Because there’s never a slow time in sports, loyal readers of Des Moines Sports Freaks will be treated to a double header of sorts in the upcoming days.  Because the snow is nearly almost gone, and I can’t stand being without baseball for any longer, we’re launching our Major League Baseball Preview.  Joe wanted to wait, but as Chief Editor in Charge of Life, I overruled him.  Along with our regular posts, we will be featuring a regional Major League Baseball team.  Contrary to popular belief…at least it’s popular in my head, we don’t always know everything about everything.  Therefore, we will be having guest bloggers write about their teams that they know and love the most.  First up, the Minnesota Twins.  You can hear the Twins games locally on 1700 the Champ this spring.  I asked Jeremy Johnson to write this post.  Jeremy, who grew up in Fargo where they only have snow and the Twins, had to choke back tears on the day of this writing.  The day he wrote this, was the day that the Twins lost Joe Nathan for the year.  If you look closely, his dried tear drops show up through the monitor.

PS, I thought about unfriending Jeremy on Facebook for his comments about the Cubs…until I realized he was mostly right.

Yes, I am bitter. Yes, I am a little upset with the recent development of Twins closer Joe Nathan’s torn elbow ligament. So, as a sweet salve on my wounds I will do what I do best, tear other people down to make myself feel better. In order to do that, I am titling my Minnesota Twins preview in honor of the Chicago Cubs – the beloved team of Des Moines Sports Freaks…

19.08 keys to the 2010 Minnesota Twins season (in honor of the last year the Cubs won the World Series – 1908)

1. Joe Mauer’s contract. Hopefully by the time you get done reading this Mauer will be under a new contract. Mauer is the ‘Golden Boy’ of Minnesota. We need Mauer but Mauer also needs us. The security of a long term contract would ease a lot of pressure and would allow Twins nation to enjoy this promising season.

2. Target Field. After more than 20 years playing in a subpar baseball stadium the Twins will be opening Target Field this year. Not only will Target Field be a huge ascetic step up for the Twins but also will generate a heck of a lot more revenue than the personality void Metrodome.

3. Reliable Closer. I don’t even want to write this. In fact, I am nauseous even mentioning it. However, it looks like Joe Nathan might be lost for the season with a torn ligament in his elbow. Nathan has been a premier closer in this league for a while and will be greatly missed.  Finding a reliable closer will be paramount for the Twins.  Looks like it might be Jon Rauch.

4. Mauer’s health. Yeah, I already mentioned him but Mauer’s health is always a concern for the Twins. He plays a physically demanding position and he doesn’t have the prototypical catcher’s body.  How Mauer’s health fairs will have a direct effect on our postseason success.

5. Justin Morneau’s return. Morneau, the Twins’ other recent MVP, missed the end of last season with a bum back. We need a healthy Morneau. He is a huge bat in the clean-up position.

6. The Twins vs the AL East. Can the Twins finally start beating the Yankees and Red Sox?  The Twins HAVE  to find a swagger against upper echelon teams. They have the players to do it now they just have to grow a pair, put their big boy pants on and play with the big boys.

7. Delmon Young’s (left field) continued development. He is young (pun intended) and has had some serious growing pains. However, he ended last year showing some fire that had been seriously lacking. This guy could be a stud. Hopefully a more secure spot in the lineup will allow him to flourish.

8. Michael Cuddyer steps up. Cuddyer (right field) is a fan favorite. He does need to be more consistent. Hopefully with a bolstered lineup he will be the on-field leader to match his clubhouse leadership.

9. Can new addition JJ Hardy rebound? New shortstop Hardy could be a huge addition to a team that has sucked at shortstop for a while. Can he rebound from a poor season and regain his form?

10. Orlando Hudson 2B. With the loss of a huge personality in Carlos Gomez, the Twins need Hudson to be that guy. He is another step up for the Twins. The last few years have been a train wreck up the middle for the Twins and now with H² up the middle – Hardy and Hudson – there is hope.

11. Who in the world will play 3^rd? There is a battle for the 3^rd base job between Nick Punto and Brendan Harris. Since 2004 the Twins have had a revolving door at 3^rd. Every decision they have made has ended in disaster. Last year Joe Crede was a disappointment. Now, they have a huge decision: Do they go with the glove heavy but offensively inept Punto or the more offensively consistent Harris.  Both choices leave a lot to be desired.  My opinion? Punto sucks bad. Everyone in MN loves this guy because he is ‘gritty’. However, his ‘grittiness’ is mostly just stupidity. Punto is the king of the slide into 1^st to beat out a close play. People cheer, but it has BEEN PROVEN that this slows you down.  I am so sick of Gardenhire’s love affair with ‘Nicky’ Punto. Ok, you hear my bias on this one. NOT A PUNTO FAN.

12. Jim Thome. Hopefully this will strike fear in opposing coaches and will affect late game pitching decisions. Also, Thome is a good guy with a lot of great experience who has killed the Twins his entire career.

13. Unlucky 13 – Liriano. Francisco Liriano looked great in winter ball. Could he return to the dominance he once had? If so, watch out. His return to his former stuff could vault this into a top tier rotation.

14. Starting rotation. Last year they were largely disappointing. Once tabbed as a young and inexperienced staff, they are now older and more experienced. Look for Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, Liriano, and Carl Pavano to have a great year.

15. Middle relief. A strong starting rotation has pushed some quality arms to the bullpen. Inconsistency in the past needs to be corrected.  Pat Neshek is coming of arm surgery and is a wild card but could be the setup man with Matt Guerrier.

16. CF – Denard Span.  Span is a stud both offensively and defensively.

17. DH Jason Kubel. While in the minors with Morneau, scouts rated Kubel as having a better swing than Morneau. Injuries have slowed him down but Kubel seems poised to continue to develop. A 20+ homerun season is a must for our success.

18. Payroll is up by 1/3. Will the increased payroll affect the clubhouse? The Twins have thrived on their clubhouse unity. The increased payroll could possibly bring increased egos.

19. Expectations. Huge things are expected this year. Can they deal with the pressure?

.08. We are not the Cubs so there is hope. (I am listening to Minnesota Sports talk as I write this and it is all about Joe Nathan – I need to tear down other people’s dreams)