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Published on Jordan Independent (http://www.jordannews.com)

Twins make tough roster decisions

By Mathias Baden
Created 03/24/2008 - 4:09pm

Your Minnesota Twins made some interesting roster moves this past weekend.

Carlos Gomez is the starting center fielder. Denard Span and Jason Pridie, both of whom played well this spring, were optioned to Triple-A. Gomez led the three in slugging percentage (.510), swiped a team-high 10 bases, struck out a team-high 10 times, scored a team-high 12 runs, tallied a team-high 25 total bases, and tied Michael Cuddyer for a team-high 14 hits.

Pridie led the three center fielders in batting average (.295), played in a team-high 23 games, scored 10 runs (as many as Joe Mauer), and stole five bases.

Span led the three centerfielders in on-base percentage (.404), was second on the team with seven walks, and stole three bases.

Craig Monroe and Jason Kubel will split time at designated hitter and can back up the outfield.

It looks like infielder Matt Tolbert will be on the team for the first time. He batted .250. Tolbert seems to have won the job, as the two favorites to make the team played themselves out of the reserve role. Brian Buscher batted .143, and Garrett Jones batted .200.

Possible starting pitchers who are still in camp include Livan Hernandez, Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Brian Bass. It appears that the Twins have some options with this group. We'll see if Liriano can start in the bigs and if Baker is ready to go after only four innings in big-league camp.

Glen Perkins, my choice for a fifth starter, didn't make the club. He had a horrible spring, but he was lights out last year in a relief role.

Phil Humber, one of the keys to the Johan Santana trade, threw 14 innings, giving up two runs and nine strikeouts. His earned-run average was a paltry 1.29.  

Most of the usual suspects made the team. To see the active roster, go to http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=min.  


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