There have been lots of stories about players that might find their way onto Gardy's team as a bench bat:

 

Phil Miller profiles Jeff Clement, who at one point profiled very similar to Joe Mauer...

 

And this is the part where Twins officials, with $138 million still owed Mauer, might want to avert their eyes.

 

 

"My

knee just couldn't do it anymore," Clement said of a gradual deterioration over several seasons.

 

Meanwhile, Tom Powers checks in on Brandon Boggs and Wilkin Ramirez. Boggs, besides having some power looks like a soothsayer:

 

"I do have pop from both sides of the plate," Boggs said.

 

He hit his second home run of the spring today, one from each side of the plate. The interesting thing here is that all three should get some extra time over the next 10 days while Morneau is toiling away with Team Canada.

 

Anyone got any preference here (assuming it's not Thome)?

Boggs frankly has zero upside, I guess he is nice org filler but nothing else.

Clement would be a nice story.

 

Ramirez...meh.

 

Bring on Thome!

I think it's time to give Phil Miller his just recognition- A very welcome addition to the StarTribune Twins beat, well-written and interesting stories and he actually is doing some reporting. The Pioneer Press is also producing a fairly decent flurry of on-site reportage.

Interesting reading here. I agree with Dave that Clement would be a nice story.

rather go with Joe Benson & carry 5 OFs

All three are limited defensively. I am with greengoblinrulz.

 

The better discussion is on Nick's building a bench article. Seems like this thread could have been a comment to add to that discussion.

All are nice stories. Do not see Benson making the team, so twins have to find a pinch hitter. May have to wait and see, Arcia has probably missed too much of spring training to see how he works out. If he could make the team would solve some of the issues. Also going with 3 MI and another bat might work. Give it time.

Thome while a good story, does nothing for this club.

I would say Clement, Boggs, Colabello and Carroll. A four player bench is about all you can carry in a month or so the prospects should be ready.