Minnesota Twins 2006 Discussion

[dust247]

The 2006 season is getting closer and closer! Just seen on the transaction page that Grant Balfour isn't a Twin anymore, did his contract run out last year?

[dust247]

The Minnesota Twins and Michael Cuddyer agree to a 1-year deal. Looks like we won't be signing Mike Piazza or Frank Thomas.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASAp...=.jsp&c_id=min

[dust247]

Where's all the Twins' fans at? With LeCroy signing with the Nats, who do you guys think will take over at DH, Lew Ford or Ruben Sierra? Or will Ford play RF.

At the moment this is how I see the lineup:

1. S. Stewart - LF
2. L. Castillo - 2B
3. J. Mauer - C
4. T. Hunter - CF
5. J. Morneau - 1B
6. T. Bautista - 3B
7. L. Ford - RF
8. R. White/R. Sierra - DH (White played with DET last year and was signed this offseason)
9. J. Bartlett - SS

[rsox]

Quote: Originally Posted by dust247

Where's all the Twins' fans at? With LeCroy signing with the Nats, who do you guys think will take over at DH, Lew Ford or Ruben Sierra? Or will Ford play RF. At the moment this is how I see the lineup: 1. S. Stewart - LF 2. L. Castillo - 2B 3. J. Mauer - C 4. T. Hunter - CF 5. J. Morneau - 1B 6. T. Bautista - 3B 7. L. Ford - RF 8. R. White/R. Sierra - DH (White played with DET last year and was signed this offseason) 9. J. Bartlett - SS

Right now i see Ford as the 4th Outfielder playing regularly between the 3 OF positions. Michael Cuddyer will likely end up in RF putting Jason Kubel back in the minors to start the season (unless Kubel has a killer spring). Rondell White and Ruben Sierra (if he makes the team) could platoon as DH's, Sierra is a much better hitter from the left side and White has hit over .300 against lefties the last 3 years. Jason Bartlett will once again be pushed by Nick Punto and Juan Castro at SS, especially now with Luis Castillo at 2B Bartlett is going to have to produce to keep playing time.

The biggest concern for the Twins is their pitching staff, is Carlos Silva healthy, is Francisco Liriano ready to be a ML starter, can they put the Kyle Lohse mess behind them from last year. And then there are the bullpen issues, mainly being who is going to replace J.C. Romero as a left handed specialist and sometime setup man. Darrell May will likely replace Terry Mulholland as the long man so it will likely be between Dennys Reyes and Gabe White to replace Romero. I would say White has the edge right now as he is used to pitching in the role of setup and lefty specialist while Reyes has been used as an innings eater and a spot starter.

[ILLCHILL]

The one thign about the Twins, they're starters are very reliable for fantasy. The control of the strike zone as a starting 5 is insane. Not enoguh props goes out to...whoever is Minny's pitching coach.

[CountryField04]

I think Hunter is much better when hitting 6th because there is less pressure than htting 4th.

White should DH or play RF and hit 4th. Stewart could also DH with Ford, Cuddyer or White taking over in LF.

I also think Batista is not the answer at 3B. Watch out for Tiffie to challenge for the 3B job.

[ILLCHILL]

White for cleanup duties? I'd rather go with Morneu than White, maybe Mauer third and Hunter 5th. Or Hunter 3rd and Morneu cleanup with White 5th and Mauer 2nd.

[rsox]

The numbers say Torii Hunter is better suited for batting 4th than Justin Morneau.

Batting 4th
Hunter: .279 AVG, .473 SLG, .820 OPS

Morneau: .226 AVG, .409 SLG, .699 OPS

Rondell White hit .301 from the cleanup spot with the Tigers last season and could certainley be an option for the Twins.

[EVEN11131]

Gabe White retired yesterday, so the race for the lefty spot is now between May, Reyes and Liriano.

[dust247]

I see May making the team as a "Terry Mulholland" type guy, where he comes in to do some long relief work. As for Liriano I think he will be the 5th starter before June. I just don't see Lohse playing up to his capability.