"With the additions of veteran free agents Josh Willingham, Ryan Doumit, Jamey Carroll and a pitcher-to-be-named sometime in the near future, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is not hiding the fact that he wants to build a contending team for 2012.

Whether the Twins are actually capable of contending for a division title is highly debatable, but what's not debatable is this:

If Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau aren't healthy and productive, nothing else really matters.

Mauer spoke at length earlier this month about his offseason changes, and on Sunday, in an interview with 1500 ESPN, Ryan said Morneau's concussions "have not been an issue right now. ...

"I think everything's pointing toward being OK as we go through January and February.""