Reporting from the TwinsFest fan session, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (via Twitter) has "got hints" that the Twins won't bring back free agent Joe Crede in 2010. In a follow-up tweet, Christensen said the reason was that it is "too hard to keep Crede on the field, which hamstrings your roster" and that the Twins would prefer to see Brendan Harris play third for now with an eye on prospect Danny Valencia eventually taking over the position.
Crede signed a one-year, $2.5MM deal with Minnesota last February that could have been worth as much as $7MM had he reached all of the contract's many incentive levels. Unfortunately for Crede, he was limited to just 367 plate appearances last season thanks to the latest in a series of back problems that have plagued the veteran third baseman. His September surgery to remove fluid from a herniated disk was the third procedure on his back in as many years. Crede hit .225/.289/.414 last season.
That’s too bad. I thought he’d be a good stopgap between the beginning of the season and whenever Valencia is ready. I take him over Harris at least…
I agree but last season when the season started the infield was Morneau, Casilla, Crede, and Punto (3, 4, 5, 6). I think J.J. Hardy is an upgrade offensively over Crede. So this season’s opening day infield, Morneau, Punto, Harris (unfortunatley as you said but possibly Valencia), and Hardy (once again, 3, 4, 5, and 6) certainly beats out last year’s opening day infield. And maybe the Twins will sign the O-Dawg.
Yea, and when it comes down to it, I’d MUCH rather upgrade 2B than 3B. Not only do we have Valencia in the wings, but Punto is a better 3B defender than 2B. Getting one of the Lopezs or one of the Orlandos to take care of 2B would be ideal.
Actually yeah, a Felie Lopez would be more affordable and maybe a little bit more worthwile than Orlando Hudson.
It just dawned on me that the only way the IF market could be any more confusing is if there was an Orlando Lopez.
Don’t you love it? Twins potentials for 2B:
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Hudson
Felipe Lopez
Jose Lopez
Caberas already signed and the mariners probably won’t trade Jose lopez
i love this more: Twins starting 2B: Nick Punto
anyone else think the twins rotation is terrible
I say Felipe lopez or hudson
that would be a much needed upgrade and would make the lineup elite
The problem with Crede is that he has a tendency to play a few days, then take the next couple off due to nagging injury, then return to the field for a few days before becomming unavailable for the next few games after that, repeat ad-nausium. Effectively, you lose an extra half a roster spot to cover his constant lack of availibility throughout the season, which is hard to justify on a team planning to take only four bench players North.
Let’s be realistic, twins aren’t going to sign hudson or lopez. They have maxed out their payroll and should be an improved club from the start of 2009. Crede’s power bat is out, Thome’s is in. Pavano is in to help the rotation, Perkins is out. Punto at short, neh move him to 2nd and put in Hardy. IDEALLY, I would love to see a lineup here and there that would be on full power mode and include:
CF SPAN
SS HARDY
C MAUER
1B MORNEAU
DH THOME
RF KUBEL
3B CUDDYER
LF YOUNG
2B PUNTO
but can cuddyer hold down thirdbase and is this our best defensive option? hmm not sure there. I’m not really jumping to see a lower third of Harris, Young and Punto or even Valencia, Young and Punto. I see a lot of 1-2-3 innings with any of those combos.
Cuddyer is NOT going to play 3b. Just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean its reasonable. There’s a reason he’s in the OF, he was a terrible 3b. Harris will be o.k. for a couple months
Cuddyer is NOT going to play 3b. Just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean its reasonable. There’s a reason he’s in the OF, he was a terrible 3b. Harris will be o.k. for a couple months
Let’s be realistic, twins aren’t going to sign hudson or lopez. They have maxed out their payroll and should be an improved club from the start of 2009. Crede’s power bat is out, Thome’s is in. Pavano is in to help the rotation, Perkins is out. Punto at short, neh move him to 2nd and put in Hardy. IDEALLY, I would love to see a lineup here and there that would be on full power mode and include:
CF SPAN
SS HARDY
C MAUER
1B MORNEAU
DH THOME
RF KUBEL
3B CUDDYER
LF YOUNG
2B PUNTO
but can cuddyer hold down thirdbase and is this our best defensive option? hmm not sure there. I’m not really jumping to see a lower third of Harris, Young and Punto or even Valencia, Young and Punto. I see a lot of 1-2-3 innings with any of those combos.
Why can’t we sign lopez or hudson? We have atleast 4mil left and we probably have more
we could sign one for five mil and have punto platoon with Harris and Valencia at third