Let The Games Begin!
Posted on February 27th, 2008 – 3:04 PMBy La Velle
Here’s tomorrow’s starting lineup against the Fighting Krivsky’s:
1. Carlos Gomez, CF.
2. Brendan Harris, 2B.
3. Joe Mauer, C.
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF.
5. Jason Kubel, LF.
6.Craig Monroe, DH.
7. Mike Lamb, 3B.
8. Garrett Jones, 1B.
9. Alexi Casilla, SS
P Scott Baker, Glen Perkins, Matt Guerrier, Pat Neshek, Casey Daigle, Rickey Barrett, Julio DePaula.
In other news…
The Twins announced the signing of 18 players - the Kevin Sloweys and the Brian Buschers of the world - to 2008 contracts, meaning everyone is signed before games begin. Teams sometimes are unable to agree to deals with players with 0 to 3 years of service time and simply renew the contracts (the Twins have even taken off a few grand in the past when that happens) but there were no renewals this year.
Twins GM Bill Smith gave credit to Assistant GM Rob Antony for getting the deals done quickly. Jack Goin, Administrative Assistant to the GM, handled the players with no service time. This may be my only chance to mention Goin for awhile, so now he can say he’s on the blogosphere this year.
And Baseball America has released its top 100 prospects for 2008. Deolis Guerra is No. 35. Carlos Gomez is No. 52 and Nick Blackburn is No. 56.
89 Responses to "Let The Games Begin!"
Sweet!! Can’t wait for the first game! La Velle, who is Rickey Barrett?
cant wait for the first televised spring game!! i am having withdrawls….need twins now lol
Wow,that BA 100 list is full of woulda,coulda,shoulda’s from the Johan sweepstakes that wasn’t.Oh well,I’m looking forward to the developement of Gomez and Guerra in particular.It will be great to read a Twins boxscore tomorrow afternoon.
Does anyone know if FSN will be brodcasting any GFL games this spring and if so when?
Who’s pitching for the Krivsky’s?
I really want to see Blackburn. It seems like most Twins guys think he’s overrated and had a good year but there’s a couple places where he’s ranked really high like BA. I usually lean more to what Gleeman says that he had a good year but will never be more than a 4 or 5 in the bigs. I just want to see the guy get a chance so we can see for ourselves.
BC-Twins play 5 spring games on FSN. the 1st one is March 9th. I think ESPN has one game against Yanks early March as well
ESPN game is indeed against the yanks and is on 3/5. There are 3 games on FSN and 2 on My29.
If you go to mntwins.com and look at the schedule, all TV dates are now listed.
I wish they would release the schedule of HD broadcasts!!
What happens if Buscher has an outstanding Spring? And Lamb is just so-so. Is it possible that he might be an opening day starter?
What? No Punto!?
Its too bad we couldn’t pry Fernando Martinez away from the Mets. I think a Martinez/Guerra swap for Santana would have been sweet.
I’m pro Nick Blackburn
“What happens if Buscher has an outstanding Spring? And Lamb is just so-so. Is it possible that he might be an opening day starter?”
No.
“Its too bad we couldn’t pry Fernando Martinez away from the Mets. I think a Martinez/Guerra swap for Santana would have been sweet.”
Martinez is higher rated than Gomez, but the Twins need as in CF. The positions Martinez could play at the big league level are LF (I think Young will be there for the next several years), RF (I think Cuddyer will be there for the next 3-4 years) and 1B (I think Morneau will be playing pretty much every day for the next six + years), and DH (Kubel should be there for the next several years, and if Martinez is only a DH, then Gomez was definitely the right way to go).
“who is Rickey Barrett?”
Left-handed pitcher. Has pitched at least part of the last three seasons at AAA. Was on the 40 man roster until this winter. Left-handed reliever, has great stuff and can throw pretty hard. Decent strikeouts. Too many walks. Too many arm injuries.
Gardy just can’t help himself other than to bat Mauer 3rd. We get teased with the prospect of him batting 2nd where he belongs, but Gardy just can’t bring himself to do it.
Shaun, ????
ISH…. No interest in this bunch til Apr1…
With this line up, Mauers best fit is third. Maybe if Morneau and Young were playing, it would be different. I guess some guys just can’t resist thinking they can outmanage Gardy.
singles hitter in the 3-hole? c’mon. hitting #2 or #7.
Awesome. Can you post the box score after the game?
So you would prefer Garret Jones in the 3 hole with THIS LINEUP?? or maybe
the ultra good Craig Monroe??
Or maybe bat Kubel and Mauer back 2 back lefties. yeah thats it. super
The 3 hole is for the best all around hitter, and without Morneau and Young, that falls to Mauer, which is why he is batting 3rd in that lineup.
Why so hung up on lefty/lefty? You sound like one of those fans who also believes in the pitch count too. I dont happen to buy all the garbage commentors try to feed us. Mauer is over rated. If your satisfied with 12hr and 75rbi out of the 3 spot, have at it.
Now,
when the lineups really matter, the question is who goes between the M&M boys. At first I though this had to be Delmon Young, from the 3 hole, of course. Then, as I got to thinking, I realized that Cuddyer would be the better choice.
The reasons are this. Delmon is a super aggresive hitter who makes excellent contact with pitches, even out of the zone. Cuddyer on the other hand, struggles with off speed pitches, especially out of the zone. Cuddyer would be better served in front of Morneau so he could see fastballs, pitches he hammers. Delmon would be able to handle getting more junk thrown his way. This would make the best overall lineup.
CF-TBA, Mauer, Cuddyer, Morneau, Young, Kubel, Harris, Lamb, Everett
Todd Hansen.
you still haven’t said who YOU would put in the 3 spot with that lineup. Lets see what you got. don’t be afraid. let us know who you got.
Anyone who can read can see I was referring to the lineup at the top of the page.
And for lefty\lefty. The teams we face see to want to bring one in to pitch to Mauer and Morneau anytime it matters. So why let them kill two birds with one stone. Make them atleast pitch to a Cuddyer or Young, or give them the Walk. You must not be very good at strategy
Can anyone else come up with a better lineup than the one at the top of the page?? without including Morneau or Young.
Still waiting here, Todd Hansen.
Can’t believe I have to be on here defending Gardy’s honor when he had the audacity to bat Mauer 3rd in a lineup without Morneau and Young. Just amazing how some people are complete blockheads
Todd Hansen
Remember when Morneau hit that walk off homer off of Zumaya in 2006. The only reason he faced Zumaya is because they brought in their lefty to face Mauer and pulled him when Cuddy was up. If you can’t see the reasoning for that, you should watch more Idol and leave the Twins to people who can appreciate the game.
Me so stupid, I believe everything Burt Blylevin and ….. who ever that other guy is……… says. pitch counts good, ohhhh ohhhh circle me burt ohhhhhhh ohhhhhhh. Tony Batista have gun for arm Morneau never even have to move ohhhh ohhhhhhhh,(show drool hanging from chin) ohhhhh ohhhh
Still waiting for that lineup Todd Hansen. Must be a real brainburner
The best reason for having Mauer bat second, is that our best hitters will get that many more at bats. the more at bats our best hitters get, the more runs we score. The more runs we score, well, …. the more we win/we lose by less. But it’s our best shot.
LPN…chill out, man. Sometimes, believe it or not, people make a post and then go about the rest of their lives. Not everyone comes back here to check in on things every 2 minutes. Let’s all just be cool, man.
LNP4Life…
You have the last 11 posts, not much to do tonight is there…
My gosh it’s awful early in the spring for the armchairs to show their limited wisdom. And yet I’m getting tired of it already. It’s no wonder I can’t view most blogs throughout the entire season. Negative bs wears thin on my quickly, and life’s to short. Take a pill, some of you.
lpn4life,
don’t rule out Harris being in the 2nd spot. I think he can handle a bat and could be very productive there. I know somewhere there is a lineup calculator that determines runs scored by different lineups. any help with that guys??
Got some info on Harris,
He played SS until Aug. last year and then played 2nd. he also batted second for most of the 1st half. He then batted 6th mainly for the rest of the year.
Before dropping in the lineup he batted .310/.365/.463 He finished the season at .286/.343/.434
So without the protection, he didn’t do as well. But looks pretty promising to me.
Harris commited 11 errors in 87 games at SS and 1 in 47 games at 2nd.
please don’t rip me for the consecutive posts, i just like what harris brings to the table
i don’t know if they will be broadcasting GFL, but I do know I will be sitting in the sun in the ‘zona scouting the A’s, Angels, and Royals. Darn it was only 80 degrees here today…:)
T-Wins
I really like Harris in the 2 spot, but I do think Mauer should be there. but Gardy will probably not do that. I really like this line up:
CF Pridie/Gomez
2B Harris
C Mauer
1B Morneau
LF Young
RF Cuddyer
DH Kubel
SS Everett
3B Lamb
The reason I think Lamb should be 9th is he will get on base much more than Everett.
That lineup could be reworked a lot more if I sit and really think about it, but right now that seems like the logical move. But we all now that it could be competely different.
GO TWINS!!!
Lamb should be interesting to watch. Here’s his shot, lets see what he can do with it. Poor Kubel though, will he get anything to hit with Everett behind him. He’s supposed to have a good eye though.
I am a proponent of splitting your best lefties, also. Just to make it harder for the other manager when it gets down to the nitty gritty.
Consider
Gomez/Pridie
Harris
Mauer
Young
Morneau
Cuddyer
Kubel
Everett
Lamb
That is exactly why I like Kubel and Everett back to back, Kubel has a good eye and he is good at working a count. Everett is really the odd man out here, because he is such a poor hitter it is hard to place him in a good spot, I just think you need to have a good hitter in the 9 spot, I have thought that for a long time, in high school I batted in the 9 spot and hit .367 our coach always said that was the spot of the order that was always most over looked, you could kind of call it the second lead off spot.
Can the T-wolves do anything on the road??
That isn’t half bad because Morneau was an MVP in the 5 spot and I am sure he feels comfortable there. Plus he has always struggled in the 4 spot.
Everett could bat better without the pitcher behind him. That doesn’t help a guy at all
I am watching them now and I think my high school sqaud could have handed them a loss. I would love to see them get the 1st pick and get beasley. He is a crazy man. But lets focus on the better sport here baseball. HAHAHA
Agreed, it will be interesting to see what the career National Leaguers do this year. i.e. Lamb, hernandez and everett.
Morneau, I believe, tries to do to much as the clean up guy. Young is aggressive and could really take to the role.
I am just excited to see Young, never really watched him before, I lived in Europe last year and was home in June and went to 6 games while home so I am really excited to actually watch him this year. But you are right about Morneau, he really presses in the clean up role. I can see 25 dingers from Young this year.
I honestly don’t know how Mauer can be overrated. A 25 yr old guy who plays gold glove D and can work a staff. Thats enough right there to be a good mlb backstop. Throw in that he bats .300 and drives the ball a little and it makes him pretty good. Jeez
I got a nickel that says this is the Twins opening day lineup:
Harris
Mauer
Cuddy
Morneau
Young
Kubel
Lamb
Everett
CFer
Paul
That is an interesting lineup but who would be the CF?
Paul,
nice lineup, putting our rookie CF down there would take the pressure off, give them more of a chance right away.
T-Wins…
Mauer is just an unreal athlete, I watched a lot of him in High school in all the sports he played and it really didn’t matter what sport he played he was good, basketball was probably his worst sport and he still was All-State.
I am glad to have him on the Twins, I think I would be throwing up in my mouth if we would have taken Prior in the 2001 draft.
Screw all the Mauer haters.
Yeah Yeah
TJ…S
Hopefully Gomez. IMO most probably Pridie though.
I also feel it’s time Morneau bucks up and takes over the cleanup duties.
I would love to see Gomez there, I guess only time will tell.
I think Morneau needs to be comfortable in what ever slot they put him in. If he says he can handle the clean up role then you have to believe him. I still think that the 5 spot might work better, but I would like to see him in the clean up role with Mauer batting 2.
now this is what i’m talkin about. People who actually know the game discussing baseball and not just whinin bout gardy and punto and hernandez
keep it up fellaz
Morneau should be really motivated to smash the ball this year. Where ever he bats, he’ll have the best line up around him they’ve ever had. When he’s on, he’s a killer.
Agreed I just want him to feel comfortable in whatever spot they put him in. I think he will probably start in the 4 spot but will be moved to the 5 spot because he will have a tough time being the “man”. but in 2009 he will have the 4 spot all to him self.
I can’t wait… I own a house down in Fort Myers Beach. I am going to be down there to watch the games on the 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th so I am really excited to see what happens. I think this team is going to surprise a lot of people. It will be a fun season.
Morneau got worked pretty good last year by pitchers. Always behind in counts, swinging at bad pitches and such. If he relaxes a little and refines his approach he’ll be much more consistant. You could tell the it really ground him down towards the end of the year. He was mentally exhausted
I saw on Mike&Mike that Vegas put us at 73 wins this year.
Cleveland had 96 for the best in the majors. Detroit had 93. They have the Yanks taking the East with Boston a game or two back. I think the Twins would be a good over bet.
T-wins,
I think with a producing Young and Kubel behind Morneau he’ll get better pitches to hit.
Can you just imagine if these guys all hit to their proven potential! This lineup could rival the Tigers!
I would put a bet down for the Twins any day. I actually made a couple coins in 06′, my cousin lives in Vegas and he said I should put some money down on the Twins to make the playoffs at the start of the season so i did and it turned out pretty good. The last 3 weeks were pretty entertaining.
I hear you Paul. Exciting, it could be a huge “high” of a season or an extreme let down. Who knows?
For the CF, they may go with the best defensive guy. Center in the Dome is a challenging position. Pridie is the more polished hitter, but if his D isn’t up to par, they may go with Gomez. Gomez will be up before too long if he goes down, he is the future.
Kubel deserves to have a good year. He really got derailed with that leg injury. YOu just don’t pick up a bat and start tearing the cover off the ball after something like that.
Cleveland had a team like ours a in 2005 and surprised everybody and just missed the playoffs. There’s a lot of talent here, and most of it has something to prove.
I agree T-Wins, in a another post on here I talked about one of my buddys who plays AAA for the Padres… 1 year ago he played for Low and High A for the Mets and said that Gomez is the real deal, he said that he is a defensize wiz for how old he is. SO that is really nice to hear.
Gardy said on the Twins radio network (KSTP) tonight that Mauer will probably bat 2nd.
GM Smith said there’s a chance Pridie (pronounced PRIDE-ee) and Monroe could be in CF….if they hit. He said CF is “wide open” and apparently Monroe has as good a chance as any.
I think L-R-L-R is more important in the heart of the order,not necessarily at the bottom of the order.The fact that Gardy did not have decent pinch-hitter coming off the bench in the late innings made it mandatory to go L-R throught the whole order.
Interesting about Monroe, if he could play decent defense and bat like he did in 06′ we could be even better then we all think.
Monroe should help our problems with lefties. I don’t like to see nate roberson types owning the Twins.
I have been trying to sell a Pridie-Monroe CF platoon since the TB trade.
Both have great splits supporting that platoon.
See:
http://twinsgeek.blogspot.com/2008/01/center-field-solution.html
It’s highly doubtful that Gomez will break out and all of a sudden hit breaking balls.
And Span really still can’t hit well.
And Pridie is the right age to break out, but who knows.
But the Twins are an equal opportunity employer, so everyone has a chance.
The Twins will probably be tweaking CF all season long.
romer,
Your “but who knows” phrase fits every one of the CF candidates.
They will probably all be lined up for MLB auditions in the order of their ST performance.
The first guy(s) to step up during regular season will cancel the auditions for the others.
As excited as I am to see Gomez I’d be glad to see a Monroe/Pridie centerfield platoon. My main reasoning would be that then Gardy won’t put Monroe in at DH as much to take bats away from Kubel. Also Kubel would probably see more time in the corner outfield spots subbing for Young and Cuddyer with Monroe playing CF against lefties.
That’s what I meant by “tweak”, Sane. And thanks for the nice account of your time with Bill Smith. He sounded wonderful on the radio tonight….somewhat more of a baseball guy/conversationalist than TR and less precautious & corporate-sounding than TR too.
And Gardy seemed happier too. I bet the two of them will get along famously well.
So, before the first GL pitch, here’s my opening day lineup—–
Pridie(he’ll make the first out, but…)
Mauer
Young
MVP
Cuddy (at least 1 run will have scored)
Kubel
Lamb
Harris
Everett
Let Cuddy be more the homer-bashing type in the 5-hole while young hits his doubles and draws his walks.
MVP is a vet now and rid of Hunter peering at him. He’ll carry himself.
Against lefties——–
Harris
Mauer
Young
MVP
Cuddy
Monroe (CF)
Kubel
Buscher (3B)
Everett
The 5 starters and the pen—–
Baker
Livan
Boof
Perkins
Slowey
Liriano
Crain
Reyes
Gurrier
Rincon
Neshek
Nathan
Fans will clamor for more offense and to get rid of Hernandez. Twins will release Livan, send down Pridie, and call up Gomez and Jones.
G’night. See ya here during the radio broadcast of tomorrow GL opener!
im sure alot of people know about this guy already. but if your a big baseball fan i highly reccomend that you go to sethspeaks.net……the guys a baseball god! genius! i cant say enough about the guy.
WOOT! I just found out (as within 12-24 hours ago) that I’m going to Florida… in about 4 hours! I’ve never been to Florida- at all. Now I get to go watch some Twins games- Can’t wait. See you there!
romer,
I think you realize that I am not Twinsgeek, but good zinger on me.
You are probably right regarding year-long tweaking.
My little contribution was only that if Gomez (or Pridie-Monroe) wins the job in March and comes out of the gate flying in April, the tweaking may never be necessary.
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