I’m calling my shot now

Ok, so Spring Training games start tomorrow. I’m going to use my awesome powers of intuition to pick what I think will be the Tigers opening day 25-man roster, barring injuries or trades, obviously.

Catchers
   Matt Treanor
   Gerald Laird
Infielders
   Brandon Inge
   Miguel Cabrera
   Adam Everett
   Placido Polanco
   Ramon Santiago
Outfielders
   Magglio Ordonez
   Curtis Granderson
   Carlos Guillen
   Marcus Thames
   Ryan Raburn
Designated Hitter
   Gary Sheffield
Starting Rotation
   Justin Verlander
   Jeremy Bonderman
   Armando Galarraga
   Edwin Jackson
   Dontrelle Willis
Bullpen
   Nate Robertson
   Zach Miner
   Bobby Seay
   Joel Zumaya
   Fernando Rodney
   Brandon Lyon
and…….
   Scott Williamson

     The way I like to play it is by taking a veteran hand (Williamson) over younger players who wouldn’t be hurt by further conditioning (Freddy Dolsi, Macay McBride). However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers front office did something with Nate Robertson. He is in a position like Inge was this time last year. Yeah, he can start. Yes, he’s been a reliever in the past. It’s not the worst idea ever to have Robertson and Miner split time as long men, depending on the situation. Or, if Jim Leyland was looking for a wild idea, how about a six-man rotation, with Robertson and Willis as lefties to split up the righty-dominant rotation.
     The other names on the bullpen list can be debated until the cows come home, but the point is that someone on that roster would have to pitch their way off the club to not make it. On the position player side, its the same thing. Either someone has to get injured, traded, or play their way off the team. Brent Clevlen and Clete Thomas can’t prove themselves unless they get the playing time like Matt Joyce did. With Carlos Guillen beginning the experiment in left field, there just isn’t room to take on more outfielders. As it is, I see Ryan Raburn getting much more time in as an infielder than outfielder this year. Also, if the Guillen experiment does work, Marcus Thames will probably be the first backup at first base. Is it just me, or does anybody else see the Dmitri Young 1st-3rd-LF experiment all over again?
     The same thing goes for the spare infielders. With a healthy Sheffield and again so many outfielders who can play infield, there is just no room for Jeff Larish, Mike Hessman, or Michael Hollimon. I was going to save this point for my next blog, talking about spring training from last year, but Mike Hessman should be a backup corner infielder and pinch hitter on a National League roster somewhere, instead of becomming an all-time home run king of AAA.
     Anyways, looking forward to the first Grapefruit League game tomorrow and seeing how my predictions pan out over the spring.