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Agent tells Twins Crede is willing, able

The Twins, who have money to spend, are hesitant to commit a contract to a third baseman with a history of health problems.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: February 6, 2009 - 8:36 AM

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Scott Boras insists Joe Crede's back is healthy, but the Twins aren't ready to bet $5 million on it. At least, not yet.

The Twins haven't added a single player of note all offseason, and with most options exhausted, several club insiders believe a Crede signing is their final hope to bolster the roster before spring training.

A free-agent third baseman, Crede hit 30 home runs for the White Sox in 2006 and 16 more in the first half last season, making the All-Star team. But back injuries limited him to 47 games in 2007 and 97 in '08.

The Twins have been monitoring his recent workouts in Arizona and came away believing he was only moving at 75 percent.

As Crede's agent, Boras disputed that viewpoint Thursday in an interview with the Star Tribune.

"Joe Crede has been cleared to play and is ready to compete every day, as any other player would be going to camp," Boras said. "And he'll be doing so in about 10-14 days."

The implication was clear: Crede wants a deal signed in the next week and intends to be at full speed when major league position players report to spring training.

The Giants and Twins are among the known teams interested in signing Crede, and Boras hinted that at least three teams are in the mix.

Crede, 30, is seeking a one-year deal with a base salary of at least $5.1 million -- the amount he made last year -- with incentives that will pay him if he stays off the disabled list.

Crede had surgery to repair a herniated disk in 2007 and had the surgery corrected again last year. This time, he believes he has licked the problem.

Still, the Twins are hesitant to commit $5 million in guaranteed money, especially knowing Crede would take an extra pounding playing on the Metrodome's artificial surface.

"Joe Crede is healthy," Boras said. "The playing surface he plays on is not an issue."

Any team that signs Crede would want a solid Plan B. The Twins would have that and more, with their current third base tandem of Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris.

They also have money to spend. After letting their payroll reach $74 million in 2007, their current 2009 projection is about $60 million.

"If there's a good deal out there, we'll pursue it," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "But we're not going to spend money just because we haven't spent any yet."

Twins third basemen combined for 91 RBI last season, but just seven home runs.

If healthy, Crede would give them a righthanded power threat to blend with their lefthanded trio of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel. A healthy Crede also would be a defensive upgrade over Harris and Buscher.

"It'd be great to have more power," Smith said, "but we're worried about scoring runs and winning games, not about how many home runs we hit."

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