The temperature in Minneapolis this morning is minus-25, making it impossible to imagine that in less than two months, first-year manager Rocco Baldelli will jot down the Twins' lineup for their home opener against the Indians on March 28. The card that he will exchange with Cleveland manager Terry Francona (or bench coach Brad Mills, if Francona delegates the responsibility) should contain a batting order with more power.
The Twins finished 23rd in the majors in home runs in 2018, and since the end of last season, Joe Mauer -- someone who generated a lot of hits and walks but not necessarily a lot of home runs -- has retired, leaving open the power position of first base.