Based on clues emerging from Patrick Reusse and La Velle today, here is our best guess at how the Twins' 25-man opening-day roster will shake out: STARTING POSITION PLAYERS
Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Alexi Casilla, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Danny Valencia, Delmon Young, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel
STARTING ROTATION
Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Brian Duensing, Scott Baker
BULLPEN
Joe Nathan, Matt Capps, Jose Mijares, Dusty Hughes, Jeff Manship, Glen Perkins, Reliever X obtained in trade for Kevin Slowey
BENCH
Jim Thome, Luke Hughes, Jason Repko, Drew Butera
Thoughts:
1) Would Ron Gardenhire really go with a bench with so little middle-infield scrappiness? If Hughes keeps hitting like he is, Gardy might have to -- especially since Hughes would be a possible right-handed DH against lefties. Putting him there instead of Matt Tolbert makes you feel a lot better about late-inning hitting options, doesn't it?
2) If you're still not entirely comforted by the bullpen, you aren't alone. As such, a trade of one of those starters (Slowey makes the most sense, as Reusse noted) which netted a reliable righty reliever would be a boon.
3) This is all, of course, assuming best-case scenarios with health.
Your thoughts, as always, are welcome in the comments.