Is Hendriks sewn up as 5th starter?

[raindog]

I fully expect the rotation to include Diamond, Gibson, and Hendricks. Those guys, if healthy, need to pitch at the MLB level. If we can sign two veterans, I think we have a solid (not great), rotation. Say,

 

Sanchez

McCarthy

Diamond

Gibson

Hendricks

 

With Deduno, DeVries, and Walters when needed. I'm probably dreaming with Sanchez, but maybe a guy like Haren would be realistic. Not saying this rotation would make the Twins contenders, but it's a rotation that could make them competitors. Without really disrupting the rebuild.

[Brock Beauchamp]

With Deduno, DeVries, and Walters when needed. I'm probably dreaming with Sanchez, but maybe a guy like Haren would be realistic. Not saying this rotation would make the Twins contenders, but it's a rotation that could make them competitors. Without really disrupting the rebuild.

 

It would probably help the rebuild. With Span gone and Morneau one foot out the door, the Twins are going to have a lot of payroll flexibility. To get a guy like Jackson, Sanchez, or Greinke, it's going to take at least four years. That puts the contract through 2016 at the very least. That's smack in the middle of when the team should expect a productive Gibson, Hicks, Arcia, etc. to be on the team.

[Sssuperdave]

Dont believe Gardy ever lets players win a job in spring training.....tho they can lose it. Ive always thought Gardy knows his 25 guys coming into camp......believe Hendiks has the 5th spot and its his to lose, again if he's not dealt

 

 

I agree with this. As has already been pointed out the last few times there was a spring training "competition" for a spot, the player that played the best in spring training didn't get the spot. In my opinion, this is as it should be. It makes more sense to rely on a multiple year body of work (including minor leagues) than a few weeks in March when making these decisions. Based on that I do think Hendricks has a spot sown up. It might seem silly since he struggled last year, but he is more of a long term solution that Deduno, Devries, Walters, etc, and doesn't really need any more seasoning. Of course, if he continues struggling in April and May he should probably go back down to AAA the tune things up, but coming out of the gate I think it's his job to lose.