A Busy Day for the Twins?

[catman]

It appears the Twins may have saved the biggest deals for late in the off-season. They may announce a deal with Joe Crede tomorrow and have made an offer to Juan Cruz.
Here is a story: http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/...play-for-cruz/

[jtn93]

Crede is awesome

[henks]

Boras said last week that Crede was close to signing a deal. If the Twins can get Crede for what they wanted, that would be huge for us.

[love_that_reefer]

Crede has agreed to terms and reports say its for a guaranteed $3.4 million. Money hasn't been confirmed though.

[mntwinsfan]

Here is the exact offer to which Crede will sign for!

Twins, Joe Crede Agree To Terms
By Brian Shephard [February 21 at 10:48am CST]

SATURDAY, 10:48am: La Velle E. Neal III heard from a source that the Twins are expected to announce the signing this afternoon. Crede is apparently on a plane to Fort Myers.

Neal adds the terms of the contract. The Star-Tribune's source suggest the deal guarantees Crede $2.5MM, but could pay him up to $7MM depending on how many plate appearances he makes. The incentives start at 250 PAs and continue until Crede comes to bat for the 525th time.

FRIDAY: Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune cites "a major league source" who says that Joe Crede and the Twins have agreed to terms. No details of the contract were available, but La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote earlier tonight that it appeared Crede "is willing to sign for less than the $7MM base that we believed he was seeking."

Even battling back issues, Crede's third base defense is among the game's best. Last year he saved 13 more bases than the average third baseman despite missing a third of the season.

[love_that_reefer]

$2.5 million is a good deal for both but $7 million in incentives? Damn!

[catman]

If he does enough to earn the incentives, the Twins will win ballgames. If not, he isn't very expensive at all.
The Twins stood firm in the negotiations and Boras blinked a bit, or at least saw some reason. The Twins and Giants were the only ones to bid for his services and the Giants dropped out. No way the Twins are going to out-bid themselves when they read the market properly.

[henks]

It's officially official.

Twins sign 3B Crede to one-year deal - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[catman]

An expected move opens the roster spot for Crede. Neshek won't throw a pitch this season anyway. Now, if they can make a deal for Cruz, I expect Bonser to be placed on the 60-day DL.

[mntwinsfan]

I honestly think this was the best move the Twins have made in years. 2.5 million for a 3rd baseman who averages 20+ homers and 90+ rbis. Last season he hit 17 homers in 94 games. So 30 homers 115 rbis should happen if he can stay healthy. Solid with the glove at 3rd base will be a plus going into the season. Twins defense has just gotten much better.