer requires a break. He could be a new purchase from the Pittsburgh Pirates who hit .303 with 8 home runs and 30 RBI in 77 games for the Pirates last season. A large amount of his production will depend on if he is ready to stay healthy.
Projected Lineup
Joe Mauer (Catcher) - Injuries limited Mauer to just 82 games played last season. He suffered through pneumonia and a leg injury at different times but did play well when healthy, posting a respectable .287 average with a .360 OBP; still, he was only capable of making 47 starts behind the plate. He finished with just 3 home runs, though, and for the Twins to come back, they are going to need Mauer to remain healthy and put up akin numbers to his career season of 2009.
Justin Morneau (First Base) -After he suffered a career-threatening concussion in 2010, Morneau has not been the same and his numbers clearly dipped from his top seasons from 2006 to 2009. He hit just .227 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI in 69 games in 2011; it is growing more likely that he'll not be able to get back to his former self. But he has shown some encouraging signs this spring.
Alexi Casilla (2nd Base) -This is another Twins player who was dealing with the injury bug and had his year cut short last year. He was nonetheless , ready to show some guarantee when he took the field. He has notable speed that makes him a robust candidate for a high triple count and 30-plus steals if he'll enjoy health.
Jamey Carroll (Shortstop) -The 38-year-old will provide some stability at the shortstop spot after Tsuyoshi Nishioka failed to measure up to his potential in his first year. Carroll posted a .290 batting average in 146 starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, but he's best used defensively at 2nd base and he has little to no power left.
Danny Valencia (3rd Base) -The Twins are hoping that Valencia can continue to develop and break out offensively in 2012. Even though he hit just .246 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI in his first full season, he probably did post a respectable .275 average after July 1. If he continues to develop, he has the potential to hit 25 homers and drive in close to 90 runs in 2012.
Ben Revere (Left Field) -After leading all American League beginners with 34 steals in just 117 games last year, Revere is proving to be a big-time threat when he gets on the basepads. Nevertheless he must show that he will be able to do more with the bat if he wants to keep his starting gig. He batted just .267 with a paltry 14 extra-base hits in 450 at-bats in 2011.
Denard Span (Center Field) - Span is another player who had his season cut short because of an injury. He played just 70 games because of a concussion in 2011, but he does put up solid numbers when healthy. He hit .311 with 97 runs, 10 triples, 68 RBI and 23 steals in 2009. He is widely considered to be the leadoff hitter for Minnesota, but his main worth depends on the fitness of Mauer and Morneau, as he could be a security-net lower in the lineup if one of the two players get hurt.
Josh Willingham (Right Field) - Willingham is being heavily relied on to give Minnesota some pop in the middle of the order. He had respectable power numbers with 29 homers and 98 RBI in 136 games with the Oakland Athletics last year. It'd be a huge plus if he could improve on his low .248 average from last year, but Minnesota needs him more for his power rather than his average.
Ryan Doumit (Designated Hitter) - Another player who the Twins will rely on heavily in 2012 is Ryan Doumit. He'll be used primarily as the DH, but he'll also provide some games as a catcher when Mauer requires a break. He could be a new purchase from the Pittsburgh Pirates who hit .303 with 8 home runs and 30 RBI in 77 games for the Pirates last season. A large amount of his production will depend on if he is ready to stay healthy.
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