2010 Predictions

Twins-Specific Predictions
- Twins MVP: St. Joe Mauer. Duh. No-brainer!
- Twins Top Pitcher: “The Franchise”, Francisco Liriano
- Twins Best Rookie: Danny Valencia
- Twins Most Improved Player: Delmon Young

Bold Predictions
· Perkins will never pitch for the Twins again. (OK, that’s not a bold prediction…)
· Twins will trade for a closer before June 1st. Thinking Jason Frasor of Toronto.
· Twins will trade for a starting pitcher before the trading deadline. Ben Sheets or Rich Harden come to mind.
· 3 Twins rookies will see their first MLB regular-season action before the September call-ups: Butera (duh), Valencia, and Revere.
· Francisco Liriano will be a Cy Young candidate.
· Delmon Young will (finally) justify the Garza/Bartlett trade by hitting .310 with 20 HRs and 15 SBs. He’ll even be owned in most fantasy leagues!
· St. Joe won’t win the batting title again, disappointing us with only a .330 mark, 25 HRs and 105 RBIs. Still garners lots of post-season awards.
· Twins fans everywhere will be thrilled we re-signed Pavano for $7m.
· Kyle Gibson, Billy Bullock, and Ben Tootle will have us believing our 2009 draft was one of our best ever.

A.L. Central Prediction (Standings):
(1) Twins 88-74
(2) White Sox 84-78
(3) Tigers 83-79
(4) Indians 74-88
(5) Royals 63-99

Three Keys to Success for the Twins:
(1) Closer. Losing Nathan could be worth five more losses if no one steps up.
(2) Outfield defense. Doesn’t have to be great, but needs to be at least average.
(3) Health. M&M boys, pitching staff need to stay healthy.

Rest of the League Predictions
- A.L. MVP: St. Joe Mauer.
- N.L. MVP: Albert Pujols (just rename it the Pujols Award already)
- A.L. Cy Young: King Felix Hernandez
- N.L. Cy Young: Roy Halladay
- A.L. Rookie of the Year: Brian Matusz
- N.L. Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward
- A.L. Breakout Player of the Year: Howie Kendrick
- N.L. Breakout Player of the Year: Clayton Kershaw
- A.L. Comeback Player of the Year: Francisco Liriano
- N.L. Comeback Player of the Year: Carlos Beltran
- A.L. Playoff Predictions: Twins over Yankees. Rays over Angels.
- N.L. Playoff Predictions: Phillies over Rockies. Dodgers over Cardinals.
- World Series Prediction: Rays over Phillies