Worst Case Scenario May Be A Silver Lining For Twins In 2015

Sep 23, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Trevor Plouffe (24) hits a single in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Target Field. The Minnesota Twins win 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Infield

Around the diamond, the Twins will look very similar to 2014. Kurt Suzuki should be behind the plate with Trevor Plouffe, Danny Santana, Brian Dozier, and Joe Mauer filling things out from left to right. That in and of itself is a solid core. Boasting three All-Star caliber players, a third basemen who elevated his level in 2014, and an up and coming shortstop, the Twins are in a good place.

What’s better is what talent is behind them. Eduardo Escobar can handle playing short behind Santana, and provides a solid defensive upgrade as well. While Eduardo Nunez isn’t an ideal player for the Twins, he provides positional flexibility and can get the job done. Plouffe is coming back into the fold off of offseason surgery, and his insurance policy is none other than Miguel Sano.

Whether Sano finds his way into the lineup through the DH spot knocking out Kennys Vargas, or is called upon to replace Plouffe, the Twins have to be excited about that option. Should Suzuki find himself struggling at the plate, the Twins will have Josmil Pinto as the option to replace him in the lineup. That immediately spares players like Drew Butera or Eric Fryer from being slotted into a Twins lineup.

At each position in the infield, the Twins have solid starters heading into 2015. They have a Gold Glove candidate at second base, and multiple potential All-Stars. If things break the wrong direction, they could actually improve through their depth.