A couple of my all-time favorite Twins players who just missed the cut!
LINEUP: Welcome to the most powerful lineup of the All Decade squads! I'll be honest, I took a big liberty here by making Nelson Cruz a corner outfielder with -2 fielding... but I think it's fair. The Twins only had five players worth 500 points or more the entire decade and, unfortunately, all five of them were playing for three spots. Since it was unprecedented in this experiment to keep out 40% of a team's superstars, I moved Nellie to the OF with a severe/fair (I think) defensive penalty.Now to the actual lineup, which I believe is the BEST one in the All Decade squads (yes, even over Boston and the Yankees)! The biggest weakness is lack of speed, so the leadoff man is speed B Jorge Polanco. However, Jorge's bringing A LOT of extra base hits to the leadoff spot, which should put him in a good position for the BANGERS coming behind him. In the prime #2 spot is MVP Joe Mauer, who's still probably the best catcher card of the decade! As an OB 11, on at 3, with plenty of pop thanks to how many charts he'll get, Mauer is going to be putting up numbers. He's supported by TWO 50 HR power-level hitters in Nelson Cruz and Mitch Garver.... aka the card with the best new claim to the top catcher spot. He'll be DHing for this team thanks to his subpar arm (which, consequently, should make him a draft steal). In the fifth spot is 40 HR power-level Jim Thome (another of my favorite Twins)..... and then 50 HR power Miguel Sano brings a POWERFUL OB 8 card to the six spot. Yeesh, a 50 HR guy hitting sixth! But they're not done!! Rounding it out is Josh Willingham (OB 9, HR at 17), Kepler (OB 8, HR at 16), and Dozier (OB 8, HR at 16). Seriously, there's no space in this lineup for a pitcher to slip up without being at severe risk of surrendering a HR blast..... honestly, three or four charts could lead to 6 or 7 runs for this power lineup! It's going to be fun seeing them go up against the Indians and Tigers rotation, as well as the Royals epic bullpen!
ROTATION: Move over San Diego, we've got a new contender for worst rotation. Despite an absolute MONSTER lineup, the Twins couldn't quite get the aces to go along with it. Phil Hughes and Ervin Santana lead the way with unspectacular yet servicable Tier 3, Control 4 cards. Then comes a risky Control 3, Tier 3 card in Kyle Gibson... but if he's rolling well, the Twins will be in okay shape. Definitely going to be up and down for them though. Finally.... the first Tier 4 starter on an All Decade team. Jose Berrios is a Control 4, on at 16 pitcher -- but no doubles, right?? We've seen those guys do amazing things (looking at you, Matt!).
BULLPEN: The Twins sadly *just missed* the super dominate Joe Nathan cards from 2006 thru 2008, but he's still leading this bullpen with a strong closer card. Following Nathan is a collection of Tier 2 guys, giving the Twins plenty of dependable, strong arms. Unfortunately, the lack of Control 6 guys really hampers their ability to push guys multiple innings, but I think there's enough here to come into the game in the fourth inning and finish it out from time to time... They needed this depth to support their "woeful" rotation, and I think it's enough to get the job done!
- Dodgers 8010 points
- Yankees 7920 points
- Red Sox 7770 points
- Nationals 7670 points
- Astros 7420 points
- Reds 7220 points
- Phillies 7200 points
- Blue Jays 7140 points
- Rockies 7090 points
- Rangers 7070 points
- Rays 7060 points
- Cubs 7000 points
- Twins 6910 points
- Indians 6880 points
- (T14) Mariners 6880 points
- Orioles 6830 points
- Giants 6800 points
- Braves 6790 points
- Marlins 6750 points
- Tigers 6710 points
- (T20) Cardinals 6710 points
- Athletics 6670 points
- Royals 6570 points
- Padres 6510 points
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