New Year's (Season's) Resolutions

I read an article on the top ten most popular New Year's resolutions for the coming year. (Based on who, I have no idea) But here they are:

1. Spend more time with family & friends.
2. Spend more time working out.
3. Lose weight.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Enjoy life more.
6. Quit drinking.
7. Get out of debt.
8. Learn something new.
9. Help others.
10. Get organized.

I started to wonder about what some of the Twins players might be making New Year's resolutions about, or maybe New Season's resolutions. I know a lot of the time many sports websites, blogs, and newspapers spend time criticizing players on their play on or off the field. But after thinking about it, no one's perfect, and the best professionals are the ones who aren't content with where they're at, and are always striving to be better. I remember stories of Ken Griffey Jr. never content with his swing, and 611 HR's later, "The Kid" is now "The Natural".

C Joe Mauer: New Year's Resolution-Increase power numbers without decreasing plate discipline. Although there are few obvious flaws in Mauer's offensive and defensive game, one would hope that eventually the 25 year-old with the 6-5 230 frame might produce more than 10 HR, 80 RBI seasons.

1B Justin Morneau: New Year's Resolution-Be more consistent. No one's complaining after a 2nd MVP-type season, but after his stellar 2006 campaign, his offensive numbers dropped across the board, most noticiably in his AVG (.321 to .271) and OPS (.934 to .834).

2B Alexi Casilla: Improve OBP, maintain power numbers. To everyone's suprise, Casilla knocked out 7 HR's in under 100 games last year, contradicting all of his minor league numbers. the Twins need a 2-spot hitter who is able to get on base consistently and get in scoring position for #3 man Mauer.

SS Nick Punto: Show he is a capable starting shortstop...offensively. We know Punto loves to play good, hard-nosed, Twins defense in the field. He's the scrappy little sparkplug that keeps a team going through tough stretches. But if he returns to his dismal 2007 form (.210 AVG, .291 OBP), it may be tough to keep him in the lineup, espeically if Rochester SS Trevor Plouffe is heating up.

3B: Brian Buscher: Show he is a capable starting third baseman...offensively. With either Brendan Harris or Buscher staring the 3B spot in the face, I believe that Buscher showed by the end of last season that he was a viable candidate with slightly better offensive numbers in AVG, OBP, OPS, K%, and BB/K ratio.

Next edition will include those competing for outfield and DH positions.

So long everbody...see you in '09.