2008: An exciting Twins season

An old baseball adage is that one key to success is having very good defenders up the middle.

If that's true, and if the Santana deal goes through (pending physicals and the extended contract) then the Twins have made some strong strides towards that.

They ended 2007 with one of the best - if not the best - catcher in the Major Leagues, defensively, in Joe Mauer.

They vastly improved their defense at Shortsop by signing Adam Everett, formerly of Houston to a deal. Everett is also supposed to be one of the best in the business; he replaces Jason Bartlett, who was capable but not sparkling in his play.

Then there's Center Field. Although CF was capably manned in 2007 by Torii Hunter, who is now with the Angels, there are at least three Twins (assuming the Santana deal goes through) who could potentially fit the bill.

Denard Span was at AAA last year, but did not hit that well. He batted .267 with a .323 on base percentage.

New Twin Carlos Gomez is supposed to be speedy, with an above-average arm, and very good defense. In AAA last year, Gomez batted .275 with a .355 OBP. He also played 58 games with the Mets last year, hitting .232 with a .288 OBP.

My pick, also a new Twin, Jason Pridie, batted .318 with a .375 OBP also in AAA. He's also supposed to be good defensively. (probably not as good as Gomez, but would more than make up for it with his bat). Pridie also has more power than Gomez or Span.

There's also the possibility that Pridie (who bats left) and Gomez (right) could platoon the position. This would be a great choice, with one on the bench, ready to come in late in the game, to either bat or run.

That makes a very good middle defensive team. If the old adage is true, the Twins could have a very exciting season in 2008.