Let's try something new March 22nd, 2006 at 12:50 pm
With a couple weeks to go until the season begins the right field position is still a little up in the air. Surely, a number of players will see some playing time out there all season, but Lew Ford or Michael Cuddyer will probably see most of the playing time there, at least early on in the season. It's uncertain if Jason Kubel will be on the opening day roster let alone, starting.
Why will Cuddyer or Ford fill the right field gap? It's not because they're more talented than Kubel. Kubel is clearly the best of the three and is expected to be a big part of the Twins future. The main reason Kubel isn't likely to figure into the Twins right field plans is that Gardenhire, and the Twins organization in general has always favored letting young guys mature in the minors while the less talented, but more experienced players fill the void on the major league squad.
It's time to try something new. We had Ford and Cuddyer last season, and we had the worst offense in American League. Let's give Kubel a shot, and stick with him even if he struggles early on. Bartlett might be a better player today had Gardenhire not panicked after his slow start in 2005.
Experience tells us that Ford and Cuddyer won't bring much to the table this season, so what's the harm in giving Kubel a chance?
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2 Comments
Kris Richardson wrote: March 22nd, 2006 at 9:47 pm
There have been mixed reports about how Kubel's knee is. If he's not healthy, then obviously don't put him out there. He has seen a fair amount of AB's this spring, so I'm assuming the knee is alright (The Twins are usually very cautious).
The Twins need bats and unless at the age of 28 Cuddyer can finally be the player we all thought he could be, I think Kubel is the best bat of the three.
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Nick Kirsch wrote: March 22nd, 2006 at 9:28 pm
Yes, it will be Cuddyer or Ford to start the season in RF for the Twins. This is the right move. Ford has proven that he can be an effective major leaguer both offensively and defensively. Plus, Cuddyer has shown the most offensive promise during his time in right. The main reason that these two are going to get the shot in right is because of the very serious knee injury that Jason Kubel is coming off of. Kubel is the most talented, but asking a young player to start the season in the majors after a serious injury is simply foolish. Let Kubel get all his at bats in Rochester while letting him fully recover and test his knee. Kubel will be the Twins answer in rightfield, just don't throw him into it prematurely.