29-year old switch-hitting infielder Matt Tolbert has elected to become a free agent instead of returning to the Twins in 2012. Tolbert played in 87 games for the Twins last year and he was 41 for 207 (.198 avg, .518 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 0 homers, 11 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He played in 247 games in four years with the Twins and he was 139 for 605 (.230 avg, .607 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 3 homers, 54 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. The Twins should be o.k. without Tolbert around in 2012 and beyond.

The Twins are going to have four key free agents after the World Series is over. Here is who I see staying and leaving out of this bunch:

Jason Kubel: 29-year old lefty swinging DH/OF Jason Kubel played in 99 games for the Twins last year and he was 100 for 366 (.273 avg, .766 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 12 homers, 58 RBIs and 1 stolen base. I think the Twins are going to be wary about giving Kubel the big bucks he’s going to get offered on the open market because of injury issues. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Michael Cuddyer: 32-year old righty swinging OF/1B Michael Cuddyer played in 139 games for the Twins in 2011 and he was 150 of 529 (.284 avg, .805 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 20 homers, 70 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. The Twins would love to have Cuddyer back, but I think another team is going to give him an offer that he won’t be able to refuse. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Matt Capps: 28-year old righty reliever Matt Capps pitched in 69 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 4-7 with 15 saves, a 4.25 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Capps will likely look around and see what’s out there. He will be the Twins’ fallback option at closer if Joe Nathan leaves. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Joe Nathan: 36-year old righty reliever Joe Nathan started the year slowly as he was recovering from Tommy John Surgery. But he was pretty darn solid in the second half of the season. The Twins hold a $12.5 million dollar club option on Nathan for 2012 with a $2 million dollar buyout. PREDICTION: STAYING FOR MUCH LESS THAN $12.5 MILLION BUCKS

The Minnesota Twins suffered a lot of injuries in 2011, but the guys that did play….were pretty bad. The Twins finished in last place in the A.L. Central with a 63-99 record, 32 games behind the Tigers. Here is a look at what stood out to me in 2011:

TEAM MVP: 32-year old righty swinging RF/1B Michael Cuddyer was the last man standing for most of the 2011 season for the Twins. He played in 139 games for the Twins in 2011 and he was 150 for 529 (.284 avg, .805 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 20 homers, 70 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

BEST PITCHER: 28-year old lefty reliever Glen Perkins was by far the best pitcher for the Twins in 2011. Perkins pitched in 65 games (0 starts) for the Twins in 2011 and he was 4-4 with 2 saves, a 2.48 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He whiffed 65 batters while only giving up 55 hits in his first 61 2/3 innings as he was very effective out of the pen.

PLEASANT SURPRISE: 23-year old lefty swinging rookie outfielder Ben Revere got a ton of P.T. due to the injuries the Twins suffered in the outfield. Revere played in 117 games for the Twins in 2011 and he was 120 for 450 (.267 avg, .619 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 0 homers, 30 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. He appears to have a bright future with the Twins.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: 30-year old lefty swinging 1B Justin Morneau just couldn’t stay healthy in 2011. He played in 69 games for the Twins in 2011 and he was 60 for 264 (.227 avg, .618 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 4 homers and 30 RBIs. It’s starting to look like he will never be the same player he once was before his nasty concussion that cut short his 2010 season.