Projecting the 2010 Twins

New Twins GM Bill Smith has already made his first bold move by trading his #1 organizational prospect Matt Garza to the Devil Rays for Delmon Young and speculation is rampid that Johan Santana will be dealt soon. In case you've been on another planet for the past few weeks, the Red Sox and Yankees have entered a bidding war for the two time Cy Young winner. Below are two possible opening day lineups for 2010, the year the Twins open their new ballpark, should the Twins trade Johan to the Red Sox or Yankees

Rumored trade with the Yankees: Phil Hughes (rhp), Melky Cabrera (cf), and a minor leaguer

Alexi Casilla (2b/ss)
Melky Cabrera (cf)
Joe Mauer (c)
Delmon Young (lf)
Justin Morneau (1b)
Michael Cuddyer (rf)
Chris Parmalee/Jason Kubel (dh)
Matt Moses (3b)
Brendan Harris (2b/ss)

Francisco Liriano (lhp)
Phil Hughes (rhp)
Glen Perkins (lhp)
Kevin Slowey (rhp)
Anthony Swarzak (rhp)

Rumored trade with Red Sox: Jon Lester (lhp), Coco Crisp (cf), Jed Howrie (ss), and a minor leaguer, rumored to be Michael Bowden (rhp)

Alexi Casilla (2b)
Coco Crisp (cf)
Joe Mauer (c)
Delmon Young (lf)
Justin Morneau (1b)
Michael Cuddyer (rf)
Chris Parmalee/Jason Kubel (dh)
Jed Howrie (ss)
Matt Moses (3b)

Francisco Liriano (lhp)
Jon Lester (lhp)
Kevin Slowey (rhp)
Glen Perkins (lhp)
Anthony Swarzak (rhp)

The centerpiece of both deals are the starting pitchers, Hughes and Lester. Of the two, Hughes is considered to be a better prospect, a surefire ace. However, the Red Sox deal fills more needs with the inclusion of Howrie, who tore up the minors with his bat this past season. Brendan Harris will probably become a utility player, or part of another trade, and Matt Moses (3b), the Twins first round pick in 2003, is starting to look like a bust. Once Billy Smith completes his trade with the Yankees or the Red Sox, it doesn't mean his work is finished: He still has more holes to fill in order to field a competitive team in 2010. So, while the focus is on the Santana sweepstakes now, don't be surprised if Smith puts Joe Nathan on the block to fill those remaining infield holes.

UPDATE (12-02-07): Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Lavelle E. Neal III writes that the Twins are willing to hold on to Santana if the Yankees or Red Sox do not add an additional tier one prospect to their original offers. The prospects mentioned in the piece are Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury for the Sox and Ian Kennedy for the Yanks. Although, I have to believe the Twins would accept Jose Tabata or Austin Jackson if the Yanks were to include either in their offer.