MINNEAPOLIS (AP) &045; Yeah, those three straight division titles are great, but the Minnesota Twins are growing tired of going home so early in October.

This season’s roster should give them as good a chance as any to break the habit.

The entire starting rotation and every key reliever returns from a staff that led the AL in ERA, the outfield is intact, a young first baseman is poised to become the pure power hitter this club has lacked for years, and the prized catcher is, for now, in good health.

Might this be World Series or bust for Minnesota?

&uot;I sure hope so,&uot; said right-hander Brad Radke, by far the team’s longest-tenured player. &uot;It’s fun getting in the postseason, but when you get knocked out in the first round it kind of gets old.&uot;

As Monday’s opener in Seattle approaches, the Twins have a few weaknesses &045; and two big problems. They both play on the East Coast, and they’ve hogged the League Championship Series for the past two years. No matter how good Minnesota gets this season, it is possible that the road to a ring will be blocked again by Boston or New York.

After advancing to the ALCS in 2002 and losing to eventual champion Anaheim, the Twins have twice fallen in four games to the Yankees in the first round. Each time, they won Game 1 in the Bronx and nearly came home with a 2-0 lead before fading. Sure seems like it wouldn’t take that much to get further.

&uot;I like the mix,&uot; right fielder Shannon Stewart said.

Deciding he would rather try to win one with the only team he’s ever known, Radke &045; coming off a career-best 3.48 ERA in his 10th major league season &045; signed an $18 million, two-year contract last December. That set a promising tone for this season.

By early March, Minnesota had signed eight players to multiyear deals, including a $40 million, four-year contract for Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.

&uot;Definitely, it’s good to know that you’re going to have some of your friends back,&uot; Santana said. &uot;Hopefully we’ll get better.&uot;

The Twins have their top three starters and top three relievers locked up through at least 2006, as well as Stewart and center fielder Torii Hunter.