Buscher determined to compete for job

Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune

Brian Buscher

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: February 15, 2009 - 11:49 PM

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FORT MYERS, FLA. - The Twins remain interested in free-agent third baseman Joe Crede. That could mean bad news for lefthanded-hitting Brian Buscher, who was in line to get plenty of playing time as part of platoon at third with Brendan Harris.

But instead of feeling uneasy about the situation, Buscher shrugged and brought up recent history.

"It happened to me last year when they signed Mike Lamb,'' Buscher said, "I don't want to say I'm accustomed to it, but I can't let it bother me. I just have to go out there and fight for a job and try to win it.''

Buscher hit .294 last season with four home runs and a respectable 47 RBI in 70 games, though he still has some rough edges in the field.

The Twins have maintained that opening the season with the Buscher-Harris platoon wouldn't be that bad -- but they are still speaking with Crede's agent, Scott Boras, about bringing in the former All-Star.

Buscher started strong last spring, forcing manager Ron Gardenhire to call him one of the most improved players in camp. Buscher would like to take another step forward this spring. He spent the offseason in a boot camp-style workout and came to Florida with a chiseled physique.

"I know what I can do,'' Buscher said. "If I can just add a little here and there and surprise them a little bit, maybe that will be enough for them to keep me around.''

Twins players respect what Crede has done in his career -- but there are a lot of Buscher supporters around.

"I like the way this team is right now,'' said backup catcher Mike Redmond, who watched Buscher effortlessly hit homers Sunday during batting practice. "This is a good team.''

Liriano, Romero absent

Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano and third base prospect Deibinson Romero had their Sunday morning flight from the Dominican Republic canceled. They tried to hop on a late afternoon flight but it, too, was canceled.

Romero is arriving early to camp. Liriano is the only player who failed to report on time, as far as the Twins knew Sunday night. Bill Smith, the general manager, said flight delays happen and are understandable.

Trying out the big glove

Catcher Joe Mauer thought about taping the name "Mirabelli" over backup catcher Redmond's locker room stall. That's Doug Mirabelli, who was knuckleballer Tim Wakefield's catcher in Boston. Moments later, Mauer handed a reporter a large glove and said, "What do you think of that?''

It was a knuckleball catcher's mitt, given to Mauer and Redmond by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, a nonroster camp invitee. Good thing he did so because Mauer forgot to order one and Redmond forgot to dust off his old one from the time he caught Dennis Springer in Florida. "That was J.I.C.'' Dickey said. "Just in case.''

Mauer update

Mauer, whose offseason surgery to remove a kidney obstruction delayed his conditioning, will meet with doctors to determine his schedule. He is expected to miss the first few spring training games, but everyone expects him to be ready by Opening Day.

"I wish I had more stuff for you about what I'll be doing,'' Mauer said. "I just haven't met with them yet. We'll take it slow. It's the right way to go. The smart way to go.''

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