ARRIVALS: RHP Luis Ayala (free agent from Mets), RHP Jason Jones (Rule 5 pick from Yankees), 3B Joe Crede (free agent from White Sox).

DEPARTURES: SS Adam Everett (free agent, signed with Tigers), LHP Eddie Guardado (free agent, signed with Rangers), LHP Dennys Reyes (free agent, signed with Cardinals), DH Randy Ruiz (released, signed with Blue Jays).

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Scott Baker

2. LHP Francisco Liriano

3. RHP Kevin Slowey

4. LHP Glen Perkins

5. RHP Nick Blackburn

They're all 27 or younger, all but Liriano won 11 or 12 games last season, and all five starters project to improve this year. Blackburn is considered the biggest question mark, but he allowed only one run over 6 1/3 innings in the season's biggest game, the AL Central tiebreaker.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Joe Nathan (closer)

RHP Jesse Crain

RHP Matt Guerrier

LHP Craig Breslow

LHP Jose Mijares

RHP Luis Ayala

RHP Philip Humber

If Mijares can replicate his incredible September -- the rookie left-hander allowed only one run and three hits in 10 appearances -- the Twins' search for an eighth-inning specialist is over. But if his electric fastball-slider combo isn't ready, the Twins will audition Crain, who is two years removed from shoulder surgery; Guerrier, who wore down through overuse last year; and Ayala, a sinkerballer signed for bullpen depth.

Nathan has saved 36 games or more for five consecutive seasons, so the Twins are confident about the ninth inning even though the closer is 34 years old. The only question? Humber could wind up in the rotation if a vacancy arises due to injury.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. LF Denard Span

2. 2B Alexi Casilla

3. C Joe Mauer

4. 1B Justin Morneau

5. RF Michael Cuddyer

6. DH Jason Kubel

7. 3B Joe Crede

8. SS Nick Punto

9. CF Carlos Gomez

It's hard to believe that Delmon Young, still only 23 after two big-league seasons, won't be in the lineup most nights, but manager Ron Gardenhire prefers the defense of his other three outfielders. Gardenhire plans to play all four outfielders but admits even he isn't certain how he'll do it.

The Twins finished last among AL teams in home runs last season, but Crede could add some sock. They're betting on Morneau bettering the 23 he hit last year and are hoping Kubel, left alone to play every day, blossoms into a 30-homer hitter.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Mike Redmond

INF Brendan Harris

INF Brian Buscher

OF Delmon Young

The 37-year-old Redmond received only 129 at-bats in 2008, his fewest in five years, but Joe Mauer's offseason kidney surgery makes it likely that the batting champion won't play 146 games again. The Twins might consider keeping a third catcher as insurance.

Buscher and Harris figured to battle for the third base job before the Twins added Joe Crede.

TOP ROOKIES: LHP Jose Mijares has faced 34 major league hitters and has allowed no walks, one double and two singles. The Twins don't expect him to be that unhittable -- but they hope he's ready to assume the eighth-inning duties. RHP Philip Humber, acquired in the Johan Santana trade, was a disappointment during a September call-up, but he's out of options and could stick in the bullpen. A 6-1 record at Class AAA during in the second half of 2008 gives the Twins hope he can help.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Pat Neshek (Tommy John elbow surgery in November 2008) was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Feb. 21. He'll miss the entire 2009 season.

RHP Boof Bonser (right shoulder surgery in February 2009) likely will miss the entire season.

C Joe Mauer (surgery to correct blockage in kidney in December 2008) was slowed in mid-March by a sore back. The diagnosis was inflammation in the sacroiliac joint, and he increased his medication and was to continue resting. He probably will miss at least the first few weeks of the season.