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Spring Training 08 (394)
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Minnesota Twins: Spring Training Information[ Comments (7) ] [ Full Story ]
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By Sooze[ Tagged: Info, Spring Training 08, Twins ] Location: Fort Myers, FLA Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 16th First Game: Feb. 29th Schedule Projected Lineup
Long Relief: Nick Blackburn RHP, Carmen Cali LHP Situational: Juan Rincon RHP, Dennys Reyes LHP, and Jesse Crain RHP Set-Up Men: Matt Guerrier RHP, Pat Neshek RHP Closer: Joe Nathan RHP Key Battles: Mike Lamb is the likeliest candidate for the hot corner, considering the suckfest that was Nick Punto in 2007. Lamb will be flashing what leather he's got this Spring in an attempt to become a full-time player after four years of platooning in Houston. Carlos Gomez, the most ready of the four youngsters acquired from the Mets in the Johan Santana trade, will be competing for the center field job. He's quick and has a decent glove, but his offense is what will or will not land him the job. Considering the over-crowded outfield, Craig Monroe will have to battle the hardest for a spot near the baggies. The right-handed hitter will probably end up sharing the DH role with Jason Kubel, mainly against lefties. He hit just .219 with 12 homers between the Tigers and Cubs last season, having to do a whole lot better than that to earn a position in the outfield. Brendan Harris, who hit .286 with 12 homers for the Rays last season, will take over at second base cause... he's just the best option there is at this point. Pitching Battles: With a minor league resume which includes pitching 44 consecutive scoreless innings for the AAA Rochester Red Wings, Nick Blackburn may find himself battling for the fifth spot in the rotation if any of the other five (previously mentioned) projected starters don't live up to expectations. Otherwise, he'll remain in long relief. Possibly the biggest question for the Twins heading into this Spring will be Francisco Liriano's health. He's been given a clean bill after last offseason's Tommy John surgery, but the order of what is already a young rotation -- even with the addition of veteran Livan Hernandez -- is weighing heavily on Franchise's status. Jesse Crain, coming off a May shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff, is rehabbing nicely and should be ready to pitch early this Spring. The main question surrounding the righty is whether his velocity will remain intact, as he'd be a great addition to an already established Twins relief corps. If worse comes to worse, Glen Perkins, who has nursed his strained left shoulder muscle back to health, could be in line for a spot in the rotation or the bullpen for this season. He was held to just 28.2 innings in the big leagues last year, striking out 20 but walking 12 with a 3.14 ERA. Sooze is a regular contributor to Babes Love Baseball and a die-hard Twins fan. CommentsThat lineup looks a bit strange. There is no way Punto starts over Harris and Depaula/Cali have virtually no chance to make the roster. Blackburn and Reyes are near locks and you forgot about Crain. Perkins and Humber would be more logical than Depaula or Cali. This is how I believe the lineup/rotation will look this year (and would make the most sense): CF Gomez SP Hernandez Long: Blackburn I believe that with youth in the rotation, they'll go with 12 pitchers and a 4-player bench. Redmond, Monroe and Punto are locks for the bench with the last spot most likely fought over by Machado/Watkins/Jones/Pridie. Other posters have it right; the Twins have said over and over that they want Punto to the "supersub" and that the 2B will be manned by Brendan Harris. Of course, if Harris has a lousy spring and Punto has a very good one, that could change. Alexi Casilla will actually by Harris' main competition for 2B, not Punto. I think the Twins want Humber to start the season on the 25 man roster. They would be ecstatic if he pitched well enough this spring to claim a starting job but at the least, he will be the long man in the bullpen if he pitches reasonably well in spring training. The Twins want the Santana deal to look as good as they can; if Gomez and Humber (perhaps even Mulvey) have decent springs, they will make the trip north. I agree with Josh, except after having a torn rotator cuff and torn labrium, I do not see Crain as a setup man this year. I think they will go with Guerrier as their 7th inning guy. He was pretty money in that role last season, no need to change what was working. Crain will make the club, but my guess is they will take their time with him. Guys comming back from shoulder surgery tend to have issues consistantly throwing strikes, something Crain sometimes had issues with before surgery. Julio DePaula has little chance to make this team. And Cali only makes it if the Twins feel like they need two lefties in the pen AND Perkins does not head north with the team. Guys, Sooze from Babes Love Baseball was kind enough to clean this up. Take another look and fire away with your comments. Much better. It would seem odd to me for Cali and Reyes to both make the bullpen ahead of Perkins but I could see it if they want to start Perkins in AAA. The only other thing I wonder about is if Gomez really is that much of a lock to make the major league roster. Many seem to think that he would be better off spending one more year in AAA. They really don't have any other good CFs if they don't trade or sign someone like Lofton, but I could see the possibility of Pridie taking CF for at least the beginning of the season so that Gomez could improve in Triple A. |
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No way should Punto get a starting job over Brendan Harris. Gardenhire may be stupid enough to do it but it would be an awful move.