Wednesday edition: 2010 Twins’ lineup debate
Posted on July 9th, 2008 – 8:58 AMBy Michael Rand
We continue our two-week stretch of reader-inspired Great Debates with an effort from Brandon, proprietor of World of B and freelance lover of the ladies. Brandon wonders what the Twins’ batting order will look like in 2010. For reasons of insanity, it doesn’t include Denard Span. So there you go. Brandon has the floor. Argue away! Anything short of 300 comments will be considered a disappointment by recent standards.
Obviously, this is 100 percent conjecture. We know who’ll still be under contract, but considering injuries, trades and the threat of Angel Berroan out-of-the-blue ineffectiveness, anything can happen. That said, here is what I would like to see as the Twins’ lineup as I watch the first game in the new ballpark from my club level season ticket seat*:
*That’s right, family-owned season tickets. I am the luckiest human on the planet.
1. Carlos Gomez (CF) – I’m hoping he can learn a bit of plate discipline. If not, he can easily be shuffled down in the order to better utilize what appears to be better than average power.
2. Joe Mauer (C) – No-brainer. He’s already one of the best in the game, and will be in ’10 as well.
3. Delmon Young (LF) – Kind of a leap of faith here, but every scout in the league can’t be wrong. A bit more seasoning and he should be fine.
4. Justin Morneau (1B) – Obvs.
5. Jason Kubel (DH) – I hope to be over my shameful man-crush by the time ’10 rolls around. No promises, though.
6. Michael Cuddyer (RF) – I can’t see him batting any higher than this in a couple years. Can you?
7. Luke Hughes (2B) – Came out of nowhere in the first half of ’08. Might be a flash in the pan, but I’m rolling the dice and hoping this surge is a sign of better things to come. Would be nice to have a little power from the two-bagger position.
8. Brian Buscher (3B) – Also a bit of a leap. Prospect Daniel Valencia or a free agent signing could be slotted in here as well.
9. Alexi Casilla (SS) – Then again, maybe leadoff? I’m just saying, I like the cut of Mini Vin Diesel’s jib.
That lineup already sounds dangerous. Imagine how potent it could be in two years? 2010 can’t get here soon enough.
33 Responses to "Wednesday edition: 2010 Twins’ lineup debate"
I like it, but I’d tweak it by putting Young at DH, inserting Span in left, and figuring on Kubel being dealt for some help at third base. How about Adrian Beltre? Also I like Reusse’s radio take on getting Brett Myers from Philly. He’s now been sent to the minors, and he’d be a great setup guy if Andy can get him straightened out.
If Cuddyer is batting 6th in 2010 this team is going to be mediocre at best. Heck I’d be pretty suprised if Cuddyer is even starting in 2010. He had one slightly above average year. I hoping that the Twins can find a way to either trade him or he pulls out one of his magic tricks and just disappears.
And who should we blame for yesterday’s debacle?
A. Fasolamatt for the post
B. Rand for being on vacation and not having more than 2 posts in a day
C. Strib editors for putting it on the Sports Page
D. Carl Pohlad- Everything else seems to be his fault
E. Twin Cities sports for having so many things to [redacted] about.
F. P3
I keep looking at the batting order, and I don’t see the “token veteran whose best days are behind him.” Swap out Kubel for a Jim Thome or Mike Lowell.
Other than that and the lack of Span, I’d say that looks aboot right, Brandon.
Within your post you used “hoping”, “hope” (twice), “leap of faith”, “rolling the dice”, and “a bit of a leap”. Sounds like a McHale post-draft news conference.
I agree with your thoughts. I would like to see Bill Smith somehow trade for, or sign, a stud 3B, SS, or 2B for 2010.
Can there be a follow up post on the 2010 rotation?
ditch Livan, add Liriano, avoid any injuries, presto.
I’m holding out on Span. He still seems like a 4th outfielder type to me. The Twins need power at the corners. Though I am not a fan of Cuddyer, he did have that one great season and is friendly and knows how to do magic, and crap like that goes a long way in this town.
Rand
Question about the “Good Sports”:
When did kicking off turn into kicking a field goal?
I wanted to see you have a career ending finger injury when that guy from the Tunder destroyed your index finger on one of those kicks.
+1 to Brandon for this comment yesterday:
“Why is Rand kicking in his golf shoes?”
Brandon says:
The Twins need power at the corners.
Why would they start actually having some now?
Seriously, when was the last time we had power at any corner, other than 1B?
I think there is a transformer at the corner of Kirby Puckett Place and 5th street. Does that count?
RE: the rotation. What Rand said, though Swarzak (AA) is a top prospect and could sneak into the rotation. I don’t think Perkins will ever dominate, so there may be some wiggle room with the starting five.
Liriano, Baker, Slowey, Blackburn, Perkins/Swarzak…seriously can not wait for 2010.
“Seriously, when was the last time we had power at any corner, other than 1B?”
Rondell Whi…oh wait
Note #1: Albert Belle doesn’t like the Sabathia trade. Who cares?
Note #2: Juan Rincon is going back to the show. HE’LL BREAK YOUR HEART!
Note #3: Quote of the day, via CastroTurf is from Jim Leyland, describing a recent game: “That was a boring game,” Leyland said (though, in truth, another word that I can’t print here snuck into the mix). “I would have rather watched the Perrysburg water tower rust.”
Note #4: This morning, getting coffee:
BARISTA: So, the Brewers got CC
ME: and the Cubs got Harden, who are the Cardinals going to get
BARISTA AND ME AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER, NOT QUITE IN UNISON:
They’ve got Kyle Lohse!
And now you know why I stop there most mornings.
That is all.
Oh, and the answer to jama’s question:
G. A-Dog, my two-year-old, for waking me up at 5:30 a.m. so that I heard Tim Russell reading the original Radar magazine article that inspired the post.
Who are the Twins going to cut to keep Span on the roster when Cuddyer comes back, Monroe, Everett, or someone else?
I’d guess they are either going to cut a pitcher, Bass or Breslow, or chop Lamb. Monroe is a possibility too because he is cheaper than Lamb.
Everett is already on the DL so cutting him doesn’t do any good.
Cutting Lamb and eating his contract would be very un-Twins-like, but seems to be the ideal move.
Come on ‘Ballers, only 285 comments to go.
Since I’ve got a little time this morning, I figured I’d venture a guess on the entire 25-man roster, barring unexpected trade returns and unneeded aging free agent signings.
1. 2B Alexi Casilla
2. CF Carlos Gomez
3. C Joe Mauer
4. 1B Justin Morneau
5. LF Delmon Young
6. RF Jason Kubel
7. DH Erik Lis
8. 3B Danny Valencia
9. SS Trevor Plouffe
Bench:
C Jose Morales
OF Denard Span
IF Luke Hughes
OF Jason Pridie or IF Steve Tolleson or IF Matt Tolbert
I see Gomez progressing more power making him a nice fit at #2, with Casilla being a prototypical lead-off man. I think the Twins will trade Cuddyer with a glut of outfielders in the minors that deserve a shot. Lis should be a great DH and Valencia will provide pop from 3B (finally)! Plouffe has improved each season and has a stellar arm. As usual, the Twins will keep a short bench for that extra arm in the bullpen. Despite his strong 2008, Span still projects as more of a 4th outfielder and he’ll still play plenty.
SP1 Scott Baker
SP2 Francisco Liriano
SP3 Kevin Slowey
SP4 Nick Blackburn
SP5 Anthony Swarzak
Long Relief: Johan Pino
Lefty: Glen Perkins
7th: Phil Humber
7th: Matt Guerrier
Set-Up: Jesse Crain
Set-Up: Pat Neshek
Closer: Joe Nathan
The pitching is just stacked… look out! Duensing, Manship, Mulvey and Robertson could all crack the rotation. With a glut of starters, I see the team putting Perkins in the bullpen as a power lefty. Not too many leads will be blown with this pen.
I’d like to see what Anthony Slama can do. 78 Ks in 48 innings at A+ ball, but for some reason not being rushed through the organization…sounds like the second coming of Neshek to me.
Brandon
Who was the last Twins starting pitcher to get “rushed through the organization”.
He’ll be fine as long as he doesn’t walk people. We all know that is deadly sin #1 in the Twins organization. Followed closely by being a patient hitter.
NateDogg is just trying to regulate according to some commenters.
I bet Slama would move up faster if he started sliding headfirst onto the rubber.
So glad to know I’m taller than Kevin Pollack. Not by much.
Didn’t see anyone mention Deolis Guerra up there. Guy just threw a 3 hit shutout in Florida.
Guerra is still in A ball and probably won’t be up until 2011. Right about the time all the current pitchers start to make too much money. The 2011 rotation will probably look nothing like the 2010 rotation with the young guys starting to make more money.
Unfortunately Slama is stuck behind Robert Delaney… another sweet, shut-em-down reliever. Both guys will probably be ready around 2010 to 2011, same with Guerra. Good to see him start showing some real promise. He’s struggled a bit this year, but no need to rush him at that age.
I believe Garza was the last guy rushed, although he pitched in college so he was a bit polished.
“Nate Dogg arrested for stalking. The best part is the comments though.”
Maybe he had just seen a car full of girls. So in all reality, there is no need to tweek. Because in the end all you skirts know what’s up with the 213.
Slama is old, if he doesn’t get to AAA by the end of next year I’m not sure he will ever crack the Twins bullpen.
I imagine Shooter Hunt will be on a Garza-like schedule. Be nice to see how he does the rest of this season.
Excepting Nate Dogg, the future looks pretty bright.
I’d add Favray (and how in the heck, even with a Creole pronounciation) does anyone come up with “Favray” from “Favre” Lots of Minnesota kids were left behind I quess.
Anway, I’d put him in in the outfield…any position except of course Chili Bean’s, since we must remember this guy still has the arm to break his receiver’s fingers (as we always hear)…
And jamajuice, can’t blame me for yesterday. I spent it fishing in Wiscoland
