Twins Currently have 6 players who have held a spot in the rotation over the past few seasons. Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Brian Duensing. Going into the season Manager Ron Gardenhire has few decisions to make about the makeup of his starting rotation and the relievers. Liriano, Pavano, Baker and Duensing all seem to have their spots locked up because their contract situations and their past pitching performances. The real questions are with Kevin Slowey's health and Nick Blackburn's sinker. Both players have proven that they can be effective in a starting role when all is right with them.
The bullpen has been left with large holes with the departures of Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain, and Jon Rauch. All three left via free agency in the offseason along with Brian Fuentes whom we claimed off waivers from the Angels last August. In past years we have had comparable questions going into Opening Day and typically the Twins fill from within rather than giving multi year contracts to free agents. Which is what they chose to do this season as well. My belief is Kevin Slowey will fill the long relief role to begin the season along with lefty Glen Perkins who showed signs of improvement during last September when rosters were expanded. Jose Mijares is returning as a middle relief guy. Also, the return of Joe Nathan and Pat Neshek will help out considerably if they return to pre-injury form. Matt Capps showed he could be reliable as the closer recording 16 saves and posting a 2.00 ERA after replacing Jon Rauch last season after being traded from Washington. He will most likely be the teams set up man if Joe Nathan is good to go heading into the season. This leaves a few more spots to be filled by opening day. Possible candidates for the remaining relief spots are Jeff Manship, Scott Diamond, Dusty Hughes, and Alex Burnett.
-NX
No comments:
Post a Comment