At very least, Twins have some financial flexibility

Many teams plan to cut back on their free-spending ways for 2009, but the Twins say they have room to increase payroll.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: December 9, 2008 - 7:29 AM

LAS VEGAS - Even the $6.5 billion free-spending industry that is Major League Baseball is affected by the recession.

Arizona declined to offer arbitration to free agent Adam Dunn, with Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes citing the economy.

Detroit is eyeing the bottom line -- showing that by signing former Twins shortstop Adam Everett to a $1 million deal on Monday.

And controversy ensued recently when Citigroup received a federal bailout but will keep its name on the Mets new ballpark, CitiField.

But there are some teams willing to raise payroll in an effort to win -- and one of them is the Twins.

The Twins are looking at free agents and are willing to take on salary in trades in order to find offense for the left side of the infield and late-inning relief.

"We have finalized the budget for 2009, and we believe that the budget allows us some flexibility to improve our baseball team," Twins President Dave St. Peter said.

The Twins had a payroll of roughly $56 million last season, down from $71 million in 2007. Using rough estimates for arbitration-eligible players and players with fewer than three years of major league experience, the Twins already are looking at a 2009 payroll over $60 million. Their interest in signing free agent Casey Blake shows a willingness to push the payroll toward what it was in 2007.

Ultimately, the Twins will still make what they believe are good baseball decisions. Their decision to offer Blake no more than a two-year deal with an option for a third year shows that in their opinion, giving the 35-year-old a three-year contract wasn't a good baseball decision.

While Blake didn't work out, the Twins are looking into other players this week during Major League Baseball's annual winter meetings.

"Some teams are in a situation where they might want to do something, but they need to clear payroll," Twins assistant GM Rob Antony said. "We're not in that situation. We know what we are looking for. We know what our parameters are. We're ready to talk."

The Twins are looking for either a third baseman or a shortstop who can hit. If they find a third baseman, they are willing to go with a platoon of Brendan Harris and Matt Tolbert at short. If they find a shortstop, they can live with Harris and Brian Buscher at third.

"If you can get [both] it would be great," Antony said. "We would like to address one or the other.

"If you're looking for a third baseman or a shortstop, it opens up a lot more possibilities in trading with the other teams, looking at free agents, that type of things."

The Twins have a little interest in Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson, but Wilson will make $7.25 million next season and is not a power hitter. Philadelphia needs a corner outfielder and has shown some interest in Delmon Young. The Twins like Phillies infield prospect Jason Donald, but the World Series champions want to hold on to him because second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Pedro Feliz recently had surgeries.

There are no immediate plans for the teams to talk -- but that can change with a phone call.

A rumor early on Monday had the Twins interested in Houston shortstop and former AL MVP Miguel Tejada, but a team official shot it down.

The Twins also have an eye out for bullpen help, with eighth-inning leads falling apart routinely last season and Pat Neshek set to miss all of 2009 as well following surgery. The free-agent market is thin for setup men, so the best way for the team to boost its relief corps is through a trade.

The Twins would like to keep their starting rotation of righthanders Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn and lefthanders Francisco Liriano and Glen Perkins intact -- but they are willing to listen to offers. And Antony said there have been inquiries about righthander Boof Bonser, who is destined to be in the Twins bullpen next season but could get a chance to start for another club.

"We've had some good communications," Antony said. "It's all a process. Nothing happens quickly."

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