Twins pick up hitting help

The addition of veteran Phil Nevin gives the team another option at designated hitter.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 31, 2006 - 10:44 PM

The Twins on Thursday acquired designated hitter Phil Nevin and cash from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later, opting to add offense because they couldn't find pitching help.

Nevin, 35, opened the season with the Texas Rangers but was traded to the Cubs on May 31. Overall, he's batting .245 with 21 homers and 64 RBI. He batted .346 in August with three homers and nine RBI in 52 at-bats. His best season was 2001 with San Diego, when he batted .306 with 41 homers and 126 RBI.

"We were struggling scoring runs," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "This is another bat you can put in there. He can hit the ball over the fence.

"I think it's important for the players to give them another piece. We have been playing good baseball for a long time. These players have been playing their hearts out."

Nevin is making around $10.4 million this season, but the Cubs had to pick up only about $375,000 of his salary when they traded for him. With the Twins getting some money in the deal -- plus the player to be named will likely be a low-level minor leaguer -- there is little risk.

The Twins designated hitter spot has been in shambles all season. The club signed Rondell White for the spot, but a poor start and stints on the disabled list to rehab his surgically repaired shoulder have ruined his season. He hit only his fourth homer of the season Thursday, to go with a .215 batting average and 28 RBI in 76 games. Ryan said it is up to manager Ron Gardenhire to determine how Nevin is used.

"This is not an indictment on Rondell," Ryan said. "We just ended up going out and getting a guy with some power."

The Twins have also used Jason Kubel and Joe Mauer as designated hitters, but the overall numbers are abysmal. Twins designated hitters were last in the league in slugging percentage (.366) and home runs (five) and 13th in slugging percentage (.310).

The Twins have rotation worries with Brad Radke's shoulder aching and Francisco Liriano working his way back from elbow and shoulder problems.

Ryan said he also discussed trades for pitchers but didn't like the terms.

"I like the fact that Liriano can help us sometime this month," Ryan said. "Hopefully, we can get Radke back. Hopefully Nevin will respond and be a presence in our lineup and take pressure off our pitching."

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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