What's Next?

MINNEAPOLIS - What will the 2005 Twins look like? Will Brad Radke be toeing the rubber behind Johan Santana? Will Koskie be at third? Jones in right? The double play duo of Rivas and Guzman?

The Twins payroll will remain at $54 million, and with 9 arbitration eligible players, someone will have to go. It is a matter of who.

Terry Tiffee showed that he can play third base and hit when he got the chance late in the season when Koskie was out with that ankle problem. But Koskie also showed he can hit when he is healthy, something he wasnt much of this past season. Can the Twins gamble with Koskie being healthy? Or do they want to gable with going with a rookie?

Rivas made $1.5 million this past season and is up for arbitration. Cuddyer took over for him and showed he can play second, and hit! Cuddyer has a lot of value to the Twins since is starting to fit into the utility roll. Even though his play at third hasn't been gold glove type of play, he can play third, along with the outfield in a cram.

Guzman has an option for $5.25 million for 2005. Guzman showed more range and was a leader for a while this season. Did he step it up because it is a contract year? Or will we continue to see what we saw this year?

Radke has to be a high priority, without pitching the rest doesn't matter nearly as much. Radke made $10.5 million this past season, part of a contract that was made in 1995. It has been said Radke will take less to stay with the Twins.

If the price is right, I think the Twins need to keep Radke, and Guzman for sure. If they are able, Koskie would be nice, but I wouldn't go out of the way to try and keep him. The Twins have Ford and Kubel that could take over for Jones.

It would be nice to keep all of the current team, but the budget doesnt allow that to happen. The goal than has to be to try and keep as many as possible that give the team the best chance to win.