Should We Bring Back Joe Crede
by Ryan Conway on Mar 18, 2010 1:36 AM EDT
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Mr. Crede remains a free agent well into spring training. Have the Twins considered bringing him back? I dont think it would hurt to give him another one year incentive based contract, If he stays healthy all year great, if not no big deal we can go back to Punto and Harris. I realize that the Twins have spent a lot of money this offseason and I am more excited about this year than any other. I just think that Crede deserves another chance, he is a hell of a ball player when healthy (plus I loved seeing the look of the faces of the White Sox fans when he was there in a Twins uniform). I guess what my point is there is no downside to bringing him back so why not do it?
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I had figured letting him go was a done deal
That being said I vote yes. The only big problem is (don the obvious helmet) his health. Especially with the Nathan situation already hurting some hopes, it’s imperative for the team to stay as healthy as possible this time around if they want to go deep. But that aside, Crede is a very solid ballplayer and definitely deserves another chance (I too savor keeping him for the sake of fanning the rivalry with Chicago). I was downright obsessed with re-signing him during the offseason, but once we signed Hudson it kind of leveled off…I figured if you can’t keep ‘em all, at least get the most important option, as I felt Hudson was the “make or break” new signing. If we don’t keep Crede, I’m not too upset about handing over the keys to Harris after his performance in the ALDS. And although I will incite a hellish wrath for saying this, I just won’t settle for Punto as a starter anymore. I’d prefer him in an Al Newman/Denny Hocking-esque role on the bench.
by MarshalltheIrish on Mar 18, 2010 1:57 AM EDT reply actions
I vote "no"
because the Twins don’t have the roster flexibility now that they have Thome.
good point
I was going to say yes, but I didn’t think about how Crede affects them. Maybe if Punto or Harris was a true super utility and could handle CF for sure I would more strongly consider it.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
I really dont care either way
The question with bringing Crede back is who goes. Someone is off the roster and someone is in the minors. This makes sense if BS manages to trade a couple of pieces that are out of options… not so much otherwise… what I think they should strongly consider is giving him a minor league contract. You can stash him in AA or AAA and basically let him know that he gets the call if he shows he’s healthy and can play every day.
by diehardtwinsfan on Mar 18, 2010 8:29 AM EDT reply actions
No
1) It would cost them Alexi Casilla (who I would not miss at all, but seems like a waste when considered along with these other factors).
2)They are already at their payroll ceiling, possibly even with Nathan’s insurance money (Hudson was an over-budget item). I realize that’s not a big deal, but again, in tandem with other negatives, it adds up.
3) The Twins’ bench is too thin to absorb Crede’s constant day-to-day injuries. Last year before his long DL stint, he missed nearly half the team’s games without going on the DL, leaving the Twins with effectively a 24-man roster. For a team that carries 12 pitchers and has one bench spot taken up by a guy with no position, that’s going to be hard to deal with – they effectively would have one backup position player available for those games (with Crede, Thome, and the backup catcher also on the bench).
4) I know it’s de riguer to bash Nick Punto here, but is Crede really an upgrade over him? Punto put up an awful .242 EqA last year… while Crede delivered a .243. Crede has a stellar career UZR/150 of 10.2 at third base… and Punto has a 19.9. They’re both defensive wizards who have a great flaw at the plate – Crede can’t get on base, and Punto has no power. In the Twins’ lineup, with as many as six hitters who are serious home run threats, I’ll take the guy who can get on base, all other things being relatively equal.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
I have won the internets
cmathewson liked my pro-Punto post!
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
It's a testament to how bad Crede was last year
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
+3
Sorry, your fourth point is bad. Only in a twisted universe are Crede and Punto equals. Even with the OBP Crede outshined Punto when he played. You are accurate on your other three points. I just don’t see us getting him. I do see the possibility of a minor league contract where he’s stashed in AA and AAA and expected to play every day. If he is, I could see a call up if he’s playing reasonably well.
by diehardtwinsfan on Mar 18, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I think 4 goes hand in hand with 3
Crede is better than Punto when he can play. Crede isn’t a case of injury concern; he WILL miss games b/c of soreness and he could miss a lot of games. And last year showed that his injuries are the type that don’t usually get him stashed on the DL. With Thome on our bench, I can’t see how we have room for Crede.
You're right
Crede was better than Punto when he played. But when Crede didn’t play, (for example, the entire last month of the season), Punto was better than Crede had been at any point elsewhere in the season, and that was just about enough to offset the differences between them during the rest of the year, at least according to EqA.
Also, while Crede and Punto are both basically the same age, Crede has a history of chronic injuries, while Punto’s injury history is generally of the “hustling a bunch and hurting something” variety. I’d say that points to Crede as the more likely to see a steep decline in the near future – that’s rather important, since the real question is not who was better last year, but who will be better this year.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
No room right now
I’d say sign him to a minor league deal and wait until there is an injury that opens up roster space but that would just block Valencia. I think the Twins are keeping 3B open for Valencia if he shows he is ready. Signing Crede isn’t in the long-term or short-term interests of the ball club.
Would Crede accept an assignment?
I Doubt he accepts an assignment. My guess is he holds out for a major league deal. If none are available, he retires.
Also, what happens to Valencia in Rochester if Crede’s there? In my mind, Valencia is a better player right now than Crede. He needs to play every day to become a solid MLB player. Crede’s presence throws that out the window.
No. Stay away from Crede. He made sense last year when the top third baseman in the system was playing at AA. But not this year.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Besides
We should see the same look that White Sox fans had whenever Jim Thome comes to bat.
"If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Kenneth Galbraith.
by 92 MPH Knuckleball on Mar 18, 2010 10:56 AM EDT reply actions
I forgot about that
I think the main reason I was so excited that Crede came here was to spite the White Sox. Heres to the White SUX finishing in last place!
Would take him just for the first Sox series in Chicago
Last year during his first plate appearance in Chicago was classic. I don’t remember what song was played over the speakers, but it was something that would be considred heart-felt. The broadcast booth made a point of just having the live audio playing without commentary. He got a standing ovation, it was a great moment. Then, Crede homered. Talk about perfect.
My expectations for Thome are high
I now assume that all former White Sox players homer on their first at bat against the Sox.
His walkoff grandslam in the 14th against the Tigers was another great Crede moment
His memorable moment/value provided ratio was pretty high in his short time with the Twins.
Add Crede
Dump Harris….except we gave him 3.5 M for some reason….dang
Crede in Chi
“I’m all outta love….I’m so lost without you….”
…ring any bells? I don’t know the name of the song, but that was the one they played when Crede came up to bat. Right before he smacked one into the LF bleachers…
I am a big Twins fan living in Chicago, and I just so happened to be recording that game on my dvr…lets just say I had the pleasure of showing that clip to more than a few Sox fans. Hands down, one of my favorite moments from last season.
Thats it!
I was hoping someone would remember which song was playing. For the record, name is All Out of Love by Air Supply.
Thanks bartiku!!
Yes and No
If Crede were willing to take a minor league deal with the Twins then he could play at Rochester and tutor Danny Valencia. Also, if at some point the Twins need the extra defense or bat, they just call him up. I really would like Crede to tutor Valencia (he would learn a lot!) and I was just really impressed overall with Crede last season (in the way he handled himself).
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Tutor vs. Play
I don’t think I buy the idea of him becoming a minor league “tutor”. If he signs a minor league deal, it’s with the expectation that he has a chance to earn his way back to the bigs, which implies regular playing time. If he gets regular playing time, that means Valencia isn’t. If he wanted to be a coach, he’d retire and become a coach.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Valencia should play every day
I actually think they’d stash him in New Brittian, but that’s just me. If you sign Crede to a minor league deal, it is to see if he can play every day, or if he’s performing very well when playing. You could live with 90 games if he’s hitting .270 again while playing good defense, or you can take the lower BA knowing the aches and pains of playing are non-existent. The minors wouldnt’ be for him to earn much, just to show he can play.
by diehardtwinsfan on Mar 19, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
He's 25
He’s had a half season at Rochester already. You think he’ll progress if you send him to New Britain?! I agree he needs to play everyday. But in Rochester to start the year and in the majors by June.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Crede wouldn't do that
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
I don't see Crede doing AAA, either
I think it’s major league contract or retirement.
that's what I meant
Valencia needs to be in AAA. You already know what Crede can do, the issue is whether he’s healthy enough to do it. He could be playing ball down in the GCL for all I care, you just to know he can play every day.
by diehardtwinsfan on Mar 19, 2010 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
4th OF
I’d rather see them get Alex Romero for our 4th outfielder.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Don't know how or why...
but I dreamed last night that Crede was back….kind of creepy if you ask me….
Damn
Pathetic as it is to admit, I feel like I’m the one who should of had that kind of dream. Too bad my dream of losing to Yanks yet again in the playoffs eventually came true…
by MarshalltheIrish on Mar 20, 2010 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Still amazed....
That he didn’t pick up with someone, somewhere. I’m sure he can easily get as asking price in the $750,000 to $1 million range. Yes, a far-sided pay cut from last year. But it is still money and a chance to play.
If Crede can be worked into a semi-regular job and a bench guy, he does have value for his fielding alone. He brings more punch that the current alternates.
And a bench of Punto AND Harris, along with Thome and a catcher, is equally as good as a bench of Punto/Harris and Casila and Thome and a catcher.
Crede makes the lineup freaky scary…choosing for your 7th-9th hitters between Hardy, Young and Crede. Talk about a choice that most managers would love to have.
But what is too late.
Again, surprised someone didn’t grab Crede…for that bench guy who can also play a position (a la Thome is for the Twins).
Is he just holding out for that multi-million incentive contract? That’s the killer for him alst year. The Twins couldn’t DL hi without the fear of Crede crying foul (“they are keeping me from reaching incentives”) yet his nursing himself as a roster player DID hurt the Twins overall.
Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!
Don't be surprised
There is a reason Crede is unsigned. And that reason is he has not, and will not, recover from his injuries. I guess you’re smarter than all the MLB trainers combined.
I suppose
it is impossible for Morneau to come back as well…he had a back injury.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
There is a huge difference
Crede had back surgery three consecutive years. To my knowledge, no player has ever come back from that.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
what WannaGuess
is insinuating right there, I believe, is that Crede will never be able to play consistently again. I find that to be not true…Crede probably could come back and play consistently and I hope to God that it is not with an AL team cause he murders us!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Platoon
Use Crede against right-handed starting pitching. He hits RHP very well.
Use Brendan Harris against left-handed starting pitching. He hits LHP very well.
Plus, platooning will keep Crede healthy.
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