What is next for the Twins?

Of the playoff teams, no one seemed to have more holes than the Minnesota Twins. Going into the offseason they needed: a third baseman, a shortstop, a second baseman, and at least one starting pitcher.

So far they have filled two of those needs. They agreed to trade Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Then they brought Carl Pavano back to be a veteran presence in the rotation. They also added Clay Condrey to their bullpen. So that leaves third base and second base as the two unanswered questions.

In recent days, Jarrod Washburn has been linked to the Twins. If this is true, then he would set their rotation in stone and make talented young pitchers like Francisco Liriano, Brian Duensing, Jeff Manship, Glen Perkins, and Anthony Swarzak expendable. So two or three of them could be moved to fill the needs at second and third.

One possible deal would be to move Glen Perkins, who the Twins really have no need for, to the Padres for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Twins have made this offer before so it would have to be enhanced. The Padres could use a middle infielder so I would add in Alexi Casilla, another player who isn't really in the future plans of the team.

Now the Twins also have a problem at second base. The player to fill this position should be able to hit second in the order so Joe Mauer can move into a RBI spot in the third slot. The Twins have some options here. Felipe Lopez, Orlando Hudson, and Orlando Cabrera are free agent possibilities. Although my personal favorite idea is trading for Macier Izturis. He has hit second and played second for the Angels, but he is the odd man out of the Angel infield with Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar, and Howie Kendrick all starting. In order to get him I would trade Matt Guerrier and a mid-tier prospect.

Now here would be the new team.

1 Denard Span CF

2 Macier Izturis 2B

3 Joe Mauer C

4 Justin Morneau 1B

5 Michael Cuddyer RF

6 Jason Kubel DH

7 Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B

8 Delmon Young LF

9 J.J. Hardy SS

Bench

IF Nick Punto

C Jose Morales

OF Jason Pridie

IF Brendan Harris

1 Scott Baker

2 Nick Blackburn

3 Kevin Slowey

4 Carl Pavano

5 Jarrod Washburn

Bullpen

Closer- Joe Nathan

Set-up- Jose Mijares

Set-up- Pat Neshek

MR- Jesse Crain

MR- Jon Rauch

MR- Clay Condrey

Long-man- Francisco Liriano