The Corner Outfield

With the departures of Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and Jason Repko; the corner outfield positions are going to have a significantly different look in 2012.  With the addition of Josh Willingham, the 3 outfield positions will most likely consist of some combination of Denard Span, Josh Willingham, Ben Revere, and Trevor Plouffe.  Last week, we determined that it might be best defensively for Revere to play in center, moving Span to one of the corners.  The question now becomes: Is Ben Revere even one of our best 3 outfielders?  Span and Willingham are without a doubt the two best outfielders on the roster, so let's break down the competition between Plouffe and Revere for that last spot.

The Book on Jamey Carroll

Newcomers are always a little intriguing around this time of the year - especially after a disappointing season like 2011.  This year Josh Willingham, Joel Zumaya, Ryan Doumit, Jason Marquis, and Jamey Carroll bear the newcomer flag into Target Field.  With the shortstop position being such a desperate need after the fail that was Tsuyoshi Nishioka last season, Carroll is the one the Twins chose to jump out of the free agent pile and save the day this spring.  Not knowing a whole lot about our new shortstop, I decided to dive in and see who exactly we are getting to shore up the 2012 middle infield.

Starting in CF for the Minnesota Twins...

Two of my favorite current Minnesota Twins are Denard Span and Ben Revere.  I've been a huge fan of Span since the day he stepped onto that Metrodome turf, and what's not to like about Revere?  With the departures of Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and Jason Repko; the addition of Josh Willingham; and the seemingly complete return to health of Denard Span this spring; there has obviously been an enormous shake-up across the entire outfield looking ahead to 2012.  Manager Ron Gardenhire has basically already named Denard Span his starting center fielder for opening day, but I like I'm sure many of you Twins fans would question that move if he indeed is in CF against the Orioles April 6th.

Twins Rubes Single-Handedly Brought Willingham to Minnesota

I realize it has been a loooooonnnnnnngggg time since we've come out of the pitch-black cave that is Twins depression.  So, these last few days and weeks of winter meetings and free agent signings have started to get the juices flowing again for Spring Training 2012.  Last night on my way home, I was listening to Bumper to Bumper on KFAN (they were asking sarcastically if Willingham knew how hard it was to hit home runs at Target Field) and suddenly realized how much of an impact Twins Rubes may have on the future of the Twins organization!  Here's how Twins Rubes brought Josh Willingham to Minnesota.