Hot Stove Daily: Minnesota Twins
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Editor's note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason plans of every MLB team before the Dec. 3-6 winter meetings. Our series continues with the Minnesota Twins.
By Steve Henson
2007 record: 79-83
Finish: Third place in the American League Central
2007 opening-day payroll: $71 million
Free agents: Torii Hunter CF; Carlos Silva SP; Matt LeCroy 1B/C; Lew Ford OF; Rondell White LF
WISH LIST
The Twins' payroll has increased the last four years from $53 million to $56 million to $63 million to a tick over $71 million. Another increase will be necessary to keep starter Johan Santana and closer Joe Nathan beyond this season, and maybe that's one reason general manager Terry Ryan retired. He might have done the math and realized payroll isn't going up, and neither are the Twins.
It's left to new GM Bill Smith to try to hammer out a contract extension for Santana, who might be the best pitcher in baseball. Nathan, who has 160 saves in four seasons with the Twins, is probably gone because it's more likely he could be replaced internally.
Trading Santana is an option, but Smith has already offered him $93 million over five years and will continue to try to sign him before entertaining offers at the winter meetings. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, among others, would be strong bidders, and could help the Twins fill holes in their lineup at third base, left field, center field and designated hitter.
REALITY CHECK
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The Twins made a half-hearted effort to re-sign center fielder Torii Hunter, knowing all along too many teams with deeper pockets coveted him. Turns out the Angels nabbed him Wednesday, with Hunter agreeing to a five-year deal for a reported $80 million.
So a team that saw its run production decline by 12 percent in 2007 now must replace another 100 or so. First baseman Justin Morneau and catcher Joe Mauer are two of the best young hitters in the game, but they need table-setters and protection.
The starting rotation is in need of a boost even with Santana, and top prospect Matt Garza appears poised to provide it. Kevin Slowey is a lesser-known pitcher who could step in as well. But the key is a triumphant return from left-hander Francisco Liriano, who missed last season because of injury after establishing himself as a dominant presence in 2006.
The Twins will have a difficult time climbing back into contention because of the startling improvement of the division. The Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers are two of baseball's healthiest franchises, and the Chicago White Sox might be only a move or two from rebounding. The Twins took advantage of the ineptitude of their division rivals for many years, and that no longer is a given.
NEXT: New York Mets
