Last year’s pitching was a disaster for the Minnesota Twins. How is that going to change seeing the biggest addition is a journeyman from the National League, Jason Marquis? Perhaps he is an appropriate replacement for Kevin Slowey, but he’s far from a World Series starter.

Let’s go back only one year when the Twins won the Division with about the same starting staff. Looking at that staff this year, we should be able to again rely on Pavano and Blackburn to be Major League pitchers, particularly Pavano, who with grit and guile will win a big game for you. Let’s put Marquis somewhere between Pavano and Blackburn. The three will not set the world on fire, but each may provide 200 innings of major league pitching.

O.K., that fills the bottom three slots in the rotation. The ‘87 World Series winners won with two outstanding starters, Frank Viola and Bert Blyleven. Can our current addition do the same with Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano? Will they be another Viola and Blyleven? No, but they don’t need to be for they have better supporting starters. Baker, when he’s not injured, is a fine pitcher with an ERA in the threes who hits 94 mph on the radar gun. If Baker has control and keeps the ball down, he can win a lot of games. 

There is no question Liriano has the ability to be one of the top five starters in the division. If he is able to conquer his problems, Liriano will be an ace. This is his last year before free agency and if that doesn’t give him incentive, I don’t know what will. A good season could mean $50 million plus to him.

Relief pitching is worrisome, but perhaps not as much as conventional wisdom would have it. Anthony Swarzak, Brain Duensing and Liam Hendricks, if not spot starting, can provide adequate long relief. There is no reason why a healthy Matt Capps can’t have a good year and give the Twins not great, but good closing. Glen Perkins, a proven setup man can, along with what appears the steal of spring training, Jared Burton, provide the path to Capps. In addition, Kyle Waltrop, who had made the team until hurt, will return and provide another relief pitcher.

Some of you are shaking your head and saying that is a lot of pie in the sky and this is true. This is a rose-colored glasses look at our Twins’ pitching. On the other hand, the Twins’ infield will be vastly improved and that will greatly assist our pitch-to-contact staff.

Also, if the Twins are able to hang in there until July, Terry Ryan will be in position to trade one of his good young outfielders for one or two fine pitchers. The Washington Nationals need a centerfielder in the worst way and I’m thinking Denard Span for pitching. It will be amazing what a difference just one very good pitcher can make.

There is a theme running through our Twins this year. We shall overcome. This is not to compare a baseball team with the Civil Rights movement. No way! But the Twins have a lot to overcome. The comeback of a hometown hero. The recovery from head and other injuries. Severe injuries of a newcomer’s daughter. A disastrous season. The recovery of a substance abuser to make the team. 

They have a long way to come, but what a story if they do it. And you know, I don’t know who I’d rather have on my side than Terry Ryan and Ron Gardenhire.