Francisco Liriano

What if? It is a question asked much too often among sports fans. This time, however, it is legitimate.

The Minnesota Twins were a very talented, balanced, and well-coached team last season. So, what if Francisco Liriano had even a semi-productive '09 season? Would they have made the World Series or possibly even won it? I think so.

Francisco Liriano has served many roles in the eyes of Twins fans.

In 2006, he was the second-coming of Johan Santana and part of a vicious one-two punch that would lead the Twins to the Promised Land.

In 2007, he was the missing piece on a team that failed to meet expectations.

It’s time to look at the potential two-start options for the upcoming fantasy week.  If I have someone rated as a three, four or five-star option, they are someone I would definitely use. 

A two-star option is someone who is borderline, but I’d strongly lean against it unless I have no other options.  The one-star options are an absolutely not scenario.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at the players available to you this week:

5-Star Options:

A dagger digs deeper into the hearts of the Minnesota Twins faithful each time Johan Santana authors another quality start for the New York Mets.

Santana, whom the Twins were forced to deal in February 2008 for four prospects, is off to a fast and furious start this season.

On Friday, the former American League Cy Young winner limited the Washington Nationals to one run over six innings while striking out 10. Thus far, Santana is sporting a 0.70 ERA with a gaudy strikeout-to-walk ratio of six to one.

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The Minnesota Twins boast one of the best young rotations in all of Major League Baseball. Francisco Liriano is the ace of the rotation, but he has started off the season slow, with a 0-2 record with a ERA of 6.94.

Does Liriano have what it takes to rebound from these numbers?

It's way too early for General Manager Bill Smith, Manager Ron Gardenhire or anyone else in the Minnesota Twins organization to be pushing the panic button or contemplating wholesale changes.

After all, the Twins are still 3-4 following two losses to the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. They are just one game back of the division-leading Detroit Tigers and one-half game behind both Chicago and Kansas City.

Yet, it was those losses in the final two games of the three-game weekend set with the White Sox that may trigger some mild concern.

It looked like all it took to rejuvenate the Minnesota Twins offense was a whiff of U.S. Cellular Field.

This perception was a wrong number, as the Twins dropped an 8-0 decision to the White Sox Saturday afternoon.