If you're a Twins fan, you know the needs. A third baseman. Bullpen depth. A right-handed power stroke.
The Twins open spring training in a few weeks, but they still haven't taken care of those things. And if you're a Twins fan, it stinks that every year they're too cheap to even look into signing a top free agent.
On the flip side, at least they're not making another beeline to the scrap heap to sign a batch of guys like Craig Monroe, Mike Lamb and Livan Hernandez. Or Tony Batista, Sidney Ponson and Ramon Ortiz.
All those guys did in 2008 and 2007 was drag the Twins down before being dumped. Once they were gone, young players and guys already in the organization stepped up.
Take a good squint at the Twins' roster. Sure, there are deficiencies. But there's still enough core talent for the Twins to win the Central Division in 2009.
Everybody of any importance who got the Twins into a one-game playoff for the division title is back.
Consider: They have a starting rotation that, unlike at the start of last season, is set. And barring injuries, they will have Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer for the entire year.
The reality is, the Twins still are cheap. It also is that they will be better in '09 than in '08.
Now, that's not a reason for Twins general manager Bill Smith to lean back in his office chair and put his feet up on the desk.
He should continue to search for those things the Twins need ... as long as he resists the temptation to head back to the scrap heap.
