Such a young roster can be reasonably expected to make notable improvements this season, perhaps enough to capture the franchise's fifth AL Central title in the last eight years.

But given the youth of the roster, plenty of bumps along the way are more than likely, too.

"Making sure we keep getting better, that's the biggest goal of camp this year," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Gardenhire has a couple of other priorities, too.

The bullpen needs to be organized, with solutions found for vacancies in the eighth-inning role and in long relief, and a long list of candidates will shoot for those roster spots.

A backup infielder must be identified to support shortstop Nick Punto and second baseman Alexi Casilla, with Matt Tolbert, Matt Macri and a host of Class AAA prospects getting a look.

A definitive plan also needs to be worked out for third base, where Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris open camp in a platoon arrangement. Gardenhire, however, is willing to be persuaded that one or the other deserves a full-time job.

The outfield will receive the greatest focus this spring, however.

Michael Cuddyer returns healthy after a series of injuries kept him out for most of 2008. Trouble is, his replacement, Denard Span, developed into a dependable leadoff hitter in his absence, leaving Gardenhire to shoehorn four outfielders -- Span, Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young -- into three positions.

That dynamic, particularly Gardenhire's efforts to keep all four happy, could determine whether the Twins can repeat last year's 829-run output despite finishing last in the league in home runs.

The Twins have a strong nucleus, beginning with Justin Morneau and batting champion Joe Mauer, who finished second and fourth in the MVP voting. Closer Joe Nathan is as good as any in the game, and Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano are a formidable lefty-righty combination at the top of the rotation.

That's why the sophomores are such a concern.

The bullpen needs consistency and the lineup can use more punch, but the Twins' chances of capturing a fifth division title this decade probably depend on all those second-year players, Perkins and Blackburn in particular.

Warding off any sign of a sophomore slump will be the spring's No. 1 priority.

WHERE, WHEN: Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Boston.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: LF Delmon Young's first season in Minnesota was widely considered a disappointment; he generated only 10 home runs and was exposed defensively by the Metrodome's spacious left field. Even manager Ron Gardenhire seemed to give up, saying this winter that he preferred an outfield of Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Michael Cuddyer. But persistent trade rumors never panned out, and Gardenhire cleared the air with Young in January. Considering Young is only 23, there is still plenty of time to develop his power stroke.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: LHP Jose Mijares was anointed the Twins' chief setup man for closer Joe Nathan after only 10 lights-out September appearances. But the Venezuelan reliever has only five games of experience at Class AAA, missed most of 2008 after breaking his arm in a car accident, and walked out on his winter league team after a dispute with the manager. So while the 24-year-old is expected to thrive in his new role, "He's going to have to earn it in camp," general manager Bill Smith said.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Ron Gardenhire's 622-512 record includes only one losing season in his seven-year career, but driving his inexperienced 2008 roster within one win of the playoffs might have been his most remarkable job yet. Gardenhire is excellent at keeping his entire roster happy, but he'll face a difficult test this year in finding playing time for four outfielders. Gardenhire's life is made easier by pitching coach Rick Anderson's ability to develop young pitchers into a quietly effective rotation.