A little over 14 months ago, the 94-victory Twins carried a pretty potent lineup into the ALDS against the Yankees. It looked like this:
1) Span
2) Hudson
3) Mauer
4) Young
5) Thome
6) Cuddyer
7) Kubel
8) Valencia
9) Hardy
It's not surprising, but it's still striking -- particularly in light of the recent Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel signings elsewhere -- to consider how much has changed since then.
Six of the nine players from that lineup -- including the Nos. 4-7 hitters -- are no longer with the Twins. Call it what you want -- rebuilding, retooling, reconfiguring -- but there is no doubt the Twins are in it when it comes to their lineup.