Seth Stohs

Ben Revere LF Luke Hughes 2B Danny Valencia 3B Chris Parmelee RF Ryan Doumit C Sean Burroughs 1B Brian Dinkelman DH Joe Benson CF Brian Dozier SS SP: Nick Blackburn CARDINALS Daniel Descalso 2B Carlos Beltran RF Matt Holliday LF Lance Berkman 1B David Freese 3B Yadier Molina C John Jay CF Rafael Furcal SS Kyle Lohse SP

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?357-Roster-Starting-to-come-together

A lot of key information has been coming out of Twins camp on Sunday morning. First, Assistant GM Rob Antony appeared as a guest of Sunday Morning Sports Talk on 1500espn with Tom Pelissero and Jim Souhan. He said many things that I found interesting, but these are the three that stood out most to me: 1.) Maloney and Burton have separated themselves, so it's down to Manship, Burnett, Fien and Waldrop for ONE bullpen spot. 2.) Parmelee has forced his way onto the roster, so it's likely Butera, Towles, Burroughs, Florimon and Revere battling for TWO bench spots. Very interesting in that a.) 3rd catcher isn't a given, and b.) Revere is not a given. Not long later, the Twins media core met with manager Ron Gardenhire and more information was set forth: Josh Willingham will be the Twins starting Left Fielder Denard Span will be the Twins starting Center Fielder Right Field will be up for grabs between Trevor Plouffe, Chris Parmelee and Ben Revere, although... Ben Revere will most likely be the team's 4th outfielder. That is a lot of information in starting to clear things up as rosters will likely be set within a week. Antony also commented that Plouffe likely would be available to play in 3-4 days. So, what do we make of it all? Parmelee has forced his way onto the roster. Right Field remains a question mark, but the biggest thing that needs to be answered is whether or not Justin Morneau will play 1B or just DH. That matters for where Parmelee plays most frequently. It also affects where Ryan Doumit plays, and how much, and in turn, it affects whether or not the Twins keep a third catcher. What do you think of it all? What surprises you most? What questions do these answers now present? [ATTACH=CONFIG]425[/ATTACH]

I think Revere makes it as the 4th OF with Plouffe/Parmelee at RF (because Parmelee will likely also play some 1B).

Gardy just announced that Josh Willingham will start in LEFT Field with Denard Span in CENTER Field... Right Field up for grabs between Revere, Plouffe and Parmelee.

I typed those notes as I heard them, but a couple of things stood out: 1.) Maloney and Burton have separated themselves, so it's down to Manship, Burnett, Fien and Waldrop for ONE bullpen spot. 2.) Parmelee has forced his way onto the roster, so it's likely Butera, Towles, Burroughs, Florimon and Revere battling for TWO bench spots. Very interesting in that a.) 3rd catcher isn't a given, and b.) Revere is not a given.

Rob Antony was a guest on 1500espn's Sunday Morning Sports Talk with Tom Pelissero and Jim Souhan. Here are some notes: Morneau has had enough at bats to find his swing, and now he can ramp up.Morneau would prefer to play 1B, but if he's not, it'll get another bat in the lineup, and the way Parmelee has it, that might be OK.In his 25 years, he doesn't remember the Twins ever having a high ranking by Baseball America.Late bloomers, develop slowly... might be a reason why, but we're pleased with our prospects and progress they're making.Would like some more pitching prospects.A lot of guys who have a chance to be a top end guy, but guys who will play for awhile.Exception - Sano... has a chance to be a great hitter and fielder. Rosario, several of the guys they drafted last year.Get a lot of grief because of the records at Rochester and New Britain, but our prospects progressed appropriately and that's what matters.Don't want to blame injuries completely, but there were a lot of players where we did not want them.Francisco Liriano - best word to describe him is "inconsistent" but he's throwing the ball really well right now.To give him a multi-year deal: he would need to stay healthy, be consistentBullpen: Capps, Perkins, Duensing and Swarzak are locked in. Maloney and Burton are probables. Manship, Burnett, Fien and Waldrop for one spot.Bench: Versatility makes things interesting.Parmelee is forcing his way on the team. Gives us options at 1B and OF.Hughes has versatility, could play SS for a day or two.Down to decision on 3rd catcher (Butera/Towles battling), Burroughs has a bat we'd love off the bench, Florimon has shown he can be a true utility guy (fields well, runs well)...Burroughs, Revere and Florimon battling for a spot. (Shocked that Revere is a question mark)Best thing to say about Joe Mauer is that no one is talking about him. He thinks we'll see a return to form!Very interesting!

I tweeted Joe Christensen about the three hits. He replied that Reusse was at the game and Nishi's three singles were a bunt hit and two flares.

In exhibition play, the Red Wings got three hits from Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Darin Mastroianni. Rene Tosoni drove in two with a double. Aaron Bates drove in two with a single. Luke French started and gave two runs in 4.2 innings. Jason Bulger gave up two hits in 2.1 scoreless innings. Luis Perdomo threw the final two innings.

Agreed! He's pitched well enough to get in against big league hitters and see what you've got.

Twins 19, Rays 4... Fun game for the good guys!

Yup, for a recreational drug. Smart! There was another thread on that topic started this morning.

They won't... Maloney's already a given. It's Burnett, Manship, Burton and Waldrop for the final two spots.

Luke Hughes just hit a ground-rule double... he's now 5-5 with 2-doubles, a home run and five RBI. I think he's going to be on the roster.

Yeah, I think that Maloney has earned the long relief job. It'd be nice to find another 2-3 inning guy out of the bullpen.

A long home run off a tough lefty like Jake McGee today certainly helps his case!

Speaking of making decisions easier for Ryan/Gardenhire... see Burnett, Alex.

Parmelee continues to make Ryan's and Gardy's decision to keep him around tougher... or easier? HR off a tough lefty in Jake McGee... Now Luke Hughes hits another one.

Uggh, why would they put Benson in LF and Revere in RF?!!? (except that maybe Willingham is now a LF and Revere is now a 4th OF?)

I was hoping to have all 27-28 on the 'ballot' but had to pick 10. It was tough. I struggled with a few. Floyd and Sale were probably the next two who would have been added. Maybe even Peavy.

I would agree that a backup catcher should have less than 100 at bats, as Butera did in 2010. When he got 400 plate appearances, obviously his offense matters. But I'll stand by my thoughts that if a backup catcher gets less than 100 at bats, the effect is pretty minimal. And, the hope for 2012 would be the Butera, Towles, Rivera, whoever the THIRD catcher is would also get less than 100 plate appearances in the season... which is why of course I agree (and have written, mind you) that I think the idea of the third catcher is ridiculous. My point on Parmelee is that I'm fine with him being up as long as he's playing pretty much every day.

Justin Morneau with a 3-run blast to give the Twins 10 runs off of Jeremy Hellickson. It's his second home run of the day, and after the double yesterday, it's fair to say that it is at least encouraging!

JR Towles with a double off the top of the LF wall... Luke Hughes backs it up with another double.