Twins Starters

Two NHL games last night. Basketball is still on their all star-break. Literally nothing going on in sports, so it forces me to look at the Twins upcoming season.

The Twins have four veteran starters with big salaries this season: Ervin Santana, Phil Hughes, Kyle Gibson, and the newcomer Hector Santiago. IF they are healthy, their salaries dictate they get 80% of the starts this year. That really is our starting rotation.

Of course there will be a fifth starter, but there is no definite lock for that roll. Tyler Duffy had 26 starts last year, but that came with an ERA of 6.43. Jose Berrios had 14 starts but an ERA of 8.02. As hopeful as the Twins are (were?) about their futures, they don't appear to fit the real needs of the present.

So, who else is available?

Trevor May is still around, but all he had last year was a long string of back issues. The popular theory there is that he was used too much as a relief guy and that he would be best used as a starter.

The Twins also have rookie Aldeberto Mejia. He's the big lefty we got from the Giants when we traded one of our best infielders (Edward Nunez) for him. We got Justin Haley from Boston as a rule 5 pick. IF he doesn't make the team out of camp, he goes back to Boston as part of the Rule 5 guidelines.

The Twins also have 39-year old Ryan Vogelsong hanging around, He is a one time All-Star, and has been in two different World Series rotations. They also have 27 year-old Nick Tepesch who has never really done anything. Both are non-roster invitees to camp.

For those wondering, the Twins do have four starters from the minors in camp. None at this point, are given any hope of making the roster. Fernando Romero, Stephen Gonsalvies, Felix Jose, and Aaron Sledgers.

All of those arms fighting for the one rotation shot open. That's what spring training is for.