Twins' position-by-position breakdown

March 30, 2011 at 6:53AM
Twins righthander Carl Pavano
Veteran righthander Carl Pavano returns after signing a two-year contract as a free agent to remain with the Twins. (Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

THE LINEUP

1. DENARD SPAN, CF

2010: .264 BA, 3 HR, 58 RBI, 26 SB

His 26 steals in '10 were a career high. So were the seven pickoffs.

2. TSUYOSHI NISHIOKA, 2B

2010: .346 BA, 11 HR, 59 RBI (in Japan)

Had 12-game hitting streak during spring.

3. JOE MAUER, C

2010: .327 BA, 9 HR, 75 RBI

Left knee is healthier. Will it lead to more than nine homers?

4. JUSTIN MORNEAU, 1B

2010: .345 BA, 18 HR, 56 RBI

Can he regain form after concussion ruined 2010 season?

5. DELMON YOUNG, LF

2010: .298 BA, 21 HR, 112 RBI

Has added muscle and looks to build off 21-homer season last year.

6. JASON KUBEL, DH

2010: .249 BA, 21 HR, 92 RBI

Vows not to let Target Field lead to bad habits.

7. MICHAEL CUDDYER, RF

2010: .271 BA, 14 HR, 81 RBI

Hit 18 fewer homers in 2010 than '09. But subbed well for Morneau at 1B.

8. DANNY VALENCIA, 3B

2010: .311 BA, 7 HR, 40 RBI

Back after encouraging rookie season anchoring the corner.

9. ALEXI CASILLA, SS

2010: .276 BA, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB

Defense is the key. Any offense is a plus.

THE ROTATION

CARL PAVANO, RHP

2010: 17-11, 3.75 ERA

One of three in MLB with 200 IP, 15 victories and five complete games in '10.

FRANCISCO LIRIANO, LHP

2010: 14-10, 3.62 ERA

Seven of the nine HRs off him came in his last eight starts.

NICK BLACKBURN, RHP

2010: 10-12, 5.42 ERA

Had he won his last start, he would have finished 11-11 for the third year in a row.

BRIAN DUENSING, LHP

2010: 10-3, 2.62 ERA

He's 12-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 22 career starts; proved value, versatility last year.

SCOTT BAKER, RHP

2010: 12-9, 4.49 ERA

Last year's Opening Day starter, he is 38-22 over the past three seasons.

THE BULLPEN

JOSE MIJARES, LHP

2010: 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 0 saves Has held lefthanded hitters to a .561 OPS in career.

KEVIN SLOWEY, RHP

2010: 13-6, 4.45 ERA, 0 saves

Displaced starter tries to find new role as a reliever.

Matt Capps, RHP

2010: 5-3, 3.47 ERA, 42 saves (Twins/Washington)

Held opponents to .247 batting average after joining the Twins in a midseason trade.

JOE NATHAN, RHP

2010: Did not pitch after right elbow surgery

He's healthy, but does he have his old form back?

about the writer

about the writer

La Velle E. Neal III

Columnist

La Velle E. Neal III is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who previously covered the Twins for more than 20 years.

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