Ladies and Gentlemen, the Charlotte Twins

Spring is supposed to bring renewal of the spirit after the dark and cold of a Minnesota winter. This year the spirit could only be darkened by other reasons. And for baseball fans spring means spring training when all fans are supposed to optimistically believe that this is THE year for their team.

I've been a Twins fan since 1973. Doesn't matter how good or bad they are, I'll follow them to the edge of the earth. That said I must admit this year is perhaps the bleakest year ever in my following of the team. It's hard to get excited about a season where it's possible we'll find out it is the last season here in Minnesota and the strength of the team is its utility infielders and bullpen setup pitchers. How did we reach this point? From 1987 to 1994 we topped the New York Yankees in attendance. Two world championships during that time is nothing to sneeze at. We've had the pleasure of watching three sure Hall of Famers (Kirby Puckett, Dave Winfield, and Paul Molitor).

Extraneous circumstances aside what makes this season seem so bleak is the potential of the team that's being fielded. The past few seasons an effort has been made to concede to the disadvantages of small market baseball by compensating in developing young talent. Granted the Twins' recent ability to judge young talent is suspect at best, but it seemed like the best path forward. So the sudden switch in philosophy this past winter in adding very veteran players like Otis Nixon, Mike Morgan and Orlando Merced smacks a bit of desperation.

Position by position this team certainly is no better than last year's version which managed to lose 94 games.

CATCHER: Terry Steinbach is coming off an off year yet to expect much more out of him seems a bit naive seeing he is a 36 year old catcher who while being a solid player has never exactly been in the upper echelon of his peers. His backup should be the catcher of the future, Javier Valentin but will in all likelihood be either a catcher the organization let go in an expansion draft only to reacquire him (Jayhawk Owens) or the injury prone former California Angel Chris Turner (all offense no defense- the second coming of Matt Merullo).

FIRST BASE: This position demonstrates what is clearly wrong with the Twins' current rebuilding strategy. The position will probably be given to Orlando Merced (does anyone else smell a repeat of the glorious Jerald Clark/Kevin Mass era?). In the very least you have to give a still young prospect Scott Stahoviak a chance to prove last year's injury riddled season isn't the norm. But why not go with young David Ortiz who probably has the most power potential in the entire organization? What do you have to lose in trying a player that may become great over a journeyman who at the very most will merely prove to be adequate?

SECOND BASE: The trade of Chuck Knoblauch no doubt weakens the team. You can't lose the best leadoff hitter in the league and not feel that loss. Still this opens the opportunity for Todd Walker to step forward and prove he isn't the latest Willie Banks or David McCarty.

SHORTSTOP: The one unquestionably strong position on the team. Pat Meares may not be flashy but his consistent play is vastly underrated.

THIRD BASE: Ron Coomer is the team's best overall hitter and surprisingly good at defense too. But what about Corie Koskie?

OUTFIELD: The key to the entire season lies on the feet of Marty Cordova. If he proves last season was an aberration then the team will have a potent bat in the middle of the lineup. Nixon in center is a better option than Rich Becker who watched more called strikes last season than anyone in the history of the game. Alex Ochoa and Matt Lawton are examples of what the team should be doing in other areas- giving young players the opportunity to establish themselves.

UTILITY PLAYERS: We have two of the best in Denny Hocking and Brent Gates. If nothing else they give Manager Kelly plenty of versatility and options.

STARTING PITCHING: Again the best way forward seems to be to let the young guys prove themselves at the major league level. The projected starting staff would be: Brad Radke, Bob Tewksbury, Mike Morgan, Latroy Hawkins, and Eric Milton. It isn't as bad as it seems. We're not talking Darrell Jackson, Eddie Bane, Frank Eufemia, Jack O'Connor, here.

RELIEF PITCHING: Absolutely the biggest advantage manager Kelly has at his disposal. Rick Aguilera is still a better than average stopper and the trio of Greg Swindell, Mike Trombley and Eddie Guardado is very good. Unfortunately they'll be called on far too often in blowout situations.