Crede Signs with Twins

by jbertram on Feb 20, 2009 10:11 PM CST

According to mlbtr.com, the Twins have signed Joe Crede...

Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune cites "a major league source" who says that Crede and the Twins have agreed to terms. No details of the contract were available.

I assume this is on a 1 year deal and I like it for the Twins. I'm from MN and get to see these guys play a lot, and while I hate the term, "second favorite team", growing up here thats what I would have to call them. If he can play a whole season, he could provide a much needed bat in between Mauer and Morneau and also help that infield regain the defensive prowess it once had. Go Twins!!!...unless they are playing the Cubs.

BTW, does not bother me that he was a southsider in any way.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I hope

he comes back and destroys the sox. nothing would please me more.

Someday we'll go all the way.

by Cubbinstrongsince86 on Feb 21, 2009 12:28 AM CST reply actions

Another Twins fan...

I like it for the Twins, they needed to add some power from the right side. Not to mention the black hole at 3rd for the last couple years. Haven’t had anyone decent since Koskie was there. Nick Punto…..Tony Batista….Mike Lamb….Brian Buscher….ugh.

As long as Crede and Cuddyer hold up this year they have a real balanced lineup.

by bheidge on Feb 21, 2009 12:44 AM CST reply actions

Agreed.

If Crede is healthy, the Twins fans are going to love this signing.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 21, 2009 4:11 AM CST up reply actions

Health is the key...

… and how playing (potentially) 81 games on that turf may factor in too.

by DrCrawdad on Feb 21, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

What does this mean for the Cubs?

Well, prior to this signing, the Twins were going to platoon Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris at third. Maybe one of them is now available.

Buscher: Competition for Hoffpauir but can also play third?
Harris: Righty pinch-hitter who can play third well, SS adequately, and 2B also?

This is total speculation, seeing everything through my Cub fan glasses, but would either of these guys help the Cubs, and what would they cost?

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Feb 21, 2009 8:10 AM CST reply actions

Brendan Harris...

… of course, was once a Cub, sent away in the Nomar deal. He’s not a bad player. Bats righthanded, which means Lou probably wouldn’t be interested.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 21, 2009 8:32 AM CST reply actions

why I think Blum is an interesting target as is Macier Izturis

but this remains to be seen….the more I think about it having either are switch hitters where with the prospects of K Hill making the club they could have 3 switch hitters on the bench and if this comes about and Hoffpauir, Gathright and make the club two left handed hitters…even with Bako over H Hill this could mean 5 left handed bats off the bench and only R Johnson as the righty…..but if we can get another switch hitter like Blum or Izturis would also mean 3 right handed hitters with K Hill it is 4 right handed bats.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Feb 21, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

Crede

I remember in 2002 there was a Lieber to the Sox for Crede rumor. But Lieber got hurt and it never happened.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by puckishcubsfan on Feb 21, 2009 8:59 AM CST reply actions

Second favorite team

I am a chicago transplant in MN and really enjoy watching the Twins play. How they compete year in and year out on their budget is amazing.

I really like this signing for the Twins. As you say, they really needed a third baseman and Crede is solid both defensively and offensively. Now we just have to hope the turf doesn’t do him in.

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Feb 21, 2009 9:39 AM CST reply actions

DrCrawdad, it's not astroturf is it?

I think the new field turf is more forgiving, if that’s what it is.

by Rick B on Feb 21, 2009 9:43 AM CST reply actions

it is field turf

The Twins have been playing on it for several years now. Their old turf used to be perhaps the worst playing surface in baseball.

by dmlichte on Feb 21, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

On the surface...

No, it’s not “AstroTurf” and apparently it’s not nearly as bad as AstroTurf but from what I understand it’s still tougher than natural grass.

“It was a tough off-season for a lot of people,” right fielder Jermaine Dye said. “And hopefully that [artificial] turf doesn’t affect his back too much.”

“I think it’s going to be tough playing 80 games on turf,” Buehrle said.

by DrCrawdad on Feb 24, 2009 10:37 PM CST up reply actions

good pick up for the Twins

Creded is a good 3B when healthy. low base with good incentives

per Twins Web Site

The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that the deal features a base salary of $2.5 million, with the chance to earn $7 million in appearance bonuses. The bonuses begin once Crede reaches 250 plate appearances and tops out at $7 million following his 525th plate appearance

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 21, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions

As another Cubs fan living in the land of 10,000 Lakes...

…put me squarely in the “second favorite team” camp as well. They’re easy to root for, almost never play the Cubs so loyalties are rarely divided, and the fact that the White Sox are their archrival makes it an even better fit. It’s amazing how much they’ve accomplished this decade on a shoestring budget in a dump of a stadium. I also agree that if Crede can stay healthy this is an excellent signing and makes them a solid contender in the AL Central.

And next year the new stadium opens, which is gonna be awesome. Maybe a Cubs-Twins world series in a year or two (or even this year)? That would be fun, but there’s no question at that point my loyalties would lie with team #1. Go Cubs!

by DonnyDonovan on Feb 21, 2009 12:08 PM CST reply actions

Joe Crede is very risky at this point

Good move by the Twins. But I wouldn’t get too worked up over the addition they made. Crede has been slow to round into shape after back surgery and seems to have lost his great defensive gifts in the field. Seems like he is reduced down to an average 3rd baseman who will hit .260-ish with maybe 65 RBIs.

by BLou on Feb 21, 2009 12:08 PM CST reply actions

the contract is low risk high reward IMO

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 21, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

I agree...

Sure this deal is low risk, but honestly Crede is not going to give you much. IMO, I think he has been overrated by all Sox fans and Cubs. Sure, he was a solid defensive 3B, but after that back surgery his defense is nothing more, but mediocre. However, his defense was one of the best in the majors, but I never saw him as solid hitter. Say what you want about his so- called “clutchness,” but his career numbers are not even close to above average. 2006 was his best year and he hit over .850 OPS that year, but before 06 his OPS were around the .700-.750. I remember that season when soem of the fans were saying Crede was better than Aram (I believe it was 2006) and I just laughed for like the whole day.

Overall, Crede WAS a great defensive player, but now he’s a player who is mediocre both offensively and defensively.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=227&position=3B

by Geo4MVP on Feb 21, 2009 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

Slightly related

Corey Koskie is trying to make a comeback again, and has been given permission to use the Twins’ facilities. The Twins have no interest in signing him again. He hasn’t played since 2006, because of his concussion and after-effects (dizziness, etc.).

IF he is able to play again, he might be a good non-roster pickup to compete for a bench spot with the Cubs, able to play third and first and hit lefty.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Feb 22, 2009 5:01 PM CST reply actions