Spring Training - Game 23 - 3/23 - vs Tampa

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins play today at 2:05 central time against the Rays. Here is the lineup. They are also going with a bullpen pitching day.

Denard Span CF
Jamey Carroll SS
Joe Mauer C
Justin Morneau DH
Josh Willingham LF
Danny Valencia 3B
Chris Parmelee RF
JR Towles C
Luke Hughes 2B

Pitchers: Matt Capps, Casey Fien, Jeff Gray, Matt Maloney, Glen Perkins, Brendan Wise, Alex Burnett

[Seth Stohs]

Very interesting happenings in the lineup. Here's what I'm seeing...

Willingham back in LF again, back to back days. Chris Parmelee is in RF where he played late in yesterday's game. Joe Mauer is at 1B with Morneau DHing.

I can't help but thinking that Parmelee is making this team, but they want to ensure that he will play every day. He will likely primarily play at 1B, but when Mauer gets out from behind the plate, he'll play first base and Parmelee will move out to RF (to keep him in the lineup... if he can prove good enough out there). Parmelee's presence likely most affects the playing time of Ben Revere/Trevor Plouffe as Willingham clearly is an everyday player too.

[Neinstein]

I'm down with that.

[Ultima Ratio]

What happens with Doumit?

[Neinstein]

What happens with Doumit?

Mauer & Parmelee rotate @ 1B. Then, while Mauer & Doumit rotate @ C, Parmelee in RF. Doumit would also get occasional DH.

[Ultima Ratio]

If Mourneau is the primary DH, Mauer primary C, and Parmelee primary 1B, does this put Doumit as the primary RF with Willingham in LF? This would make some scary bad defense in the OF. The plan for Doumit was for more than just backup C duties, but primary DH given his defensive limits. If Parmelee makes the team, you have to move Doumit from DH to RF to keep his bat int he line-up, no? Yes, I get that there will be plenty of rotating/shifting (whether this maneuver is full of wisdom or not), but just this move of Morneau to DH for Doumit is a defensive downgrade no matter if Doumit is in RF or someone else-- again, as a primary lineup.

[Mr. Ed]

LaVelle reports Spencer Steedley was let go yesterday.

[Seth Stohs]

LaVelle reports Spencer Steedley was let go yesterday.

That is correct.

[minn55441]

I'm still taking Terry Ryan and Gardy at their word. Morneau has proven himself at 1B, he doesn't need many reps the next two weeks. He does need additional at-bats. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

[Neinstein]

Yes, I get that there will be plenty of rotating/shifting (whether this maneuver is full of wisdom or not), but just this move of Morneau to DH for Doumit is a defensive downgrade no matter if Doumit is in RF or someone else-- again, as a primary lineup.

Parmelee in the opening day lineup scenario is all about Morneau's continued health and not about Parmelee or Doumit.
As for the downgrade, I could still see some lineups calling for Revere in RF or even LF. The idea is to get Parmelee in there while Morneau remains a question mark.
I think they're looking at this as more of a short term arrangement while the dust settles and cobwebs clear for Justin. If that doesn't happen, then some other more bizarre scenarios may play out down the road.

[Ultima Ratio]

Parmelee in the opening day lineup scenario is all about Morneau's continued health and not about Parmelee or Doumit.
As for the downgrade, I could still see some lineups calling for Revere in RF or even LF. The idea is to get Parmelee in there while Morneau remains a question mark.
I think they're looking at this as more of a short term arrangement while the dust settles and cobwebs clear for Justin. If that doesn't happen, then some other more bizarre scenarios may play out down the road.

I hope you are correct, that this is a temporary 'wait and see' approach. If this happens, I see the reason not being a worry about cobwebs from the concussion per se, but the ability to focus on hitting and hitting alone. This tactic of DHing Morneau is an emersion into hitting.... getting so many reps that either he pulls out of his hitting funk, or breaks himself trying. I politely disagree: I never expect Revere in RF except for some bizarre emergency.

[Neinstein]

I politely disagree: I never expect Revere in RF except for some bizarre emergency.

Personally, I don't think it would happen, but we have seen stranger things.
I'm also curious how Willingham feels spending some quality time out there in LF, wondering if we'll be seeing a lot of that this year anyway.

[Seth Stohs]

Nice 1st inning for Jeff Gray. Fly out. Ground out. Then he struck out Evan Longoria.

I just don't understand why he hasn't pitched more. He's on the 40 man. He's out of options. Could he still be in the equation for an opening day spot? could be earn it in the next week?

[Seth Stohs]

Justin Morneau with a 2-run blast gives the Twins a 2-0 lead. I bet that felt good for him to run around the bases!!

[ThatsRich]

Morneau homers - at last - let's hope the first of dozens this year.

[Fanatic Jack]

Morneau hitting that HR is better than anything I can imagine this spring. The middle of the lineup of Mauer/Morneau/Willingham/Parmelee/Valencia/Doumit. That is some serious thump.

[Fanatic Jack]

Mr. Ryan please release Jeff Gray. Pleeeeeeease!!!!!!!

[Seth Stohs]

So, now, based on Inning 2, Jeff Gray may not be part of the discussion.

[Seth Stohs]

JR Towles has done pretty much nothing the three weeks in between, but he just connected for his 2nd home run of the spring.

[ThatsRich]

What is this? A backup catcher that can hit? I don't think I've ever seen that...