The holidays are almost here and many of us won't have much time to check Twins Daily until after New Year's. I'm going to throw out my final projections for the 2014 Twins' 25-man roster and my best guess for an Opening Day lineup using only those under contract:

 

PITCHERS:

 

Ricky Nolasco

Kevin Correia

Phil Hughes

Mike Pelfrey

Scott Diamond

Vance Worley

Anthony Swarzak

Caleb Thielbar

Brian Duensing

Jared Burton

Casey Fien

Glen Perkins

 

CATCHERS:

Josmil Pinto

Kurt Suzuki

 

INFIELDERS:

Joe Mauer (1B)

Brian Dozier (2B)

Pedro Florimon (SS)

Trevor Plouffe (3B)

Eduardo Escobar (util)

 

OUTFIELDERS:

 

Oswaldo Arcia (LF-RF)

Darin Mastoianni (LF-CF-RF)

Alex Presley (CF-LF)

Josh Willingham (LF-DH)

Chris Parmelee (RF-1B)

Jason Kubel (LF-RF-DH)

 

 

Starting Lineup:

 

Presley cf

Dozier 2b

Mauer 1b

Willingham lf

Arcia rf

Plouffe 3b

Kubel dh

Pinto c

Florimon ss

Nolasco p

Edited December 20, 201312 yr by stringer bell

What are the terms and $ on Kubels contract? No-no Sano?

Kubel has a minor-league contract with a $2M contract if he makes the team, plus incentives. I think Sano and Hicks start in Rochester, for sure.

Should have waited a few more minutes for your "final" catcher projection.

Nothing is final yet Wait until spring training starts at least. Lots more changes coming

Should have waited a few more minutes for your "final" catcher projection.

Yes, but I can edit! Suzuki for Herrmann, I suppose, although I think Gardy would like the flexibility of keeping Herrmann since he's also a capable corner OF.

That lineup is GARBAGE!!! Please TR make a move for some hitters.

 

Would the Dodgers take Berrios and Rosario for Matt Kemp? (providing they kick in some salary relief).

That lineup is GARBAGE!!! Please TR make a move for some hitters.

 

Would the Dodgers take Berrios and Rosario for Matt Kemp? (providing they kick in some salary relief).

 

That lineup is middle of the MLB pack (~15th in runs scored). Want to put a case of beer on it?

Just a couple of notes about potential Twins on the Opening Day roster: I think Aaron Hicks has clearly played himself onto the Rochester roster to start the season. Barring injury, the Twins will keep Sano at Rochester to at least delay free agency if not avoid Super 2 status. That is the business of baseball. Further, Miguel could probably benefit from a little AAA time. Suzuki's signing means adios to Herrmann unless Gardy feels like he needs a third catcher who can play capably in the outfield. I have Pressly and Tonkin going to Rochester, even though both look like they could be decent in the 'pen. I presumed Worley/Diamond both make the team, one as the fifth starter and one as 6th starter/long reliever. The other assumption is that Deduno starts the season on the DL. Finally if Colabello can rake in the spring, he might make the club in place of Parmelee. I chose Parmelee because he's out of options, but for a relatively young guy to be a pinch hitter/bench player might not work out, so perhaps there is a chance that Colabello breaks camp with the Twins. It looks like this particular roster leans left a bit, so maybe Colabello as a bench bat/RH DH might be a better fit, although I just can't see him hitting as a major leaguer.

Edited December 20, 201312 yr by stringer bell

Looks pretty close. That last roster spot will come down to Kubel, Colabello, Parmelee, a utility infielder or a 13th pitcher.