The Super Bowl is history for another year, and that means spring training begins in a matter of days. If only spring was just a week away, but baseball in Florida and Arizona provides hope that it will one day come to the rest of us.

The day before the New York Giants stole the Super Bowl from the New England Patriots in the final minute, the Twins and Mets completed the five-player deal that shipped Johan Santana to the National League. Baseball writers have weighed in, and hardly anyone believes the Twins got enough when they moved the game’s best pitcher for four Mets prospects.

It was expected the Twins would get something closer to a sure thing in the deal, such as Philip Hughes or Jacoby Ellsbury, at least one player who is almost certain to be a valuable contributor for years. The Twins used the trade, however, to pick up a second candidate to replace the departed Torii Hunter. The positional battle to settle who starts in center for Minnesota rates among the most interesting to watch this spring.

The Twins picked up 22-year-old Carlos Gomez from New York. He’s a five-tool prospect, an elite defender with an accurate arm, but his bat needs more minor league time. Gomez struggles with breaking stuff, and it’s a reason he strikes out too often and seldom walks. He started fast for Triple-A New Orleans last season, and got the call when Moises Alou was sidelined by a quad injury in mid-May.

Gomez batted .299 with a .351 OBP in 25 June contests with the Mets before breaking the hamate bone in his left hand in early July. He returned in September and finished at .232/.288/.304 in 139 plate appearances. One of the fastest guys in the game, he managed to steal 12 bases in his first taste of the majors.

The Twins also acquired Jason Pridie as part of the Delmon Young-Matt Garza deal that went down the same day Hunter came to terms on a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. The Nov. 28 trade put the offseason in motion for new Twins GM Bill Smith, who kicked off his tenure with the acquisition of both Young and Pridie.

Pridie is a left-handed line-drive hitter with a well-rounded game. A solid defensive player in center, the 24-year-old could win the job in Florida after posting hitting percentages of .318/.375/.539 in 63 games for Triple-A Durham last season.

Gomez, a right-handed hitter, has tremendous upside, but Pridie is more polished and better prepared for major league success going into the new season. It’s a critical year for Pridie, who would like to establish himself in center before Gomez is ready. Although Smith’s second major trade last week didn’t draw the raves that the Young deal did, Gomez could make it look much better if he eventually cashes in on his power-speed potential.

If both prospects struggle this spring, the Twins may call on right fielder Michael Cuddyer to man center in 2008. Craig Monroe, acquired from the Cubs in November, is another option, but the front office would like to see Pridie or Gomez emerge in what clearly is a rebuilding season for Minnesota.

More positional battles to watch will be featured in Monday’s edition of “Thom’s Take,” a season-long source of fantasy and prospect news provided as part of STATS Fantasy Advantage. SFA offers 2008 player projections, latest player injury info, team depth charts and more, all for the reasonable price of $19.95 for the entire season. Find out more or sign up at stats.com.