Scott Baker

The Twins have staked Scott Baker to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

He has already given two of those back in the bottom of the inning on a Geoff Jenkins two-run HR.

Baker was a very highly touted sleeper this year because he pitched very well in 50 or so innings in 2005, and the hype around Francisco Liriano sucked all the air out of the room.

Also involved in the thinking about Baker was the Twins would be a good team.

Clearly that is not going to be the case. The Twins will stink this year and may for another year unless they get some power. Lew Ford and Shannon Stewart on the corner OF spots and Tony Batista/Michael Cuddyer at 3B will not cut it offensively. Nevermind Juan Castro/Nick Punto at SS.

Without a winning team, Baker can not be reasonably expected to win more than 10 or 11 games, and, if he reaches those levels this season, he will have to win almost half of his remaining starts - something I'd never count on.

Right now, I view Baker as a decent upside starting pitcher on a losing team. That makes him worth no more than the high single digits.