As a fan when the largest debate on your favorite baseball team is who will be the fifth outfielder good things are in store for you. That is where the Minnesota Twins are. Fans are concerned, writers have something to write about, but really it's not as large a problem as many make it seem. Yesterday Ron Gardenhire announced Michael Cuddyer would be the primary backup when Span needs a rest. The Twitter boards lit up saying he's bad enough in right field why give him more ground to cover? I was even involved in a short debate with people who felt Delmon Young was a better outfielder than Cuddyer. You can throw all the numbers at me that support that argument and I will never believe it. Delmon Young is an outfielder who is diametrically opposed to anything that resembles a straight line, especially when that straight line is towards a fly ball. Cuddyer is the better outfielder and it's not close. Alexi Casilla in yesterday's game already alligator armed a fly ball by the warning track so his future will most likely remain in the infield. Matt Tolbert was once a centerfielder so there remains hope he can play that position competently. As John Madden would say Nick Punto is Nick Punto. He can do no wrong, especially with a glove so Gardy will not hesitate to put him out there if need be. Jacque Jones was the early frontrunner for the backup backup outfielder, but his inability with the lumber the last two years hurts him, but he does have the former Twin badge which will take him to at least the last cut in spring training. So what do we have?
Alexi Casilla: Out of the running and maybe not on the Twins opening day roster.
Delmon Young: Unable to patrol left field, never considered.
Michael Cuddyer: Playing centerfield won't create the defensive quadmire many believe.
Matt Tolbert: Dark horse, hustles in Punto-like fashion and knows his ability to play any position will keep him the majors. He may win by a nose from the outside.
Nick Punto: I think his task will be mainly infield related this season. Punto is like Gardy's blanky, he needs him close by. Outfield is too far away.
Jacque Jones: Twins nice in play here, if he hits and shows some range he can win the spot. Past two years show this may be unlikely.
The Winner: Just like Tic Tac Toe there is no winner here, but that fifth outfield spot will be Cuddyer's and Tolbert's. They are more than capable of handling this opportunity and hopefully will not wake up the echoes of Rich Becker patrolling centerfield.
I'm still mystified, how are they going to put 5 players in the outfield? Are we going to have a 2 man infield?
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