Comments on: Center Field Options http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/ Mismanaging games since 2002 Mon, 07 May 2012 02:37:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Texas http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Texas Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:33:48 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-132 <p>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</p> 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

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-131 sirsean Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:15:42 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-131 <p>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).</p> <p>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.</p> 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.

]]> By: Texas http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Texas Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:04:31 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-130 <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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)?</p> <p>**All this is of course assuming Wild Bill doesn't nut up and sign Lofton, of which my views on this are particularly clear!</p> 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!

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-129 sirsean Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:54:47 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-129 <p>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.</p> <p>Leadoff-wise, I'm still of the opinion that Mauer should bat leadoff.</p> 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.

]]> By: Texas http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Texas Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:52:36 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-128 <p>Sans Lofton-</p> <p>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- ???</p> <p>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?</p> 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?

]]> By: Texas http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Texas Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:49:33 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-127 <p>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.</p> 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.

]]> By: FunBobby http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-126 FunBobby Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:47:07 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-126 <p>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.</p> 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.

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-125 sirsean Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:45:16 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-125 <p>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."</p> 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.”

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-124 sirsean Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:43:03 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-124 <p>If we sign Lofton, he's a legitimate leadoff hitter. (His OBP is consistently decent.)</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> 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.

]]> By: FunBobby http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/comment-page-1/#comment-123 FunBobby Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:40:51 +0000 http://firegardy.com/2008/02/13/center-field-options/#comment-123 <p>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.</p> 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.

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