Call me a cynic, but Clement reminds me a lot of Sean Burroughs (minus the eating from garbage cans before detoxing drama)

 

Clement has failed thus far... There is nothing to suggest he won't continue failing.... However... He can park it and we don't have a bat off the bench who can.

 

Thrylos... You gotta a real good grip on the farm... I respect your opinion... Do we have anyone else ready for a power bench bat role?

Do we have anyone else ready for a power bench bat role?

 

Chris Colabello and (this might sound like a surprise to many) Deibi Romero (and he can play third and first and some OF)

This team isn't going to go out and add anyone for CF unless there is an injury. This is what I hope the lineup is and I think it has a good chance:

 

CF Mastroanni

2B Carroll

C Mauer

1B Morneau

LF Willingham

DH Parmalee

3B Plouffe

RF Benson

SS Florimon

 

Did they extend Doumit to have him play back-up catcher and pinch hit only?

 

Or do you see them moving Doumit out in ST?

Chris Colabello and (this might sound like a surprise to many) Deibi Romero (and he can play third and first and some OF)

 

Shane blogged about Colabello... What a great story...

 

In the end I'm ok with starting Florimon... But we have to have someone who can replace him at the plate late in games.

I think Dozier earns himself the SS job in ST.

 

1. Mastro CF

2. Carroll 2B

3. Mauer C

4. Willingham LF

5. Morneau 1B

6. Doumit DH

7. Plouffe 3B

8. Parmelee RF

9. Dozier SS

 

Short of Mauer moving up to the 2-hole, that actually is about the best 8-9-1-2 "turn-over-the-order-and-set-the-plate" batting lineup until, presumably, Hicks fits his shoes into the Leadoff spot at some point during the season, bravo!

 

Since we know they are never going to move Mauer in the 2-hole, I still would like to see if Carroll could continue his success in the 9 spot last year and try an experiment with a top of the order of Hicks-Parmelee when Hicks finally gets the call-up.

Shane blogged about Colabello... What a great story...

 

In the end I'm ok with starting Florimon... But we have to have someone who can replace him at the plate late in games.

 

What? You're not already blown away by that current veritable embarrasment of bench riches for those late inning situations...?

 

Thome is still available....

What? You're not already blown away by that current veritable embarrasment of bench riches for those late inning situations...?

 

Thome is still available....

 

Can't say that I'm blown away. In this particular area... I can't even say I've been "Zephyred" away.

 

Its like Tommy Boy in a boat with his date while Jokin and his friends stand on the shore hurling insults.

Did they extend Doumit to have him play back-up catcher and pinch hit only?

 

Or do you see them moving Doumit out in ST?

 

I have him shifting around. I expect that between C/DH/RF/1B/CF there will be a lot of shuffling the first two months.

 

I'm hoping by June 1 we are seeing Benson and Hicks in CF/RF with Doumit and Parmalee splitting DH at-bats.

I have him shifting around. I expect that between C/DH/RF/1B/CF there will be a lot of shuffling the first two months.

 

I'm hoping by June 1 we are seeing Benson and Hicks in CF/RF with Doumit and Parmalee splitting DH at-bats.

 

I actually would love to see a Benson revival as well, the OF defense could use the shot in the arm and even Benson putting up a pale comparison of his 2011 AA numbers, say .250BA/.750 OPS would be a nice comeback from his nightmare 2012 season.

 

But this potential outcome for surplus at OF & DH does raise the inevitable questions about who gets moved, and when, between Willingham, Doumit and Morneau.

But this potential outcome for surplus at OF & DH does raise the inevitable questions about who gets moved, and when, between Willingham, Doumit and Morneau.

 

My hope is that this scenario plays out and Willingham is dealt at the deadline next year.

My hope is that this scenario plays out and Willingham is dealt at the deadline next year.

 

By next year, do you mean 2013? If he close to duplicates last year's numbers near the break, his value probably would never be higher as a Twin.

1 Mastroianni CF

2 Carroll SS

3 Mauer C

4 Willingham LF

5 Morneau 1B

6 Doumit DH

7 Plouffe 3B

8 Arcia RF

9 Dozier 2B

 

Rotation

 

Harden

Diamond

Worley

Gibson

Correia

 

Pen

 

Perkins

Burton

Duensing

Pelfrey

Pressly

Fien

Wood

Swarzak

 

Bench

Parmalee

Florimon

Escobar

 

 

Arcia will be a beast in spring training. So much so that he will win the right field job outright. Parmalee will move in and out of DH, outfield and 1B. Good on the bench for power. Ultimately, Florimon should win the SS position but with a young staff, Carroll is steadier and will also be good for Dozier as a solid veteran for a double play tandem. Plouffe will be fine at third and improvements defensively as the season progresses.

I think we'll be loaded in the outfield and Willingham should be traded at the deadline for more solid pitching prospects and possibly a SS.

By next year, do you mean 2013? If he close to duplicates last year's numbers near the break, his value probably would never be higher as a Twin.

 

Yes, this coming July. I felt he should've been dealt last year. If they pass on that again I think it would be nothing less than stupid. (Pass of course if he's injured or playing poorly, but if he's playing well - he HAS to move this July)

Yes, this coming July. I felt he should've been dealt last year. If they pass on that again I think it would be nothing less than stupid. (Pass of course if he's injured or playing poorly, but if he's playing well - he HAS to move this July)

 

This is open to anyone. When was the last time the Twins were deadline sellers and came away with a net positive deal?

ie: better than:

Kyle Lohse for Zack Ward

Mentkiewicz for Justin Jones

Matt Lawton for Rick Reed

Scott Erickson for Scott Klingenbeck and Kimera Bartee

Aguilera for Frankie Rodriguez & JJ Johnson

Kevin Tapani and Mark Guthrie for Coomdog

 

 

 

In light of these beauties, I'm inclined to think that Escobar and Hernandez for Liriano was pure genius, but I still worry about TR's multitasking abilities.

Yeah, I'm speaking hopefully. Reality is that by the deadline we'll hear something more like this about Willingham:

 

"Willingham coming off the DL is a lot like making a trade" than actually trading him.

Posednik? Good lord, no. The guy is awful at baseball and a step backward from Mastro.

One thing is for sure, our bench will (once again) be putrid.

This is open to anyone. When was the last time the Twins were deadline sellers and came away with a net positive deal?

ie: better than:

Kyle Lohse for Zack Ward

Mentkiewicz for Justin Jones

Matt Lawton for Rick Reed

Scott Erickson for Scott Klingenbeck and Kimera Bartee

Aguilera for Frankie Rodriguez & JJ Johnson

Kevin Tapani and Mark Guthrie for Coomdog

 

 

 

In light of these beauties, I'm inclined to think that Escobar and Hernandez for Liriano was pure genius, but I still worry about TR's multitasking abilities.

 

2003. We got Stewart and a PTBNL for Kielty.

2003. We got Stewart and a PTBNL for Kielty.

 

Yep. A lot of us hated seeing Kielty traded but it worked very well for the Twins and they won that trade handily.

 

Also, hard to call Lawton for Reed anything other than a wash. It was a fine, though unspectacular, trade for the Twins.

Don't you think we should have spring training first?

 

Im guessing that like in the past sping training competition is a ruess and that decisions have already been made on 96%of the players.

maybe the only real spot open is the last bullpen spot , keep a dreg or keep a rule 5

CF- Mastro with Benson getting his chances to take it over

SS- Carroll- most reliable and no better options

C- Mauer

1b- Morneau

LF- Willingham

DH/3b- Doumit or Plouffe

3b/DH- Plouffe or Doumit

RF- Parmelee

2b- Dozier- best upside of the futility INF, Twins give him another chance before letting the others stink

 

Not a bad line-up really. With a competent rotation this team wouldn't be too bad.

This is open to anyone. When was the last time the Twins were deadline sellers and came away with a net positive deal?

ie: better than:

Kyle Lohse for Zack Ward

Mentkiewicz for Justin Jones

Matt Lawton for Rick Reed

Scott Erickson for Scott Klingenbeck and Kimera Bartee

Aguilera for Frankie Rodriguez & JJ Johnson

Kevin Tapani and Mark Guthrie for Coomdog

 

 

You forgot Castillo for Butera and another MiL catcher!

1. Hicks CF

2. Mauer C

3. Willingham LF

4. Morneau 1B

5. Doumit DH

6. Plouffe 3B

7. Parmelee RF

8. Dozier 2B

9. Florimon SS

 

SP: Diamond

 

Seconded.

What are the opening day lineups for A - A+ - AA & AAA? Curious as to what knowlwdgeable followers might think? Just position players.

CEDAR RAPIDS

FT. MYERS

NEW BRITIAN

ROCHESTER

Outfield

Josh Willingham

Darren Mastroianni

Chris Parmelee

Aaron Hicks

 

Infield

Justin Morneau

Jamey Carroll

Brian Dozier

Eduardo Escobar

Pedro Florimon

Trevor Plouffe

 

Catchers

Drew Butera

Ryan Doumit

Joe Mauer

 

Starting Pitchers

Vance Worley

Scott Diamond

Kevin Correia

Mike Pelfrey

Rich Harden

 

Relief Pitchers

Alex Burnett

Jared Burton

Pedro Hernandez

Ryan Pressly

Glen Perkins

Nick Blackburn

Casey Fien

 

Starting lineup

CF Hicks

2B Dozier

CA Mauer

LF Willingham

1B Morneau

3B Plouffe

RF Parmelee

DH Doumit

SS Carroll

 

That's my starting lineup and roster. Colabello or Romero could replace Florimon with real good springs, but it's Florimon's job to lose.

Edited February 4, 201313 yr by lee_the_twins_fan

Yep. A lot of us hated seeing Kielty traded but it worked very well for the Twins and they won that trade handily.

 

Also, hard to call Lawton for Reed anything other than a wash. It was a fine, though unspectacular, trade for the Twins.

 

Not really a wash, although admittedly somewhat unspectacular, I thought the Twins could have done better, usually when you "sell", it's because you want to get a younger prospect with some upside.

 

Rick Reed WAR ( from after trade to retirement) 2001-03 3.1

 

Matt Lawton oWAR (from after trade) 2001-05 7.0

Outfield

Josh Willingham

Darren Mastroianni

Chris Parmelee

Aaron Hicks

 

Infield

Justin Morneau

Jamey Carroll

Brian Dozier

Eduardo Escobar

Pedro Florimon

Trevor Plouffe

 

Catchers

Drew Butera

Ryan Doumit

Joe Mauer

 

Starting Pitchers

Vance Worley

Scott Diamond

Kevin Correia

Mike Pelfrey

Rich Harden

 

Relief Pitchers

Alex Burnett

Jared Burton

Pedro Hernandez

Ryan Pressly

Glen Perkins

Nick Blackburn

Casey Fien

 

Starting lineup

CF Hicks

2B Dozier

CA Mauer

LF Willingham

1B Morneau

3B Plouffe

RF Parmelee

DH Doumit

SS Carroll

 

That's my starting lineup and roster. Colabello or Romero could replace Florimon with real good springs, but it's Florimon's job to lose.

 

I'll be stunned (and pleasantly surprised because that means TR beat enormous odds in Dumpster Dive Roulette) if Pelfrey and Harden are in the rotation for the whole month of April. What scuttlebutt there is out there is that the Twins are "hopeful" that Harden can somehow find some productivity as a reliever and we know about Pelfrey and 11 months out from TJ.

2003. We got Stewart and a PTBNL for Kielty.

 

 

A great acquisition, I left it out because we were most definitely buyers, not sellers, in 03.

Not really a wash, although admittedly somewhat unspectacular, I thought the Twins could have done better, usually when you "sell", it's because you want to get a younger prospect with some upside.

 

Rick Reed WAR ( from after trade to retirement) 2001-03 3.1

 

Matt Lawton oWAR (from after trade) 2001-05 7.0

The Lawton-for-Reed trade was not a "sell." The Twins were half a game out of first place and trying to shore up their rotation. What selling team trades for a 36-year-old pitcher?