It’s Kelly right?

Yesterday Jim Leyland dropped some hints as to what his preferred 25 man roster would be when the team breaks camp this week. Actually he’s been dropping hints all along but he certainly helped to remove some doubt yesterday. It appears that Don Kelly will be the last position player on the roster.

Leyland offered reporters up this nugget:

I’ll give you one hint: ‘If Larish could play center field, his chances would be better.’

Which certainly hurts Jeff Larish’s chances of making the team. And I read it like Lee does that the preferred candidate be able to play both infield and outfield. This likely becomes more important as Leyland states his intention of resting Brandon Inge early in the season and the team’s questioned (and answered) level of comfort in Scott Sizemore.

Dave Dombrowski has input (or final say) into the roster as well, but a Kelly selection wouldn’t raise any contractual red flags. Clete Thomas has an option left and Jeff Larish isn’t on the 40 man roster (though Kelly would have to be removed if he is cut and Larish would slide into that spot). Kelly is out of options and the team would risk losing him.

At this point it is much ado about the 25th spot, a spot that will likely have many inhabitants as the season progresses. Thomas, Larish, and a host of others will likely spend time on the big league roster this season. But in March it’s something to talk about at least.

In other roster-ish news Joel Zumaya appears to have secured a role in the bullpen.

Photo Credit: lakelandlocal on Flickr

6 thoughts on “It’s Kelly right?”

  1. I had the feeling it would be Don Kelly. I guess if you need to have a full-time bench guy that will work hard everyday and not complain, then Kelly would be your man. He can play some good defense too. It’s just too bad he hits like Adam Everett and that we already have a guy who hits like Adam Everett, that being Adam Everett.

  2. Hits like Everett? Are we watching the same guy? The guy’s batting .380 in the spring after hitting .330 at Toledo last year.

  3. Kelly is Indeed the right choice.
    Tough break for Larish though! They really need to move this kid to third base already.

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