Lineup

My projected Twins 25-man roster for 2007 is:

12 pitchers: SP: Santana, Ortiz, Bonser, Silva and Ponson
RP: Nathan, Crain, Rincon, Neshek, Reyes, Guerrer, Durbin

13 hitters/fielders:
CA: Mauer
1B: Morneau
2B: Castillo,
SS: Bartlett
3B: Punto

LF: White
CF: Hunter
RF: Cuddyer

DH: Kubel

Reserves; Redmond (CA), Casilla (2B, SS), Cirillo (1B, 3B, 2B, SS), Tyner (OF)

Ford begins the year on the disabled list.

The starting lineup: Castillo, Punto, Mauer. Cuddyer, Morneau, Hunter, Kubel, White, Bartlett

This gives the Twins an exceedingly balanced lineup, with four batting right, three batting left, and two switch hitters.


Predictions: 1) Within 1 month, Gardenhire 'tweaks' the lineup, putting Bartlett 2nd and Punto 9th.

2) Within 1 month, Ford is brought up and Tyner is sent down. (Tyner bats well, but nevertheless is sent down). By the end of the season, Ford is traded or released, and Tyner is back up.

3) Within six weeks, Silva is sent to the bullpen, or is traded or released. Slowey is brought up.

4) Garza and Perkins pitch well at AAA, and are brought up before the All-Star break, due to injuries or demotions. Ponson is finally demoted or released.

5) By July 1, Kubel is playing regularly in left field, White is backup OF, and Cirillo and Redmond are sharing DH duties.

6) The Twins vie with Detroit all season long for the AL Central title. The Twins wind up with the AL Wild Card spot, and make it to the World Series.

How's that?