Twins infield undergoes revisions

2B Rivas only returning regular around the horn

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

The new-look Minnesota Twins' infield will be short on experience but long on potential.

Since last spring training, third baseman Corey Koskie (Toronto Blue Jays), shortstop Cristian Guzman (Washington Nationals), first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz (Boston Red Sox and now the New York Mets), have all departed.

Here's a look around the horn:

First base: Justin Morneau, who had a rough offseason full of ailments — appendicitis, the chicken pox and pneumonia — expects to be at full strength by Opening Day. The 6-foot-4 Canadian brings a powerful, left-handed bat to the lineup.

"We'll be a little bit younger, but it should be fun," said Morneau, who is 23.

Second base: Luis Rivas, the only returning regular infielder, is entering his fourth season as the starter. He is 25.

Shortstop: This is the only spot — other than the fifth starting pitcher — that's wide open for competition during camp.

Jason Bartlett, 25; Nick Punto, 27; Augie Ojeda, 30; and Juan Castro, 32, are the top candidates.

"All four of those guys will be in the mix," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "We've got some depth there. I'm not sure we'll have an answer until we get into April."

Bartlett, who hit .331, with three home runs and 29 RBI, last season at Triple-A Rochester, N.Y., appears to be the front-runner, given the Twins' tradition of promoting from within their minor-league system.

Third base: Michael Cuddyer, who used to have a habit of playing card tricks during spring training, has been shuffled like a deck of cards throughout his career.

"Hopefully, now all the talk will be done," said Cuddyer, 25, who started his career as a shortstop, moved to second base, then third, then right field, then to utility man and now is back at third base.

Cuddyer always had a player ahead of him — Koskie at third, Jacque Jones in right field and Rivas at second.

Until now.

"This is a great chance for Cuddyer," Morneau said. "He's been waiting for this for a long time. Koskie is one of the best defensive third basemen in the league. You give him (Cuddyer) a full season over there, and he could be right there, too."