Seth Stohs

Hollimon will either be a utility player with the Twins or a utility player with the Red Wings (or possibly Rock Cats again). Based on his age, no problem with him being a utility guy at all. I'm a lot surprised by the angst toward Nishioka. From what I read, it's certainly more than just on-field, in-game issues that have writers upset with him. Maybe it is some of last year. Maybe it's just wanting to see somebody (anybody!) else.

yeah, don't get me wrong... I would much prefer Hollimon as a utility guy than Nishioka... And I agree with JC... the odds aren't as bad today as they were at the start of camp. Another hit today.

If it's truly just a few starts, it'll be a minimum affect. I mean, his service time is only going when he's with the big league club, so when they send him down, it stops again. I think after his 3 hitless innings last night, he's probably the only one that makes sense.

Hollimon was pretty bad last year between AA and AAA and yet he hit a bunch of home runs (I think 18?). But I think he played 3B, 2B, 1B, LF and RF last year... not sure how much SS. The Twins signed him out of independent ball, but he did get a cup of coffee with the Tigers. I would agree that it is a very long shot. But it probably was a long shot for him to still be on the roster and gettibeng opportunities like today won't hurt... although getting more than 7 or 8 plate appearances in 2 weeks may also make it more clear why he won't be on the opening day roster.

The Twins travel across the state to Jupiter to take on Ozzie Guillen and the Marlins. Here is the lineup: Denard Span CF Tsuyoshi Nishioka SS Danny Valencia 3B Chris Parmelee 1B Ryan Doumit RF Luke Hughes DH Michael Hollimon 2B JR Towles C Ben Revere LF Carl Pavano SP

Today in our preseason AL Central vote, we move from left to center field. Be sure to vote for your choice for "Which AL Central Center Fielder will have the best 2012?" Be sure to vote here. The Candidates (2011 stats) Minnesota Twins - Denard Span- .264/.328/.359(.687) with 11-2B, 5-3B, 2-HR, 16 RBI Chicago White Sox - Alejandro de Aza- .329/.400/.520 (.920) with 11-2B, 3-3B, 4-HR, 23 RBI Cleveland Indians - Ezequiel Carrera- .243/.301/.312 (.613) with 8-2B, 3-3B, 0-HR, 14 RBI Ezequiel Cabrera MILB - 287/.371/.348 (.719) with 8-2B, 3-3B. 2-HR, 25 RBI Detroit Tigers - Austin Jackson- .249/.317/.374 (.690) with 22-2B, 11-3B, 10-HR, 45 RBI Kansas City Royals - Lorenzo Cain - .273/.304/.318 (.622) with 1-2B, 0-0-3B, 0-HR, 1 RBI Lorenzo Cain MILB - 312/.380/.497 (810) with 28-2B, 3-3B, SUMMARY Span was on his way to a possible All Star appearance when he slid, feet-first, into the Royals’ Brayan Pena. The concussion pretty much cost him the rest of his season. He came back but went 1-31 before being shut down again. He was able to get into a few games late in the season and hopes to be at 100% in 2012. When healthy, he’s a terrific lead-off hitter with some extra base pop. He’s also a very good defensive centerfielder. De Aza was given the Marlins starting CF job in 2007. It didn’t go well and ended after just 45 games. He resurfaced with the White Sox in 2010, and in 2011, he played very well in 54 games with the White Sox. Which De Aza will show up in 2012? The White Sox will begin the season with him as their cdenterfielder and we will all find out. Grady Sizemore was re-signed by the Indians, but he got hurt within days of spring training opening. Carrera will likely get a lot of the time in center. He is very fast. In AAA, he stole 35 bases in 39 attempts and added another ten steals in the big leagues. Austin Jackson was a Rookie of the Year candidate in 2010, spurred by a very high BABIP. His numbers plummeted in 2011, but he still plays great defense and has good speed and a little pop in his bat. Batting average will dictate how good his numbers look in 2012. The Royals also acquired Lorenzo Cain from the Brewers in the Zach Greinke trade. Despite a huge, breakout season from Melky Cabrera last year with the Royals, they were happy to trade him to the Giants (for Jonathan Sanchez) to make room for Cain. Another very speedy, terrific glove centerfielder, he hit very well in AAA, helping the team to the PCL title. There is your information, now it is time to vote. Who will be the best centerfielder in the AL Central in 2012? My choice?

That's not a new rule.

The Twins Cities media is now reporting that there is a chance that Scott Baker will begin the 2012 season on the Disabled List due to his elbow. I don't think this news surprises anyone. The questions must be asked: 1.) If he's going to miss a month, who fills his spot in the rotation? 2.) If he's giong to miss one or two starts, who fills the spot? Candidates appear to be: Liam Hendriks, Terry Doyle, Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Matt Maloney, others?

Shane, I guess I just don't see who is better than swarzak for certain. He's still a fairly young pitcher compared to other options. He certainly had some moments last year. He's certainly got the attitude to pitch out of the bullpen.

I think Gutierrez is technically still in the competition, but outside chance at this point, in part because he too has three option years remaining. How long do they keep him at Rochester? Until he's ready and there is a need. No way Wuertz makes the big league opening day roster coming in at this point. If they did sign him, I'd guess he would stay in Ft. Myers for a month and work out and build up arm strength. Then they would get him into a couple of games with the Miracle. Then they would send him to Rochester and he can compete with the Manship's and Gutierrez's and the rest of the bullpen arms that wind up there. I think there is a decent chance that he signs with the Twins. I mean, as good of a chance as anyone else.

And the business side which says that Anthony Swarzak is out of options and based on a solid 2011 campaign, in which he showed that flexibility, he would be lost. Waldrop has three options years remaining at this point. Personally, i think both are locks at this point.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?326-Three-Weeks-To-Opening-Day-Roster-Projections

Last week, we looked at a projected Twins Opening Day roster. This week, we’re trying it again. I think that there are 20 “Givens” at this point, three weeks before Opening Day. Of course you can disagree, if you like. I also believe that the five remaining positions are all pretty intriguing and could have several possibilities at this point. There are still 57 players in Twins big league camp. If there are 20 ‘givens,’ it technically means that there are still 37 players in camp competing for the remaining five spots. Of course, we know that isn’t really true. Most likely there are two or three players competing for a possible third catcher job. There are maybe two or three players competing for the final utility spot. And there are maybe five to seven pitchers competing for the final three bullpen spots. That means there are nine to thirteen players competing for five roster spots. The remaining players are working to make a strong impression on the coaching staff and front office in case there are needs later in the season for call-ups. (The players in Red are players that I believe are givens to make the roster (obviously pending injury). Those in black are potentially up for grabs. Discuss my selections and be sure to post your roster projections in the Comments as well.) Catchers: Joe Mauer, Ryan Doumit, JR Towles No change. I’ll stick with Towles again this week, although I feel less comfortable with that selection. None of the #3 catcher options is doing much this spring. In fact, they aren’t playing very much, and Butera is playing as well as any of them. I’ll stay with Towles just because I think the Twins brass is ready for that change. Infielders: Justin Morneau, Alexi Casilla, Danny Valencia, Jamey Carroll, Luke Hughes, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, No change, although I did make Luke Hughes a given at this point, now that he is healthy. Nishioka is probably a given as well since there isn’t much competition for a utility role and he is hitting a little bit in camp. Outfielders: Ben Revere, Denard Span, Josh Willingham, Trevor Plouffe No change. Starting Pitchers: Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Jason Marquis No changes. No surprises again. However, if Baker is more hurt, that helps the odds of Liam Hendriks making a few starts at the start of the season. Bullpen: Matt Capps, Glen Perkins, Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Jared Burton, Kyle Waldrop, Matt Maloney The first four are givens. It is looking more and more like Waldrop and Burton are close to moving into that same category, but I can’t put either of them there quite yet. Maloney has been incredible, and with Terry Doyle’s struggles, he would appear to be the favorite to win the long-reliever spot. Waldrop and Maloney are new since last week while Doyle and Jeff Manship come off the list. Manship certainly deserves a strong look as well the next two weeks. Casey Fien is pitching well in camp’s small sample size so far. I think that Alex Burnett was nearly a given in the mind of Gardy and Rick Anderson at the start of camp, but I’d be surprised if he is a given at this point. He could still change minds in the next two weeks. Although the odds are likely against Doyle making the roster at this point, that could still change over the next couple of weeks. What are your thoughts? Discuss what your roster looks like? [ATTACH=CONFIG]334[/ATTACH]

I stand corrected. What people forget is that the rules of eligibility for the Rule 5 draft changed a few years ago and teams get an extra year to evaluate whether or not to put players on the 40 man roster. It's much more difficult for people to slip through the cracks.

I've talked to people too who have said it was really bad, plus so much of it was staged. For instance, there were several times when a player would get promoted, then the crew would find out and make them recreate the situation. I'm still trying to find it but haven't been able to.

The TwinsDaily AL Central Preseason Team's infield is pretty well set. It's time to move to the outfield. Be sure to vote for your choice for "Which AL Central Left Fielder will have the best 2012?" The Candidates (2011 stats) Minnesota Twins - Ben Revere - .267/.310/.309 (.619) with 9-2B, 5-3B, 0-HR, 30 RBI Chicago White Sox - Dayan Viciedo - .255/.327/.314 (.641) with 3-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 6 RBI Dayan Viciedo MILB - .296/.364/.491 (.856) with 28-2B, 0-3B, 2-HR, 78 RBI Cleveland Indians - Michael Brantley - .266/.318/.384 (.702) with 24-2B, 4-3B, 7-HR, 46 RBI Detroit Tigers - Delmon Young - .268/.302/.393 (.695) with 21-2B, 1-3B, 12-HR, 64 RBI Kansas City Royals - Alex Gordon - .303/.376/.502 (.879) with 45-2B, 4-3B, 23-HR, 87 RBI SUMMARY Despite an OPS+ of just 73, Twins fans saw the game-changing speed that Ben Revere possesses in 2011. Now, if he can increase the batting average a bit, and find a way to get his on-base percentage up to reasonable numbers, and he could have a big affect on the Twins 2012 season. In 2011, he set the Twins rookie stolen base record with 34 steals. He will turn 24 in early May. The White Sox signed Viciedo as a young 3B from Cuba. Even now, he just turned 23. Last yaer was the first year that he was exclusively playing in the outfield. Although he primarily played right field, manager Robin Ventura thinks that his team's best defensive alignment means Viciedo will play in left field. Although he hasn't found much big league success, he is strong and has a very powerful swing that could eventually play a powerful role in the middle of the White Sox lineup. Michael Brantley is the 24 year old son of former big leaguer Mickey Brantley. He is another speedy outfielder with good range. With a full season of games, it is likely that he will surpass most of his father's big league statistics. Delmon Young finished 10th in MVP voting in 2010 when he had his breakout season with the Twins. He returned to his frustrating self in 2011 and the Twins traded him to the Tigers in August. He hit third for the Tigers and contributed a little bit to the Tigers playoff run. The team tried to trade the 26 year old much of the offseason but were unable to. If he hits in front of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, he could put up decent numbers in 2012 again. 28-year-old Alex Gordon was the second overall pick in the incredible 2005 draft. While fellow 3B Ryan Zimmerman and Ryan Braun got to the big leagues quickly and have had tremendous success throughout their careers, 2011 was finally the breakout year for Gordon. Not only did he perform well with the bat, he won a Gold Glove for his work in left field. He also stole 17 bases. There is your information, now it is time to vote. Who will be the best left fielder in the AL Central in 2012? My choice?

I wrote today that I liked what Brendan Wise brings to the table in terms of a different delivery than normal, and a ton of movement on his pitches, ground ball tendencies, etc. As many have said, I think he compares to Kyle Waldrop in terms of movement, ground balls, etc. With both of them not getting a ton of strikeouts, you're going to have days like Wise had today... 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K. I also wrote that all those bullpen guys who had allowed 0 or 1 ER to that point in the spring could have a game where they give up 3 ER in an inning and insteda of a shiny 0.00 ERA, suddenly it's 5+... Wise's is at 6.75 and yet he's pitched pretty well in 3 out of 4 outings. But without seeing, I dont' know if Wise was hit hard, or if those ground balls just found holes.

Probably would have to ask a scout, but thinking out loud, the bigger the shortstop, the lower the speed/range.

I don't think anyone things like that. I think we'd all be happy with a solid middle or long reliever. I know that. hey, Cole DeVries pitched nearly as well in the AFL and the Twins didn't even invite him to camp despite a terrific 2011 regular season.

Those three may be, but you have to agree that there are things they could work on. I think all three could play for the Twins today and be alright. With Doyle, I really don't know. Clearly there are things that he needs to work on. however, the circumstances are completely different due to the Rule 5 draft. They just are.

That's part of the reason... In each case, there is also a solid reason why getting AAA time would be good... the first and foremost is playing time. All three are good prospects who are young enough that you don't want them in a reserve role. The OF is currently set for the Twins. The middle infield appears set at this time. And, at least for now, the Twins have a 1B and a DH. So, none of the three would play, so they might as well go play in Rochester. Secondly, i think each of them has things that they can improve upon by playing more. With Benson, I think that by playing he can (hopefully) improve his contact rate. Parmelee had a solid 2011 in NB but not eye-popping, so he can continue to work to see if the power he showed in September and in March is legit after showing little power in his minor league career, including at New Britain. I think Dozier's might just be a case of two other guys getting the first chance. There are mixed opinions even among Twins brass about if he can be an everyday SS, 2B or if he's more of a utility player. Like I wrote the other day, there are plenty of guys that the Twins have called up from AA and kept up for whatever reason. Joe Mauer. Brad Radke. But it is an exception for sure for a guy to be called up from AA. It isn't because it's AA, but it's generally because there is something that needs to continue to be improved.