The Twins have a knack for developing pretty deep lineups 1-9 in terms of how the bottom third of our lineups typically stack up way better than the rest of the league at these spots.  That and a deep productive bench is how we have managed to stay above average on offense for the last few years.  This season, however, there is a potential wrench in this deal.  Our new 1B is in a 2-year slump and could play himself off the roster before the season begins and Julien had an awful sophomore slump season.  Luckily, we do have depth to replace them if we don’t wait too long with Castro or Lee at 2B and Miranda going to 1B and bring up E Rod or Keaschal to start somewhere in the lineup. But if France and either Lee or Julien can be average to above average hitters then the Twins can have an above average offense again. Though not as good because our bench is not as offense oriented as in the recent past. (great defensively though) Back to 1B and 2B, If France can hit .250 with 25 doubles and 10/15 HRs with 60-70 RBI and Julien swings at more pitches and hits better with 15-20 HRs 10-15 Stolen bases and .340 OBP with 60-70 RBI our offense continues to hum along.  Lee could sub for Julien and hit .270 with 25 doubles and 10-15 HRs and 60-70 RBI and again we are good.  Last season the Twins were 4^th in the league in runs scored despite their top RBI guy only getting 71 RBIs.  That is a testament to how effective a deep offense can be during the season. To include the other solid hitters we have include Jeffers, Miranda, Castro, Larnarch, and the elite Correa, Buxton, Wallner, and Lewis.  that is 8 solid hitters with Emmanual Rodriguez and Luke Keaschal not far away from coming up wither. That is a pretty deep collection of solid production.  

Here is the other part of the coin for the Twins.  Elite offense and Health.  The Twins have several elite offensive players: Correa, Buxton, Lewis and Wallner who could all drive-in 90+ runs for the year and raise the level of our offense to a new level.  But none of these 4 guys have played and received 500 ABs in a season the last few years.  Only Correa did that and he is not consistent with that either. IF these 4 guys can stay healthy and productive that would be a boon for the Twins.

The best of both worlds.  If France and either Lee or Julien work out and Correa, Buxton, Lewis, and Wallner play in all of the games they should.  We could have a top 3 offense in the league.  But that has been the case for the last 2 or 3 years.  The past says it won’t happen but hope springs eternal in spring.  I would like to believe that for one we can have at least 3 of our elite offensive players be elite the entire season and France and whoever is at 2^nd be adequate to give us that offensive edge.  This would be the year to do it with how stacked our pitched and pitching depth is going into this year.