Frenzy At Winter Park

To hell with the NFL's tampering rules. The Vikings wasted no time on the first day of free agency, signing safety Madieu Williams to a 6-year contract that includes $13 million guaranteed. The parameters of the deal were believed to be in place sometime Thursday evening before free agency was set to begin. Williams spent the first 4 years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite their wretched defense over that time, Madieu was one of the bright spots and a strength of their team. He is noted for his coverage skills, an aspect that has been missing from the Vikes safeties the past few years. Williams is not the most physical player in the world but he will certainly be an upgrade over his predecessor Dwight Smith. Smith's matador tactics led to many missed tackles in the secondary and his replacement should improve the team in that area. Madieu is also known for his strong character. He is active in the community and the Madieu Williams Foundation works towards helping kids make smart and healthy decisions both on and off the field. Hopefully Williams' attitude permeates throughout the Vikings locker room.

Shortly thereafter the team agreed to terms with fullback Thomas Tapeh. Tapeh is a familiar face as he spent 4 years in the backfield for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and played his high school football at St. Paul Johnson. Fullback is a key position in Brad Childress' West Coast Offense and Tapeh is expected to lead block for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. The move likely signals that veteran Tony Richardson is out the door as it appears there is no room on the roster for him.

The whirlwind of action did not end there. Wide Receiver Bernard Berrian was flown in for a visit courtesy of Owner Zygi Wilf's private jet. Berrian arrived at Winter Park sometime during the afternoon and it is believed that a substantial offer was put on the table. Nothing has been agreed to at this point and it is likely that Berrian and his agent will still visit with other teams, possibly the 49ers, Raiders, and the Titans. As one of the top free agents on the market it is likely that he will make a decision this weekend.

The team also made a play for a QB upgrade. A 3rd rounder in the upcoming draft was offered to Houston in exchange for QB Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels played well in extended action this past season while starter Matt Schaub was down with an injury. He sports a career 82.0 QB rating, albeit in limited action. As of last night the teams had hit a snag in their discussions, with the Texans demanding a 2-rounder for the 29 year old quarterback, a price the Vikings were unwilling to match. But as of this morning it appeared that talks were back on and there were even rumors that a deal was already in place. Adding Rosenfels would be a sage move for the team (pun intended) as he would bring experience and much needed depth to the position. At the very least he would push incumbent Tarvaris Jackson with the potential to overtake him and be the team's starting QB for the 2008 season. Were Rosenfels to lose the training camp battle, he would still be a monumental upgrade over 2007's backups Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger. Nothing is set in stone at this point but the possibility of acquiring Rosenfels is an intriguing one, especially considering the team has two 3rd round picks to work with.

If they fail to come to an agreement with the Texans, it is likely that they will turn their attention to Buffalo's J.P. Losman. Losman is a bust as a 1st round pick but he has shown flashes of solid play and would come at a cheaper price than the Texans are asking for. Losman would arrive in a backup role but would certainly have the opportunity to earn a starting gig. He holds many of the same traits of Jackson. That is not a compliment at this point, but he has all the physical tools to succeed, much like T-Jax, and it is just a matter of him figuring it out between the ears.

Defensive End Justin Smith is also expected in Winter Park tomorrow after meeting with the 49ers and Dolphins today. The first day has already been a busy one and more action should take place in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Pitching Staff Taking Shape

With Francisco Liriano finally arriving in camp after Visa issues, the Twins can take their first look at a full arsenal of pitchers. The rotation is heavy on young arms who are looking to make their mark while the bullpen is filled with familiar faces. Scott Baker is the current favorite to be the Opening Day starter and the rotation seems pretty settled after him. Assuming Liriano does not suffer any setbacks in his recovery, it appears that there are 11 pitchers who are virtual locks to make the Opening Day roster.


SP-Scott Baker
SP-Livan Hernandez
SP-Boof Bonser
SP-Francisco Liriano
SP-Kevin Slowey
RP-Matt Guerrier
RP-Dennys Reyes
RP-Jesse Crain
RP-Juan Rincon
RP-Pat Neshek
CL-Joe Nathan

The Twins are likely to carry 12 pitchers, leaving the last bullpen spot a wide open race between a number of pitchers in what is sure to be one of the most intense battles in camp. There are plenty of options, but a handful appear to be frontrunners.


Nick Blackburn-26 (RHP)

-There are some, such as Baseball America, who love Blackburn's potential. They feel he can be a solid #3 starter who keeps the ball in the park and eats innings. Others are less bullish on his prospects, feeling he is at best a back-end starter or middle reliever. 2007 was Blackburn's breakout campaign as he dominated Triple-A, posting a 2.11 ERA in 110+ innings, including a 44 inning scoreless streak toward the end of the year. That earned him a September call-up which saw him struggle during a brief stint in the bullpen. Nick responded to a poor MLB debut with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League that entrenched his status as one of the organization's better prospects. His cutter could be an asset as a short reliever and his ability to spot start certainly gives him value to a team that is nursing its most talented pitcher back from Tommy John. A good spring could move him to the top of the list, but with Dennys Reyes being the only left-hander currently in the pen, the team may favor another lefty as opposed to Blackburn.

Philip Humber-25 (RHP)

-Humber was once a top prospect after being drafted 3rd overall by the Mets in the 2004 draft, but Tommy John surgery dimmed his star a bit, prompting the Mets to include him in a package for Johan Santana. Humber is in a unique situation as he only has one option left, meaning if the team starts him at Triple-A they will have to keep him on the MLB roster once they call him up or risk losing his services. Philip spent most of last season at AAA New Orleans, posting pedestrian numbers that look better once you factor in it was in a hitters league. If Humber can regain the form that made him dominant at Rice he could become a productive back-end starter or middle reliever. For now it appears he may be an odd man out as the team breaks camp.

Glen Perkins-25 (LHP)

-A 1st round pick of the Twins in 2004, Perkins rose rather quickly through the minors and made his big league debut in 2006. He's thrown all 34 1/3 of his MLB innings out of the pen despite being drafted as a starter out of the University of Minnesota. A strained shoulder truncated much of his 2007 season, limiting him to only 19 appearances. The injury should not have any lingering effects and his success as a reliever over the past two seasons could make him the man to beat.

Brian Duensing-25 (LHP)

-Duensing found a niche as a starter in Rochester, posting 11 wins and a 3.24 ERA during the 2007 season after being promoted from Double-A New Britain. His age limits his upside somewhat, but Duensing has succeeded at every level he has been at going back to his time at the University of Nebraska. He could land a role as a left-handed specialist with an impressive showing at camp.

Bobby Korecky-28 (RHP)

-Korecky is already 28 but he has a wealth of experience as a reliever in the minors, having spent the past 4 seasons in that role at New Britain and Rochester. He has a small frame and underwhelming stuff, but a smooth delivery and good command make him ideal for a long-relief role. A scout told Phil Miller of the Pioneer Press that he thought Korecky would be in the bullpen to start the year, so he definitely has a chance to break camp with the big club.


Predicted Winner:

-In the end, I believe Perkins experience will win out, aided by the fact that he is a southpaw. He still holds upside as a starter after having minor league success in that role and with Liriano still on the mend that could prove invaluable. Perkins seems to have an upperhand, but many of these guys are likely to get an opportunity during the year. Juan Rincon still has a balky elbow and has seen his numbers plummet for 3 straight seasons. Jesse Crain is coming off major shoulder surgery and may see a limited workload. Other arms such as Julio DePaula, Randy Keisler, and Oswaldo Sosa could also see time as relief pitching always has a fairly large turnover during the year.

Williamson Dealt

The illustrious tenure of Troy Williamson is done in Minnesota as the team traded the former 7th overall pick to Jacksonville for a 6th round pick in 2008's NFL Draft. 2007 was supposed to be Williamson's breakout campaign, but that never materialized as the same problems he has had catching the ball his whole career were his downfall once again. In Jacksonville he will be reunited with former Head Coach Mike Tice, the man who drafted him in the 2005 draft. Troy joins other 1st Round disappointments Matt Jones and Reggie Williams to give the Jags a triumvirate of underperforming receivers.

Williamson tried nearly everything to cure his case of the dropsies, including visiting an eye specialist to correct his vision. It was believed to be a success and the wideout caught hundreds of footballs over the summer to try and shed the bust label that had been applied to him after only 2 seasons. Optimism was abound entering the season, but it would soon be squashed as Williamson once again displayed stone hands that killed drives and stunted the development of young Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. You have to respect the work that Troy put in to get better, but it was time for the two sides to part ways. It was clear that his confidence was shot and a fresh start can be nothing but beneficial for his career.

As it stands now, Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade are the teams top two Wide Receivers although the organization is likely to address the position via free agency or the draft. The Viking are in the hunt for disgruntled Raider Jerry Porter, a talented but enigmatic receiver who has toiled away in the hell that is Oakland for his entire career. Porter has experience in the West Coast offense and would be a talent upgrade. Free agency opens Friday and Minnesota appears to be a front-runner for Porter.

McKinnie Arrested

In news that is far from surprising, it appears that Vikings Left Tackle Bryant McKinnie has been arrested in Miami. Even less surprising is that the incident happened at a strip club, a staple of the McKinnie lifestyle. It is just another chapter in McKinnie's storied history of crime which relates to strippers. The infamous Love Boat incident of 2005 brought charges against Mount McKinnie and with two fairly serious violations under his belt the tackle certainly does fit in with Brad Childress' supposed "culture of accountability". The team likely isn't going to do anything as drastic as cutting the offensive lineman, especially after he signed a 7 year, 48.5 million dollar extension before the 2006 season. But incidents such as this one are not going to be overlooked by a franchise that has tried so desperately to rid itself of troublemakers, a problem that plagued the Vikings through the late-90's and the early part of this decade. McKinnie could face disciplinary action from the league considering Commissioner Roger Goodell's Iron Fist mentality. Stay hot Bryant.

Schultz Locked Up For 6 Years

The Minnesota Wild took care of some important off-ice business this weekend by signing defenseman Nick Schultz to a long-term deal. The six year deal is the longest in Wild history and at 21 million it could turn out to be a bargain. Schultz has been a steady presence on the blue-line this season and his combination of age (25) and talent make this a solid deal for the Wild. He doesn't play a flashy game, but he does all the little things well as evidenced by the fact that he leads the team in blocked shots and is 2nd in hits, all while logging nearly 20 minutes a game. Schultz was set to become an Unrestricted free agent and taking him off the market is one less thing for the Wild to worry about in what could be a big summer. Pavol Demitra and Brian Rolston are both set to become UFA's and Pierre Marc-Bouchard could draw a lot of attention as an RFA.

Dwight Smith Sent Packing

Wednesday officially marked the end of Dwight Smith's stay in Minnesota, as the veteran safety was given his release by Head Coach Brad Childress. Smith is probably best known for his off-field antics. His most famous incident involved him plowing a girl in a stairwell of the Escape Untra Lounge, proving that Vikings players are the best in the NFL at having sex in unorthodox locations. On the field he was average at best and missed tackles along with sub-par coverage marked much of his career as a Viking. This loss does not effect the team's chances next season in any way, but safety help now has to be a top priority. With Mike Doss and Tank Williams heading to free agency, Darren Sharper is the only safety on the roster and he will turn 33 next season.

Vikings Free Agency Preview

The last several free agency periods have seen the Vikings go on spending bonanzas, acquiring marquee targets such as Darren Sharper and Steven Hutchinson, along with throwing a lot of money at unproven veterans such as Chester Taylor and Visanthe Shiancoe. The 2008 free agency period opens up on February 29th and with plenty of cap space the Vikings are sure to be a major player once again. The Chiefs franchised Jared Allen, who would have likely been the Vikings top target had he reached the market, but there are still plenty of guys available who could fill some of the team's holes.


Justin Smith (Defensive End-28)

-Smith is not the elite pass rusher that Jared Allen is, but he has racked up 43.5 sacks in 7 seasons with the Bengals and has tallied 8 or more three times. With the recent news of Kenechi Udeze's leukemia, the Vikings are in the market for a DE and even with a healthy Udeze the Vikings pass rush from their ends has been abysmal. Erasmus James cannot stay healthy on the right side and a good pass rush is essential to take the Purple's D to the next level. Smith has a good motor and is an intriguing option on the free agent market.


Asante Samuel (Cornerback-27)

-Samuel is the best cornerback on the market and his stock has risen after being the Patriots top cover man for past few seasons. Antoine Winfield's days in purple may be numbered and both Cedric Griffin and Marcus McCauley could use some more seasoning before taking on the role of #1 corner. Samuel will likely be looking for a payday similar to Nate Clement's 8 year, 80 million dollar deal from last offseason, so the price may be too steep. Minnesota will likely inquire about his services though, and he would strengthen a pass defense that has been amongst the worst in the NFL the past 2 seasons.


Bernard Berrian (Wide Receiver-27)

-The Bears have already started negotiating with Berrian, but if he hits the market he will be the most sought after WR. A speedy deep threat, Berrian would be the perfect compliment to last year's 2nd rounder Sidney Rice. It might be tough to convince Berrian to catch passes from Tarvaris Jackson, especially after he has spent the past two seasons chasing errant throws from Rex Grossman, but Berrian's likely to be a top target for Vikings management.


Willie Anderson (Offensive Tackle-32)

-The Vikings have already invested a lot of money in their offensive line by giving huge contracts to both Steve Hutchinson and Bryant Mckinnie, but Ryan Cook has been a human turnstile at right tackle and is probably better suited to move back inside to center as a backup to Matt Birk. Anderson missed most of 2007 with a foot injury, but for many years he was one of the best tackles in the game, and if he still has gas left in the tank he could provide a boost to what is already a good offensive line.

D.J. Hackett (Wide Receiver, 26)

-Wide Receiver is sure to be a focal point for the Vikings this offseason as they need more weapons to help Jackson develop at QB. Hackett is an athletic WR who is great in the redzone. He's had problems staying healthy, but if he is on the field he would easily become one of the Vikings most talented pass catchers.

Forsberg Rumors

Recent buzz has the Wild in the middle of the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes. The 34 year old center has been mulling a return to the NHL and for a long while it appeared as though the Philadelphia Flyers were the heavy favorites to land Forsberg, but with the Wild now in the picture it is possible that the tables have turned. Both teams would welcome a talent like his as they make their respective playoff pushes, but with Simon Gagne sidelined for the remainder of the season, the allure of Philly may not be what it was earlier for the Swedish pivot. A decision is expected within the next week.

Forsberg's achilles heal has always been his proclivity for injury, but even when he's at 50% he is better than most in the league and would be a fantastic addition to center a line with Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra on the wing. While the Wild look at options up front, they still have weaknesses on the blue-line that need to be shored up if they are going to make any sort of playoff run. Buffalo's Brian Campbell and Tampa Bay's Dan Boyle are both available via trade athough the cost to acquire both of them may be too high and the Wild have been hesitant to deal prospects in the past, especially when they are acquiring a player who could be a 2-month rental. In any event, it should be a busy trade deadline in the NHL and the Wild could be fairly active.

Update: 2/18-Forsberg officially announced he is not returning this year due to chronic ankle and foot injuries. Disappointing that he is no longer an option, but also a plus that he did not sign with Vancouver or Colorado.

Free Kubel

It was announced earlier this week that Jason Kubel and Craig Monroe will likely be platooning at DH during 2008. While this news is far from surprising given Ron Gardenhire's insistence on putting the elderly in the lineup to be an automatic out, it is still disconcerting nonetheless. In reality, Monroe is not that old as he turns 31 in two weeks, but Gardy's confidence in him serves as a reminder of his loyalty to Juan Castro and Rondell White in recent years. It would be hard for anyone to have as rough a stretch as Rondell did in his two seasons, but White did come to the team with a better track record than Monroe possesses. Craig comes to the Twins with a .303 lifetime OBP. To put that in perspective, Nick Punto owned a .291 OBP during his disastrous 2007 season. Regardless of the numbers, it looks like the former Tiger and Cub is going to the starting DH whenever the Twins face a left-hander. That leaves Kubel as the DH against right-handers, but in a division with the likes of C.C. Sabathia, Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, and Kenny Rogers among others, it appears that Kubel is in store for a limited amount of at-bats.

Once the Twins top hitting prospect and one of the better prospects in baseball, the Twins outfielder had his career rudely interrupted by a devastating knee injury suffered in the Arizona Fall League. It took a long time for Jason to recover and it is likely that his knee will never be the same as it was pre-injury. That was abundantly clear as Kubel struggled with his mobility in left field during a good portion of the '07 season. While he battled his defense at times, that didn't stop him from being the Twins best hitter during the last couple months of the season. Kubel hit .328 with an OBP above .400 in September and after a slow start to the season which saw him hit .238 in April and May, he responded by posting a near .300 clip the rest of the way despite sporadic playtime.

His hot finish would seemingly have put him into a position for regular playtime, but with Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer entrenched at the corner outfield positions, Kubel's only chance for consistent at-bats would be in the DH role. In a rebuilding year for the Twins, it is time for them to let Kubel sink or swim and give him the DH role to himself. With 500 AB's Jason could easily develop into one of the team's better bats as he has good gap to gap power and a decent amount of pop. The signing of Monroe is seemingly blocking the Twins from finding what they truly have in Kubel, who should be entering his prime as he turns 26 in May.

Monroe can hold some value if he can find the stroke that allowed him to hit 48 home runs and drive in 181 runs in 2005 and 2006, but his bat is best as a late-inning pinch hitter or a spot starter. His signing is also a bit confusing considering he will earn over 3 million, while a guy like Mike Sweeney, who has put up similar numbers the past few seasons, was only given a minor league contract by the Oakland A's. The Twins appear hasty in their acquisition of Monroe as there were many cheaper options who could provide the same type of production. If nothing else, it is nice that Monroe is no longer in Detroit as he was an absolute Twin-killer during his Tiger days.

*On an unrelated note, it looks as though former Twin Matt LeCroy has gotten another shot with the Oakland A's. If you can't root for LeCroy, you simply are incapable of rooting for anyone.

Young Guns

Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training this week which begins the countdown to Opening Day. The Twins head into the season resting many of their hopes on the arms of young and inexperienced pitchers, which got me thinking about the best young arms in baseball today. I compiled a Top 10 list, and the only requirement for being on the list was that the player was under 25. With that, here's my take on the best young hurlers of today.

#1: Scott Kazmir-Tampa Bay Rays-24
Career Numbers: 35-29, 3.64 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

-Sent to the Rays from the Mets in one of the worst trades in recent memory, Kazmir has anchored the Rays rotation since the ripe of age of 21, despite having little experience above AA before that. Kazmir has improved every year and it culminated in him leading the AL in strikeouts in 2007 while throwing over 200 innings. His best pitch is a live mid-90's fastball which he compliments with a hard slider that dives in on right-handers. He's got a decent curveball and change-up but both are secondary pitches to his fastball-slider combo. He has struggled with control for most of his career, posting a 4.13 BB/9 rate, although he has moderately improved his command the past two years which suggests he should get closer to the career 3.67 BB/9 he posted in the minors. Kazmir dwells in relative obscurity in Tampa Bay, but his fantastic stuff and ability to miss bats should allow him to be an ace for many years.

#2: Felix Hernandez-Seattle Mariners, 21
Career Numbers: 30-25, 3.94 ERA, 1.29 WHIP


-Earmarked for stardom since he was tearing through the minors as a 19 year old, King Felix has seen his share of ups and downs during his first 2 full big league seasons. He's battled nagging injuries and concerns have surfaced about his weight, but neither of those factors have stopped him from throwing 381+ innings over the past two seasons and amassing 26 wins. Felix is blessed with a filthy array of pitches and that stuff alone gives him the potential to be one of the most dominant pitches in baseball and also leaves him as the pitcher with the most upside on this list. His overpowering fastball sits in the mid to upper 90's, but that might not even be his best fastball. He also throws a sinking 2-seamer with late break that can handcuff batters. He adds a hard-breaking curveball, a change-up, and a slider that he has used limitedly due to concerns over the health of his arm. Thanks to a modicum of early success, it is easy to forget how young he is, as he turns only 22 in April and has plenty of good outings ahead of him. With his repertoire of pitches and his ability to induce ground balls, Hernandez could soon rival Jake Peavy for the title of league's best right-handed pitcher.

#3: Justin Verlander-Detroit Tigers-24
Career Numbers: 35-17, 3.74 ERA, 1.29 WHIP

-Armed with arguably the league's greatest goatee, Verlander has been a staple of the Tigers rotation since 2006 when they advanced to the World Series. That year he rewarded Detroit's faith in him by registering 17 wins and winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award. An imposing 6'5, Verlander's been known to get his fastball to triple digits on the radar gun and combines that with a knee-buckling 12 to 6 curveball. He also uses a change-up that can be devastating when it follows his blazing four-seamer. He flashed his best stuff against Milwaukee in 2007 when he recorded the Tigers first no-hitter in over 20 years. Justin has taken on a very heavy workload at a young age, throwing 186 innings in his rookie year and 201+ in his sophomore campaign. That could signify the beginning of a workhorse, but high inning counts at ages 23 and 24 could also portend to injury, although Verlander's smooth and consistent delivery should limit any problems. He may not have the raw stuff or command to rise among the truly elite, but he can certainly be an ace for Detroit and one of the league's better pitchers for many years.

#4: Cole Hamels-Philadelphia Phillies-24
Career Numbers: 24-13, 3.68 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

-Hamels is an athletic left-hander who absolutely dominated the minor leagues before making it to Philadelphia in the middle of the 2006 season. He transitioned smoothly to the bigs by winning 9 games and sporting an ERA just a shade over 4. Hamels possesses a low 90's fastball that has good movement and has a fading change-up that is regarded as one the game's best. Also sprinkles in a solid curveball to give him an impressive 3 pitch arsenal that helps him dominate at times. His health has always been a big question mark, as he has two DL stints on his record in his first two seasons. A broken arm suffered his senior year of high school also scared many teams off and saw him drop to the 17th overall pick in 2002, where the Phillies gladly selected him. Hamels has the makings of an ace if he can improve his stamina and stay healthy throughout his career.

#5: Tim Lincecum-San Francisco Giants-23
Career Numbers: 7-5, 4.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

-With a slight frame and quirky delivery, Lincecum has often gotten overlooked when it comes to pitching prospects, but his solid rookie campaign served notice to his potential. Despite being only 5'11 and 170 pounds he can push his fastball into the upper 90's with good movement. A sharp curveball and change-up both do a great job of keeping hitters off-balance and are nearly untouchable when a batter is sitting on his explosive fastball. Lincecum was the center of trade rumors this offseason, with the Giants supposedly dangling him in hopes of acquiring an outfielder. The front office ultimately decided to hold onto the 23 year old flamethrower and that should prove to be a wise choice as Lincecum is a key to the Giants hopes of rebuilding.

#6: Joba Chamberlain-New York Yankees-22
Career Numbers: 2-0, 0.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP

-Chamberlain burst onto the scene as a dominant reliever at the end of the 2007 season. He started his career by going 15 1/3 innings without allowing a run and finished the year with a sparkling 0.38 ERA in just under 2 months of action. Joba was a cog in the Yankees bullpen in his rookie year but projects as a big league ace sometime during his career. He will likely start the 2008 campaign out of the bullpen again as an attempt to limit his innings, but his stuff and build make him a potential workhorse at the top of the rotation. Chamberlain can bring it as he approaches 100 on the gun on occasion out of relief with his fastball sitting in the upper 90's consistently. He will likely lose a couple MPH's off his fastball once he enters the rotation, but his fastball will still be a dominant pitch in his arsenal along with his nasty slider that serves as a strikeout pitch. The Yankees have handled Joba with care, but once he is let loose he has the potential to become a dominant starter and a superstar in New York.

#7: Matt Cain-San Francisco Giants-23
Career Numbers: 22-29, 3.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP

-Cain's win/loss totals are deceiving as he received awful run support during a 16 loss campaign in 2007. Despite his team's struggles, Matt posted a solid ERA and worked exactly 200 innings all while showing improvement in his command and walk totals. With an ideal pitcher's build at 6'3, 235 pounds to go along with a bulldog mentality, Cain should be a linchpin in the Giants rotation for years. His size allows him to throw a mid-90's fastball with ease and a hard curve and slider go along with an improving change-up to give him an excellent set of pitches. As long as Cain continues to show steady improvement, the Giants should have a dominant pair of right-handers at the top of their rotation with he and Tim Lincecum.

#8: Francisco Liriano-Minnesota Twins-24
Career Numbers: 13-5, 2.74 ERA, 1.02 WHIP



-Liriano is the most polarizing figure on this list, as he could easily surge up to #1 if he regains his pre-injury form. But a history of arm troubles highlighted by Tommy John surgery in 2006 temper expectation's for Liriano's career. During his 2006 rookie campaign Francisco was absolutely dominant and when healthy he was arguably better than that year's Cy Young Winner Johan Santana. Possessing a low to mid-90's fastball and a slider that is nearly impossible to get a bat on, Liriano has two excellent pitches that are the staples of his repertoire. He may be forced to use his slider less after elbow surgery, but if he can refine his curveball and take advantage of a promising change-up Francisco should have little trouble becoming a great pitcher once again. The Twins have put a lot of faith in him as he is the most talented pitcher amongst a young staff.

#9: Chad Billingsley-Los Angeles Dodgers-23
Career Numbers: 19-9, 3.49 ERA, 1.46 WHIP

-Billingsley is a prototypical power pitcher with a live fastball and sharp curveball. He also owns a hard slider that serves as an out pitch. Despite a strong build his stamina has been mediocre during his early career although that should improve as he gets older and gains more experience. Chad may not project as a surefire ace, but he could easily settle in as a good #2 starter for a number of years. With a pitcher-friendly ballpark and a solid young team behind me, Billingsley could post some very good numbers over the next decade.

#10: Fausto Carmona-Cleveland Indians-24
Career Numbers: 20-18, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP

-Carmona was a disaster as a closer in 2006 but found himself in 2007 as he became a fixture of the Indians rotation. Using his sinking fastball, Fausto was able to become a very good groundball pitcher and also offered a solid slider and change-up which enabled him to finish 2nd in the AL with a 3.06 ERA. 2007 could possibly stand as his best year when his career is done, but Carmona could settle into the middle of the Cleveland rotation and be a dependable starter.

Honorable Mention: Clay Buchholz (BOS), Phil Hughes (NYY), Yovani Gallardo (MIL), Jonathan Broxton (LAD), Matt Garza (TB)

Your Newest Twin

Continuing the organization's recent affinity for washed up veterans, the Minnesota Twins signed Livan Hernandez to a 1 year, 5 million dollar deal on Tuesday. Hernandez could earn up to 2 million more if he meets performance-based incentives. 2008 will be Livan's 13th MLB season, a career which has seen him amass a record of 134-128 while spending time with the Florida Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He immediately becomes the Twins most experienced starting pitcher by far.

Hernandez likely will not conjure up memories of recent free agent busts Sidney Ponson and Ramon Ortiz, but his signing is a head-scratcher nonetheless. Livan would be an OK addition to a contender as a back-end starter, thanks to his ability to eat innings and his wealth of postseason experience. For the Twins, a team with plenty of younger, cheaper options that could duplicate his output, he seems like a bit of a misfit. The 40 man roster is littered with youngsters who project as 3rd, 4th, and 5th starters and all of them desperately need MLB experience. This will likely push a guy like Nick Blackburn or Glen Perkins to the pen and it would appear that the Twins top 4 starters at this point would be Hernandez, Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, and Kevin Slowey, with Liriano possibly starting out of the pen to build his stamina. One positive that Hernandez brings is his aforementioned ability to eat innings, giving the bullpen arms a rest whenever he is on the mound.