Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Lineup Primed To Handle Regression
Last season, Kurt Suzuki and Danny Santana came out of nowhere to pace a Twins lineup that saw itself rank amongst the best in baseball when it came to scoring runs. There’s almost next to no way that either of them produce to the same extent they did in 2014, and the Twins made sure they don’t feel as though they have to. While only Torii Hunter was brought in on the offensive side, his bat is still an asset in any major league lineup. The power numbers should be somewhat dwarfed in the expansive Target Field, but betting Torii can still hit is a good feeling to have. Adding Josmil Pinto and a full year of Kennys Vargas into the Twins lineup isn’t going to hurt power production, and Joe Mauer should be expected to return to the hitter he has always been now more comfortable with his first base role.