Starting Pitching
Projected Rotation

1.    Johan Santana, LH
2.    Carlos Silva, RH
3.    Ramon Ortiz, RH
4.    Boof Bonser, RH
5.    Sidney Ponson, RH

2007 Team Perspective

The Twins are primed for another great year and they should have a legitimate shot at contending for a second straight division title.  They’re built on pitchers who don’t walk a lot of hitters, backed by a great defensive, particularly up the middle.  They’ll know a little better what to expect from Michael Cuddyer, and the tandem of Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer should provide plenty of runs this season.  Johan Santana is still the best pitcher on the planet, and they anchor their pen with Joe Nathan, the best closer in the Major Leagues.  The rest of the bullpen is stocked with quality arms from front to back, which should alleviate some of the pressure on the rotation as they fight their way to another division title.

Bullpen

Projected Bullpen

Closer: Joe Nathan, RH
Set-Up 1:  Juan Rincon, RH
Set-Up 2:  Pat Neshek, RH

The top pitchers in the Minnesota bullpen - Nathan, Juan Rincon, Pat Neshek, and Jesse Crain all have tremendous K/BB ratios, and are a big reason for the Twins’ success over the last five seasons.  The one to watch is Neshek, who had just under a 13-1 K/BB ratio last season. If you subscribe to a strategy involving high strikeout middle relievers, this is the guy you want.

Sleeper

Boof Bonser’s 84/24 K/BB ratio in 100 1/3 IP is a solid indicator of a pitcher on the rise.  His only problem has been giving up way too many HR (18 over that time span).  Bonser posted a 42/9 K/BB ratio at home, which amounts to about 15-16 starts with a 4-1 K/BB ratio.  He’s primed for a big year.

Bust

Luis Castillo’s career trend hasn’t really been an encouraging one.  His SB success rate has been over 70% just once in the last four seasons, and his .358 OBA last season was his lowest since the 2001 season.  He is in his walk year, but there’s just too much empirical evidence to suggest that he’ll be able to turn it around chasing a bigger paycheck.

Top Prospect

Matt Garza has legitimate major league stuff, and he wasn’t nearly as bad as the ERA posted in his short stint in the big leagues last season would have you believe.  He’ll be called on when Ponson falters early, and will more than likely join the seemingly unending supply of Twins pitchers who boast high K/BB ratios.

First Off The Bench

Nick Punto is not going to be holding onto that job at 3B.  True, he can steal some bases at a decent rate, but a sub-.400 SLG% is not fitting for a major league third baseman.  Cirillo’s not a bad hitter, and he could provide some