DocBauer

High 5 JB!

We have all dreamed, hypothesized, and written out the lineup, rotation and bullpen on napkins for the past 6 months. We've all scratched out, thought about it, and scribed again. The final 25 to begin the season is nearly complete. The only drama to begin the season is the final 12 th and 13th spots of the player roster. And IF you assume Barlett is gone and Presley is in, there is only one spot open to see. This year more than others, a transition year as some youngsters get their first promotion, eventually, and the team doing its best to avoid another 90 loss season, with dreams of being competitive, and keeping fan interest, we are all well aware of the fact that the team that begins the season will NOT be the team that finishes the season. It might not even be the same team that reaches the all star break. (Probably wont be) The Twins had, arguably, one of the better bullpens in baseball last season, or at least in the AL, and it will begin pretty much as it ended. They have taken aggressive and even somewhat surprising moves to shore up the rotation. And there are at least a handful of position players, at least to begin the season, that are seemingly a given. You get to play GM here. Ryan isn't full strength, and with all due respect to Antony, there exists the opportunity for someone to step forward to make a move or two now, or early season, to fill a hole or two to make our Twins a better club. The only requirement is you be realistic. The Dodgers aren't going to trade Kershaw for Diamond and Bernier plus an A pitcher. What say you at this point and near future to fill a hole or two to make our club more competitive? I have my own options, but will hold out offering them for now. (Spoiler: LF and DH)

Thank you Nick! Thank you very much! And that is heart felt, no sarcasm in the least! I believe you have accurately captured the feelings of many in one single article. Lately I have been rather despondent over many of the posts and arguments here at TD. Debates and conversations have turned in to sniping and nit-picking. (Pay real money if anyone could ever tell me once and for all what the heck a "nit" actually is. LOL) I'm 48. I've lived my whole life in South Dakota and Nebraska. I've been a real and true and devoted fan since I was 5 years old learning the game from an amazing man, my father, almost exclusively from the radio and snippets of information in the early days from the Trib and Sporting News, and anywhere else we could grab it. Spent hour after hour of my life fighting static on clock radios, transistor and car radios to listen to games after dark or on the west coast. I remember the days of Carew, Hisle, Bostock, Smalley and Wynegar. I've been blessed to see my favorite team reach the pinnacle of success twice, struggle through some additional poor years, only to rebound with a decade of success and "near" success before the last three years. One of the beautiful things about baseball is there is always next year. Even in a bad year, there is always the next game. And the next young player making his debut, or turning in to an eventual star. That's the beauty of baseball. I know the past three years have been hard on all of us. But let's be honest, we are ALL real fans. We might be optimistic, or we can choose to be doomsayers, but we are ALL fans of our beloved Twins. Would we be here if we weren't ??? A couple months ago I felt a real optimistic kindred amongst us all as we prepared for the 2014 season. Hopeful of rebounds from veterans, continuing development from youngsters, hopeful for the arrival of talented youngsters, and pleased as well as surprised by the Twins actions to improve the club through unprecedented FA spending on the rotation. Sano's injury, a couple bad weeks of ST baseball suddenly has the sky falling for some. And dare I say, bickering via frustration has begun to commence. I have my concerns, no doubt. But I also see hope. Not just in all the wonderfully talented youngsters that will keep me glued to milb reports and speculation for the upcoming season, but also for the arrival of this season. Our team should have quality defense up the middle and 1B. Our bullpen is back, and shouldn't be as taxed as last year as we have actually improved the worst part of our team, and probably the biggest key to any MLB team, the starting rotation. While not blowing smoke and telling you we are gong to contend this year, we should at least see better ball, and a more competitive team day in and day out. I am excited to see a team that might win, rather than being behind by 5 runs going in to the 4th inning. I'm excited to see what Gibson, Arcia, Pinto, Dozier, Mauer, Hicks and talented call ups will do this season. Im hopeful, in person, watching TV, around the tablet or laptop, or listening to the radio, with a beer in one hand and a dog in the other, that we can enjoy our team this year. A team in transition toward something better, competitive this year, enjoying healthy rebounds and young men getting their first taste, and healthy and friendly debate and discussion on TD. GO TWINS!

Here's hoping the change in drafting and signing pays off in the next few years. While Gibson will be the only home grown SP to begin the season with the club this year, I don't feel that in itself is a complete indictment of their system as a whole. Players at all positions, but in those focus SP 's, are acquired not only as draftees and young FA signees, but also through FA signings and trade. Some are acquired via trade of your own prospects, or are acquired via trade as prospects themselves, and then developed and promoted. In rare circumstances, you may even acquire a rule 5 player who develops, or a waver wire "reject" who finds himself late. I hate to cover too much ground, but over the past 0-20 years the Twins, like most clubs, have used all of these methods to march out Radke, Silva, Milton, Santana, Slowey, Rogers and now Nolasco and Gibson just to offer up a few different examples. Garza, not to bring up bad memories, is an example of a young player originally drafted by the Twins. Despite falling off the map after a few solid years, Slowey and Blackburn would be other examples who at least initially were solid pitchers. Some like Perkins and Swarzak found a different role for themselves. The fact that Meyer and May, who have yet to arrive I grant you, we're originally drafted by other teams before being acquired by the Twins, and presumably developed and polished by them, should not be counted as a negative toward the Twins development system. That would be like saying Santana, just for example, wasn't a success story for the Twins system because someone else signed him first. The path to major league success is paved with the theoretical corpses of top pitching prospects who never made it despite "sure fire" prospect status. If you have been around long enough, you would recall that in the md-80's, the Twins, believe it or not, invested heavily in a batch of hard throwing, high-ceiling youngsters that were universally regarded as top prospects. Playrers such as Banks, Gasser, Bumgarner, Nivens, Pittman and Newman. Even a couple of these young men developing to fruition could have had a major affect on the Twins in the late 80's and early 90's, despite the successes that they DID enjoy. For whatever unforgettable reasons, none of them turned out. Whether deliberate or coindicental, possibly from drafting later in each round and/or having young fireballers flame out, the Twins seemed to draft SP's who thre softer, but had better control or polish. Some came through, even if they weren't all Brad Radke. And whether you want to blame poor scouting or bad luck, not all that long ago the Twins DID attempt to draft and develop Johnson, Ard and Serafini amongst others who never turned out. And while I offer no excuses, these young men and others entered the draft as well regarded prospects by all. Just goes to show how much of a crap shoot the MLB draft really can be. I'm not sure where to pinpoint any dramatic change in scouting or philosophy, but the past couple of years the Twins DO seem to have focused once again on power arms with potential. Whether drafted, signed or traded for, I honestly can't remember the Twins ever having so many good to excellent young arms in their system as now. If even a couple of them develop to fruition, I will be a huge boost to the team's fortunes. For this season, I feel the SP is the best it has, potentially, been in a few years.

First of all, hilarious! Secondly, in my idea of building the Twins for this season, I strongly advocated a LH bat who could play 3B, and at least one position elsewhere. (Had mentioned a few options previously). This was not only to increase production at 3B, (dare I use the "platoon" word?) but also to increase roster flexibility. My thoughts were, and still are, that when Sano took over 3B full time, regardless of the disposition of Plouffe, said LH hitting bench player would still offer roster depth and flexibility. I have to confess to knowing next to nothing about Francisco previously, but if he can be this player, I'd be in full favor.

My takes, FWIW. They play 'em for a reason. All 162 of them. There are big surprises every year, players and teams, both positive and negative. I am excited, very excited, for the future of our beloved team over the next few seasons based on the talent currently on the roster, knocking on the door, and coming down the street a year or two away from knocking. Realistically, if HALF of the Twins top 20 prospects fall by the wayside, the other 10-ish, with youngsters up now, the Twins will still be putting an exciting, quality and competitive team on the field soon. (Select trades and FA's could supplement as well) But to THIS season. Consider me an optimist or glass half full fan. I love my team to perform well in ST, make a statement, and get the world excited. But history has shown over and over again than records in ST are meaningless for far too many reasons to even delve in to. Many are the teams to have positive and negative ST records, only to reverse said numbers when the season plays out. Not getting too involved in numbers and statistics, which can be played different ways, and just assuming health, (always a factor in ANY sport) the Twins bullpen should be quite solid this year. Overworked mightily, they still factored as a strong unit last season overall. They should be no worse this season, should be better when not so stretched, and would seem to have some decent reinforcements available in the minors. (Guerra, Tonkin, Ibarra, Hoffman, Johnson) Barring some total collapse, Nolasco, Hughes, Correia (at least to begin the season), Pelfrey (further removed from his TJ recovery) and Gibson make up the best rotation this team has had in at least a few seasons. And there is no doubt winning and competitiveness begins with SP. There are also future possibles such as Deduno, Meyer, Darnell, May and Summers possibly. There are some questions about the defense, but C should be solid, as well as 1B, SS, 2B and CF. The biggest question is probably the offense. To be honest, not to simplify or do a cop-out, but as stated before, it simply would be almost impossible to be worse than last year. Choices have to be made. Not talking all-star status, but for a rebuilding team, you either need a talented young player establishing himself at a spot, or a solid place holder for a more talented player about ready to take over, or a quality veteran producer helping your team win and provide an example, helping set a winning/competitive tone for the future. Some of those pieces are in place with Mauer, Dozier, Arcia and Hicks and Pinto (presumably and probably) with Suzuki offering an experienced and helping hand, and, Plouffe, optimistically, providing at least something decent offensively and defensively while waiting for the arrival of Sano. Floriman at SS is debatable and a very hot topic. But in the short term, he does provide the necessary defense needed. Hiding in the #9 hole with some speed and at least a little potential, things aren't all that bad. I feel the biggest problem offensively, to be honest, is LF and DH. If those two positions could be settled, I think we'd all feel a lot better about this team's offensive potential, and thus, competitive potential overall. There is some potential there, I suppose. But these are the two spots that truly concern me, and want to drain my half-full glass.

If having to choose between the two, and this means Colabello gets his shot to begin the season with the big league club, and probably deserves it, I'd rather open with Parmelee. He provides 3 position flexibility, is a better OF option than Willingham, and offers Kubes the chance to continue to rebuild his swing at Rochester and be recalled at a later date if successful. Perhaps as little as a month in. However, this assumes he passes through waivers AND that he agrees to take the Rochester assignment.

I am still disappointed in Tonkin beng sent down, but truthfully, there simply is not room for him at this time. His future is bright and he will undoubtedly be the first RP called up due to trade or injury, or move of Deduno back in to the rotation. (Hoping that happens, but not due to anything happening to Gibson) I believe Thielbar must and should be kept over Diamond, forgetting available options. There is a point of diminishing returns where you have to go with a quality young player that has, to some degree at least, proven his worth and figures to be a part of the team's future. No insult to Diamond, who gave us a very good 3/4 of a year in 2012, and who I have been rooting for. But he does have somewhat limited stuff, is not especially good at getting LH batters out, and has never proven anything in the pen to this point. Meanwhile, Thielbar pitched very well last season and has continued to pitch well this ST. He is younger and has better stuff. In no way can I see a failed starter taking his place and offering us 3 long relief candidates. I simply don't see the logic in that move. It seems Kubel is a given. And while just last week I was stating my preference to move on, he has hit better the past few games and has drawn some walks. This does very little to alleviate my concerns over a poor ending to 2012, a poor 2013, (yes, there was a reported injury factor) and a poor ST performance up until a few games ago. The best hope is, and Gardy and the coaches know far better than any of us I dare say, that there is life left and his timing is coming around. Certainly, he is by no means the first veteran ball player, injury or otherwise, to take a while to get his groove back. We have to hope the same can be said of Willingham, who has looked pretty bad thus far. Do we cross fingers at this point? Or does he come alive the last few games and when the starting bell rings? Despite a poor spring, Presley seems a given due to his CF ability off the bench, and a slid performance after acquiring him late last season. I'm just not sure anyone could feel comfortable marching Escobar or Parmalee (a big surprise taking a shot in CF) as even an occasional option to back up Hicks in CF. However, he may be on a short leash if he continues to under perform in favor of a Mastro recall or waiver acquisition. This leaves Parmalee and Colabello and Parmelee fighting for one spot. Colabello has proven about all he can in the minors. He may never be anything but a good story. And yet, he's mashed each of the last two seasons and had a good spring. A pretty mediocre trial with the Twins at the end of 2013 shouldn't be used as a sole indicator as to his potential as a late-blooming bench player. Late blooming role players are not uncommon, nor is some struggle for any player in their first go-around at the ML level. Parmelee has been a disappointment to be sure, but is younger, has some investment and limited pedigree, and offers not only more positional flexibility, but some decent defense and upside. And like many others, particularly last season when the Twins weren't going anywhere, I have been disappointed in his handling and lack of full season opportunity to see what he might work through in the name of progress. Right now, if he could swing a decent bat, he and Arcia in whatever combination of LF/RF flanking Hicks is probably our best OF. We probably need Colabello's RH bat more, but I'm thinking Parmelee makes the opening roster to begin with as Colabello still has options. This would give the team a month or so to begin the season and see how things unfold.

.270 ish BA on a yearly basis with .280's being hs high. He has always shown patience, some say too much at times, and I'd expect to see his OB% consistently about 70 points higher. 500 AB's over a full season, his power and athleticism should translate to 30+doubles every year with a handful of triples. I believe he'll be a consistent 20/20 threat, give or take a few. Also on board with thinking he may muscle up a bit over time and gain a little more power but lose a little speed. Hicks is doubtfull to ever rank amongst league leaders in any category, but he doesn't have to be. He'll play an excellent RF while backing up CF, and be the kind of consistent all around offensive producer who can hit and produce almost anywhere in the lineup. The two questions I have for him are best position, (is his range better in a bigger LF if Arcia and his arm can handle right?), and with Buxton's impending arrival does he fit as a multi-talented #2 or productive and multi-faceted #6-7 hitter with Dozier more than likely holding down the second spot?

Unlike a few others, I have been very impressed overall with Herrmann and what he has done in the minors as well as with the Twins. When I have watched him, I've seen a solid C. And at the plate, even though he hasn't done anything special at the ML level yet, he hasn't looked out of place either. I absolutely see him as an above or well above average athletic backstop who does a nice job behind the plate, can fill in decently at another 2 or 3 spots, and who will be a decent LH hitter with solid contact and OB, with some gapper and occasional HR power. But his time is next season, or later this year. Pinto has done nothing this ST, or last season, but prove he is anything but ML ready! His arm is quality, his defense is OK and improving, and there hasn't even been a whisper from coaches or pitchers to indicate he is poor behind the dish. Even Gibson, I believe it was, commented the other day he allowed a HR after shaking off Pinto's call. And his bat is definitely ready, with a ton of potential. Gardy has commented how he doesn't want to uncover his DH "potentially" by using him as a DH on occasion. But lest we forget, he DID "risk" that very, very rare option several times a few years ago when he had Mauer AND Redmond in the lineup to get his best bats n the lineup. Gardenhire has been generally effusive in his praise of Pinto, and is not dumb. He knows what he has in Pinto, and what he can do with him and Suzuki.

A few thoughts. This is not only exciting, but the right move. He needs to be in MLB. This spring he looks the part. Also, this is a transition year, building to something, and you can't move forward if always looking over your shoulder. Deduno looked mortal the other night, can't be perfect every time, but has had a good spring, following a good, occasionally great 2013 and OK 2012. Seems to have shown himself to be a legitimate late bloomer. I am shocked he hasn't received a start yet this ST. Not only based on what he did last season, or how he's pitched so far, but also due to comments made previously by Gardy and Ryan. I HAVE to believe this is a two-fold plan. 1-despite being healthy and throwing well, it allows the team to watch and build his shoulder with no rush. 2-it allows the team time to monitor Gibson and the rest of the rotation and have another SP to slide in when/if necessary. Possibly due to future trade. I have nothing against Correia. Having him as a 4th starter is NOT a bad thing. If he throws as well as last year, with better all around support and play from the team, he can be solid, eat innings, and even win some games. But, he just doesn't fit in to long term plans. Now, with so many teams suddenly hurting in their rotations, or a month or so in, I'd like to see him moved and Deduno in the rotation. He's talented enough, more than Correia, has some upside, is younger, and has a small price tag. He CAN be part of the Twins next evolution, even for a couple of years. Stinks for Tonkin, who has nothing left to prove, is part of our future, deserves a spot, and hopefully won't have to wait long for a promotion back up where he belongs. I have always disagreed with those who are anti-Duensing. He's done whatever is asked of him without complaint. Mostly, when allowed to just stay in the pen, he's been solid. No he hasn't had the best ST so far. But when dealing with a veteran, you not only make a few allowances for past production, but you also wonder if results in ST are more the result of just getting in work, and working specifically on certain aspects. Diamond has been erratic this spring. He's shown nothing special or consistent. Hey, I was rooting for him last season and this ST. But what has he shown to make anyone confident? Yes Duensing allowed 3 runs to score in relief, but are we really going to ignore the fact that Diamond walked THREE batters to load the bases in the 5th before being relieved? How is that acceptable? So he should have a spot in the pen over someone like Thielbar who pitched great last year, is having an excellent spring, and is a better piece to build the future? Like Tonkin, he has riven himself thus far, deserves a spot, and if sent down, will hopefully be back soon.

I could see him stretched and starting to work on his stuff and approach, especially if Rochester would need a fill in starter or have an injury. And for different reasons, milb clubs sometimes use an occasional 6th SP. The extra innings might allow him time to work on his off speed stuff. His newly found results in 2012 in the minors as a reliever and last season n the Twins pen might see him turn a corner. He wouldn't be the first guy to move to the pen, find himself, and eventually move back to a SP role. His first few seasons in the minors weren't too bad. But from what we have seen, I'd still say his role is middle relief and possible long with the occasional start, similar to Swarzak.

I feel at this time Worley is out, with Diamond not far behind. Really, with what Diamond has shown, would you keep him over Deunsing, Thielbar, Hoffman, or even Thompson at this point as a LH in the pen? With so many SP falling by the way due to injury all of a sudden, an inexpensive vet SP like Correia, signed for just this year, might never have more value than he has right now. (Already stated) I think the question is, do the Twins feel comfortable starting the season with Deduno and Gibson at 4 & 5? (would love to see it)

I repeat that to this point, without showing a sudden upturn, I'd cut Kubel, go younger with Parmelee and Colabello, and see if I could convince Kubes to spend some time at Rochester to see if he can find himself. I also think at this time it's almost a forgone conclusion that Hicks opens in CF, and I'm all in on that. But I also have Presley penciled in as the 4th OF. I am beginning to rethink that due to his poor ST thus far. Is Ramirez a real and viable option for that spot?

I could see Romero, if he continues on his currently trajectory, being a call up under a couple scenarios: 1) A Plouffe injury 2) A possible move of Plouffe to the OF (LF) due to Willingham trade or injury. Adding an additional RH bat and looking to the future more. 3) An injury to Colabello or just a harsh crash return to earth, showing that his adjustments and improvement this year just aren't real. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I have read that Romero has at leat a little experience at 1B. He could provide a RH bat off the bench under some mentioned possibilities. After his virtual disappearance as a prospect in 2009, he has been slowly rebounding to a quality year last season after his late arrival due to visa problems, building on a strong 2012. I am willing to bet the anti-Plouffe fans might be clamoring a bit more for his receiving an opportunity had he been n ST last year and gotten a full season. For the record, I am NOT anti-Plouffe, nor do I speculate a long and highly successful year for D Romero. However, I think he has the potential to be a helpful RH bat and role player.

I keep coming up with a 26 man roster. Now, someone could pull up lame over the next two weeks I suppose. But I feel Gardy has to be realistic and cut Kubel. He just hasn't shown anything resembling production or a consistent stroke from what I've seen in ST so far. I don't know if he'd accept time at AAA to work some issues out, possibly Bartlett for that matter. But you have to live in reality, not simply pine for hope and past production. And I don't feel at this time that Kubel can be counted on. Colabello and Parmalee have outplayed Kubel and offer flexibility and better defensive versatility. Despite Presley having a bad camp thus far, he's the default 4th OF, back up CF to begin the season. Escobar is the utility INF, and from what he has proven so far, Gardy even talking about him growing and learning at the ML level, I believe Pinto is the other C. There is surprising competition in the bullpen. I have a hard time not seeing Thielbar making it though based on what he did last season as well as how he's looked so far in ST. Tonkin vs Gurierre is interesting and unexpected. With all the sudden injuries to SP throughout the league, do we trade Correia before the season starts? Dont fall asleep on D Romero. Even if he doesn't make the roster initially, doubtful, don't discount an early promotion if he continues to hit and play the way he has thus far.

I believe RBI is overrated in the sense of opportunity, as previously stated. Always depends on the actual opportunity to have a runner on base, as well as in scoring position. Over the years I've seen a lot of players hit 20 plus homers with low RBI totals and the only real explanation that makes sense is no runners on base. Don't think it would be possible to quantify a batter as only having power with nobody on base. Conversely, I have also seen hitters who lack ideal power who have hit 3,4,5 in lineups who seem to have a knack for knocking runners in. As Seth stated, someone has to have the ability to knock those guys in. But then again, those guys have to be on base as well. I feel Mauer, for instance, batting 3rd, playing a 150 games, is very capable of producing a 100 RBI season with his hitting ability, his doubles, and his somewhat more limited HR production. But only if there are runners on base for him to drive home. BA with runners OB or in scoring position might be a more useful stat. For that matter, OB% with runners on base might be a more useful stat as well as you are moving runners along, creating a better opportunity to score, but also build toward a bigger inning. RBI numbers unto themselves might be an inflated stat, or in some cases devoid of accurate representation, so much depending on opportunity as well as position in the order, but the ability to consistently garner RBI is valuable, and does reflect a certain clutch skill.

Very nice wrap up and very encouraging! Not sure I can ever remember the Twins having so many high quality pitchers in their system. Certainly not since the early 80's when we had the likes of Banks, Gasser, Bumgarner and a few others. Unfortunately, for various and whatever reasons, tha wave never really turned out. Hopefully better luck this time. The sheer volume of talented young arms should bear out better results this time. I'm a little disappointed in word of Harrison playing, reportedly, so much OF vs 3B. While he could turn out to be a very good OF ultimately and a real power and RBI threat, I see no reason to move him off 3B at this time. I'm sure Sano's recovery will be full and he'll prove to be at least a solid 3B. If that holds true, then a Harrison conversion shouldn't prove all that difficult. For now, as insurance, even as a tradeable commodity, I believe he should concentrate mostly on the hot corner.

Love what Santana brings to the table offensively. And if he isn't ready now, it sure looks like it won't be long. Very disappointed to see him sent out at this point, especially with nothing showing Floriman will be 100% by opening day, and nobody else showing anything to this point. Defensively, all indications, reports and watching him, are that he has the tools to do the job in the field eventually. There have been a few boots so far this ST that just won't do. I wonder though how much of those are due to youth vs playing tight? As Gladden pointed out the other day in a broadcast, while showing ability, there have been no real WOW or signature plays defensively to this point. Still, I would have liked to see him another week at least, especially if told he was going to open in Rochester. Perhaps he would relax more.

Agreed. Not saying Worley IS a failed option at this point, but I've also not seen anything to indicate he's going to work and worth keeping for any kind of role either. I appreciate arguments made how it would be a mistake to let someone go who is still young and has potential. But at the same time, I don't want the team to keep a failed roster choice over another talented youngster just for the sake of a maybe; ex. Worley over Tonkin for a bullpen spot.

Floriman is the SS until such a time as the Twins either make a move outside the organization, or until Santana or Goodrum are ML ready. And to be fair, both of those young men have the most talent we've had at the position in many years. Probably since Guzman. And based on his defense, and ability to it above the Mendoza line, plus run a little, and a probable progression forward with the bat after a year's experience, (even if small) he has more than proved and earned that spot. SS is and always has been a defense first position. I don't know if the era of offensive SS's in MLB was an aberration or the result of stimulants or steroids, but there seemingly has been a form of adjustment across the board to defensive players who can hopefully contribute sme with the bat. Which is the way SS has largely been the case in regard to the position for most of the history of MLB. CF is wide open, true. But Hicks is clearly the best option at the position not only for defense but offensive potential. And while he has had a small injury setback, he's healthy and playing again, as well as having the best overall ST amongst the candidates. My belief, and hope, is that he learned a lot from his struggles last season to build on. The early results, and work with Carew this off season are encouraging thus far. Gardenhire himself has spoken recently about the need for Hicks to step forward for the club this year. He has also spoken well of Pinto, who is hitting well, and spoken of taking him north to produce and learn on the ML level this year. Gardy wants to win, of course, but he as spoken well openly of many young players. I believe he recognizes the abilities and team future involving our young players, and I don't believe he's "stuck" in the same veteran player mode he has sometimes shown in the past. I think the writing is very clear on the wall after the past three seasons. To this pont, the rotation is clearly set with Deduno as the 5th starter with Worley and Diamond gone, and Gibson in AAA until injury or trade of Correia. The pen is also almost set with a few battles: Hoffman vs Thielbar, Gurrier vs Tonkin vs Pressly. Out of options, Escobar thus far is the utility Inf. Nobody else has done enough to step forward to take the spot away. Willingham can still play a little LF here and there, but there is nobody who believes he is a quality LF defensively any longer. And I think it is very possible the Twins might keep him for the entire year if productive. I find the thought of him playing LF daily to prove his trade value rather humorous. Scouts, GM's, managers and coaches already know what he brings. NOBODY is going to watch him and say, " oh look, the Twins have him in LF every day, he must be better than we thought." Let him play there on a semi basis, but the time is right for him to be a mostly full time DH, and Molitor can help him ease in to that role. Arcia has RF, unless the final lineup pushes him to LF for various reasons. LF can be a successful mishmash of Willngham on occasion, Presley, Mastro, Parmelee with non starters in the DH role, Willingham primarily, with Colabello a RH possibility. He's having a good spring, has proven himself n the minors, can back up Mauer a first along with Parmalee, and shouldn't be discounted simply due to his production in limited AB's the last part of last season. There is an adjustment period and learning curve for most players in their first exposure. (Dont go to sleep n Romero as a RH option) l love me some Jason Kubel, always have, but one HR and a whole series of bad AB's so far this ST does not make me feel comfortable with him in our lineup. Now, to be fair, there is still time for him to find his timing, prove he has life left, and make the roster as a productive DH/PH/part time OF. Just haven't seen anything encouraging as of yet. This leaves Hicks, hopefully/likely, Arcia and Willingham filling 3 of the final 6 spots on the roster. You have to figure Mastro or Presley takes up one remaining spot either as a 4th OF, or even primary LF starter. Could both make it? Absolutely. They could platoon in LF, or be a starter and backup OF. But then we have Parmelee, Colabello and possibly Kubel for one spot. So you have 3 open spots and 5 guys fighting for those spots. That's the real battle that's left to decide.

I think ERA's between 3.50 & 4.50 are more realistic, and not bad at all. Hughes finding himself, Deduno healthy and pitching at least close to last season, and a push by Gibson over Correia are probably in line here, and not unreasonable expectations. The pen should not only be solid, but I believe better when not overworked. The improvement in the defense follows hand in hand with the lineup as Hicks simply must patrol CF most days. He and some combination of Presley and possibly Mastro hold down at least an acceptable LO spot and further help the defense. A solid year overall from Plouffe, Willingham as primary DH, with a little time in LF, and Arcia starting to mash as he showed the potential to do last year, and there is cause for at least some of this optimism.

Would enjoy Kubel finding his form and former stroke and actually providing a power and RBI option in the lineup. The HR today is nice. But thus far, he's looked pretty bad while Parmelee and Colabello have looked much better. We have a ways to go for sure, but despite being a fan of Kubel over the years, I don't want to see him make the roster simply based on past production with the Twins.

WAY too early to write Worley off after this outing, especially after coming in healthy, in better shape, and reportedly throwing with good velocity. But I don't know that I've even heard a knuckleball pitcher complain about the wind for a poor performance. A few big hits or a wind aided HR sure, but come on. As I and others have repeatedly stated, performance, injury and talent should sort the SP situation out. I have no ill will towards any of the candidates, but there is no question Gibson has the greatest talent of the competitors as well as the brightest future. And we know how well Deduno pitched last season. It's hard not to root for those two guys, especially Gibson. And let me state again how opposed I am to "stashing" a candidate in the bullpen at the expense of a quality relief candidate. "You can't cut it as a SP for us so we're going to throw you in the bullpen and send down someone who can do the job to give you another shot," doesn't make sense to me, and doesn't seem to keep both the immediate and future of the ball club in mind. On a very positive note, I'm very pleased to read some of the quotes from Gardenhire this spring in regard to team needs and the talent and potential of the young players in camp. In the past few days Gardy has been effusive in his praise of Santana, and all but publicly stated the need and preference for Hicks as the starting CF for the team. I believe he is fully on board with the team transition, and has begun to move beyond his previous comfort level with veterans almost exclusively.

Could he be a SS version of Revere? Or at least a poor man's version? If so, I think you'd have a valuable and exciting bottom of the order hitter/producer.