Central casting

SARASOTA, FLA.

Before talking to the three youngsters trying to win the Twins' center field job, you might assume that replacing Torii Hunter will be a problem. After talking to them, you might wonder if there has been such an enormity of talent at the position in any one vicinity since Willie, Mickey and the Duke roamed the ballparks of New York.

Denard Span warned his competitors that he's ready for "war." Jason Pridie said, "I think they're going to be pretty happy with how I play the game." Carlos Gomez, whose Dominican accent somehow makes him sound like a Mafia witness in a "Godfather" movie, might be the Twins' cockiest player since Kirby Puckett -- or Hunter.

"I know what I can do -- have a great season and help this team," said Gomez, currently the centerpiece of the Johan Santana trade. "I am important to this team. I'm a speed guy, probably a leadoff hitter, but I can hit for power, too. I'm ready and I'm happy to be here."

Does he have any doubts that, after 125 big-league at-bats, he's ready to play every day? "Nah," he said. "I was ready two years ago."

Span, Pridie and Gomez offer different résumés and outlooks. If for no other reason than public relations, Gomez has to be the favorite. He's a dynamic, raw talent who, if he plays well in the big leagues at the age of 22, could calm fans' discontent over the anonymity of the players acquired in the Santana deal.

Pridie is the safe but unsaleable choice. He hit .318 at Class AAA Durham in the Tampa Bay organization last year, and he can field, run and throw. He might be the most polished of the three, but if he wins the job, Twins followers will question the pedigrees of Gomez and Span, two players in which the organization has invested heavily.

That hasn't dampened Span's outlook, though.

"This is something all of us have been waiting for all of our lives," he said. "All of us are going to play our best and try to be the starting center fielder on Opening Day.

"They know what I can do. I've been here for five years. I need to show the organization that I can be a good baserunner and steal bases and produce runs and score runs. If I show them I can do that, I think they'll be impressed."

The three might be competing for the leadoff spot, as well. Manager Ron Gardenhire probably would like to field a lineup that goes something like: center fielder to be named, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer (or Delmon Young), Justin Morneau, Young (or Cuddyer), Jason Kubel, Brendan Harris, Mike Lamb, Adam Everett.

If the center fielder doesn't look ready to lead off, someone like Harris would have to -- although Nick Punto has volunteered for the job.

Pridie's OBP was .375 at Durham in 245 at-bats. Gomez's was .288 with the Mets and .363 at Class AAA New Orleans last year.

"[Gomez] can steal some bases, if he can get on," Gardenhire said. "He's got tremendous speed. He could be entertaining on the bases.

"What I'm telling him right now is I just want to see him get a good pitch to hit, just take good at-bats."

Gomez likes to boast of his power and speed, but he does so in a charming way. Thursday, before the Twins' spring opener against the Reds at Sarasota, Gomez hit a long batting-practice homer to left, then dropped a perfect bunt on the next pitch.

Twins vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff says Gomez might be the fastest player in baseball, and he used that speed to make a diving catch in shallow center field on a Ryan Freel liner in the third. Gomez reacted as if he had injured himself, then jogged in without help from a trainer.

"I come here early every day and we work. I appreciate working with a guy like Rod Carew. Torii Hunter was my favorite player, because he has great defense, and I feel like I can be almost like him."

Does Gomez worry about the competition, particularly from Span?

"I don't hear a lot about him," Gomez said. "I know I have good competition, but I'm not thinking about that. I know what I have to do, and I know I can do it.

"If I have to go to Triple-A, then I'll go to Triple-A and kill Triple-A, and then go to the big leagues. But I feel ready now."

The Twins have to hope Gomez can play like a young Hunter. They also have to hope they don't wind up with a center field morass that will evoke memories of one of Hunter's predecessors, the infamous Alex Cole.