Minnesota Twins 2008: Hello! My Name Is . . .

Two years before the Metrodome gives way to a new ballpark in downtown Minneapolis (which will probably be named for a technology company or a financial services firm, much to the disappointment of local sports scribe Patrick Reusse, who's lobbying for General Mills so they could name it "Wheaties Field"), the Minnesota Twins are in the process of putting a team on the field worthy of those halcyon days of 1982 and 1998.

Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Carlos Silva and Lew Ford are all gone, either via trade or free agency. In their place are unknown quantities (in terms of name recognition and level of talent) Carlos Gomez, Brendan Harris, Mike Lamb, Adam Everett and Craig Monroe.

To be sure, the penny-pinching Twins did pick up Delmon Young (best known for allegedly flipping a bat in front of an umpire) from Tampa Bay in the Garza trade, plus erratic free agent pitcher Livan Hernandez. You've heard of them, no doubt?

The biggest question mark has to be Francisco Liriano, who was a phenomenal pitcher during the 2006 season before he blew out his arm and had to have Tommy John surgery, resulting in his spending the 2007 season in recovery. Liriano will start the season in the minors, but will likely never be the same pitcher he was before.

The Twins' remaining stars--Joe Mauer (who will remain injury-prone as long as he's the starting catcher), Justin Morneau (bringing in the crowds from Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. The Canadian dollar is stronger now, eh?) and closer Joe Nathan (who has a new long-term deal, which means the team isn't always allergic to spending money on talent)--should help keep things interesting for awhile. As long as the ship doesn't sink.

And sink it will because, with the American League Central Division having two playoff contenders in Detroit and Clevaland, along with the improving Chicago White Sox and Kansas City, the Twins have a good shot at last place.