Considering whoever jogs to third base on April 6 will be the fifth different Opening Day starter in five years, the Twins' difficulty in settling on a third baseman is hardly surprising. As spring training approaches, Minnesota is sending conflicting signals about its intention for the position this year.
Twins officials spent their three-day TwinsFest weekend assuring fans and media that a platoon of Brian Buscher (against right-handed pitchers) and Brendan Harris (against lefties) would be more than adequate. "We're confident that those two guys provide everything we need at the position, and also offer good, solid depth," said general manager Bill Smith.
"People forget, we got 91 RBIs out of third base last season. That's what we're after, scoring runs. We always try to get better, that's at every position. But I have no hesitation about going into the season with those guys. We've never said we were unhappy with them."
Yet the Twins aren't done looking for a more dependable solution, either.
After failing to sign Casey Blake or trade for Adrian Beltre or Garrett Atkins, Smith has considered offering a contract to White Sox free agent Joe Crede. The Twins dispatched a pair of scouts to watch Crede take infield and batting practice, trying to determine whether surgery on a herniated disk in his back has freed the former All-Star from the back pain that kept him out of action last August and September.
The Twins are hesitant to commit to Crede until they are certain he's up to a full season on the Metrodome's artificial surface, particularly if he is seeking more than the $5.1 million he earned last season. The Twins are still paying last year's failed free agent signing, Mike Lamb, $3.5 million this season. He was released last August.
