Take nothing less than $10 million, and keep him out of the Minnesota weather.

The Twins signed Rodgers in late February 2003 for $2 million after Boras had turned down $5 million offers in January. As anybody who follows the Twins knows, The starting rotation was pretty set prior to the signing: Brad Radke, Joe Mays, Eric Milton, Kyle Lohse, and Johan Santana. After the signing, Johan Santana was relegated to the bullpen while Kenny Rodgers and his 4.57 ERA pitched 198 innings. Santana eventually started in place of Mays, who blew out his elbow. But he only pitched 158 superb innings when he was perfectly capable of pitching 200 plus as the ace of the staff.

Now we have Washburn, who will likely be available for the same paltry sum as Rodgers was when we get closer to spring training. And we have Francisco Liriano, who is doing to the Dominicans what Santana did to the Venezuelans in the winter of 2003. Washburn’s demands are sure to get into the Twin’s price range as spring training approaches. The situation is eerily similar. The difference is Rodgers was a ground ball pitcher and Washburn is not. And the 2003 Twins were a very good defensive team, while the 2010 Twins…not so much. Also, unlike 2003, the Twins have two other lefthanders who have had major league success, should Liriano come to spring training like a prize bull—bent on throwing every pitch through the catcher—as he did in the spring of 2009.

Are the Twins destined to make the same mistake?

I mean there’s a point where it becomes OK to sign him because he can be a trade chip midseason, or if he blows we can just cut him, but Id rather just stay away.

Even 5M is better spent to upgrade another position, not for the chance that Washburn might be an upgrade.

It isn’t like he would cost a ton. Depth in your starting rotation is always a good thing—we were pretty thin last year with all the injuries. Who knows how Slowey is going to come back and whether or not we can depend on Liriano. I wouldn’t go over the $5MM though. Boras is just trying to get us to bid against ourselves.

Of course, I would have rather gone after Beltre, but he is off the market now. I think we could use another solid arm.

…if the Twins were to get an Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez and then bring in Washburn, it wouldn’t bother me one bit. But if they’re going to use $5 million on him and then not upgrade at third or second, then there are some problems.

Also, it sounds as if the Twins would push harder to move Perkins if they add another veteran. I don’t see why having Duensing and Liriano isn’t enough incentive to move him.

The Twins played out his bluff last year with Crede and got a smaller contract and it looks like he just did the same for Washburn. If we offer again it should be $2.5M. Same goes with Crede. Most of these guys should jump at an offer, it could be their last.