Murray Chass of the NY Times wrote in the Jan. 1 edition about the Blue Jays new players:

Besides their talent, Ricciardi likes that all four players he has acquired are under 30. The addition of Glaus and Overbay also gives the Blue Jays a glut at two positions. Last season, Eric Hinske and Shea Hillenbrand played first base and Corey Koskie and Hillenbrand third.

Overbay, Glaus and Hillenbrand will be in the lineup, Ricciardi said. Hinske will most likely move to the outfield. Koskie will probably be traded.

So, it seems that Corey Koskie is the odd man out in Toronto.  I think it would make a great amount of sense for Koskie to come back to Minnesota.  Ryan and Ricciardi seem to be similar types of GM's -- reasonable, low-ego types.  They have experience working together in the Stewart/Kielty trade.  They would be able to figure out something that would help out each other's ball clubs.  And they'd probably be happy to stick it to the NY/Bosox/Chisox elite.

I think that there would also be something to a desire to "do right by Koskie".  We saw how Romero was traded to the Angels, perhaps in part because he had been a decent guy in TR's eyes.  If Koskie has now been made redundant (ironically, perhaps, by the strength of the Canadian dollar), then he deserves to come back and play with the Twins.

I'd argue from a fan's point of view that it would increase the number of butts in the seats.  If Koskie came back and had a good April (along with the Twins, of course), it would create a nice buzz among the media.  Lots of folks (decent, upstanding Minnesotans) were impressed by the full-page ad in the Strib when he left -- they would be curious to come out and see Corey in 2006.

Gardenhire has got to be lobbying TR for the trade as well.  I saw Gardy and Corey on a Twinsfest tour a couple years ago -- it was clear that their was mutual respect between the two.  Koskie was always seen as a leader and Gardy's type of player.

Sure, it comes down to health.. and how much Koskie still has "in the tank"... but I say... "Let's get it done.. bring Corey back to Minnesota!