January 10, 2010|By Phil Rogers
"It doesn't really expose you, it just changes your flexibility in certain areas," Mozeliak said. "But it's no different than other years where you've had resources tied up in different positions. This is perhaps 20 percent more dramatic, but it's still something that if you operate under (those) assumptions, you still have 50-plus million to allocate and to complement your club. That's a lot."
Advantage, Twins: The defending AL Central champion Twins haven't done a lot this winter (as usual). But a study of the Win Shares shows the Twins still probably should be favored to win again in 2010.
No team in the Central has five hitters as reliably productive as Joe Mauer,Justin Morneau,Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span and Jason Kubel. Looking at each team's lineup and top eight pitchers (four starters, four relievers), the Twins' collection of key players had 209 Win Shares last season.
That compares with 176 for the White Sox - who are counting on bigger contributions from Jake Peavy and Alex Rios - and only 142 for the Tigers.
The Tigers have lost Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson, Fernando Rodney and Placido Polanco, among others, and project untested rookies Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore in center field and at second base, respectively.
progers@tribune.com
