Size of pitching staff in future - 13 or 12?

So now that the Milwaukee series is winding down and the Twins to back to AL foes for the next 2+ weeks, do the Twins stay with 12 pitchers or do they go back to 13?

The starting pitching has improved somewhat of late, with Pavano getting healthier, Diamond being a pleasant surprise (so far), and Walters holding his own. There are still big question marks going forward, however, with Marquis, Blackburn & Liriano all struggling. So what happens next? Do you hope the string of decent starts continues or do you plan for the worst and beef up the bullpen with an extra person?

Right now, you have too many outfielders. Pick one and stay with him (Revere) and make one (the Rule 5 guy) a backup. Then you have Plouffe and Butera also on the bench to rptate wout with Carroll/Casilla and Mauer/Doumit. Have Mauer/Duomit/Morneau play the 1B/C/DH rotation.
Until the Twins figure out what to do with Marquis, they stay with 13 pitchers. Don' even think about Liriano back into the rotation unless you really are out of the picture by mid-season.
Bring up another starter. uive Cole DeVries an opportunity. There is something to say about hunger for a major league job.
Looks like Jared Burton is on the edge.
If you do end up designating him or Gray or whomever, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give Slama a shot.
But don't take Duensing or Swarzak out of the bullpen.
And no one encourage an early return aof Blackburn.

IMO today's start for Marqis may be his last if he's terrible again...if so i put Swarzak back into the rotation, leave Duening in the pen where he's had his success mostly. Burton started off strong but has tailed off. Gray is 3-0 with a low ERA but it may be an abberation. You have Liriano for long relief if needed. Like to see Slama back up here at some point and Guttierez to if he can perfect that 2nd pitch....not sure about Devries...his minor league numbers are nothing special.

If you have a solid rotation (which the Twins clearly don't) you should never have more than 12. Also, what's the deal with all the OF's?

Whining about the number of OF? Who do you want called up? All of those players were used yesterday. Mastroianni is likely the guy sent back down, but it should be a reliever.

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Originally Posted by shanewahl

Whining about the number of OF? Who do you want called up? All of those players were used yesterday. Mastroianni is likely the guy sent back down, but it should be a reliever.

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I agree with Rosterman... We are over full with OF. Send down the Italian guy. Keep the Asian guy cuz he's rule 5. Call up Burroughs.