2009 MLB Team Preview: Minnesota

Fourth on the list, but moving up rapidly. He could overcome Howard this season. A total player with instincts and speed to go along. His range and agility made him a coveted defensive player.

Castilla is one of the best young 2B in the majors. Fast and with good range, Castilla has all the hallmarks of a Gold Glove recipient. He isn't too shabby offensively either; posting a .281 BA since his call up in September.

He enters the 2009 with nice versatility for Fantasy purposes having played 2b, SS, and 3b for the Twins in 2008. His power numbers were way down in 2008 after showing surprising power with the Rays in 2007 (12 Hrs). He'll fight for at-bats all season and could top double-digit home runs but is no more than an AL-only option.

The versatile understudy is safe bet for double-digit SB as he's topped 15 SBs for the past three seasons. Ron Gardenhire is enamored with the utility player and the Twins resigned him in the off-season. His power numbers are minimal as evidenced by his career-best .382 slugging percentage in 2008. He is eligible at 2B/SS and should get 350-400 ABs in 2009.

What he lacks in power, Mauer will likely be tops among catchers in average, runs and RBI's. Hitting ahead of Justin Morneau is a gold mine for fantasy production. He won his second batting title in three years and finished second in the AL in on-base percentage, walking nearly twice as often as he struck out. As he enters his prime, a case can be made that he is the #1 fantasy catcher in 2009.

Another young speed merchant helps up to round out this list. Lets face it at this point you are only drafting him for one reason.

Cuddyer's year was cut shot by injury but you have to feel good about a player hitting in between Minnesota's Mauer and Morneau.

The Twins signed Kubel to a two-year, $7.2 million contract with a $5.1 million team option for 2011. Minnesota's outfield is crowded, but Kubel is a safe bet to start at DH against all right-handers and some left-handers. In 2008, he hit a career-high 20 home runs in a career-high 463 at-bats and at age 27, a .280-25-85 is within reach.

Liriano finally showed flashes of being the pitcher every thought he could be after 2007 Tommy John surgery. Could take the next step in 2009.

The Twins play their last season this year in the Metrodome and this will definitely help Baker as he was fantasy gold when pitching at home last season.

If Slowey can somehow replicate his home numbers when he plays on the road(4.52 road era) He moves up much higher on this list.

Nathan has had five straight seasons with 35+ saves. His 1.33 ERA in 2008 was not too shabby either. He's Mr. Consistency and has an impressive strike outs per 9 inning ratio of 9.8.