Going into the offseason I gave 5 questions in regards to what I would like to see happen before the Minnesota Twins took the field for their first game in Target Field, and General Manager Bill Smith has seemingly answered all of them (except the one Twins fans are still pining for…). They were as follows:

1. Can the Twins sign Joe Mauer to an extension? And for how much?

My answer now is still the same. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when. One of the biggest issues heading into these negotiations was if Mauer would be satisfied that the Twins organization was serious about contending for a World Series Title going forward. Well, I think the Front Office has answered any doubts that Mauer may have had with this offseason, so we can put that conversation to rest.

2. Who’s going to be in the Starting Rotation next year?

They brought Pavano back, and although they didn’t necessarily pick up an ‘Ace’ like I wanted them too, I’m getting more and more optimistic that Francisco Liriano will bounce back and take that role this season (end of 2008 version, not 2006, and is something I was hinting at near the end of this post).

Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, and Kevin Slowey are the other locks, and there is a solid group of guys behind them in Brian Duensing, Glen Perkins, and Anthony Swarzak that could step in when needed.

Its not a Top-flight starting rotation on or near the level of the Yankees or Red Sox, but every starter the Twins send out to the mound can shut a team down on any given day, and I like that in a starting rotation.

3. What to do with the Bullpen?

While they haven’t exactly “blown it up”, what they have done, is improved in some areas and brought back the guys who performed well for them last season. Jon Rauch, Matt Guerrier, and Jose Mijares (at times) were solid as setup-men and are back, Clay Condrey was brought in after Bobby Keppel was released to eat up some innings, and Pat Neshek is ready to make his comeback from Elbow Surgery.

Despite his efforts in the playoffs last year, Joe Nathan is still one of the games best closers, and whoever is left out of the starting rotation from the group of Duensing, Perkins, and Liriano, will provide another strong arm for the pen.

Also, I’m going to say this name a lot going into this season, but watch out for reliever Anthony Slama, a pitcher who likely will start the season as the closer or a crucial-setup man for AAA Rochester. Look for him to burst onto the Twins scene at some point in 2010, much like Neshek did a few years back.

4. What will the infield left of First-Base look like next year?

Vastly different, which is a good thing. J.J. Hardy was brought in via trade with the Milwaukee Brewers to fill the Shortstop position for the foreseeable future, and now that Orlando Hudson has signed to play 2B, the Twins could have one of the most solid middle-infields in Major League Baseball.

With Hudson on board, Nick Punto and Brendan Harris will provide a serviceable but not spectacular platoon at 3B, hopefully until prospect Danny Valencia’s bat proves ready at AAA.

5. Too many outfielders, too little playing time?

This conundrum was also solved via the J.J. Hardy acquisition, as the Twins sent exciting and frustrating CF Carlos Gomez to the Brewers. This locked the Twins starting outfield as Delmon Young in LF (who plays better when he’s getting regular playing time), Denard Span in CF (one of the top leadoff hitters in the AL), and Michael Cuddyer in RF (hit a career high 32 HR’s last season). Jason Kubel is available to play either of the corner spots as well.

The only thing missing from this picture is someone capable of backing up Span in CF, which will likely be AAA OF Jason Pridie, but this could also be the one remaining spot where the Twins do something else going into 2010, or where someone could impress in Spring Training to nab the final roster spot.

I also gave 2 predictions going into the offseason, and those were:

1. Target Field is going to Rock.

Can you even question this?

2. Joe Mauer is your 2009 AL MVP.

Everybody knew this was going to happen at the time, but it was great to see all the same, and an exclamation point on a monster season.

Anyway, 2010 is looking bright for the Twins, and as soon as this whole Joe Mauer contract stuff is worked out, it will be arguably the best offseason in the history of the Minnesota Twins.

(Pitchers and Catchers report in 12 Days!)

UPDATE – 5PM: Heh, in reference to my prediction at the end of question #5, The Twins have signed former Outfielder Jacque Jones to a Minor League Deal after OF Jason Pridie was claimed off waivers by the Mets. Pridie was put on waivers to make room on the 40-man roster for Orlando Hudson. The Star Tribune’s Joe Christensen reports.