Gagne gets a look in Twins' search for relief help

Nick Laham, Getty Images

Eric Gagne struggled in the first half of 2008 with the Brewers, but his numbers improved in a setup role as the season went on.

The 2003 Cy Young Award winner remains unsigned after losing his closer's job in Milwaukee last season.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: January 18, 2009 - 11:53 PM

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The Twins' search for bullpen help has brought them to consider Eric Gagne, the 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner who holds the major league record for consecutive saves converted.

A source with knowledge of talks confirmed that the Twins have inquired about Gagne, 33, who would be used in a setup role if he signed. He was 4-3 with a 5.44 ERA and 10 saves for Milwaukee last season, but the Twins might be encouraged by the fact that the righthander posted a 3.52 ERA after the All-Star break, including a 3.09 ERA in September.

Gagne signed a one-year, $10 million contract last season to be Milwaukee's closer, but he lost the ninth-inning job in May before going on the disabled list for more than a month because of rotator cuff tendinitis.

While it's unclear how much the Twins are willing to pay Gagne, it likely would be a low-risk deal. Attempts to reach his agent, Scott Boras, were unsuccessful Thursday. Texas also has been mentioned as a possible destination for Gagne.

The Twins have spent the offseason trying to upgrade their bullpen, which struggled at times last season, especially in the eighth inning. They have expressed some interest in righthander Brandon Lyon and considered names such as Takashi Saito and Guillermo Mota, before Saito signed the Red Sox and Mota with the Dodgers.

A three-time All-Star, Gagne once was one of the sport's premier closers, converting 84 consecutive save opportunities for the Dodgers between 2003 and '04. But he has had two elbow surgeries and one hernia surgery since then. After leaving the Dodgers following the 2006 season, Gagne has pitched for Texas, Boston and Milwaukee.

Gagne is one of several recognizable free agents. It's an unusually long list for this time of year, but the market has been affected by the recent economic slowdown.

Catcher Jason Varitek, second baseman Orlando Hudson, third baseman Ty Wigginton, outfielder Manny Ramirez and starting pitchers Pedro Martinez, Jon Garland and Andy Pettitte are among the group of unsigned free agents.

Etc.

• If the Twins don't find a suitable upgrade at third base before spring training begins, they are expected to monitor the progress of Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, who underwent shoulder surgery in November.

The Twins also would have interested in free agent third baseman Joe Crede if he proves he's healthy. His past two seasons with the Chicago White Sox were cut short by back injuries, although he made the American League All-Star team last year.

• Outfielder Jason Kubel and relief pitcher Matt Guerrier, the Twins' only two arbitration-eligible players, both filed Thursday. The players and the team will exchange figures Tuesday.

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