Twins greet Crede, who says he is 'pretty close' to full health

Asked whether he's healthy, Joe Crede said he's "pretty close" and that his latest back surgery went much better than a previous procedure.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III

Last update: February 23, 2009 - 9:52 AM

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TWINS SPRING TRAINING MEET JOE CREDE

Spring training opener: vs. Boston • 6:05 p.m. Wednesday

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FORT MYERS, FLA. - Third baseman Joe Crede politely answered every question directed at him Sunday before his first workout as a member of the Twins. He stood straight up behind a podium at the Lee County Sports Complex, his hands clasped behind his back -- which was the focus of many of the questions.

Like this one: How close to 100 percent are you?

"Pretty close,'' he said. "I feel I can go out there and do everything I need to do, other than the running part, but I'm not going to burn up the bases this season anyway. As long as I can go out there and feel comfortable at the plate, on the field and running, I'm good.''

Crede soon joined his new teammates for his first workout as a member of the Twins after spending nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox. He went through the fast-paced "Good Morning America" fielding drill. His first two swings in batting practice resulted in line drives back to the screen protecting the pitcher. He cleared the left-field fence once during his second round of batting practice. He ended the day in batting cages to work with hitting coach Joe Vavra.

No problems yet.

Crede, 30, has had surgeries on his back after each of the past two seasons. In 2007, he went to Los Angeles to have a herniated disc repaired, in an operation called a microdisectomy. He went into 2008 seemingly healthy and made the AL All-Star team. But his season ended after 97 games because of more back problems.

That time, Crede went to Dallas for a second microdisectomy. Doctors concluded that fluid in the same area was pinching a nerve.

"Basically fluid from the same disc," Crede said. "It just reherniated. The biggest difference I could tell from the second one was the first one, I was in L.A. for 10 days. The hardest thing for me to do was to walk, and that's the one thing they wanted me to do. Just to walk and keep things loose back there.

"I was in L.A. for 10 days, kind of just struggling around the hotel. This time in Dallas he got in there ... and cleaned out the stuff that was back there. I was on a plane in two days this time. I could tell a huge difference. He was really surprised I was ready to go home in two days as opposed to 10 days in L.A."

Twins scouts watched Crede work out several times in Arizona while Twins General Manager Bill Smith and Crede's agent, Scott Boras, negotiated. Once a deal was agreed upon, Crede was in the Twin Cities on Friday to be checked out by Twins doctors, including back specialist Dr. John Sherman. Crede passed with flying colors.

Crede could officially sign his contract as soon as today. It would pay him a $2.5 million base salary and could grow to as much as $7 million based on the number of plate appearances he gets. Then he can set out to prove that he's healthy enough to give the Twins the power in the lineup and defense at third base they have been looking for.

"We've got a good one," said Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez, eyes bulging. "Now we have power in the lineup, we also have hitting, we have good speed, This is the year. We have no holes."

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