Jason Bartlett Should Be Left Off the Roster

Amidst the flurry of moves that the Twins made Monday in regards to whittling down their remaining options for the Opening Day roster was the news that Jason Bartlett has delayed his opt-out date until March 30, which is when teams need to announce their 25-man roster. If the Twins already know what they're planning on doing with Bartlett, they're not telling anybody.

Minnesota's final roster decisions, then, are for the final bench spot and the final bullpen spot. Scott Diamond and Caleb Thielbar are in competition to stay with the team as the third lefty, but for position players it seems that Bartlett is in direct competition with Chris Parmelee and Chris Colabello.

Theoretically, you can understand the indecision. With Bartlett, the team has a second backup infielder who can play second, third and short. In contrast, Parmelee and Colabello can both back up first base and a corner outfield spot; the ability to play a corner outfield spot is a bit redundant, however, if the team is taking Alex Presley and Jason Kubel north along with Aaron Hicks, Josh Willingham, and Oswaldo Arcia.

Bartlett has had more than his share of chances this spring, and beyond the numbers he just hasn't looked like he's capable of keeping up. Sometimes guys have a bad spring, but sometimes players get to a point where they look like the game has passed them by. And I'm afraid that there have been a few occasions where I've had that impression with Bartlett.

I'd love to be wrong.

There is, of course, the minority option: the Twins don't take Presley north, and instead run with Bartlett and one of either Parmelee and Colabello. Which is fun, right? Who doesn't want to see Parmelee backing up center field? It would be like watching Michael Cuddyer out there, only funnier.

But as far as I'm concerned, Bartlett isn't a good fit. I guess we'll see by Sunday whether the Twins agree.