First base
Joe Mauer enters his 13th season, his third as a full-time first baseman. The premise that playing first base would lead to more production has not played out. Mauer hit .265 last season with a career-high 112 strikeouts. The Twins would be happy if he could revert to 2013, when he posted a .404 on-base percentage. Byung Ho Park and Trevor Plouffe can spell Mauer at first. So could Kennys Vargas, a long shot to make the team.
Second base
All-Star Brian Dozier belted a career-high 28 homers last season but slumped during the second half, posting a .639 OPS. A hip problem likely affected his production, but Dozier avoided surgery and reports to camp ready to play. Eduardo Nunez is around as a backup. And Danny Santana could play there if he lands a spot as a reserve. If Dozier lands on the DL, look for prospect Jorge Polanco to get another look.
Shortstop
In his fifth season with the Twins, Eduardo Escobar is being handed the SS job. He's going to strike out a lot for a middle infielder, but he had a career-high 47 extra-base hits last season as he separated himself from Eduardo Nunez during the playoff push. Danny Santana, last year's Opening Day shortstop, is out of options but can make the team as a backup infielder and outfielder. Nunez has experience at short. Jorge Polanco can play there as well, although some think second base is better for him.
Third base
Some thought the Twins would move Trevor Plouffe during the offseason to clear a space for Miguel Sano, but the club held on to its leading run producer from 2015. Plouffe hit 22 homers with 86 RBI, and his 2.5 WAR was the highest among Twins position players. So the club opted to keep him. Sano could play third if Plouffe is out, but Sano's focus will be on learning right field. Eduardo Nunez can fill in as well. Plouffe grounded into 28 double plays last season, the most in baseball.
Left field
Eddie Rosario was called up early in the 2015 season and showed all-around ability, hitting 18 doubles, 15 triples and 13 homers. He added 16 outfield assists, showing off an arm that was strong and accurate. There is concern over his patience because he walked just 15 times and has the strike zone of a doorway, but there is plenty of promise. Danny Santana could back him up. So could Oswaldo Arcia, if he makes the team.
Center field
The Twins want Byron Buxton to earn the job this spring. Baseball's top prospect had a rough debut, batting .209 in 46 games and missing time with a thumb injury. Truthfully, the Twins need Buxton to win the job, or else it creates upheaval in the outfield. Eddie Rosario could play there, but then who plays left? It's one reason Danny Santana will come to camp with an outfield glove after moving through the system as a shortstop. Prospect Max Kepler could also play there.
Right field
The MLB Network recently ranked Miguel Sano as the game's ninth-best right fielder — even though the next inning he plays there will be his first. It's all because of his explosive bat that debuted last season. There's risk in putting a 263-pound man in the outfield, so his every move will be watched this spring. Oswaldo Arcia, in terrific shape after spending all offseason in Florida, also could play in right, and Max Kepler will be in the wings.
Catcher
Kurt Suzuki batted .240 last season — 48 points lower than in 2014. That put more focus on his work behind the plate, where he didn't throw out a lot of would-be base stealers and is considered a below average pitch framer. So the Twins sent center fielder Aaron Hicks to the Yankees for John Ryan Murphy, who will share time with Suzuki. Former backups Josmil Pinto and Chris Herrmann are gone, and prospects Stuart Turner and Mitch Garver aren't quite ready yet.
