I've started and stopped three different careers w/ the Twins, never making it more than three seasons before the game's out of whack finances prevent me from trading players and forces me to quit.
Anyway, the first run I barely missed the playoffs the first season. I started horribly, so I traded the only position player that was hitting well (Crede) for a prospect. Crede completely tanked and I got a good young pitcher out of the deal. The team then got hot and I finised a game out of 1st. Next season I lost in the first round of playoffs.
Seecond run I barely missed the playoffs first season, then worked a trade involving Joe Nathan and some prospects for Jose Reyes and made playoffs the second season. Reyes/Mauer/Morneaur 1-2-3 in lineup was very nice
Third run I can't remember because the finances made me so mad I've already deleted it.
Anyway, in all three runs, the Twins have always been competitive. One season Morneau was a terror, but otherwise he was just above average. Mauer hits for a high average, but is injury prone. Liriano has ranged from Cy Young caliber to average. I think the game rates the squad's players as talented and takes them on various development paths. Mauer and Morneau you can count on, the others vary. Oh yeah, Blackburn has always been solid for me.