As the Minnesota Twins prepare to head down to Fort Myers for spring training, they’ll be doing so without utility infielder Nick Punto for the first time in seven years. Last week Punto signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Punto was a favorite of much of the Twins Territory faithful, and while his productivity was never much to speak of (with the exception of 2008 when he batted near .300), he still managed to make a good living in Minnesota.
Still, Punto’s productivity declined in 2009 and 2010 as he failed to reach a .240 average each season.
The lack of productivity allowed the Twins to make an easy decision in declining Punto’s $5 million option for 2011.
With Punto’s departure, the team will have to decide which of these players will fill the void. And while a few of these players will certainly be a part of the Twins’ 25-man roster, others will have to prove their worthiness in Fort Myers, Florida.