Not a “Twins type” MI. He got into some type of scrape in his original organization (beating his girlfriend?) and the Royals announcers made a point of criticizing his defense at the end of the season when they were analyzing the team’s future. He can hit, especially RH, and he isn’t even arb eligible, I think.

I have always liked him, since before the Royals got him. I don’t think he defense is any worse than Punto’s. His defense has always been avearge or a little above. It did slip some last year, though.

I haven’t heard anything about the off-field rumors. If they’re true, the Twins will have no interest.

would be another great move by Bill Smith. If we could trade Jose Morales and Matt Tolbert/Alexi Casilla to the Brewers for Alberto Callaspo, that would be an excellent move. Trading Morales gives them the catcher they want – a very promising bat and a not so bad defender. Matt Tolbert would also give them some flexibility in that infield while also promising them a fairly young promising utility man.

Plus, trading for Callaspo would come at a significantly lower price than Dan Uggla. Callaspo may not have Uggla’s power, but he does a good job at getting on base and certainly is a better defender than Uggla. Plus, Callaspo would be a cheaper option both in terms of prospects and money, allowing the Twins to splurge on Mauer and re-sign Crede, and possibly sign a veteran pitcher.

Callaspo would solve 2B for the Twins. This would give the Twins the opportunity to sign Crede back, and move Punto and Harris to 3B.

Lineup construction would then look like this:

1. Span – CF
2. Callaspo – 2B
3. Mauer – C
4. Morneau – 1B
5. Cuddyer – RF
6. Kubel – DH
7. Young – LF
8. Hardy – SS
9. Punto/Harris/Crede – 3B

He’s a good player, and it’s hard to trade good players inside your league much less your division.

Besides, it’s been mentioned before, I don’t like Callaspo’s makeup. I don’t want guys with his kind of history playing for the Twins, I just don’t. He falls under the same category as Manny Ramirez—no thanks.

Another buy-low candidate. Had an off year, almost completely because of his low BABIP. If that comes back, he is an average to above average second basemen. He also looks like he’s lost his job after Prado’s strong year last year. Basically the same situation as hardy. If we could get him for cheap, might be a good option.

Felipe Lopez…

not sure how much he’ll command, but projects about the same as KJ, about 2.5 WAR.

If we sign only one free agent, I really think it should be an infielder. We have starters who all project to be at least 1 WAR, where tolbert/Valencia look like replacement level at this point. I just don’t think that people realize that a 5.00 ERA pitcher is more valuable than a tolbert/harris type infielder. The biggest hole is either at 2nd or 3rd, and would give us the best value for our money, since we’d be replacing an inferior player.

Dutton again mentions the talks between the Dodgers and Royals on a possible A.J. Ellis for Alberto Callaspo deal. Ellis, 29 in April, posted OBPs over .436 in Triple A for 2008-09.

If this is even close to the truth, the Twins should jump all over this. We could give them a better backup catcher if that’s what they want in Jose Morales.

I am not a fan of the issues Callaspo has, and the baggage he would bring, but look at Delmon Young, if I remember correctly he threw a bat at an Umpire…Look at Sidney Ponson…no those accusations aren’t as bad as a Domestic, but still they have taken chances in the past. I don’t like the idea, but I wouldn’t look past it if nothing else is open…