If three is company, then four is a crowd! Entering the 2009 season the Minnesota Twins have a crowded outfield. With four players vying for three starting spots the competition this spring will be fierce.
Between Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young manager Ron Gardenhire has what I would refer to as a “good problem.” All four of these players offer their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and the Twins should feel lucky to have all these different pieces to their 2009 equation.
So who will be starting on Opening Day, April 6th, against the Seattle Mariners?
Gomez offers electrifying speed and incredible defense. The centerpiece of the blockbuster Johan Santana trade with the New York Mets, the flashy Gomez had a roller coaster year during his first season in Minnesota. The Twins will need Gomez to practice discipline and find some consistency in 2009: STARTER
Before 2008 Span was starting to look like a promising prospect who would never live up to his potential. After a .294/.387/.432 season Span finds himself a Major League starter that can play great defense at all three positions in the outfield. Unless 2008 was a fluke and Span struggles, he will grab a lot of at bats as the leadoff hitter in 2009: STARTER
Cuddyer’s 2008 season can be described as nothing less than a disappointment. Injuries limited Cuddyer to just 71 games and a measley .249 average and 36 RBIs. The rightfielder has never come close to matching his breakout year in 2006 and will need to rebound in 2009 to avoid being trade deadline trade bait: BENCH
For the entire offseason Young heard his name in various trade rumors and then didn’t hear his name when Ron Gardenhire mentioned the other three outfielders as his starting crew on the Twins Caravan in Fargo, ND. If you ask me, Gardy was just trying to motivate Young and the kid is ready to prove he is the real deal. Look for Young to build on his strong second half numbers in 2008 and become a big contributor for the 2009 Twins: STARTER
No matter how the lineup shakes down, the Twins will have the luxury of having too many bats in 2009.
Topics: Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer
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I agree with Young getting the call. Too much potential. Whether people like it or not, he is a future fixture in the MN outfield.
Yeah, I think Twins fans gave up on him a little too quickly. He’ll be starting for Twins or be traded somewhere else, but either way I believe he’ll be a starter in the Majors.