Crede Can You Take The Twins "Higher"?

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At long last the Twins made a signing that made sense today.

General Manager Bill Smith nabbed oft-injured Joe Crede for one year that will pay the former White Sox third baseman $2.5 million plus incentives. With incentives, Crede's contract could add up to the $7 million which he was initially asking.

The signing comes a day before the mandatory Spring Training reporting date for position players.

Since the contract is incentive-laden, it's clear the Twins have made a sound decision after months of transaction stagnancy. With two clear needs heading out of 2008 (set-up relief pitching and third base), Smith appeared too timid or complacent over the winter months. He failed to land third base free agents Casey Blake (who signed with the Dodgers) or Ty Wigginton (Orioles). The Twins also missed on making a trade with the Cubs for Mark DeRosa (Indians).

In the meantime, Smith flirted with possible setup men, including Eric Gagne (Brewers), but settled on rather dismal-sounding retreads.

[On the contrary, I think Billy Beane's claim that relief pitchers -- particularily closers and setup men -- who come into games where the home team is already leading, are vastly overrated. My belief comes from my following of the Bill James school of statistics (and you can certainly read more about it here). Therefore, it's clear third base was more an issue for the Twins than filling Pat Neshek's goofy spot on the rubber. ]

Smith's crowning achievements this offseason were previously limited to re-signing Nick Punto, avoiding arbitration with Matt Grrrrr, and agreeing to a longer-term contract with Jason Kubel.

All may be well now. Crede has been a good player in the past.

Everything is relevant to his health, so keep this in mind. Each sentence written about Crede starts with: When healthy ...

• Crede is a hell of a fielder.


• Crede is a right-handed power hitter.


• Crede plays like a Twins player, strong on fundamentals.


• Crede could stabilize the Twins batting order and provide much the team has been missing.


• Crede could man third base while we find out if Double-A prospect Luke Hughes is developing as hoped.


• Crede is a former White Sox player and could provide a certain leadership lift if the two teams are stuck in a one-game situation again.


• Crede is only 30 and could have a few extra years of strong play left in him.

Of course, each of those instances begin with a big "if".

Conversely, when Crede falls apart physically, Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris can fill in while the Twins avoid a masssive contract weighing them down.

In November I wrote about Crede being a poor choice for the Twins, but with all other major options heading to other teams, Crede's signing is more positive as March looms.

This is far better gamble than a Mike Lamb or Tony Batista aquisition.

At worst, this is a solid shot at improvement; at best, it could result in another trip to the American League playoffs.

An Unlikely Flier at Third Base?

First: There's this rumor about the Twins and Michael Young of the Rangers. Not out of the blue nor out of the question, but if Young waves the no-trade clause to Minnesota and the Twins piece a package together well, who knows?

In recent days, we in the bullpen have been thinking about a third base option that doesn't involve money, doesn't threaten the current pitching rotation, doesn't cost much, keeps Denard Span on the team for a chance to prove his freshman season wasn't an apparition, and won't cost Bill Smith his job if it doesn't pan out.

The task is as daunting.

Here's one oddball longshot to chew on: Bring back a former Twins defensive stalwart, sign him to a minor league contract, and see what happens if you toss him in at third. Come on, Corey Koskie's still having issues surrounding his head injury, right? Right.

How about Doug Mientkiewicz?

Proposterous. As preposterous as, say, Mike Lamb? Tony Batista? You get the point. A signing like this would be the absolute definition of Twins Territory.

Give a listen and see how crazy this sounds in the Land Of 10,000 Dollars.

MonkeyWrench hit .277 both last year with Pittsburgh and in 2007 for the New York Yankees. Dougie hit .283 in 2006 for Kansas City. He's 35 this season and a free agent with few, if any, offers on the table. Sources in Pittsburgh say the Pirates have no interest in re-signing Mientkiewicz. His lack of home run power is an obvious problem, but despite not being a full-time starter in recent years, Dougie's RBI total isn't bad if stretched out over a season.

Mientkiewicz played 33 games at 3B last season for the Pirates. His move to third was mostly an end of the season experiment that resulted in a .918 fielding percentage.

The numbers aren't strong, but certainly not weak. Plus, there are positives to the scenario.

1. Sportswriters already know the correct spelling and punctuation of Mientkiewicz's name. [Hell, it's engrained in their heads as much as MMMbop still is.]


2. A chance to witness Mientkiewicz/Morneau II, a fight between the vet and MVP in a Twins dugout or clubhouse near you.


3. A chance to witness Mientkiewicz/Gardy II, a smackdown between the boss and the wanna-be in a Twins dugout or clubhouse near you.


4. The Twins can bring back the best "Twins: Get To Know 'Em" song, sung in the style of Schoolhouse Rock called "That's How You Spell Mientkiewicz."


5. Three words: Knee-high socks.


6. Then 13-year-old screaming girls can now squeeze their now-19-year-old selves into old Mienkiewicz jersey T-shirts again.


7. Dives-A-Plenty.

It seems a viable -- and very Twins-like option -- for the Twins to try something like this. Mientkiewicz was always good with the glove, and heck, they sure need a backup for Morneau on given days. If he signs to a minor league contract, it's almost a move free of risk.

I can hear the questions at Spring Training now. Listen. It's off in the distance ...

..."that was then, this is now. I mean, Justin and I are good friends now. I went over to him and we shook hands in the clubhouse and we're teammates. We're professionals ... That was years ago and we both made mistakes ... I'm just glad to be back in a Twins uniform ..."

Big Hurt? Big Yes!

Frank Thomas was released from the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday and the time is now to replace Craig Craproe with the Big Hurt. The Twins could sure use the possible offense Thomas would bring to the team. Sure he was hitting .167 (10-for-60) with three home runs and 11 RBI in 16 games, but come on, this is Frank Thomas. He hit 26 homers last year with 95 RBI (.277 average). He has 516 career home runs.

The Blue Jays are locked into paying him $8 million for this season no matter who he signs with. Worth a shot? Not even worth discussing.

Thomas would take the place currently occupied by Craig Monroe. In addition, his signing would allow the Twins a real, viable solution to backup Justin Morneau at first base. The backup is currently Mike Lamb. Mike Lamb? Yep, Mike Lamb.

Some numbers:
Thomas: 40 years old, .167 BA, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 516 career HR, .302 career BA, .420 career OBA, 1,625 career RBI
Monroe: 31 years old, .231 BA (6-for-26), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 104 career HR, 391 career RBI, .256 career BA, .303 career OBA.

Those numbers don't compare. It's time to give the Big Hurt a shot. Heck, even if they have to move Kubel to right field and send Span down, it's time to take a chance.