What would the 25 man roster look like? What do you think?

[Thrylos]

This is just purely for fun, and I just want to see how wrong we can all be without a single Spring Training game played yet

 

So I am looking at your opinions about who will make the team, after I give you mine.

 

I think that the following are locks (alphabetically):

 

Position players (will carry 13 or 14) :

Jamey Caroll, Alexi Casilla, Ryan Doumit, Luke Hughes, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Trevor Plouffe, Ben Revere, Denard Span, Danny Valencia, Josh Willingham

(I assume no DL for anyone - call me an optimist) so there are 2 or 3 spots left.

 

Pitchers (will carry 11 or 12) :

 

Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Matt Capps, Brian Duensing, Francisco Liriano, Jason Marquis, Carl Pavano, Glen Perkins, Anthony Swarzak, Joel Zumaya

 

so there is space for 1 or 2.

 

Here are my guesses: They will go with 13 position players and 12 pitchers.

The position players who will make the team are Aaron Bates and Darin Mastroianni and the pitchers who make the team are Terry Doyle and Alex Burnett.

 

What do you think?

[Esoteric Ball Guy]

Lineup:

 

Span CF

Carroll SS

Mauer C

Morneau 1B

Willingham RF

Doumit DH

Valencia 3B

Casilla 2B

Revere LF

 

Bench: Plouff, Nishi, Butera, Hughes (Burroughs if Hughes starts on DL)

 

Rotation: Pavano-Liriano-Marquis-Baker-Blackburn

Bullpen: Capps-Perk-Zumaya-Duensing-Swarzak-Burnett-Doyle

 

I'd love to see Oliveros, Gray or Vazquez in the bullpen as a power arm to compliment Zumaya, but that seems unlikely. With Swarzak out of options, and Doyle a rule 5 guy (hard to see the Chi Sox being a willing trade partner) Burnett's spot probably is the only one that can be lost, and for whatever reason the Twins still seem to love him. Of course Morneau could be unable to play, and if he's ruled out during ST I think Parmalee breaks camp with the club and hits 6th with Willingham and Doumit moving up to the 4 and 5 spots.

[Haddyz]

Starting Pitching:

S.Baker, F.Liriano, C.Pavano, J.Marquis, N.Blackburn

Bullpen:

M.Capps, G.Perkins, J.Zumaya, B.Duensing, A.Swarzak, J.Manship

Positions:

J.Mauer, J.Morneau, T.Nishioka, D.Valencia, J.Carroll, B.Revere, D.Span, J.Willingham

Bench:

R.Doumit, L.Hughes, T.Plouffe, A.Casilla

 

I certainly am hoping to see Alex Burnett deeply rooted in Rochester this year. I think Jeff Manship as well as a slew of others are far more capable. I didn't say talented. I said capable. Burnett should be better than he performs. I think his attitude is garbage. Watch how different of a pitcher he is based on the situation. If the game is out of hand or WELL in hand, he doesn't care, mails it in. Watch his demeanor. I'd like to see Doyle be one of our first, recent rule 5 non-drop outs. That might make this more of a wishlist, but I think it'll shake-rattle-roll something like this.

[Thrylos]

Starting Pitching:

S.Baker, F.Liriano, C.Pavano, J.Marquis, N.Blackburn

Bullpen:

M.Capps, G.Perkins, J.Zumaya, B.Duensing, A.Swarzak, J.Manship

Positions:

J.Mauer, J.Morneau, T.Nishioka, D.Valencia, J.Carroll, B.Revere, D.Span, J.Willingham

Bench:

R.Doumit, L.Hughes, T.Plouffe, A.Casilla

.

 

That's 23 need to add a couple more

[Jim H]

Thrylos,

 

I don't think I agree with your "locks". I doubt if Hughes is a lock, even assuming good health for him and everyone else. Even if Morneau is healthy, they might want to limit his time at first base, which would open the door for someone other than Hughes. While Nishioka is not a lock, he is more likely than Hughes and could end up as a starter or co-starter at SS or 2b. I do not consider Plouffe a lock either. The Twins probably don't want to lose him, but he will have to prove he can play the outfield, and show some indication he will hit better than last year. If he doesn't, the Twins might risk losing him in order get him some seasoning as an outfielder at AAA.

 

Zumaya is definitely not a lock, he has to be healthy, regain his velocity, and show at least a little control. I don't really have much of an opinion on who the Twins will actually take to begin the season. I kind of think they might put Burnett at AAA to give him some confidence and a regular role at the end of games. I think Burroughs could be a good fit, but at this point I wouldn't be to sure he won't start at AAA. I kind of like Mastroianni's chance too, but they would be better if the Twins went with a 11 man pitching staff to start the season.

[Nick Nelson]

STARTERS

C: Joe Mauer

1B: Justin Morneau

2B: Alexi Casilla

3B: Danny Valencia

SS: Jamey Carroll

LF: Ben Revere

CF: Denard Span

RF: Josh Willingham

DH: Ryan Doumit

 

BENCH

C: Drew Butera

IF: Luke Hughes

IF: Tsuyoshi Nishioka

OF: Trevor Plouffe

 

ROTATION

SP: Carl Pavano

SP: Francisco Liriano

SP: Scott Baker

SP: Nick Blackburn

SP: Jason Marquis

 

BULLPEN

RP: Matt Capps

RP: Glen Perkins

RP: Joel Zumaya

RP: Brian Duensing

RP: Anthony Swarzak

RP: Alex Burnett

RP: Terry Doyle

[Nick Nelson]

Haddyz, I'd go easy on Burnett. He's still only 24, and pretty much skipped Triple-A entirely. For comparison, Pat Neshek and Matt Guerrier didn't make theirs major-league debuts until they were 25. Whatever Burnett's flaws, he's young enough to overcome them, and he's certainly got some decent stuff. Taking his lumps at the big-league level over the past couple seasons may ultimately benefit him in the long-term.

[Ultima Ratio]

This is correct.

[Thrylos]

Haddyz, I'd go easy on Burnett. He's still only 24, and pretty much skipped Triple-A entirely. For comparison, Pat Neshek and Matt Guerrier didn't make theirs major-league debuts until they were 25. Whatever Burnett's flaws, he's young enough to overcome them, and he's certainly got some decent stuff. Taking his lumps at the big-league level over the past couple seasons may ultimately benefit him in the long-term.

Exactly. And if anyone looks at Burnett's New Britain numbers before he was rushed, would have to agree

[wblmayo24]

STARTERS

C: Joe Mauer

1B: Justin Morneau

2B: Alexi Casilla

3B: Danny Valencia

SS: Jamey Carroll

LF: Ben Revere

CF: Denard Span

RF: Josh Willingham

DH: Ryan Doumit

 

BENCH

C: Drew Butera

IF: Luke Hughes

IF: Tsuyoshi Nishioka

OF: Trevor Plouffe

 

ROTATION

SP: Carl Pavano

SP: Francisco Liriano

SP: Scott Baker

SP: Nick Blackburn

SP: Jason Marquis

 

BULLPEN

RP: Matt Capps

RP: Glen Perkins

RP: Joel Zumaya

RP: Brian Duensing

RP: Anthony Swarzak

RP: Alex Burnett

RP: Terry Doyle

I agree with this line-up and by reading it, I am becoming more optimistic and excited to watch. I hope all the 'what ifs' happen and we surprise some teams just like Denard said.

[darin617]

I agree with this line-up and by reading it, I am becoming more optimistic and excited to watch. I hope all the 'what ifs' happen and we surprise some teams just like Denard said.

Do they have to be current members of the organization?

[Shane Wahl]

Nick's roster is definitely the most likely scenario, probably by far. There is a difference between what it will be and what it should be, though. Assuming total health, only Nishioka, Burnett, and Swarzak are up for debate. Luke Hughes does provide a RH bat and adequate infield defense at three positions. I would prefer Burroughs or Carson instead of Nishioka at the beginning of the season because I think Nishioka needs to play every day and he provides so little beyond speed right now. 2011 was a year of bad promotions for the most part, in my view. Burnett and Tosoni, being legitimate prospects, should have been at Rochester. Chuck James and Aaron Bates could have been with the Twins instead for the same or better production in 2011 and without the weirdness that goes with promoting prospects to quickly. I would hope Burnett turns into a very good 7th inning guy. I wish the Twins would trade Swarzak now that is value has peaked for the last time. I highly doubt that he is going to be good in 2012 and he may not even prove to be adequate at all.

[Shane Wahl]

There is a legitimate concern that the following happens: Capps repeats 2011, Perkins turns into a pumpkin, Burnett founders again, Swarzak shows his true colors, Doyle demonstrates that he needs more polishing in the minors, and Zumaya's arm falls off. I trust Duensing to be an excellent LOOGY, but beyond that there are no guarantees. That is why it is very good that the Twins basically doubled the number of potential arms in the bullpen from 2011. If the horrible scenario above happens, Diamond, Oliveros, Maloney/Gray (only one will remain in the organization in April, methinks), Waldrop, Guerra, DeVries, Slama (yes, him!), Gutierrez, Burton, Bulger and others are there ready for a try.

[Thrylos]

....Slama (yes, him!),.... and others are there ready for a try.

Slama is not even in the Major League Camp this Spring Training... I think that his days with the organization are pretty much over for some reason, unfortunately...

[spideyo]

I would think that if Morneau is limited in the field, that would actually give Hughes even MORE of a "lock" over butera, plouffe, or Nishi. He did play 36 games at 1b, compared to 37 at 2b and 13 at 3b. He only had one error at first, and has better sabermetric fielding stats at 1b than at 2b or 3b. At least, I think so. I can't promise I'm not reading the numbers wrong.

[spideyo]

My guess for the line up:

 

Opening Day:

C: Mauer

1B: Doumit

2B: Casilla

SS: Carroll

3B: Valencia

LF: Revere

CF: Span

RF: Willingham

DH: Morneau

 

Bench: Nishioka, Hughes, Plouffe, Tosoni

 

Rotation (in no particular order): Baker, Pavano, Blackburn, Liriano, Marquis

 

Bullpen: Swarzak, Duensing, Doyle, Zumaya, Perkins, Capps, Oliveros.

[raykinsella]

I am really hoping that Carlos Gutierrez' new cutter combined with his sinker will make him a healthy, effective answer in the Twin's bullpen this year.

[Dilligaf69]

Ok so who takes Zumaya's place???

[Thrylos]

Ok so who takes Zumaya's place???

I'd say Oliveros, but Gray/Burton/Bulger/Vasquez et al, might think differently

[CA]

I'm assuming the following about what the roster will look like.

 

1. The optimal lineup will have both Mauer and Doumit in it at C/DH in some combination. With both of those guys starting, it seems unlikely that Gardenhire would be happy without another catcher on the bench. That means Butera will make the team.

2. Casilla is likely to start at 2nd. Other options have defensive issues (Hughes) or everything issues (Nishioka).

3. Right now, Nishioka and Hughes are the backup infielders. I'm pretty confident in putting Hughes on the team; Nishioka is more of a question mark. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if the Twins give him a shot in occasional playing time and then perhaps demote or dump him by June if he's still obviously overmatched.

4. Plouffe is going to be the 4th outfielder/super-utility guy. The team has invested in converting him to OF, so I would argue that this role seems pretty clear.

 

If you believe those things, the bench is Butera, Nishioka, Hughes, Plouffe. Therefore, it's hard to disagree with the rosters suggested by EsotericBallGuy and Nick above. You could play around with the last couple of reliever spots, especially with Zumaya out, but those spots are going to be in flux anyway.

[Shane Wahl]

Hughes is not bad defensively at second. Maybe last year was an aberration, but he was ok at first and second last year.

 

The reverse of 3 should happen for Nishioka. I maintain that they need to get the most value of the second half of his contract. This means starting him in Rochester so he plays every day instead of pinch-running every game. Also, if Carroll gets hurt midgame, Casilla can move over and Plouffe can be involved as well.

 

It is known that Butera and Rivera are not valuable major league catchers. The choice should be between Towles and Lehmann until later in the year and Chris Herrmann.

[Loosey]

I like Nick's roster but now that Zumaya is out who replaces him. Terry Ryan is looking to go find someone internally who will this be? Also, will this move everyone else up the bullpen pecking order and move the new guy in to mop up last guy in duty?

[twinscowboysbulls]

Lineup:

CF Span

SS Carrol

C Mauer

1B Morneau

RF Willingham

DH Doumitt

3B Valencia

2B Casilla

LF Revere

 

Bench:

UTIL: Plouffe

UTIL: Nishioka

UTIL: Hughes

C: Butera

IF: Burroughs

 

Starting Rotation:

1: Pavano

2: Baker

3: Liriano

4: Blackburn

5: Marquis

 

Bullpen:

CL: Capps

SU: Perkins

LH: Duensing

RH: Burnett

RH: Manship

RH: Swarzak

RH: Doyle

 

Exciting. Would like to see a power arm( Guerra, Oliveros, etc.) make the bullpen out of camp, but unlikely til an injury occurs. Also, would like to see Hendriks break into that rotation by June. I think if we are 10 + games out in June, we will see Hendriks, Parmalee, Benson, Guerra all in Minneapolis for the remainder of the season.

[tmerrickkeller]

Well, twinscowboysbulls, you have 26 guys, but everyone is hitting on the issues of 3rd/4th bench players (depending on Hughes' availability, I think he's a lock if healthy) and the last three bullpen slots (with Capps, Perkins, Swarzak and Duensing).

 

1. Carry that 3rd catcher (Butera)? Nishi? I think it's Plouffe and Hughes, Nishi and Burroughs, no 3rd catcher right away. If Doumit handles the backup catcher role 40x/year (can "framing a pitch" be taught at this point?) with Joe healthy, we don't need Butera, and he can't pinch hit, so he's useless. So in situations last year where we would have used Butera (Mauer day off, Mauer on 1st, Mauer DH), we can put Joe on 1st and have Justin DH, or give Joe a day off, Plouffe can DH, Joe is the available pinch-hitter late. The situation that we then avoid is having Joe be a DH on his days off - he either needs to play 1B or take the day off, so that blue moon scenario of losing the DH if Doumit gets hurt while Joe is DH doesn't happen. If Justin can't play 1B every day, I still think between Burroughs, Hughes and Doumit we can cover 1B and Justin can DH a lot. If he can't even DH, then we need Parmelee, but he just takes Justin's roster spot.

 

Plouffe is backup in right/left, with Revere the backup in Center with Plouffe moving to left - I don't see Gardy moving Willingham around. Then with Hughes, Nishi and Burroughs, you ensure that Plouffe never plays infield again, gives you a little replacement speed with Nishi, gap power with Hughes and Burroughs, and at least a chance for a late-inning pinch-hit homer from Plouffe.

 

2. Last 3 bullpen spots - I think Manship is more long relief and I don't see us carrying two of those guys. So it's Burnett, Doyle and Oliveros with plenty of guys knocking on the door. I do think Gutierrez will see time relatively early in the season as we'll need someone to handle late-inning RH situations, and I don't trust Burnett, Doyle or Oliveros to do that, though Perk's splits against RHers is pretty good, and Duensing could be a LOOGY in late innings plus start a LH-heavy inning even if that's the 7th or 8th.

[Esoteric Ball Guy]

I like one of Burton, Bulger or Oliveros to take Zumaya's spot. My gut tells Oliveros is the guy, but the "experts in the locker room" types like LaVelle seem to love Bulger. Should be fun to watch it all play out.

[spideyo]

As long as Hughes is healthy and/or Burroughs is ready to backup 1b, I don't think we need a 3rd catcher. If Mauer or Doumit have to play 1b more than once a week, I'd rather see Butera up here than Parmalee, at least at first. Yes, Butera can't hit worth a damn, but we know he can catch. Parmelee has only played 20 games at the Major League level and NONE at AAA. I think he would benefit a lot more from starting in Rochester instead of rushing him straight to the Bigs.