Target Field

Playing baseball outside in April in Minnesota will be becoming a reality this season. Target Field is set to open on April 12^th as the Twins take on the Boston Red Sox (though they do play two exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 2^nd & 3^rd). It will be interesting to see how the Twins (and their fans) react to regularly playing in 20-40 degree temperatures early in the season and late in the year (and playoff time). The Metrodome was considered the greatest home-field advantage in all of baseball due to the white roof and how loud it would get inside. Plus, the mid-market Twins built their team around the turf (pitching and defense). It will be interesting to see if the current team will succeed at Target Field and if Target Field will play out as a pitcher’s or hitter’s park.

The Twins have made a few moves this offseason. First, veteran pitcher Carl Pavano accepted arbitration and re-signed. Then they traded speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for starting shortstop JJ Hardy. Now they added second baseman Orlando Hudson. Hudson was a lat free agent signing last year too. In 2009, Hudson won a Gold Glove despite the fact that he lost his starting job to Ronnie Belliard with the LA Dodgers. The O-Dog struggled mightily in the second half at the plate (he hit just .222 in June, .264 in July, and .237 in September and October). Rumors had him signing with the Washington Nationals (who instead signed Adam Kennedy) but the Twins offered him more money.

The O-Dog with the Diamondbacks

The Twins infield seems solid if Hardy can rebound from a disastrous 2009 (.229 in 115 games with just 11 homeruns and 47 RBIs) and Justin Morneau is healthy after back surgery (which the cold weather will not help). Third base is an open tryout with most believing it will go to either Nick Punto or Brendan Harris. However prospect Danny Valencia could slip in and steal the spot, especially after his showing in winter ball and the Caribbean Series. “I’m going to Spring Training to be seen and not heard,” Valencia said. “I just want to play hard and play the game right. They are not going to hand me a job anywhere, so every day is a grind and I’m ready for the challenge.”

The Twins also just added outfielder Jacque Jones to a minor league deal and he could add depth to an outfield that lost Gomez and consists of just Delmon Young, Denard Span, and Michael Cuddyer. They also added veteran DH Jim Thome, who should add veteran leadership and receive some at-bats. I am not sure how much playing time Thome will receive due to Jason Kubel being the full-time DH and needing to give stars Morneau and catcher Joe Mauer days off from the field.

The Twins also added to their bullpen with the signing of former Philadelphia Phillie right-hander Clay Condrey. Condrey pitched very well for the Phillies the last two seasons. He will provide a versatile reliever to the Twins bullpen. The Twins are hoping all of these additions will help them repeat as the American League Central champion and make it to the World Series in 2010.