But that will make it all the more upsetting if the Twins don’t close the deal. (although sounds like Hudson has some bias towards DC, ineptitude of the baseball team notwithstanding)

Maybe if we extend Mauer first, he’ll have so much money that he’ll go out and make some signings on his own.

that signing Washburn actually might have a negative effect on the Twins win expectation, given that it would take away starts from someone who would be a better pitcher. Depth is great, and no team goes through a season with 5 or even 6 starters, but I would much prefer Liriano in the rotation than Washburn.

Depth is especially nice when you are in a position to begin with your best guys getting the playing time, then using the depth as your best guys suffer injuries. If you give Washburn a major league deal you are essentially artificially moving him up in line that his performance and abilities does not warrant.

Hudson, on the other hand, yes please.

Like I said in my response to the Hudson comment, if we don’t overpay for Washburn, I’m fully behind a signing. As long as Gardy understands he isn’t a no. 2 or even no. 3 starter, he improves the staff.

You raise a good point. I think I would rather have Perkins (especially when salary is considered) in the rotation. But then you have to consider that he’s going to be gone as soon as they can trade him, anyways. Both Liriano and Duensing have a leg-up in the race for the no. 5 position in the rotation, and Perkins would throw a fit if he ended up in AAA again, whereas Duensing could go there, and either one of them would pitch out of the bullpen as well.

We have 6 solid options plus a few others with experience now in the majors. We’ll be fine in the rotation. Signing washburn indicates a complete lack of faith in Slowey and Pavano staying injury free next year.

I will be disappointed if we don’t get an IF either Lopez or Hudson at this point. If we can get either one under 5 million and it seems a certainty at this point then the front office has no excuse. This place will be sold out next year and we deserve a winner for building it.

Personally, I’d rather have either Felipe Lopez (.360-.380 OBP) or Jose Lopez (20 plus home runs from the right side and young enough to conceivlably improve a bit) over hudson, but in all honesty, hudson is still a HUGE upgrade at second, and I’d take it in a heart beat if that’s all we get.

Washburn on the other hand… here’s to hoping someone else signs him so that we don’t make that mistake. If we lose 3 or more pitchers to significant injury, then we’d regret not signing him, but in any other scenario we would likely regret signing him.

LENIII posted that awhile back… doubtful F.Lopez ends up with the Twins in my opinion.

I think it’ll be Hudson, Jose Lopez or nada.

MLBTR relays the Morosi/Rosenthal report that the Twins have intensified their pursuit. MLBTR speculates the Twins could be the frontrunner at this point.

The Thome signing is official. That took a week and a half.

Don’t the Red Sox still need to get rid of him?

MLB.com’s Bill Ladson tweets that Hudson will not play for the Nationals, and a deal is almost done with the Twins.

Orlando Hudson Close To Deal With Twins
By Tim Dierkes [February 4, 2010 at 12:32pm CST]
12:32pm: MLB.com’s Bill Ladson tweets that Hudson will not play for the Nationals, and a deal is almost done with the Twins.

please

please