The Twins were a top-ten offense last year. Why make a ton of changes? 1. Santana, CF or SS True, his .405 BABIP is unsustainable, but we can expect his BB and K rates to improve. Why take him out of the lead-off spot for something that MAY happen? He handled it last year, let him play himself out of it. For whether he plays CF or SS, see #9 below. 2. Dozier, 2B I believe he won’t repeat the 23 HRs from last year, but he’s likely to improve his BABIP, and thusly his BA and OBP. Again, let him play himself out of the #2 spot. 3. Mauer, 1B You could move him up to #2 if Santana or Dozier regresses. But I believe he’ll bounce back in ’15 and be effective at #3. 4, 5, 6, 7. Some combination of Hunter, Plouffe, Vargas, Arcia, and Pinto at DH/LF/RF/3B/C Other than Plouffe at 3B, get ready for some cover-your-eyes defense. Be on the “Lookout” for Sano if he starts out hot in AA. 8. Suzuki, C The addition of Hunter and the maturation of those above will hopefully mean no more at-bats for Kurt in the #2 spot. 9. Escobar, SS or Schafer/platoon partner, CF I would have a hard time taking a reliable SS who hit 35 doubles out of the lineup, especially in the #9 slot. Even if they decide a Schafer/whoever platoon will be more effective in CF than Escobar at SS (with Santana there instead), the bench should still be deeper than last year. Whatever they do, they are only keeping the seat warm until Buxton is ready and Santana permanently slides in here at SS. Bench – Pinto, Nunez, Schafer (see above), RH-hitting outfielder (sign FA Denorfia or trade with OAK for Gentry). When Arcia inevitably gets hurt, a Schafer/RH platoon could take over in LF if Sano, Buxton, Rosario, etc. aren’t ready for their first cups of coffee. Other than the questionable (to be kind) defense in the OF, this is a lineup that should score runs and keep me interested until the kids are finally ready.