Monday (Young Twins hitters -- who deserves a long look in 2012?) edition: Wha' Happened?

Between injuries and ineffectiveness in 2011, trades that have already happened and impending off-season free agents, it is safe to say there are few sure things when it comes to starting positions locked down in 2012 for the Twins. Seriously, start trying to write down names in pen for 2012 starting jobs. Danny Valencia at third base is the closest you have to a sure thing, even though his best asset has been durability and his season could most fairly be called adequate. Joe Mauer, Denard Span and Justin Morneau would be locks, of course, if you could assure us they will be healthy and back to form. Same with Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, in terms of free agency. If they're here and healthy, they're starters. But those last five guys named, sadly, are not sure things. Delmon Young and Jim Thome are already out of the picture. That leaves a lot of potential competition -- and a good time to examine the youngsters we have seen so far to ask who, at this point, might deserve a long look as a starter in 2012: Alexi Casilla: Pros -- Still reasonably young (27) and seemed to stabilize things once he moved to second base this year. Cons -- His greater value would be as an everyday shortstop, but he flopped in that role to start 2011.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka: Pros -- The guy won a batting title in Japan in 2010, so it's not like he can't hit, right? Maybe with the adjustment and injuries in 2011, it was just a lost season? There is considerably financial incentive for the Twins to hope for the best. Cons -- 203 at bats (so far) in 2011 isn't a large sample size, but it has been a very unimpressive one. His .498 OPS is better than his fielding percentage. We think.

Matt Tolbert: Pros -- Solid utility player at his best. Cons -- 2011 was not his best.

Trevor Plouffe: Pros -- Plenty of pop in his bat as evidenced by time in majors and minors. He has also at least looked adequate at a number of different positions. He could get 500 at bats between a bunch of different spots, which would be particularly convenient of Cuddyer doesn't return. Cons -- There are also holes in his bat. And it will take a long stretch before anyone trusts him fully to make throws from shortstop.

Luke Hughes: Pros -- Another guy with home run power and the ability to play a few different positions. But his numbers were pretty paltry before two big games over the weekend. Is our vision clouded by that, or does he just need more playing time to establish himself? Cons -- He's hardly exceptional defensively at any position, and he and Plouffe are a little redundant.

Rene Tosoni: Pros -- He doesn't have a ton of hits, but for some reason several seem memorable. Cons -- Not sure he'll ever develop into an everyday player. An extra outfielder and a bat off the bench? Not far-fetched at all.

Ben Revere: Pros -- This is the toughest one of all. If he stays healthy, Revere will get around 500 at bats by the end of this season, which makes 2011 a very good case study. The positives, of course, are his speed at the plate and his range in the field. It is flat-out exciting to watch him play, and when creating havoc on the basepaths the Twins are better off for it. Cons -- His arm is so bad that if he was playing a carnival game, his throw would bounce gently off the milk bottle without knocking it over. And the ball wouldn't even roll back to him. He has 9 extra-base hits in 361 plate appearances. And while he beats out enough infield hits to have a decent BA (.255), his OBP is a paltry .301. His best position for range is centerfield, but that arm makes it tough to think about him there long-term. And if Span comes back healthy, can you really afford to have two outfielders who don't hit for much power starting in the outfield? Will he develop into a .360 or .370 OBP guy? It's a major conundrum, one compounded by his popularity.

Your thoughts, please, in the comments. Feel free to add anyone from the minors like Joe Benson. We stuck with the guys who have played with the big club in 2011.