The above title may not be an overstatement. We have watched a front office go from settling for free agents that had glaring imperfections to one that is putting nearly a $100 million payroll on the field for the 2010 season. I was born in 1973, began following the Minnesota Twins in 1984 and this is the best Twins team I have seen going into the season. Of course there was the championship teams of 1987 and 1991, but going into spring training expectations were tempered for those clubs. The 2010 version of the Minnesota Twins looks like a team that should capture the division, win a playoff series and maybe even do more. Expectations are high and they should be. When a batting order of Span, Hudson, Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Cuddyer, Young, Hardy and Punto are ready to go most nights along with having Jim Thome able to pinch hit or start when needed you are looking at a team that should win 4 to 5 games a week. The rotation isn't top heavy with talent, but full of pitchers who will win 12-15 games and Liriano is lurking, teasing fans with reports of a return of his 2006 form. So it's easy to see why optimism is so high for fans and players of the team. As long as the injury bug stays away and multiple players don't choose to have down years the Minnesota Twins will win 93-95 games and hit 190-210 home runs. In addition, they will win the division, win the ALDS in five games and represent the American League in the World Series. Will they win the World Series? Luck needs to be on one's side for that to happen and luck is unpredictable. Let's just say the Minnesota Twins will go to the World Series and open Target Field in style with the best team they've put together since I've followed the team. Nothing more can be expected at this point.
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