Seth Stohs

Burroughs came into spring training with the reputation of being a pretty good fielder at 3B... can perceptions really change with a handful of spring training innings at the hot corner?

I always thought Kaat belonged in the Hall of Fame, and I will be happy when he does make it. But after reading his book, even he says that he isn't a Hall of Famer. Maybe he's just being humble, but it's a borderline case. That said, I think he's the best pitcher in Twins history. Some of the numbers he put up were amazing and he did it for so long. Santana had a better short-term few years, but Kaat is #1 on my Twins top pitchers list.

He should, but after an injury-filled 2011, he probably has to play well in 2012 to be back in the discussion. He's a terrific athlete, good outfielder, very good speed, strong arm... although he hasn't hit a lot of home runs since E-Town, most belive he's got the power and the swing to hit HR. People forget that he is younger than Aaron Hicks, even though he was drafted a year earlier.

Absolutely! I like that OF, but I would go with Span in LF, Benson in CF and Hicks in RF. Span is just solid. Benson is the fastest of that group and has a rocket for an arm. Hicks is also fast but his arm is the strongest of the group. Honestly, you could flip-flop Benson and Hicks, but all three are CF, great athletes and that would, potentially, be a great defensive outfield!

Verlander for me...

Fair question, but they aren't losing a whole lot of at bats. A couple more will likely be sent down to minor league camp late this week or early the following week. The starters aren't getting full games every day. I don't see any harm. If Dozier is not the opening day SP, then it's possible that one of those three (or someone from outside the organization) takes that final roster spot. Gardy needs to see them. Terry Ryan probably needs to see them too.

This is awesome!! Thank you very much for sharing!

I think his track record and 2011 season numbers say he isn't going to hit .500... but since he'll likely only get another 20 plate appearances, it's possible that he keeps hitting through that period. It's the beauty of small sample.

Benson's a top prospect... he'll play every day.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?338-Ranking-the-Twins-Bench-Options

Is it fair to say that many Twins fans were pleasantly surprised when we learned on Monday morning that Tsuyoshi Nishioka had been optioned to Rochester? It was never really a question about whether he warranted a big league roster spot. It was clear to pretty much everyone that he wasn’t. It was the contract and the commitment that made it such a big decision. The Twins have three-million reasons to keep him at the end of their bench. However, Nishioka’s demotion appears to open up a spot on the 25-man roster for someone else. There are several names being discussed for that roster spot, and frankly, it is difficult to pick out a favorite among the bunch. Several of the options are not on the 40 man roster which although not a complete deterrent, it does require one extra step. A couple of the possibilities would likely only make the roster if they would be starting. Will Ron Gardenhire be willing to use Alexi Casilla as his back up shortstop, or would the utility player need to be able to play shortstop? I wanted to look at the candidates for that final roster spot. I’m making the assumption that the Twins infield will include Justin Morneau, Alexi Casilla, Danny Valencia, Jamey Carroll and Luke Hughes. I’m also making the assumption that the Twins will choose to keep three catchers on the big league roster, although that does appear to be excessive. If the Twins did decide to only keep Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit on the roster, then two of the seven players below could make the roster. I believe there are seven candidates in camp that have some case to make the opening day roster, and I wanted to find a way to organize my thoughts on each in a consistent way for each player. I considered what the categories are that could differentiate the options. Age: This is more just a reference number for readers. 40 Man Roster: Is the player on the 40 man roster or no? Must Start: Yes or No... is the player a prospect who should only make the big league roster as a starter? Positions Played: what positions has the player played, particularly in recent years. Offense: I’ll really just look at the 2011 numbers. That is recent performance-related information that isn’t completely small sample size. Defense: What is the reputation of each player with the glove? Spring Training Stats: This should be the last category and the most meaningless category at this point. Right now, the player below with the most appearances has just 26. And over the next two weeks, starters will play a bit more, so these candidate’s numbers over the next two weeks may mean a little bit more, but even that is a small sample size. Other information: Just an open spot for any other information. With all of that information, maybe there will be an answer that sticks out? Or, maybe we can eliminate a couple of candidates. Let’s take a look at the candidate’s in alphabetical order. SEAN BURROUGHS Age: 31 40 Man Roster: No Must Start: No Positions Played: 3B, 1B Offense: .273/.289/.336 in 115 plate appearance (78 games) in Arizona after not being in the big leagues since 2006. Has just 12 MLB HR in 1,805 plate appearances. Defense: average defensive third baseman Spring Training Stats: .286/.423/.381. 6-21 with two doubles, five walks and four strikeouts. Other Information: Left-handed bat who spent 2011 as a pinch hitter. Seth Opinion – I would much rather the Twins have Burroughs as a left-handed bench bat than a 3rd catcher. RAY CHANG Age: 28 40 Man Roster: No Must Start: No Positions Played: 2B, 3B, SS Offense: .271/.323/.368 in 65 games combined between AA New Britain and AAA Rochester. 22 HR in 1,789 minor league plate appearances. Defense: Above average middle infielder Spring Training Stats: .300/.462/.500 (3-10) with two doubles, 3 walks and no strikeouts. Other Information: Played for the Chinese team in the WBC. Bats Right-handed. Seth Opinion – Chang is probably a long-shot, but he might be the best combination of a little offense and solid defense needed to play all three infield positions as a utility player. BRIAN DINKELMAN Age: 28 40 Man Roster: No Must Start: No Positions Played: 2B, LF, RF Offense: .243/.316/.324 in 127 games at AAA Rochester. Hit .301 in 23 games with the Twins. 40 HR in 2,923 minor league plate appearances. Defense: solid but average in the infield and outfield. Spring Training Stats: .300/.348/.400 (6-20) with two doubles. Other Information: Left-handed bat who hit in limited time last year. Seth Opinion – He had a nice showing with the Twins last year, but the Twins need is more for a utility infielder and 2B is the only infield position the Dinkelman has played. BRIAN DOZIER Age: 24 40 Man Roster: No Must Start: Yes Positions Played: SS, 2B Offense: .320/.399/.491 last year between Ft. Myers and New Britain. 14 home runs in 1,413 plate appearances. Nine last year in 569 plate appearances. Defense: solid defender with average arm, average range Spring Training Stats: .273/.305/.500 (6-22) with triple and home run. Other Information: right-handed bat was the Twins minor league player of the year in 2011. Seth Opinion – The Twins are using a lot of the same adjectives to describe Dozier that they did when Joe Mauer came into spring training 2004 as a 20-year-old starting catcher who had not yet played in AAA. Dozier is older and has a lot of the same qualities. His possibility of making the opening day roster is only as a starter which would mean that either Jamey Carroll or (more likely) Alexi Casilla would move to the bench. There’s enough discussion to say that this is not a legitimate possibility. PEDRO FLORIMON Age: 25 40 Man Roster: No Must Start: No Positions Played: SS, 2B Offense: .267/.344/.396 at AA Bowie (Orioles). 27 HR in 2,428 career plate appearances. Played in four games for Baltimore in September. Went 1-8 with a walk and six strikeouts. He had a double and two RBI. Defense: smooth, flashy defender with good range and a strong arm. Probably the top defensive shortstop in the mix. Spring Training Stats: .188/.316/.250 (3-16) with a double, three walks and two strikeouts Other Information: Might be the best option if the Twins want a backup shortstop behind Jamey Carroll. He is a free-swinger who did have several extra base hits last year. Seth Opinion – He is a pretty solid shortstop, very good defensively although prone to make silly errors. Probably the weakest of the bats on this list but his role would be primarily defense. Although he profiles more as a utility guy, he did show enough with the bat at AA a year ago, that he should also get some every day work in Rochester. MICHAEL HOLLIMON Age: 29 40 Man Roster: No Must Start: No Positions Played: 3B, 2B, SS, LF Offense: .231/.326/.416 between AA (97 games) and AAA (29 games). 18 home runs. Defense: average all over with glove Spring Training Stats: .500/.526/.688 (8-16) with home run, two walks and three strikeouts Other Information: The switch-hitter was the Twins 49th round pick in 2003. He later was drafted by the Tigers and hit .261 with two doubles, a triple and a home run in just 25 plate appearances with Detroit in 2008. Hollimon and his bat have certainly been a story the first couple of weeks of spring games, but we will find out a lot more about him in the next week or two when he gets more at bats against big league pitchers. I think he could handle the utility role, and he has as much power as anyone on this list. CHRIS PARMELEE Age: 24 40 Man Roster: Yes Must Start: Yes Positions Played: 1B, RF Offense: .287/.366/.436 in AA New Britain. Hit .355/.443/.592 with six doubles and four home runs in 21 games with the Twins in September. He has 84 home runs in 2,663 minor league plate appearances. Defense: getting there with the glove at 1B Spring Training Stats: .308/.400/.577 (8-26) with a double and two home runs. Other Information: Left-hander has shown power in minimal big league time last September and this spring. Promoted straight from AA New Britain. Seth Opinion - His role with the Twins in 2011 seems to be directly tied to the health of Justin Morneau, or to Ryan Doumit to a lesser degree. I remain skeptical on what type of hitter he is. I’d like to see him get a half season in Rochester to find out if the power is legit or not. Terry Ryan has also said a couple of times that it is possible that the Twins would look outside the organization for a utility infielder. I could be OK with that as well, as long as the Twins wouldn’t have to give up a prospect to get it. Here is how I would rank these players’ likelihood of making the Twins Opening Day roster (assuming health all-around) as of right now. I am putting in this order with the hope that two of these guys make the roster while the Twins go with just two catchers. #8 – Brian Dinkelman #7 – Chris Parmelee #6 – Ray Chang #5 – Michael Hollimon #4 – Brian Dozier #3 – Pedro Florimon #2 – Terry Ryan acquires a utility infielder from outside the organization. #1 – Sean Burroughs [ATTACH=CONFIG]357[/ATTACH]

I think this is a tough one... Butler is just so consistently solid, every year. I think Doumit could have a huge year in the AL, playing more consistently. And, I have no idea what Adam Dunn will do in 2012. This is a tough group.

Today in our preseason AL Central vote, we finish out the offense by voting on the Designated Hitter. We will get to the pitchers soon. Be sure to vote for your choice for "Which AL Central Designated Hitter will have the best 2012?" Be sure to vote here. The Candidates (2011 stats) Minnesota Twins – Ryan Doumit - .303/.353/.477 (.830) with 12-2B, 1-3B, 8-HR, 30 RBI Chicago White Sox – Adam Dunn - .159/.292/.277 (.569) with 16-2B, 0-3B, 11-HR, 42 RBI Cleveland Indians – Travis Hafner - .280/.361/.449 (.811) with 16-2B, 0-3B, 13-HR, 57 RBI Detroit Tigers – Ryan Raburn - .256/.297/.432 (.729) with 22-2B, 2-3B, 14-HR, 49 RBI Kansas City Royals – Billy Butler - .291/.361/.461 (.822) with 44-2B, 0-3B, 19-HR, 95 RBI SUMMARY After seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Doumit comes to the Twins. He will be the team’s #2 catcher, get some time in the corner outfield spots and maybe even at first base. He will also likely be the team’s primary DH. In the National League, he posted a .777 career OPS. The Twins could use several players in the DH role in 2012. Think Adam Dunn would like to forget 02011 as quickly as possible? After a career in the NL, many believed that Dunn would put up major numbers with the White Sox, but the exact opposite happened. His previous career-low OPS was .819 and that was way back in 2003. His career numbers going into the 2011 season were .250/.381/.521 (.902). 2012 is suddenly a huge year for the 32 year old Dunn? Can he recover and to what level? North Dakotan Travis Hafner had a solid 2012, but as has become the normal of late, he played in just 94 games. It’s hard to believe that he will be 35 years old in June. He’s finished in the Top 5 in MVP voting before. If healthy, he can be a good producer in the middle of the lineup. Ryan Raburn will likely be one of several DHs in the Tigers lineup. The last two years, he has played all positions but catcher and shortstop. He will likely get plenty of time at 2B in 2012 as well. The soon-to-be-31 year old is coming off of his worst big league season, with the sub-.300 OBP and 114 strikeouts to go with just 21 walks, but he does have some power in his bat. Billy Butler seems older than 25, doesn’t he? Well, he will be 26 in April, but it is unusual to see such a young player limited to DH duties, but Butler has done it well. Butler hits the ball hard which helps him hit a lot of doubles and double plays. He hasn’t hit as many home runs and some still believe he still will. There is your information, now it is time to vote. Who will be the best designated hitter in the AL Central in 2012? My choice?

In minor league spring training action, Rochester topped Norfolk 6-5. Brian Duensing threw two shutout innings. Luke French gave up two runs in three innings. Anthony Slama gave up a run in the 9th, but he also got the win when the Red Wings won in the bottom of the 9th. Darin Mastroianni went 1-3 with a couple of RBI. Dustin Martin went 2-4.

I don't think anyone is worried about that. Personally, I'm worried about his development, and my personal opinion is that it's best for him (and hence, for the Twins) to play every day, so that whenever he is deemed ready (or there is an injury need), he's really ready.

That's what many people have thought all along. However, Dozier will NOT lose playing time to Nishioka. Dozier is a prospect. But Dozier should play both 2B and SS so that if anything happens to either Casilla or Caroll, he could be called up.

That was my first thought when I saw it happen too.

That's a pretty encouraging list.

Thrylos, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Pence crushed that ball. I probably would have just dove out of the way.

The Twins could take Nishioka off the 40 man roster. Thrylos makes a good point in that it just doens't matter if he were claimed or not. But generally speaking there is no need to take someone off the 40 man roster unless someone else is going to take that spot. Might as well keep him on until there is a need. There is no rush!

What are you guys talking about? There isn't a 3B in the league, ever, that would have made that play. That was a rocket that took a bad hop. He'll likely butcher a lot of balls at 3B, but that wasn't one of them at all.

That is right, but he would have been called up to start, not to sit on the bench. It's the front office's job to make smart decisions on players. It's the manager's job to want the best players up with the team. The good thing is that Gardy and Terry Ryan always appeared to be much more on the same page than Gardy and Bill Smith. I'm sure there is an understanding between Gardy and Terry Ryan whereby if Gardy tells Ryan that he wants Dozier as a starter, it could happen. If Gardy can't provide the scenario in which Dozier plays 5-6 games a week in teh big leagues, he'll go back down and they'll keep that 40 man roster spot open.