2015 AL Central Preview: Minnesota Twins

2015 projected lineup

Mar 24, 2015; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Torii Hunter (48) signs autographs prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

SS Danny Santana
2B Brian Dozier
1B Joe Mauer
DH Kennys Vargas
RF Torii Hunter
LF Oswaldo Arcia
3B Trevor Plouffe
C Kurt Suzuki
CF Jordan Schafer

It is surprising to see this team do so well offensively 2014 despite almost no production from their franchise player, Joe Mauer.

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Just four years into the eight-year, $184 million deal he signed in 2010, Mauer’s power (four home runs in 2014) appears to be just about gone. His slash line of .277/.361/.371 was the worst of his career. While Mauer lacked the power his team needed, a few young players stepped up and delivered.

Brian Dozier was one of five players to have a 20/20 season and finished third or better in both walks and runs scored among AL players.

You could make the case that he was the most productive second baseman in the AL. Danny Santana, Kennys Vargas and Oswaldo Arcia all had impressive rookie seasons slugging the baseball.

Where they could have been better however was on defense. This offseason, the Twins reunited with Hunter which gives them more help at the plate but at this stage in his career, doesn’t give much support in the outfield. He joins Trevor Plouffe and Kurt Suzuki as the steady veterans to balance the young talent.

Next: Twins: Starting Rotation