The original M and M boys were the New York Yankees’ Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. The Minnesota Twins came up with Mauer and Morneau, perhaps an even better duo when it all shakes out. J.J. Hardy and Orlando Hudson, the H and H boys, became a part of the Twins infield this fall and winter, both coming with good reputations. The H and H boys and the M and M’s just about fill up the Twins’ infield.

In past columns I have disparaged Bill Smith, general manager of the Twins. His track record had not been good since he took over for Terry Ryan. His acquisitions of Craig Monroe, Livan Hernandez, Mike Lamb, Adam Everett and Luis Ayala did not help the Twins and wasted millions that could have been used in better ways. Instead of spending all this money on has-beens and never-weres, it could have been used to sign one good player for each year he was at the helm.

Smith has more than made up for his past mistakes with his signing of last year’s rescuer Carl Pavano, National League relief pitcher Clay Condrey, the acquisition of Jim Thome, a future Hall of Famer that should have one more good year left, and the recent signing of better than average second baseman Orlando Hudson. Plus the trade of underachieving centerfielder Carlos Gomez for major league shortstop J.J. Hardy.

When looking at the Twins’ lineup there appears to be only one weak spot with Nick Punto batting ninth, however, maybe it’s Nick’s year to bat .280 or above. And don’t forget we will have Jim Thome available to bat for Punto in the late innings. As with most baseball fans, while I admire Smith’s work this year, I’m never satisfied. How about a trade for a third-baseman offering Glen Perkins and Alexi Casilla. Both are in the Twins’ doghouse, Perkins for sticking up for himself and Casilla for failing to fulfill his promise time after time. I don’t anticipate this happening, because Gardenhire feels he has to play Punto someplace and third is the only position still open.

While Punto does not have many fans he does supply flexibility. He can play second or shortstop when needed and Brandan Harris can slide into third. Harris leaves something to be desired defensively, but he is a major league hitter.

If the Twins carry 11 pitchers and if you add the nine starters that leaves five positions on the 25-man roster. One goes to Jim Thome, another goes to the reserve catcher, probably Jose Morales; (we’re going to miss Mike Redmond) third to reserve infielder Brendan Harris, another to a reserve outfielder, probably Jason Pridie and the fifth to infielder Matt Tolbert, a typical Gardenhire protege of the good fielding, no hit variety. Although it’s possible that third base heir-apparent Danny Valencia will be called up during the season. That may come down to a battle between Gardenhire and Smith.

That’s the team. The pitching staff is pretty much set, in fact they may have one or two more major league pitchers more than they need. Although it’s been said that you can’t have too many pitchers. It’s still the best looking team, (at least on paper) since the 1992 Twins and should be heavily favored to win the Central Division (although the ‘92 Twins finished second). Bill Smith has even said that this team is being built to be a World Series team. It looks like if Joe Mauer wants to play for a World Series team, he’s got his wish. Now all the Twins have to do is sign him. And it could well be that by the time you read this the signing has been accomplished. Smith needs to do this, for if he doesn’t the previous good work will be forgotten.