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Twins Looking For Leadership After Veterans Leave

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — There's a different vibe in the Minnesota Twins clubhouse this spring.

Michael Cuddyer, Joe Nathan and Jason Kubel are gone, and the Twins are still adjusting to the loss of the three steadying influences. Cuddyer and Nathan were regulars with the Twins since 2004 while Kubel had been a mainstay since 2006.

Cuddyer signed with the Colorado Rockies, Nathan went to Texas and Kubel to Arizona.

The leaves the Twins a little light in the leadership department. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are coming off injuries that kept them from asserting themselves last season.

Most who remain with the Twins say that Cuddyer, Nathan and Kubel will be missed. But they also say it's a part of the business of baseball and they're confident new leaders will step forward.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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