Punto to Bench...Gardy Names opening series starters

[CrappiesNCats]

Brendan Harris has been named the starter at 2b. Also for the opening series the pitchers will be Hernandez, Boof, Slowey. Lucky for us Lackey and Kelvim Escobar will miss the first series. but unfortunately we go against Jered Weaver game one. def dont like the matchup of Weaver vs Hernandez.

[slim1]

What did Harris bat compared to Punto in spring?

[CrappiesNCats]

there really wasn't a significant difference. Harris had a rotten spring. Difference being Harris' career numbers are a lot better.

Punto will still see plenty of time spelling both Everett, Harris, and Lamb. I'm not a huge fan, but his good defense and flexibility of positions keeps him valuable despite his inability to hit.

the strangest move of the spring is keeping up tolbert. it makes 0 sense. he is punto 2.0 without the glove. they should have kept someone with a little pop. Knott is a career minor leaguer who is doing very well this spring and has some pop (3 HR's so far). Pridie would have been a nice bat too, but then we'd have 6 of's

[CrappiesNCats]

actually im wrong. Punto hit a whopping .125

Harris his .245 that is a big difference. Hopefully his glove improves a little bit.

[Dahitman44]

Harris -- good bat but pretty bad glove.

NickyP -- a spark plug plus an awesome glove and they didn't issue him a bat. I think he and (Chris) Everett share a bat.

Tolbert -- MAKES NO SENSE. He needs to play every day in AAA. I don;t get that one.

[bassNspear]

punto needs to go

[IFallsRon]

Even that spare Denny Hocking got a few hits. Punto will be the first cut in October.

[Dahitman44]

It is too bad, really.

Nicky P. is a guy you root for -- kind of a "Rudy" type of guy, but he has to be able to get some hits once in a while I think he would be a great Northern League guy when he is ready to move on.

[tisosy11]

and saying his name is fun!!!

Punto!

Punto!!!

POOONTO!!!

[Gary Crichton]

Didn't he bat over 290 just 2 years ago. How old is he.(PUNTO)

[IFallsRon]

He's 30 and overachieved two years ago, that's why he got the big contract after that season and was guaranteed the third base job last year.

Punto had 99 hits and 55 walks last year but struck out 99 times and couldn't lay down a bunt or move runners when it really counted.

No one doubts he's good with the glove but he's become an automatic out and there's enough potential holes in the Twins lineup.

[Willy]

I am glad to see that Punto will not be starting. Gardy's man crush on him will probably get him too many at-bats though.

I really do not understand the Tolbert keep either.

He is probably a little better bat than Punto, but not a ton better. Twins must not feel Tolbert will be anything more than a utility player as he won't get everyday PT with the big club.

I would have liked to see them keep someone with a little pop in their bat on the bench like Knott or Ruiz. Problem with those guys is that they have no position. Neither of them is able to play defense a lick.

[tisosy11]

punto and the rest of the team overacheived on offense a couple years back...hopefully than can make a point of overacheiving!

[Boogaard]

Hate to think it but I dont think the twins will be over .500 Sure the lineup is better but the pitching is worse. Bonzer will lose more games than weight, Hernandez sure can maybe for 7 innings but lots of good it will do when hes let in 7 runs. A lot is going to ride on the pitching staff. Hopefully all is good and they can build on this season for the potiential of the future.