FORT MYERS, FLA. — I would criticize the Twins' presumed starting outfield alignment, but that might be a waste of time, because I'm not sure the presumption is correct.
We've assumed all winter that Ben Revere would start in left, Denard Span would start in center, and Josh Willingham would start in right, with Trevor Plouffe becoming a bench player.
The Twins have suggested this alignment, and defended it even when people like me suggest that all three outfielders would be playing out of position.
Span's best position is right field, where he played brilliantly in 2008. Willingham's best position is left field, where he has played exclusively the past two years. Revere's best position is center field, where his range and fearlessness make him valuable despite his lack of power and arm strength.
It hasn't taken long in the Twins' spring training camp to discover that the alignment of those three players might not be all that important. There are those in the organization who believe that Trevor Plouffe will win a starting job, or will at least be given every opportunity to beat out Revere.
Plouffe would give the Twins a righthanded bat with power potential near the bottom of the order, balancing a lineup with many lefties. He would play in right field, which would allow manager Ron Gardenhire to move Willingham to his true position, left field.
If Plouffe won the starting job, Revere would be an ideal fourth outfielder. He'd be the perfect defensive replacement, and he could pinch-hit or pinch-run.
Revere is fast, but, despite public perception, Gardenhire prefers home-run hitters to slap-and-run artists, and the field staff has taken note of some of the power-hitting displays Plouffe has put on during camp. Plouffe looks stronger this year and should benefit from his move away from shortstop, where he had trouble making routine plays last season.
