But there is one position in the order that he has already decided upon and that is first baseman Justin Morneau .

The inclusion of Morneau into the fourth spot in the order brought up doubts whether Joe Mauer would hit second in the lineup. Gardenhire has normally placed a right-hander in between Mauer and Morneau to break up the left-handed hitters.

It would be definitely a change from the past few seasons, as Mauer has hit in the third spot for the majority of his career. But Mauer’s career .394 on-base percentage would seem to lend him to being an ideal candidate for the No. 2 hitter. Gardenhire did not commit to the idea of Mauer shifting permanently to the second spot in the order, but there was an implication that there is a strong possibility.

The likely options to take over the third spot are Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer.