I'm going to keep this short because there's just not that much new ground to cover. You can create a comeback fantasy for the 2011 Twins and, yes, sometimes fantasies do come true, but the cold, hard truth is that the Twins have been underperforming compared to many of their 2010 showings.
Sometimes we seem to forget that, so let's take a quick position-by-position look:
Catcher -- Do we need to go there any more? Let's not, because we'll get all bogged down.
First base – Justin Morneau had an MVP first half of 2010 (.345/.437/.618). Michael Cuddyer (.298/.370/.477) has been very, very good. But the numbers just aren't the same.
Middle infield – The Orlando Hudson and J.J. Hardy combo was clearly better in 2010 than Yoshi, Lexi, Plouffie, Hughsie, Matty and Whomeverelsie has filled in at those positions. The fact that we're celebrating Alexi Casilla's modest offensive numbers and good defense as if he's Robinson Cano is all you need to know.
Third base – Danny Valencia 2010 (.311/.351/.448) outperformed the current model (..242/.290/.389) on offense and defense (6 errors in 223 chances last season; 13 in 244 this season). I'll spare you the drop in ultimate zone rating, but if you want to look, here it is.
Left field – Delmon Young. See Valencia. OPS+ in 2010: 122 OPS+ in 2011: 78 Other stats similarly sad.
Center field – Denard Span didn't play as well in 2010 and he did in '09 or this season before his concussion. But his 2010 numbers are still better than Ben Revere's on offense. On defense, Revere brings more range and a lesser arm. Advantage Span. I'm glad he's back from Rochester. Revere will make a fine fourth outfielder for now.