Plenty of room for improvement
With the season ending Wednesday, it's time to take inventory again, time to study what the Twins have in stock and what payroll commitments they have for 2013.
Warning: This isn't pretty. Coming off back-to-back seasons of at least 95 losses, the Twins have glaring issues, especially the starting rotation. Nick Blackburn is listed with the in-house rotation candidates, not because he is one of their best pitchers, but because the Twins owe him $5.5 million next year no matter what he does. At least Tsuyoshi Nishioka asked for his unconditional release last week, saving the team $3.25 million.
This year's Opening Day payroll was $100 million, for the 25-man roster and other commitments, including Nishioka. The Twins would spend about $76 million on the 25-man collection below. After adding and subtracting players, they are expected to land near the $100 million mark again next year.
2013 PROJECTED ROSTER (IN-HOUSE CANDIDATES)
Estimated cost: $76 million
*-Denotes arbitration estimate. All players who aren't under contract or arbitration-eligible will make about $500,000.
STARTING LINEUP
1. CF Denard Span, $4.75 million
2. RF Ben Revere, $500,000
3. C Joe Mauer, $23 milion