The 2011 season was disastrous for the Minnesota Twins. The club finished in dead last in the AL Central and had the worst run differential in all of Major League Baseball. Injuries absolutely obliterated any chance Minnesota had last season. Of the Twins returning position players only third basemen Danny Valencia appeared in more than 117 games. Three of the projected first four batters in the 2012 lineup, Denard Span, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, played in 70, 82 and 69 games respectively. The pitching staff, while not exactly healthy fared better as Carl Pavano and his mustache made 33 starts. Brian Duensing (28 starts) and Nick Blackburn (26 starts) were able to hold down spots in the rotation. The Twins finished the season 25th in runs scored and 29th in runs against. Continue reading →