I think our outfield situation will soon become crowded with quality pieces. The sooner we can definitively begin to narrow the pieces in the equation in order to best decide who to keep and who to trade the more likely we are to make the correct decisions.

To that end I propose we begin 2012 by finding out what Thames and Snider bring to the table.

Down the road I strongly suspect our outfield will be: Gose in CF (with his Gold Glove, otherworldly arm and range, new found power and at least adequate OBP). Marisnick in RF (with his Gold Glove, plus arm and range, great all round batting and + 900 OPS). At that time, in LF will be one of: Rasmus, Thames, Snider, Crouse, Knecht, Sierra, Hawkins, Becerra, Gonzalez or Anderson.

It seems to me that for the long term, Jose (Hark the Herald Angels Sing) Bautista will be at 1st base when the dust has settled - so lets put him there in 2012. Lets put Lind and EE as a platoon at DH (this also gives us the advantage in the 7th, 8th or 9th innings of having a fresh dangerous bat who can enter the game when the opposing team removes their starter).

In the outfield we'll start Thames in LF, Rasmus in CF and Snider in RF - and we'll leave the three of them there ALL YEAR to find out just who can cut the mustard and who's not even chopped liver.

I think the energy and enthusiasm of the Fickle Five; Lawrie, Rasmus, Arencibia,Thames and Snider will give the team a new found boost, and give the team the best opportunity to win, all the while getting to really see what Thames and Snider bring to the table without forcing a premature decision having to be made on their futures - or lack thereof.

What think you all?