The Twins have had nine players try to win the shortstop job since Jason Bartlett was the regular in 2007:

Nick Punto (2004-10): Fans loved to hate him, but he was excellent in the field and good for chemistry.

Alexi Casilla (2006-): Has the range and the arm to play shortstop but can't stay healthy.

Adam Everett (2008): Three cortisone shots for his shoulder, two stints on the DL, one long year.

Brendan Harris (2008-10): Just wasn't quite good enough to be a starter at short, second or third.

Matt Tolbert (2008-11): A bundle of nervous energy at the time, he never found a role.

Orlando Cabrera (2009): Midseason trade landed the Twins an aging-yet-capable Cabrera.

J.J. Hardy (2010): There's pop in his bat, but he landed on the DL twice in his year with the Twins.

Trevor Plouffe (2010-): The former first-round pick had his chances at short but now is an outfielder.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (2011): Heralded and decorated in Japan, he was injured and overwhelmed last year.