|
Name
|
Chance
|
Note
|
|
Pitcher
|
|
The Final Rotation Spot(s)
|
|
Scott
Baker
|
|
Scott Baker pitched in a minor league game this weekend and got his sixty pitches in with no problems. The plan is for Baker to pitch Wednesday and then on Sunday (minor league game) after the Twins leave camp. If everything goes according to plan, Baker will be ready to start the team’s fifth game of the season.
|
|
Francisco Liriano
|
|
After a solid outing on Sunday, Liriano’s chances of being ready for the season went way up. Assuming everything will go find on Friday, Liriano should be in the opening day rotation.
|
|
Nick Blackburn
|
|
Blackburn’s chance of making the team is in the hands of Liriano. If he is ready to go, Blackburn goes down. If he isn’t, Blackburn gets at least one start in the majors.
|
|
Philip Humber
|
|
Yes, Humber was a cut, but he was the best pitcher cut thus far. If for some reason neither Liriano or Baker are ready, Humber is the likely candidate.
|
|
Rotation
|
|
The Starting Rotation
|
|
Livan Hernandez
|
|
Livan will likely be the team’s Opening Day starter against the Angels.
|
|
Boof Bonser
|
|
Bonser showed that the weight he lost this past off-season is paying off and is looking to have longer outings this season.
|
|
Kevin Slowey
|
|
With a solid spring, Kevin Slowey won the fifth starter spot. He’ll likely pitch higher in the rotation if Liriano or Baker aren’t ready.
|
|
Bullpen
|
|
The Bullpen Pitchers
|
|
Joe
Nathan
|
|
Joe Nathan has a lights-out spring, and then signed a contract extension just a few days ago. Now he’ll be with the team for four more seasons.
|
|
Pat
Neshek
|
|
Neshek didn’t allow a single run this spring, and said he feels stronger than last season. If the Twins get to the seventh or eighth inning with a lead, they should be able to get a win most of the time.
|
|
Matt Guerrier
|
|
Guerrier had a few shaky outings, but he’ll still go into the season as the team’s second setup guy.
|
|
Jesse
Crain
|
|
Crain is coming back from shoulder surgery, and didn’t pitch a lot of innings this spring. Nonetheless he is ready to go.
|
|
Juan Rincon
|
|
Rincon was almost traded this past off-season, but did let it affect him and turned in a decent spring.
|
|
Dennys Reyes
|
|
Reyes is the only lefty in the bullpen, so he’ll receive a lot of work. If he needs help like he did last season, Perkins will be an option.
|
|
Brian
Bass
|
|
Bass had a solid and somewhat unnoticed spring. His hard work has paid off, and he’ll likely be the teams long reliever.
|
|
Lineup
|
|
The Opening Day Lineup
|
|
Carlos Gomez
|
|
Gomez entered camp as one of three players going after the centerfield job. With his speed and defense, Gomez won the job and will be in center on March 31.
|
|
Joe
Mauer
|
|
Mauer didn’t need to have a good spring to make the team, but he still hit the ball very well. A healthy season for him could mean contention for another batting title.
|
|
Michael Cuddyer
|
|
Cuddyer will move from the four spot in the lineup to the number the spot this season. He had a solid spring at the plate, and with Mauer and Morneau hitting around him, he should have a better year in ‘08 than he did in ‘07.
|
|
Justin Morneau
|
|
Morneau is moving up from the five spot in the lineup to the four spot where the power hitter normally is. He’ll have good protection with Young behind him and Cuddyer in front.
|
|
Delmon Young
|
|
Young impressed coaches and fans this spring with his hard work and his bat speed. At 22 years old, Young has a lot of time to get better, but he should be a huge help this season.
|
|
Jason Kubel
|
|
Kubel will be the team’s designated hitter against right-handed pitchers this season. If he can pickup where he ended the ‘07 season, Kubel will be a huge upgrade at DH.
|
|
Brendan Harris
|
|
Harris beat out Nick Punto and Alexi Casilla for the second base job, and should provide the team more offense than they had last season at the position.
|
|
Mike
Lamb
|
|
Lamb will be going from 300 at-bats to around 500 this season, and has the potential to give the team 15-20 homeruns. His defense is a small downgrade, but he should drastically improve the Twins third base production.
|
|
Adam Everett
|
|
A small downgrade at the plate, Everett is a huge upgrade in the field. If Everett can improve any at the plate, it’ll be a bonus.
|
|
Bench
|
|
The Bench Players
|
|
Mike Redmond
|
|
Redmond is possibly the best backup catcher in the league. He’ll probably play less than last season as long as Mauer is healthy.
|
|
Nick
Punto
|
|
Punto had a poor ‘07 season and it doesn’t look like his bat has gotten any better. It’ll be interesting to see if he lasts the entire season.
|
|
Craig Monroe
|
|
Monroe will likely be the DH when a lefty is on the hill, and should earn plenty of at-bats in the field too. If spring is a sign of things to come, Monroe will be a nice addition.
|
|
Matt Tolbert
|
|
Matt Tolbert played hard this spring and impressed the coaches. He outright earned the final bench job and will get playing time at second, third, short and possibly even in the outfield.
|
