02/07/2005 12:30 PM ET
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

At this point, how many roster spots are up for grabs in Spring
Training?
-- Max A., Minneapolis, Minn.
That's a good question. Certainly, the starting shortstop role is
open to four main candidates -- Juan Castro, Nick Punto, Jason
Bartlett and Augie Ojeda. Who gets the utility infielder's role
obviously will depend on who wins at shortstop. Third base appears
to be Michael Cuddyer's to lose, but Eric Munson and Terry Tiffee
will be in the battle.

The rotation's fifth starter spot isn't assured, especially if Joe
Mays isn't ready. A reserve outfielder is needed, and Michael Ryan
and Michael Restovich head the list of competition there. A lefty
bat for the bench is also an open role with Munson, Ryan and Armando
Rios competing. The final one or two bullpen spots also need to be
locked up. All of these decisions may not be decided until near the
end of camp.

Do you anticipate Juan Rincon making a transition to the starting
rotation anytime soon? The benefit of keeping him in a middle-relief
role is clear, though it is difficult to ignore the fact that his
2004 stats (with the exception of innings pitched) are strikingly
similar to those posted by Johan Santana in 2003. Doesn't this seem
to merit an opportunity for promotion?
-- Benny
Yes, Rincon had a tremendous 2004 and essentially owned the eighth
inning, setting up Joe Nathan last season. More of the same will be
expected of him in 2005. But no, I do not envision a move to the
rotation in his future. He can throw hard and has great movement on
his mid-90s fastball. But unlike Santana, Rincon lacks command of a
third pitch -- the changeup -- that would make him a successful
starter in the Majors.

Why did we sign Eric Munson to a minor league contract? For a guy
who hit 19 homers last season, I think he should be able to play in
the Majors and at least be a backup player!
-- Devin, St. Paul, Minn.

More than anything, I believe it was a procedural move. If the club
signed Munson to a big league contract right away, it would have had
to place him on the 40-man roster. Then, someone else would have to
be taken off the roster and unprotected, and they would be
susceptible to a waiver claim from another club. Doing it this way
gives the Twins more flexibility. The 27-year-old has already agreed
to a Major League salary worth a reported $700,000, which
automatically kicks in if he makes the team out of camp.

What additional picks did the Twins acquire by losing Henry Blanco,
Corey Koskie, and Cristian Guzman?
-- Gary T., Sidney, Mont.

Koskie, who signed with the Blue Jays, and Guzman, who is now with
the Nationals, were considered Type A free agents. But the Twins did
not get first-round picks for them because the won-lost records of
Toronto and Washington (formerly Montreal) were among the bottom 15
teams last season. Minnesota will receive a second-round pick and a
sandwich pick for each player. Blanco, who went to the Cubs as a
free agent, yielded a sandwich pick.

I've been noticing teams like the Cubs, Red Sox, and White Sox all
have wristbands they are selling, much like those
yellow "LIVESTRONG" ones Lance Armstrong has put out. Any chance the
Twins will be making one? And if not, will someone hand down the
idea?
-- Kevin G., Rochester, Minn.

The Twins actually just released a red wristband of their own
recently, which debuted at TwinsFest a couple of weekends ago. They
say 'Go Twins' on them and all proceeds benefit the Twins Community
Fund.


This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball
or its clubs.