The Minnesota Twins had a horrible year in 2011 and slipped to the bottom of AL Central with a 63-99 record. It looks as though they do not go anywhere in 2012, as they lost more than they have gained in the offseason. The Twins lost Joe Nathan, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, who all signed somewhere else as free agents, leaving them with big holes to fill all over the field. Though the Twins have surprised folks during the past, they will likely need lots of things to go right if they are to contend in 2012. Here are the projected starting rotation and closer situation for the approaching year. For more information check out our complete Twins predictions.
Projected Rotation
Carl Pavano (RHP) - Pavano didn't reach expectations, as he went just 9-13 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 2010. Pavano is an imperative piece in Minnesota's rotation and he needs to get back on track if Minnesota is going to spin things round in 2012.
Francisco Liriano (LHP) - Liriano also struggled last year. The 28-year-old lefty went just 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 24 starts. With Minnesota not having a clean-cut No. 1, the Twins desperately need him to figure things out and pitch like an ace this year.
Scott Baker (RHP) - Baker was on his way to a solid season last season when an elbow injury stopped his season prematurely in early August. He posted a career-low 3.14 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, but finished up just 8-6 in 21 games. If the elbow difficulty is gone for ever, we could see Baker become the best thrower the Twins send to the hill in 2012.
Nick Blackburn (RHP) -Blackburn had a streak of 3 consecutive double-digit victory years broken in 2011. The 30-year-old just went 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. He will still post a 10-win season in 2012, but he desires his offense to step up if he wants to do it.
Jason Marquis (RHP) - Minnesota added Marquis in the offseason with the hopes that he'll eat lots of innings, but he hasn't thrown 200-plus innings since 2009. Marquis has two 15-win years to his credit, and he might be able to benefit from pitching in the spacious Target Field. But if he wants to be a big helper for Minnesota this season, he must keep on the field.
Projected Closer
Matt Capps (RHP) - After a marvelous season in 2010 when he came in for the wounded Nathan late in the season to close 16 games while posting a 2.00 ERA, his hype backed down when he had a below average performance in 2011. He must do better in 2012 if he wants to stay the Twins closer. Capps was frequently booed off the diamond last season due to his inability to close games, but in his defense, he was afflicted by a forearm injury. He should get back to his old self, when he managed to save 42 games between the Nationals and Twins mixed.
Projected Rotation
Carl Pavano (RHP) - Pavano didn't reach expectations, as he went just 9-13 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 2010. Pavano is an imperative piece in Minnesota's rotation and he needs to get back on track if Minnesota is going to spin things round in 2012.
Francisco Liriano (LHP) - Liriano also struggled last year. The 28-year-old lefty went just 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 24 starts. With Minnesota not having a clean-cut No. 1, the Twins desperately need him to figure things out and pitch like an ace this year.
Scott Baker (RHP) - Baker was on his way to a solid season last season when an elbow injury stopped his season prematurely in early August. He posted a career-low 3.14 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, but finished up just 8-6 in 21 games. If the elbow difficulty is gone for ever, we could see Baker become the best thrower the Twins send to the hill in 2012.
Nick Blackburn (RHP) -Blackburn had a streak of 3 consecutive double-digit victory years broken in 2011. The 30-year-old just went 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. He will still post a 10-win season in 2012, but he desires his offense to step up if he wants to do it.
Jason Marquis (RHP) - Minnesota added Marquis in the offseason with the hopes that he'll eat lots of innings, but he hasn't thrown 200-plus innings since 2009. Marquis has two 15-win years to his credit, and he might be able to benefit from pitching in the spacious Target Field. But if he wants to be a big helper for Minnesota this season, he must keep on the field.
Projected Closer
Matt Capps (RHP) - After a marvelous season in 2010 when he came in for the wounded Nathan late in the season to close 16 games while posting a 2.00 ERA, his hype backed down when he had a below average performance in 2011. He must do better in 2012 if he wants to stay the Twins closer. Capps was frequently booed off the diamond last season due to his inability to close games, but in his defense, he was afflicted by a forearm injury. He should get back to his old self, when he managed to save 42 games between the Nationals and Twins mixed.
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