Well, it's almost that time of year again! Pitchers and catchers report in a week and my excitement for 2009 Twins baseball is almost at it's peak. The Twins are looking like the same team as last year (minus a few unproductive players) which has lead many of us to wonder how we expect to improve and win the division. Clearly the Twins are going to need to stay healthy and get some help from their minor league affiliates like they did last year with Span, Casilla, and Buscher. The return of a healthy Cuddyer should give them another reliable bat from the right, but what areas might we see guys step up and give us an unexpected boost?

Our biggest hole is in the bullpen where we are short on experienced arms. It's Nathan closing out, and basically two proven middle relief pitchers in Guerrier and Crain both of whom got worn down by the lack of depth last year. Jose Mijares should become a force as a left handed speciallist and could become the primary setup guy this year if he shows more of what he did in his brief stint with the club in 2008. I would also look at guys like Bobby Korecky and Rob Delaney from AAA and AA respectively to surprise us. Boof Bonser improved in a relief role the second half of last season, and could fit nicely into the bullpen as someone the Twins can rely on this year.

The other big question mark is basically the whole left side of the infield. Punto was signed back to be the everyday SS, but may not be the answer. Buscher and Harris will be counted on to platoon at 3B, but the Twins would really prefer to have an everyday 3B with solid defensive ability and some pop from the right side of the plate. If he cleans up his defense Matt Tolbert could suplant Punto at SS, and Alejandro Machado (AAA-Rochester) already has the defense and could be the guy if he gets hot at the plate. There are a few good 3B prospects, but the Twins insist that neither Daniel Valencia or Luke Hughes are ready for the big show. Both players have also shown to be liabilities on defense. There is still a possibility that the club may try to sign Joe Crede. They are tracking his progress, but my feeling is that they don't want to take the risk.

Which Twins prospects might surpise us in 2009? I can't wait to find out!