Baker to start spring opener

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: February 27, 2008 - 8:18 PM

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FORT MYERS, FLA. - The Twins will travel to Sarasota today to face the Cincinnati Reds in their spring training opener as manager Ron Gardenhire begins assembling a roster that he hopes will defy early predictions and compete in the AL Central.

Scott Baker will start against fellow righthander Matt Belisle. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m.

Before the games begin, here are five things the Twins must work on:

• Assemble a strong rotation: Baker, Boof Bonser and Livan Hernandez are expected to be on the Opening Day roster. The Twins will be very careful with lefthander Francisco Liriano, who has been out for 17 months because of Tommy John surgery. He could open the season in the rotation but could be held back if he suffers even the slightest setback. If Liriano makes it, then righthanders Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and Philip Humber and lefthander Glen Perkins are among the candidates for the final spot.

• Solidify center field: Carlos Gomez and Jason Pridie are on the trip today (Gomez is starting) and get the first chance to make a positive impression in the battle to replace Torii Hunter. Denard Span has been as confident as anyone in his desire to win the job. Gomez needs to prove he can make adjustments and hit breaking balls more consistently. Pridie's tools suggest he's a grinder who can grow on a coaching staff. Span was a first-round pick who started out terribly at Class AAA Rochester last season but batted .306 after the All-Star break to finish at .267.

• Settle on a batting order: Gardenhire needs to see how some camp battles play out before determining his lineup. For instance, whoever wins the center field job probably will bat leadoff. Span and Pridie have that experience. Gomez does not -- which might be one reason why he's leading off today. Could Brendan Harris be the answer? Gardenhire has indicated that he wants to bat Justin Morneau fourth, but it's unclear if that means Joe Mauer will bat second or if lefties Mauer and Morneau will hit back-to-back. Watch the final week of camp, when managers throw their A lineups out there.

• Have a philosophy at second base: Gardenhire has said that Nick Punto must outplay Harris to win the starting job. There's always the chance that the manager will opt for Punto's steady glove if Punto shows he can rebound from last year's .210 batting average. Harris, who came from Tampa Bay as part of the Matt Garza-Delmon Young trade, is a solid hitter but not as strong defensively as Punto.

• Make sure Young blends in: The Twins have a good peer system in place, with Michael Cuddyer providing mentorship and Rod Carew, Tony Oliva and others serving as hitting savants. Young appears to like his surroundings so far, so perhaps he'll prove Carl Crawford wrong, not cause problems in the clubhouse and realize his massive potential.

Etc.

The Twins announced the signing of 18 players to one-year contracts. Every player in camp is now under contract, which is required before spring games begin.

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