Your Minnesota Twins Lineup for 2012?

by Dan Cao on Dec 21, 2011 3:46 PM EST

With the recent departure of Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, Professional Hitter, and the signing of Josh Willingham we have lost 1 left-handed power bat in our lineup and replaced the right-handed power of Cuddyer with, well... pretty much the same amount of right-handed power.

As of today 12/21/2011 the Minnesota Twins have 38 players out of 40 on their 40-man roster. And with the hot stove season clearly underway (and going strong) lets get creative and think how our 2012 Twins will look like without Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel (and the 2 open roster spots that will likely go to a starter and a bullpen arm).

Thanks to the Official Minnesota Twins depth chart for providing some up to date information.

More after the break.

After two seasons of Target Field awesomeness (yes, that's a word since it's not underlined by the editor) we have come to realize that hitting home runs is kind of a tough thing to do for our hitters. And with the Rockies and Diamondbacks signing our big middle-of-the-order power bats (Cuddyer and Kubel respectively) we're going to have to make up those RBIs by placing guys in key spots in our lineups and playing a little bit of old school small ball.

Keep in mind that the lineup you're about to witness is purely based off of my speculation that everyone is healthy come Season Opener, and when no one is out resting (every 4th or 5th day for Mauer).

1. Denard Span - CF

2. Jamey Carroll - SS

3. Joe Mauer - C

4. Justin Morneau - 1B

5. Josh Willingham - RF

6. Trevor Plouffe - DH

7. Danny Valencia - 3B

8. Alexi Casilla - 2B

9. Ben Revere - LF

Lets examine this lineup (based off of speculation and depth chart).

1. Denard Span - True lead off hitter as long as he can stay healthy and concussion free. If he can be as aggressive as Revere on the base paths then we should have RISP within our first at-bats. - .285/.361/.387

2. Jamey Carroll - Gets on base plenty, not injury prone, a solid glove and very similar to Punto. He's not fast but he gets on base which is great since we need base-runners for the M&M boys. - .278/.356/.348

3. Joe Mauer - Excellent hitter although I feel like I've seen him GIDP almost every at-bat (slight exaggeration) - .323/.403/.471

4. Justin Morneau - RBI Machine? Pulls a lot of balls due to TF's dimensions and has openly complained about it. Whether or not he'll return to his per-concussion form is unknown... but I don't think he'll be happy knowing Target Field isn't getting any remodeling done. - .281/.353/.499

5. Josh Willingham - Cuddyer clone. Should hit homers at TF if he continues to pull the ball. - .262/.361/.475

6. Trevor Plouffe - I'm a believer that Plouffe will be a right handed threat and I think having him DH is probably best since fielding seemed to affect him too much, mentally.

7. Danny Valencia - He's our clutch hitter and needs to get back to using the entire field. He's strong and has potential for being a 20 HR+ type of guy if he can prove he can foul off sliders down and away.- .269/.314/.406

8. Alexi Casilla - Casilla is fast. Like. Wicked fast. If he plays with the mindset that he'll lose his job (you know, that nice hot stretch that he had) he'll be a huge on base threat especially with the lineup rolling over. his winter league numbers have been impressive and hopefully he keeps it up because we definitely need MOAR SPEED. - .252/.310/.337

9. Ben Revere - Did you see that somersault triple? I did. In person. It was amazing. Simply put he's fast. Faster than Casilla. He creates a lot of havoc for the pitcher. You get your 8, 9 hitter on base with D-Span up to bat and the opposing team will be twitchy. Seriously. - .262/.305/.301

And there you have it folks. My prediction and very short analysis of our opening day lineup. Thoughts?

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Comments

My first thought is that if Plouffe is the DH, there's trouble.

I assume it will be Doumit. Either way, my main thought is that’s an offense that isn’t going to be scoring a ton of runs. As usual, too many spots without any power (Carroll, Casilla, Revere) at all, not enough power in the other spots. Total offensive sink at the bottom of the lineup.

Not good enough.

The Wolves are like the worst meal you've ever had--terrible while you're eating it and even worse later.

by Eric in Madison on Dec 21, 2011 3:57 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Doumit and Plouffe

I think they’ll end up being platooned but … Doumit is more of a power-lefty switch hitter in a left-handed dominant lineup. I think Plouffe gets the call.

by Dan Cao on Dec 21, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

what Eric said...

agreed.

by DJSkillz on Dec 22, 2011 1:23 AM EST up reply actions

That would be an O.K. line-up

If we had the Phillies rotation. We don’t.
I also think Doumit will be the DH much more often than Plouffe.
I hope we can get a guy like Oswalt on a 2 year/20 million deal.

by mak07 on Dec 21, 2011 7:07 PM EST reply actions

It loses me at Plouffe and Valencia.

I have a hard time believing they’ll be near the offense needed from 3b and DH. I’d love to be wrong and they both have some potential, but my expectations are deep into meh territory.

by Luke in MN on Dec 21, 2011 9:14 PM EST reply actions

The opposing team isn't exactly going to be "twitchy" very often.

If your projections are close to what actually happens with Casilla and Revere.

"I learned something yesterday. No use in having rules if there's no punishment for breaking them. You'll be fine if you bite down on the trigger. Enjoy your breakfast."

by John_Locke on Dec 21, 2011 9:29 PM EST reply actions

I’d bet ANYTHING that Doumit starts at DH over Plouffe.

by Brady Eyestone on Dec 22, 2011 1:08 AM EST reply actions

Given what we have right now, this is what I’d like to see.

Span
Carroll
Mauer
Morneau
Willingham
Doumit
Plouffe
Valenca
Casilla

But that really depends on what you think about Plouffe. I think he’ll be an average defender in RF and will at least be an average hitter.

by Brady Eyestone on Dec 22, 2011 1:11 AM EST reply actions

Doumit was signed for a reason

He’ll be at DH

@JayKlinkhammer
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by y2jayjk on Dec 22, 2011 9:21 AM EST reply actions

Ryan says he's primarily a backup catcher

When he catches, Joe will DH, assuming Gardy keeps Drew. But he won’t DH every game in which Joe catches. They have said the position will rotate.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 22, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

And I think it's bull

that Parmelee’s September didn’t warrant him an opportunity to be a starter. I understand Morneau is at 1B but perhaps Parmelee at DH and Doumit in LF with Revere on the bench.

@JayKlinkhammer
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by y2jayjk on Dec 22, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions

I'd like to go on record as the

President of the Chris Parmelee Fan Club if it’s not taken.

@JayKlinkhammer
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by y2jayjk on Dec 22, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

Parmelee had 88 PAs. He needs more time to develop.

by Brady Eyestone on Dec 22, 2011 12:06 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Parm-el-ee

Also I am a HUGE fan of Chris Parmelee and what I have seen from him and I truly think he can be successful given the chance come Spring.

However, being realistic and thinking like the Twins Front Office, Chris will be given the chance in Spring Training to work out and attempt to win any sort of Major League job BUT the chances of that happening are incredibly slim.

The guy has never even seen time in Triple-A and we know the Twins won’t want to rush him. They might think he put on a good showing but the problem is whether or not he can be consistent in the Majors (example Danny Valencia).

I would peg Chris Parmelee at Triple A at the beginning of the season at a 95% possibility.

Oh, and lets not forget Trevor Plouffe and Luke Hughes are both out of options and the Twins like what both can do with the bat (and Hughes defensive versatility, relatively). We don’t just give our players away.

by Dan Cao on Dec 22, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

This is a very "Twins" lineup

I would love to see the last of our 40-man slots go to Roy Oswalt (ugh, not Marquis) and a potential comeback reliever like Harden.

Or Prince Fielder. Damn, that would be sweet.

by bl4ckduck on Dec 22, 2011 10:23 AM EST reply actions

I agree with this statement, literally, 100%.

by Dan Cao on Dec 22, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

Prince Fielder?

Too pricey and we already have Morneau.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Tell Gardy there's nobody around to protect him now." Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 22, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

I say it will be Doumit at DH and Revere and Plouffe platooning in left

im maybe more optomisitc about what this lineup can do, it all hinges on health but there is a lot more obp and we all say 2 former mvps but I dont think that carries the weight it should anymore, since we havent seen it in awhile but if they are back watch out. I also think Willingham should bat 4th to break up the lefties. As far as Revere goes thats a nasty spot in the lineup if you can get Casilla and/or Revere on with Span and Carroll coming up that is a ton of speed on the bases.

first-worst-first?

by holymackerel on Dec 22, 2011 3:13 PM EST reply actions

What do you mean nasty?

also… It’s unlikely Gardy will break up #3 and #4 hitters (M&M). Willingham will be exactly where Cuddy was most of the past 2 years. #5.

I disagree that Revere and Plouffe will platoon. Revere is a Twins favorite and your typical “Gardy” player. He’s fast, he plays good defense, and is great at making contact, beating out infield singles, and playing “small ball”

I think Plouffe and Doumit would platoon more likely than any other possibility.
Doumit mashes righties (most of his power comes from the left) evident by his .275/.336/.461 line and 56 HRs in 1465 AB which averages 26.16 AB/HR… whereas Doumit as a righty posts a more modest .262/.329/.389 line and 11 HR in 496 AB which is 45.09 AB/HR.

And yes… Casilla/Revere/Span/Carroll is POTENTIALLY very, very dangerous as the first 3 have a ton of speed and Span/Carroll have great OBP.

by Dan Cao on Dec 22, 2011 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

by Caleb A on Dec 22, 2011 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

my lineup

1. Span
2. Carroll
3. Mauer
4. Willingham
5. Morneau
6. Doumit (LH) / Plouffe (RH)
7. Valencia
8. Casilla
9. Revere / Plouffe / Tosoni

bench:
Plouffe, Butera, Tosoni, Nishioka or Hughes

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 24, 2011 10:41 PM EST reply actions

Here's my lineup:

Span 9
Carroll 6
Mauer 2
Morneau/ Parmelee 3
Willingham/Revere 7
Valencia 5
Doumit/Plouffe 0/2
Casilla 4
Revere 8

It wouldn’t hurt Revere to go back to Triple-A, but it would be nice if he could stay in the majors.

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by jacobglanz on Dec 27, 2011 3:52 PM EST reply actions

Mine would be

1. Span CF
2. Carroll SS
3. Mauer C
4. Morneau 1B
That potentially will be a good 1-4
5. Willingham RF
6. Doumit(DH/1B/C/)
7. Valencia 3B
8. Casilla 2B
9. Revere LF

Bench: Plouffe, Butera, Hughes/Nishi, Doumit

"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona." ~George F. Will

by SooFoo Fan on Dec 27, 2011 4:03 PM EST reply actions