Center Field Options
The next important task for the Twins is figuring out who will play CF. As of now it looks like Pridie/Gomez/Span will compete for the job. Another thought would be to play Monroe there for at least half of of the season so Gomez or Pridie can adjust. Neither situation is ideal, but the latter could be nice because it would keep Monroe in the lineup. If he is sitting on the bench he will be burning a hole in Gardy’s pocket and I am afraid he would steal ABs from Kubel. I know he isn’t great in CF, but he will be serviceable.
A third option would be to sign Kenny Lofton or Corey Patterson. My problem with Patterson is he would be almost no different than playing Gomez right now. Lofton is too old to play center at the level he used to, but still wouldn’t be worse than Monroe. There really isn’t a clear cut good choice, the Twins just need to make one and stick with it. They shouldn’t allow Gomez and Pridie platoon at the major league level (or any level for that matter). Make a choice and stick with it. Whether its Monroe, one of the young guys, or a 1 year free agent stop gap.
Considering the equipment truck is on its way to FL, signing a free agent would have to happen soon. I know Delmon Young has played a game or two in center and he is a freak athlete so he might be worth a look, but I would prefer we just stick him in left and let him mash the ball.
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Kelly Theiser wrote today in her profile of the Twins DH/Bench options that Monroe and Kubel could platoon at the DH spot. This will be bad.
A Monroe/Kubel DH platoon is typical Gardenhire idiocy.
If that happens, we might as well trade Kubel to someone who could use a hugely talented left handed power hitter, so he can be another David Ortiz for someone else. Argh.
Thank you Kelly Theiser, tell us something Gardy won’t screw up this year!
Kubel should be DH every game, if he needs a day off, then you could use Monroe, or spell Mauer from catching on the same day and he can DH…
Already known that we’ll be saying waaaay too much of Punto and Monroe in the lineup. But hey, gotta get their money’s worth!!
saying s/b “seeing” my bad.
I worry too about platooning Pridie and Gomez. I don’t think the front office is that dumb, but what happens if both guys light it up in spring training. Who do you send down? Or do you head north 6 OF’s 2Cs, 12P and 5IF? (With no viable leadoff hitter mind you). I still think you sign Lofton keep Pridie up until Gomez is ready, cut Monroe before he has the chance to impress Gardy with his grit and hard nosed play and the trade Lofton at the deadline. Thoughts?
One of gomez/span/pridie will bat leadoff if they break camp as the everyday CF. I have no problem with signing lofton then dumping him in july. I doubt they will cut Monroe because he will be a good righthanded bat off the bench, granted an expensive bat off the bench. Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t be worried, but I don’t trust Gardy to make correct lineup decisions. I am a firm believe that Kubel is close to turning a corner. He is nearing his 1000 ab mark, the exact time the Cuddyer broke out. So how can we say he doesn’t deserve a chance? It took Mauer and Morneau some time to learn how to hit lefties, and in time Kubel will learn to hit lefties.
If we sign Lofton, he’s a legitimate leadoff hitter. (His OBP is consistently decent.)
And I think they have to analyze Gomez during the spring using more than his performance. I don’t care if he beats out a bunch of singles that the infielders didn’t field correctly and bats .320 in March. He should only be headed north if he’s making solid contact and taking the right pitches.
I don’t know as much about Pridie, but I can’t imagine he’s ready to be a productive major league player. I’d have to see him play before I make that judgment though.
FunBobby: True. Except that I really don’t think Span is being considered. My toilet isn’t big enough for the crap I’d take if the opening day starting CF is “Denard Span.”
I just throw him in there because I don’think we should rule anyone out until at least they arrive in Ft. Myers for practice. But i think its pretty clear that unless Monroe is playing center, whoever plays CF is batting leadoff.
Agreed with any of those leading off. I highly doubt Span breaks camp, in fact i’m of the belief that we need to cut our ties with him and ship him off somewhere else (I know that might be a bit early but the kid is a headcase). So that being said of those three who comes north. They all can’t come. Again if we feel the need to sign veteran presence I would think this would be the spot where a incentive laden contract for Lofton might do the trick.
Sans Lofton-
Twelve Pitchers (Not even going to try and speculate
C- Mauer and Redmond
1B- Morneau
2B- Harris
SS- Everett
3B- Lamb
UI- Punto
DH/OF- Monroe
DH/OF- Kubel
LF- Young
RF- Cuddy
CF- ???
W/O anyone in center and with 12 pitchers we have 2 spots open. Does Casilla have a shot as another IF? Or do we role the dice with some combination of Span/Pridie/Gomez?
If we don’t sign Lofton, the two guys who come north are probably Monroe and Pridie. It may even be a platoon situation … insofar as Pridie is left handed, and Monroe will be able to spot LF, RF, CF, and DH, but CF is the only position where he’s not the clearly inferior hitter.
Leadoff-wise, I’m still of the opinion that Mauer should bat leadoff.
Allright, if Pridie makes it who is the 25th man, Casilla? I also think that Monroe makes the team, if only because of he is a right handed bat off the bench.
I guess what i;m really trying to flesh out is who has the lead on that 25th spot? Is it Casilla’s to lose? I really don’t think the Twins have any intention of bringing Gomez up to start the season. I think they leave him down in AAA for a couple months. See how he adjusts and then bring him up if there is an injury or the CF isn’t performing well.
On that note is the CF job Pridie’s to lose as well (either in Spring Training or in what might amount to a two month audition in the bigs)?
**All this is of course assuming Wild Bill doesn’t nut up and sign Lofton, of which my views on this are particularly clear!
Casilla’s status really depends on how he looked in his winter league. (I don’t know how he did, but early on he was looking pretty strong, though he was playing SS instead of 2B.) I’ve been assuming they plan to keep him at AAA until he’s ready to come up and be a speedy leadoff hitting SS for us at the end of the year, maybe next year (when Everett’s gone).
Don’t forget about Buscher/Macri. Buscher’s more likely because he has MLB experience already and has shown some power and discipline … on the other hand, it’d be nice if he could get some time to work on it down at AAA while Lamb plays 3B. Macri might get the edge because he’s right handed, allowing him to be a platoon partner for Lamb.
I didn’t even think about Buscher as an option. I am also of the opinion that with this rag tag squad Mauer needs to be batting 1