Justin Morneau should win his second American League Most Valuable Player award this season -- and this is why.

The guy has done nothing but win his entire career and now sits second in the American League for victories and third for innings. The Cuban Horse took some time to discuss his post-season success with the Marlins in 1997, whether or not he felt any pressure to replace Johan Santana, whether Carlos Gomez can break the Twins' stolen base record and why Minnesota can make the playoffs in 2008

What baseball fan doesn't feel me on this one? Every team has 'em — opposing players who have seemingly made their livings, earning phat contracts at the hands of their favorite clubs. Be they All-Stars, Hall of Famers or just average performers; they beat, bash, bludgeon and build stats that would make the Babe blush — at our expense. With that in mind it is time to examine a starting line-up of current players who have made the Twins look like little leaguers over the years. The assembled Competitve Twinkie Eating Champions have combined for 53 All-Star berths and 4 MVP's. Twins fans, say it with me: You're welcome!

Pick a player -- if they hit an inside-the-park homer before anyone else you win money. If they lead the contest for triples for the month you win money. If you have more points at the end of the season than anyone else -- you win money. $75, $30 and $300 Best Buy gift cards! How can you go wrong? Get in the game! We had three $75 winners last year and with the likes of Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Grady Sizemore and Carl Crawford out there -- that number is sure to continue climbing -- so get in on the Indoor Four contest!

The Cubano Caballo looked like he was going to struggle early but then handled the Tigers quite handily and besides, the wheels on the Carlos Counter were a'spinnin' and the Twins are a half game out of first. Did I mention my man crush on Livan? Just read the article.

Blue Jays infielder John McDonald recently got on the horn with the good people over at Bugs and Cranks to talk about David Eckstein, Chief Wahoo and being traded for himself. The man is the best shortstop in the American League (if not baseball) and if you don't think so -- it's one of two things -- you haven't seen him play or you just have no idea in general. Enjoy Johnny Mac!

Joe Mauer is the best catcher in the game and while it's certainly debatable, Mike Redmond sure seems to look a lot like the best back-up backstop in baseball. So while the Twins have undergone serious change this winter one thing remains the same -- no team in the majors has better receivers than Minnesota.

Seriously though, who didn't love Quiz? The 'stache, the humor, that wonderfully quirky submarine delivery â€" it all culminated in one of the least overpowering yet effective closers the game has seen. February 7th was the birthday of longtime Royals closer Dan Quisenberry. Have a look and remember the unique submarine reliever and even enjoy one of his many poems.

The Twins waited and waited, refusing to submit to the less-than-overwhelming offers from the Red Sox and Yankees only to end up dealing the best pitcher in baseball to the Mets for a bag of chips and a Diet Coke. What the BLEEP is goin' on?

Johan Santana is the latest Twins star that may be on his way out but the offers from New York and Boston have been less than satisfying. And while Minnesota doesn't want to lose its ace for nothing, until and unless these financial heavyweights stop behaving as though the Twins are the new Kansas City Athletics — the answer is no.

Shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday Raymer took time out of his hectic schedule to hold a brief conversation with Bugs & Cranks. We discussed why he thinks 2003 Main Event winner Chris Moneymaker gets a bad rap (and my boy Dan Milian is a dead-ringer), the Poker Brat, whether reads or math are more important at the table, and revealed that even he has been called a donkey -- hundreds of times!

No one wanted to see him go and while it's true that former GM Terry Ryan allowed this to happen by not trading him, it's Thanksgiving damn it and I'm not going to be bitter on a day like today. Instead, I choose to reflect on why I am thankful Torii Hunter played for my team for as long as he did.

...for a Minnesota Twins organization at a crossroads between its recently prosperous past and an uncertain future. With center fielder Torii Hunter almost sure to exit via free agency and the possibility of dealing the game's best pitcher very much a reality, Smith has wasted no time in making decision one -- acquiring outfielder Craig Monroe from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later.

Michael Cuddyer received a hefty raise in arbitration following a career year in 2006 that saw the right fielder hit .284 with 24 homers and 109 RBI. Last season Cuddyer's numbers fell off amid the overall struggles of the Twins offense but no major league outfielder threw out more base runners. With the possibility of Torii Hunter's departure more and more real every day, the man with the sweet swing will need to test his new-found patience and return to his '06 form if the Twins want to remain competitive. B&C tossed five pitches at Cuddyer about the idea of life without Hunter, why he's willing to do whatever needs doing to win, and why he doesn't mind people making the mistake of running on his right arm.

In the defining trade of former general manager Terry Ryan's career, Joe Nathan was acquired from the San Francisco Giants following a 12-win season as set-up man for the G-men in 2003. Since that time Nathan has collected 160 saves, placing him behind only Rick Aguilera for top spot on the Twins career list. The two-time All-Star recently waxed 2008 with B&C about Minnesota's rotation, the desire to play the rest of his professional days in the Cities, how far the Twins have to go to be a championship club, and reminds us all once again – that coffee…is for closers.