The Twins Dilemma

Alright, its my turn to play fantasy GM again for the Twins. They will soon have a number of players returning from the DL, with no real clear options as to who's spot on the roster they will take. Let's assume that the Twins stay with 12 pitchers and 13 position players. Starting at the top with the most obvious to stay:

Keepers:
Joe Mauer: All-Star catcher would have to be dead to lose his spot on the team.

Justin Morneau: All-Star 1st baseman, 2006 AL MVP, not a chance.

Mike Redmond: Oldest player on the team, only 20 games played all year...may have the best job in baseball, backing up Mauer.

Alexi Casilla: Called up on May 11 and is 4th in RBI's this season while hitting a solid .318 through July 7. Even if he is unable to keep up this pace, he's done absolutely nothing to warrant being sent back to Rochester.

Jason Kubel: Finally coming back around after devastating knee injury in 2004. Tied for the team lead with 12 HR's while establishing himself as the team's DH.

Delmon Young: After slow start to the season (.264, 0, 15 through May 31) has come alive (.327, 3, 18 since June 1). Even though his K/BB ratio isn't getting any better (22 K/ 4 BB since June 1), he's still a solid hitter for his age.

Carlos Gomez: The speedy CF projected at 39 SB's by ESPN.com has played 83 games in CF providing a formidable replacement for departed CF Torii Hunter. He's on pace to set the team record for K's in a season (Bobby Darwin-145 in '72), which isn't ideal from a leadoff man.

Nick Punto: The Twins stuck with him last year through his hitting woes, and most certainly won't the piranha go this year after hitting over his career averages thus far. As long as he stays healthy after two stints on the DL already this year, he'll be in the lineup.

Brian Buscher: Saw action in only 2 games for his first call up, but was outstanding in the month of June during his second call up, putting up a line of .360, 1, 14 with an OPS of .810. Has cooled off as of late after splitting time at third with both Harris and Punto when facing left-handed pitching.

Brendan Harris: RH hitting infielder struggles to hit LH pitching (15-80) this season, and overall average is below career mark. Is currently switching between starts at 2B and SS with Punto and Casilla

Craig Monroe: Best AB/HR ratio on the team at 17.3. Also has 2 HR and 5 RBI in 10 PH AB's this season. Could have 20 HR potential if played everyday, but his .217 AVG is less than to be desired.

Denard Span: Was a solid replacement for Cuddyer in April, but has performed beyond expectations during 2nd call up hitting .350 in 7 games. His range is far greater than that of Cuddyer's as well, but Cuddy's arm is far superior.

Mike Lamb: Where do I start? You follow up a horrendous April (.197 BA) with an amazing May (.302 BA with a .747 OPS) only to slide back down to a dreadful June (.063 BA). Now with 6 AB's in the last 20 GAMES, the Twins appear that they're already beginning to eat your $3.5 million salary. But can they do that through next year and justify it? Beware when Everett and Tolbert come back...

So...where does that leave us??? With Cuddyer looking to be the first one to return, it would seem absurd to keep 6 OF on the squad. We all know that Kubel, Young, and Gomez aren't going anywhere. Monroe, as much as his .217 BA hurts, has been the RH pop off the bench all year, plus he's making $3.8 million this year. That again leaves Denard Span who, at least this time around may have some backing from Twins fans when he complains he got the raw end of the deal. Denard, we feel your pain, but until the Twins realize that its really not worth spending millions on chance FA's like Monroe, Lamb, and Everett, guys like you, Buscher, and Tolbert may be the odd men out.