Pitchers/Catchers report today...Who's our 5th starter?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Not many Twins fans on this board, but maybe we can get a little discussion going this spring...in any event, it's a chance for Cam and I to renew our annual difference of opinion about Mike Pelfrey!

Hughes, Santana, Gibson and (yikes) Nolasco are locks to start the year in the rotation, barring injury. So the big question is who will be the 5th starter. As much as I like Alex Meyer's potential, Tommy Milone has been consistently effective (except when he was hurt last year) and is the only potential starting lefty, so I give him the nod. Here's my order of preference:

Mione
Meyer
Pelfrey
Stauffer
May

What do others think? I'm kind of pumped up for spring training!

[Jester1534]

It's that time of year were all of five of us can complain about the twins lol

LST I think your exactly right on your perfection on what the rotation will be, with tommy milo e winning the 5th spot in the rotation

I figured I do the July 31st and September 1st rotation

Opening day
Hughes
Santana
Gibson
Nolasco
Milone

July 31st
Hughes
Santana
Gibson
Meyer
May/ maybe berrios depends on His development

September 1st
Hughes
Santana
Gibson
Meyer
Berrios

I think may flames out and we see that he's just another AAAA pitcher.

When do you guys think Buxton and Sano will be up or even if they will be up this year or not. My bold perdiction is that Eddie Rosario will be a starting outfielder on opening day.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I thought you'd make an appearance today, jester! Looks like we're in agreement on opening day rotation. I hope Meyer stays with the club in the former Jared Burton setup role, and maybe even ends up as closer if Perkins pitches like he did the last half of 2014...not many are talking about how poorly he pitched after the All Star game, and Meyer could be an intimidation closer if he has his control.

I agree with your take that Nolasco drops out of the rotation. It's going to be difficult to do with the bucks they're paying him, so I think they may try to move him. I also agree that May is AAAA, and share your hope that Berrios makes it up to the bigs by fall. He has worked so hard in the offseason and has electric stuff.

Center field will be interesting. Dougie Baseball is really singing Rosario's praises and would clearly like to see him start the season in center. I think the Twins have tipped their hand as to who they want to see on opening day by putting Hicks right next to Hunter in the locker room. I really liked Schaeffer last year, so I see Hicks/Schaeffer platooning at the start of the season, while they get e better look at Rosario in center in AAA.

Buxton and Sano is the fun question. If they stay healthy and perform, I would think both have to be September call ups.

[Jester1534]

I actually think nolasco will pitch decent and will flip him at the trade deadline to a national league team and will bite the bullet and pay some of the money.

I'm in the camp that doesn't want Meyer in the bullpen, I'm so sick of hearing this guy as just a bullpen arm. Just got into argument today at work with someone about it. Why has this org action and all of baseball say this guy can't be a starter without him evening getting a shot.

[Jester1534]

Oh remember we could've got cliff lee for our last playoff run for hicks and Wilson Ramos :( instead we got Fat Capps

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Can I change my order.

https://twitter.com/MikeBerardino/status/570272676243238912

[Monster]

I basically agree with your order. Chances are sadly there will be a couple injuries to one or 2 guys between the projected rotation and the other guys fighting for a spot. There is some depth at least which is nice. I think Nolosco turns it around he has a track record to make me think so but who knows.