MinnesotaSportsScene.com

I realize and admit that I don’t write about the Minnesota Twins very often. I make no secret that I’m a football and basketball guy first and foremost, and that baseball and hockey hold only a passing interest for me.

However, I have to say it was nice to see Twin Justin Morneau selected to take part in the upcoming All-Star Break’s home run derby. Morneau is a big-time hitter who earns every penny of his contract and I’m a bit worried that were it not for the new ballpark under construction, we’d be doomed to lose him at the time of his next contract.

Still, it’s nice to see the Twins have so many toys left to play with after trading or letting go of Johann Santana, Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva in the offseason. These Twins may not have as many stars, but they are a great, overachieving squad with a solid core group of players.

Morneau’s a big part of that, and it’s nice to see major league baseball finally recognize that with the home run derby invite.

After dealing or releasing or deciding not to re-sign three of their top talents, expectations for the Twins this year were not high. That’s good, because at 21-22, they’re playing just below .500 ball.

The shocking bit is out of their control; at 23-20, the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox are only two games ahead of third-place Minnesota, well within reach, still.

Instead of polishing up your golf clubs, though, it might be wise to keep on eye on these guys. This team still has talent on it, even if the starting pitching rotation isn’t as star-studded as it once was.

If anyone can fill the considerable gloves left behind by the trade of Johann Santana, it is Francisco Liriano; although out for over a year after blowing out an elbow, Liriano was right on pace to be just as sharp as Santana two years ago. Now, with the Twins starting rotation depleted of experienced aces, the pressure is on Liriano to not just make a comeback from injury, but a return to is former self.

That will be a demanding role for the Minnesota Twins pitcher to fulfill. Buying mortgage life insurance is a better bet. After an injury like Liriano’s, the chances he will be able to pitch at that level again this season is not strong; while he’ll likely return and do OK, anyone expecting Liriano to return to pre-injury form is probably a season too soon in their expectations.