2011 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is hoping Minnesota captures the AL Central and goes on to win the AL pennant, then the World Series. Last season, 2010, Minnesota won the AL Central with a sterling 94-68 record.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated printed in April 2011 – “The Twins move to Target Field allowed the front office to boost the payroll from $65 million in 2009 to $97 million in ’10. It will top $115 million this season (2011), and a higher payroll brings loftier expectations.”

Manager Ron Gardenhire, batting coach Joe Vavra, pitching coach Rick Anderson, 1^st base coach Jerry White, 3^rd base Scott Ullger, bench coach Steve Liddle, bullpen coach Rick Stelmasek and coach Nate Dammann.

All Star catcher Joe Mauer, a career .327 hitter, captured the attention of baseball fans by winning the AL MVP two years ago 2009. Joe Mauer hits the ball from line-to-line and ranks as one of the best hitting catchers in baseball history. He joined the Minnesota Twins back in 2004 and has posted batting averages of .308, .294, .347, .293, .328, .365 and .327 in 2010.

A Twins recent press release noted All Star closer Joe Nathan will share the closer duties early in the 2011 season with righty Matt Capps. Joe Nathan is recovering from Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2010.

Left handed starter Francisco Liriano debuted with Minnesota in 2005. In 2006 he rang up a sterling 12-3 record with a miserly 2.16 ERA in 121 innings.

A new double play combo will be set in place by manager Ron Gardenhire, a former major league infielder. He’s slated Tsuyoshi Nishioka at second base and moved 2B Alexi Casilla to the shortstop position. Tsuyoshi Nishioka played ss in Japan and recently signed with Minnesota as a free agent. Alexi Casilla is an excellent fielder and since he’s a switch hitter, he’s a valuable team asset.

First baseman Justin Morneau was a rookie with the Twins back in 2003. A fans favorite in Minnesota, he has lined 181 home runs from 2003 thru 2010, including a career high 34 with 130 RBIs and a .321 batting average in 2006. That season Justin Morneau was voted the AL Most Valuable Player – 2006 MVP. He missed most of 2010 after suffering a concussion in July, did hit 18 homers in 81 games prior. .

Minnesota Twins 2011 Active Roster

Outfielders – #5 Michael Cuddyer … #16 Jason Kubel … #18 Jason Repko … #2 Denard Span … #21 Delmon Young

Infielder - #12 Alexi Casilla … #33 Justin Morneau … #1 Tsuyoshi Nishioka … #20 Matt Tolbert … #19 Dan Valencia … Designated Hitter #25 Jim Thome

Catcher - # 41 Drew Butera … # 7 Joe Mauer

Pitchers - #30 Scott Baker … #53 Nick Blackburn … #55 Matt Capps … #52 Brian Duensing … #56 Dusty Hughes … #47 Francisco Liriano … #49 Jeff Manship … #50 Jose Mijares … #36 Joe Nathan … #48 Carl Pavano … #15 Glen Perkins … #59 Kevin Slowey

For 100s of stories of the Minnesota Twins check on our Search our Site on the lower left side of the Home Page