Crede's price casts further doubt on a Twins deal

The third baseman's salary demand is close to $7 million. That, and his injury history, might scare off the Twins.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: February 15, 2009 - 9:43 AM

Joe Crede is seeking a base salary of closer to $7 million than $5 million, the Star Tribune has learned, and that could decrease the likelihood that the free-agent third baseman lands with the Twins.

Crede made $5.1 million last season with the White Sox, and Twins officials seem reluctant to guarantee even $5 million to a player who was limited to 47 games in 2007 and 97 in 2008 because of back injuries.

Yet the Twins are well under budget. After letting their payroll reach $74 million in 2007, their 25-man roster projection for Opening Day 2009 is at $60.15 million. That includes the $1.3 million that, pending a physical, they have agreed to pay righthanded reliever Luis Ayala.

Crede, 30, was an All-Star last year with the White Sox, batting .252 with 16 home runs and 59 RBI over the first half. The back injury limited him to one home run in 39 plate appearances after the All-Star break.

A first-time free agent, Crede is willing to sign a one-year deal, but he's not looking for a discounted base salary, and he'll want incentives that pay him with other elite third basemen if he stays on the field.

Seattle's Adrian Beltre will make $12 million this year, and Oakland's Eric Chavez will make $11 million. Those could be reference points.

But Crede has proven to be an elite player -- a dangerous righthanded hitter who plays top-notch defense -- when he's on the field. So most teams would welcome the incentive payments.

If $7 million guaranteed sounds steep for the Twins, consider that they offered Casey Blake a two-year, $14 million contract with an option for 2011 before he accepted his three-year, $17.5 million deal with the Dodgers.

One of Blake's best attributes is his durability; he has averaged 598 plate appearances over the past six seasons. But he also is nearly five years older than Crede, who insists he has overcome his back issues.

Crede had a herniated disk in 2007, and the corrective surgery left him with a nerve impingement last season.

He has since had minor surgery to remove that impingement, and agent Scott Boras said Crede will be as ready as any player when spring training begins.

The Twins want to continue monitoring Crede's workouts, but there are indications that Boras is deeper into negotiations with other teams.

The Giants have offered Crede a one-year deal, according to KPIX-TV, Channel 5 in San Francisco. No word yet on whether the Twins have made an official offer, but they have had ongoing discussions with Boras.

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