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Taking a Guess at the Opening Day Roster

I know it's really early, but I thought it would be fun to take a guess at what the team is going to look like come Opening Day.  This is my best guess as of 2/21, barring further injuries, trades, or acquisitions:

Catchers:
Ronny Paulino
Ryan Doumit

I think that Doumit will be given the chance (at least initially) to prove he can catch 1-2 times a week, to see if a platoon system could work at catcher.  Moreover, I can't see anyone really establishing themselves in the Maldonado/Chavez/ Hernandez/Perez battle, so I don't think the Bucs will carry 3 catchers.

Infielders:
Adam LaRoche
Freddy Sanchez
Jack Wilson
Jose Bautista
Chris Gomez
Doug Mientkiewicz
Ray Olmedo

The first five guys are guaranteed, and I think Mientkiewicz will prove he can be versatile during Spring Training, and be able to do more than just first base.  I think the Bucs will still want another middle-infield type, and Olmedo seems to have a good chance because he's a switch hitter with a good glove.

Outfield:
Jason Bay
Nyjer Morgan
Xavier Nady
Nate McLouth

Because I think the team will want another middle infielder, I think we'll only carry four outfielders (though Doumit can certainly play right if needed, Mientkiewicz will supposedly try to play corner outfield in Spring Training, and Bautista can obviously play all three spots in an emergency).  I also think that Morgan will win the CF job, meaning he'll open the season with the club, rather than playing CF at AAA.  McLouth will be able to get plenty of ABs not just at CF, but at the corners, where Bay and Nady will obviously need consistent time off after injury-plagued seasons last year.  

Pitchers:  
Ian Snell
Tom Gorzelanny
Matt Morris
Paul Maholm
Zach Duke

This starting five appears to be pretty much set, unless Duke has a complete meltdown this spring.  

Matt Capps
Damaso Marte
John Grabow
Byung-Hyun Kim
Franquelis Osoria
Evan Meek
Jaret Wright

The first three were all established, and with Kim getting a Major League deal, he's guaranteed to be there as well.  Dejan has been pointing out management's high regards for Osoria for awhile, so I think he'll also make the team for sure.  The last two spots are the most difficult to guess.    My selection of Meek was just predicated on the fact that he was a Rule 5 pick, and so the team might want to at least see what they got with him before giving him back away (and paying the price.)  The long spot in the 'pen could be filled by any number of people, but Dejan indicated yesterday that Wright will probably get a long look for that role: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08052/859143-63.stm

So there you go, my guess.  13 position players, 12 pitchers.  What's your guess?  

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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25 man roster
Olmeda will not make it, and Thompson will stick in the OF.  Otherwise, spot on.
Dave Littledick is an incompetent jackass.

by geosport on Feb 21, 2008 6:58 PM EST reply actions  

Olmedo in...
Kevin Thomspon in, Morgan out. I agree with everything else, with the caveat that the bullpen could go any number of directions. I wouldn't be surprised to see T.J. Beam make it.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 21, 2008 7:10 PM EST reply actions  

How 'bout 6 extra bats?
For Pete's sake, when Dave Guisti was our closer, or Bruce Kison, they actually pitched to more than three freakin' batters. Why doesn't the coach or management expect more out of the starters (i.e., is it that much to ask them to get to the seventh inning consistently?) and have more "oomph" off the bench? Way back in the stone age, many teams only had four regular starters and someone was around to do "spot" starts or relieve. I'm just glad that I got to enjoy Bob Gibson, Tanana and Ryan (and two days of cryin'), Steve Blass (as a pitcher), and a host of others who would be lucky to get out of the fifth inning w/modern pitch counts and pampering.  

by Trogluddite on Feb 21, 2008 10:30 PM EST reply actions  

BEAM!
I saw Beam pitch a bit at S/WB Yankees games and I think he could do rather well for the Bucs out of the pen.

by EndlessMike on Feb 21, 2008 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

Roster
I have a hard time imagining that Morgan will really win the CF job.  I think Nate's going to win it and Morgan goes to Triple A.  I guess Pearce has to start there as well, but I really wish we could get a trade (Nady or LaRoche) before opening day and get him in the everyday line-up for the full year.

I agree that TJ Beam might be an interesting arm for the bullpen, although it's hard to see both him and Meek making it (similar styles, I think).  

by mak1277 on Feb 22, 2008 7:42 AM EST reply actions  

Yeah.
I think if Beam makes it, Meek probably heads back to the Rays.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 22, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions  

morgan
agreed with mak1277 and charlie about morgan.  if he doesn't win the job (and i don't think he will) he's in aaa.  

i think the chance the morgan finishes 2008 with the pirates is slim.  with muccutcheon coming up next year, he's trade bait no matter where he plays.

by johnnycuff on Feb 22, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions  

Pearce
Any team as starved for offense as the Bucs has to give him a chance - don't they?

by meandterry on Feb 22, 2008 9:31 PM EST reply actions  

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