FA infielders

by snolls on Jan 29, 2009 10:11 AM EST

I wonder if the Twins are still looking for infielders. There are a couple names still unsigned, which makes me think that their price tags have to be dropping. Even if they weren't worth it a couple of months ago, they may be worth a look as we get close to spring training. To me, the following stand out as worth a discussion:

Nomar Garciaparra - Could play some third, some first. Would push Brendan Harris into the utility/pinch hitter spot. Still, if he can play 75-100 games at 1B and 3B, provide lineup protection when he is in, and some pop off the bench when he sits, he would add some serious value to our offense. His defense isn't bad either. I would think he would probably play for a couple million, and only require a 1 year contract.

Shea Hillenbrand - It sounds like people don't like him, and he certainly had a terrible 2007, but at one time he could hit, and from the right side of the plate. He may be worthy of an invite to spring training, and let the coaches decide if he still has anything left.

Ty Wiggington - We've discussed him before, and he seemed a bit expensive based on his road splits. Still, if his price is falling, a two year deal wouldn't be the worst thing. Again, Harris probably gets pushed down a notch, and tolbert/macri lose their shot at the big league roster.

Ray Durham - I can't really see this happening, because it would demote Punto, but I'd be interested if he was available cheap. Based on his age, it pretty much comes down to whether he's willing to take a 1 year contract.

So - who wants to take a chance on one of these guys if the price is right? If so, please describe the right price.

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Meh

I see this group in the same light as Mike Lamb, Adam Everett, Jeff Cirillo and Tony Batista. Relatively high cost, relatively low return on investment. Clog the team up, preventing the emergence of younger, better players.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jan 29, 2009 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Not Ty Wigginton

in the same light as Everett, Lamb, Cirillo, and Batista…

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jan 29, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply actions

Yes Ty Wigginton

Unless you mean that Everett had more potential value. His defense is so bad its rediculous.

by lookatthosetwins on Jan 30, 2009 2:53 AM EST up reply actions

whose defense is bad?

by BCTwins on Jan 30, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry,

That didn’t make much sense as it reads.

I meant that Everett had more potential value than Wigginton (obviously didn’t work out though) because Wigginton’s defense is bad. It was really late when I wrote that.

by lookatthosetwins on Jan 30, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

Garciaparra...

would literally turn to dust 15 games into life on the Meterodome carpet.

Aside from that, he can’t play a lick of third base anymore. Those in the camp opposed to putting Cuddyer over there would have to consider kidnapping Garciaparra if his name were ever written onto the Twins’ lineup card at third base.

Bloggin' the bloggers since 1938.

by Johnny Safron on Jan 30, 2009 1:12 AM EST reply actions

No then?

I guess that settles that. No one thinks any of these guys are an upgrade over our current options? Lets say that Nomar would play for $1 million for one year. It seems like he would be enough of a potential upgrade to give him a shot.

Maybe not.

by snolls on Jan 30, 2009 2:09 PM EST reply actions

Maybe a minor league deal

Then again, Cirillo signed a minor league deal and he still ended up gumming up the works.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jan 30, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

Durham + turf = disabled list. Same goes for Nomar. I’d consider Alex Cintron. Might seem redundant with Nick Punto, but Punto should be in line for an everyday job, in which case Cintron would fit nicely in a utility role.

by StickRat on Jan 30, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions