Projected batting order Jacque Jones, LF Cristian Guzman, SS Torii Hunter, CF Corey Koskie, 3B Matthew LeCroy, DH Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B Mike Cuddyer, RF A.J. Pierzynski, C Luis Rivas, 2B Rotation Brad Radke, RHP Joe Mays, RHP Kenny Rogers, LHP Rick Reed, RHP Kyle Lohse, RHP Bench Chris Gomez, SS Denny Hocking, 2B Bobby Kielty, OF Dustan Mohr, OF Tom Prince, C Bullpen Eddie Guardado, LHP (CL) J.C. Romero, LHP LaTroy Hawkins, RHP Johan Santana, LHP Tony Fiore, RHP Mike Fetters, RHP Complete Twins roster  ESPN's Take Q: What are the keys for the Twins to defend their AL Central crown? The left-handers in the Minnesota bullpen need to pitch like they did last year. Johan Santana, JC Romero and Eddie Guardado really set the Twins apart when it comes to matchups late in the game, and will have to continue to be effective. Minnesota's defense, one of the best in baseball, also needs to be as good as it was in 2002. That will help a guy like Kenny Rogers, a ground-ball pitcher who relies on his defense. He is a big acquisition for this pitching staff and one that could pay huge dividends for Minnesota. -- Tom Candiotti Is Corey Koskie the guy who flirted with 30-30, or last year's disappointment who struggled with injuries and a lack of power? Koskie is still on the upside of his career, and while the power and average should be back to 2001 standards, be wary of far fewer steals. Please, please let Johan Santana start games, instead of throwing in middle relief. That's what fantasy owners are pleading for, after many drafted Santana high this year thinking he would win 15 and strike out 200. With the Kenny Rogers signing, it might not happen, but draft Santana anyway. He's got a future. -- Eric Karabell Todd Sears, 1B At age 28, Sears is a little too old to qualify as a prospect on the rise. But the Twins can't ignore his bat. He's a career .298 hitter in the minors who drove in 100 runs last year at Triple-A Edmonton and was one of the team's most productive hitters in spring training.

Manager: Ron Gardenhire  Home: Metrodome (48,678)  '02 record: 94-67  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski Refreshingly candid, Pierzynski has a way of getting under the skin of teammates. He hit .270 against left-handers last season and .300 overall. He's an easy target for baserunners and isn't likely to land a long-term contract with 2001 first-round pick Joe Mauer climbing rapidly toward the big leagues. First Base: Doug Mientkiewicz No one more epitomizes the Twins' willingness to sacrifice hitting for all-around play than Mientkiewicz, who has never driven in 75 runs in the big leagues. He worked hard in the offseason but hit his way into a funk in spring training. He could have trouble keeping his job if he doesn't start quickly. Todd Sears is an immediate option with long-term answer Justin Morneau only one year away. Second Base: Luis Rivas A broken wrist was blamed for an off year in 2002m but the fact is Rivas has much to prove. He's well suited to play second on the turf at the Metrodome but needs to take more walks and steal more bases (he dropped from 31 in 2001 to nine in '02) to be able to become a valued member of the lineup. Third Base: Corey Koskie A favorite of manager Ron Gardenhire's who played through a variety of injuries last year, Koskie has seen his career decline in 2001 and '02. He needs to turn it around fast as he turns 30 in June. A big season from him at the plate -- say 28 homers, 95 RBIs -- would be a big lift for a lineup that needs one. Shortstop: Cristian Guzman For whatever reason, Guzman hasn't been the same since hurting his shoulder midway through 2001. He flashes electrifying skills but is maddeningly inconsistent. He's way too good of a hitter to have a .292 on-base percentage, but that's what it was in '02. Left Field: Jacque Jones Drove in 81 runs from the leadoff spot last season, which was a key for the Twins' title season. He's a good athlete and a major plus for Minnesota pitchers, who have the benefit of having two center fielders on the field. It was a crime he was left off the All-Star team last season. Center Field: Torii Hunter Star players rarely are this down to earth. His people skills pay huge dividends in the clubhouse, and there are few questions about his game. He could improve by a 4-1 ratio of strikeouts to walks, but the Twins will take a repeat of his 29-homer, 94-RBI performance. Right Field: Michael Cuddyer A first-round pick in 1997, the versatile Cuddyer should be ready to add another solid bat to the lineup. But he didn't inspire confidence with his showing in spring training. He could wind up sharing the spot with Dustan Mohr. Designated hitter: Matthew LeCroy LeCroy's a hard-nosed player with major power potential but has hit only .240 in 134 major-league games. He's under the gun as he replaces David Ortiz, who was released after finishing third on the team in RBIs. No. 1 Starter: Brad Radke Twice on the disabled list with a groin injury in 2002, Radke is poised to resume his role as the Twins' resident workhorse. He turned in at least 216 innings a year from 1996 through '01. Opponents hit .365 with runners in scoring position against him last season. No. 2 Starter: Joe Mays Throughout his career, Mays has been more of a scout's guy than a proven pitcher, as his 34-47 record illustrates. He earned a fat contract after a 17-win season in 2001 but was sidelined by an elbow injury for half of 2002. He threw fairly well in spring training and could re-establish himself. No. 3 Starter: Kenny Rogers On his own schedule for the first month of spring training, Rogers is racing to get ready. He was signed to replace Eric Milton, who will be out at least until July following knee surgery. Rogers is a skilled pitcher who wins with a mid-80s fastball. He's pitched well in the Metrodome but could suffer from a steady diet of it. His Gold Glove fielding makes him a perfect fit for the Twins. No. 4 Starter: Rick Reed Don't underestimate this guy's mental toughness. Reed wins with marginal stuff and has succeeded in the Metrodome (8-4, 3.90 last year), which wouldn't seem to be a good home for him. Keep an eye on Reed's innings pitched. If he reaches 195, he'll vest for an $8 million option for 2004, complicating a tight payroll. No. 5 Starter: Kyle Lohse Terry Ryan made a great trade when he got Lohse from the Cubs for Rick Aguilera. He didn't get a playoff start after a 13-win rookie season but is poised to take a bigger role this time around. He allowed left-handed hitters to bat 95 points higher than right-handed hitters last season. Bullpen: J.C. Romero, LaTroy Hawkins, Johan Santana, Tony Fiore, Mike Fetters With the exception of the newly arriving Fetters, this group of relievers was largely responsible for the Twins' 29-16 record in one-run games last season. The biggest surprise of the group was Fiore, whose slow-moving palmball is one of the most amazing pitches in the majors. Santana will move into the rotation if a need arises. Closer: Eddie Guardado Including the playoffs, Guardado was 47 for 53 in save situations last year. That's ridiculously good. But he walks a fine line without an overpowering fastball. He was disappointed not to get a contract extension and could file for free agency after the season.

-- Phil Rogers, ESPN.com

Record: 94-67 | Finish: 1st in AL Central (lost in ALCS to Anaheim) | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (AL rank) Defense (AL rank) 768 runs (9th) Home: 396 runs (9th) Road: 372 (8th) 712 runs allowed (6th) Home: 336 (4th) Road: 376 (6th) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: A.J. Pierzynski, .300 Runs: Jaque Jones, 96 On-base pct: Corey Hoskie, .368 Stolen bases: Torii Hunter, 23 Wins: Rick Reed, 15 Saves: Eddie Guardado, 45 Home runs: Hunter, 29 RBI: Hunter, 94 Slugging pct.: Hunter, .524 OPS:Hunter, .859 ERA: Reed, 3.78 Strikeouts: Johan Santana, 137