Team-by-team outlooks

The Twins were chasing the Tigers for most of the 2006 season. After a very slow start offensively (ranked 27th in the majors in runs scored for April), the Twins turned it up. They finished in the top five in the AL in scoring for the second half of the season.

Their rotation has been one of the best in the AL for the past couple of seasons, mostly because of the dominance of Johan Santana, who has easily been the top Fantasy pitcher in recent years. But entering this season, their rotation is in flux, with Brad Radke retired and Francisco Liriano out for the year after elbow surgery. Outside of Santana, the Twins are riddled with questions. Can Boof Bonser repeat his freshman performance? Will Carlos Silva rebound from the worst season of his five-year career? Can Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson put together successful seasons in their return to the AL?

The Twins have an array of young pitching talent that should be ready to step in and help this season -- they'll likely have to. Matt Garza showed flashes during his rookie season and Glen Perkins has a chance to make the team out of camp as well. Scott Baker still holds comparisons to Brad Radke, but he'll need to show more consistency to stick in the rotation. Prospect Kevin Slowey is also waiting in the wings for an opportunity. J.D. Durbin has been a solid prospect, but he's out of options, so he'll need to make the team this spring.

Their bullpen is stellar with closer Joe Nathan ranked among the top three in most Fantasy circles.

The Twins' lineup appears to be pretty set, with AL batting champion Joe Mauer as their headliner. Justin Morneau had the breakthrough season we had anticipated a year earlier. Both will be among the top five picks at their positions in most Fantasy drafts.

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Spring position battles

Fourth and fifth starters -- Matt Garza, Ramon Ortiz, Glen Perkins, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey and J.D. Durbin

With this lineup getting them leads and this bullpen protecting them, even the fourth and fifth starters in this rotation are going to be interesting from a Fantasy perspective. Keep a close eye on this battle through spring training.

Third base -- Nick Punto vs. Jeff Cirillo

This isn't so much a battle as it is Cirillo coming over from Milwaukee to provide a solid bat off the bench. But if Punto struggles at all, Cirillo could step right in without missing a beat.

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Minnesota Twins Outlook
Projected lineup Pos. Projected Rotation
1 Luis Castillo 2B 1 Johan Santana LH
2 Nick Punto 3B 2 Boof Bonser RH
3 Joe Mauer C 3 Carlos Silva RH
4 Michael Cuddyer RF 4 Ramon Ortiz RH
5 Justin Morneau 1B 5 Matt Garza RH
6 Torii Hunter CF Alt Scott Baker RH
7 Rondell White LF
8 Jason Kubel DH Top bullpen arms
9 Jason Bartlett SS CL Joe Nathan RH
Top bench options SU Juan Rincon RH
R Jeff Cirillo 3B RP Jesse Crain RH
R Jason Tyner OF RP Pat Neshek RH
     
Rookies/Prospects Age Pos. 2006 high Destination
1 Matt Garza 23 RH SP Majors Majors
Fast-rising flame-thrower was promising in spots late last year
2 Glen Perkins 24 LH SP Majors Triple-A
A top 15 if he makes rotation this spring (possible, but not likely)
3 Kevin Slowey 22 RH SP Double-A Triple-A
Doesn't have knockout stuff, but you cannot argue with results
4 Pat Neshek 26 RH RP Majors Majors
Great pickup for help in ERA and WHIP as a middle reliever
5 J.D. Durbin 25 RHP Majors Triple-A
Still a solid SP prospect despite third year in Triple-A
Best of the rest: 1B Chris Parmelee, 19; RHP Anthony Swarzak, 21; OF Alexi Casilla, 22; OF Denard Span, 23; LHP Brian Duensing, 24; RHP OSwaldo Sosa, 21.

You can e-mail your Fantasy Baseball questions to dmfantasybaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Twins outlook in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.