Crede eases third-base blues

Elaine Thompson, Associated Press

Joe Crede has lent some credibility to third base for the Twins. It’s a spot that has been a persistent weakness for the team and one that led to an expansive search during the offseason.

The Twins have had trouble staffing the Hot Corner, but the player there now looks to have been a good bargain.

Last update: June 27, 2009 - 10:54 PM

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Danny Valencia's promotion to Class AAA Rochester last week means the Twins are that much closer to possibly having a long-term solution at third base. That's pretty significant for an organization that's had as much trouble developing a third baseman as the Wolves have had trying to develop a point guard.

At least Joe Crede, who signed an incentive-laden contract early in spring training, has brought credibility to the position.

You might have wanted someone else at the Hot Corner. Was it the best move they could have made? Let's look at some of the third baseman the Twins showed interest in over the past year or so.

ADRIAN BELTRE MARINERS

Stats: .264 avg, 5 HR, 30 RBI.

Salary: $12 million, free agent-to-be.

How it's working out: The Twins asked about Beltre last season but Seattle wanted multiple top prospects in return. Then Beltre added the Twins to his no-trade list. Beltre had shoulder surgery in September and appeared poised for a big contract drive this year. But the bone spurs in his left shoulder have returned, worse than last year. The Mariners announced Saturday that he would have more surgery to remove the spurs, sidelining him 4-6 weeks. If Seattle wanted to be sellers before the trade deadline, they can't get much for an injured Beltre. And the Twins were lucky he didn't land in the Twin Cities.

CASEY BLAKE DODGERS

Stats: .298-10-47

Salary: First year of three-year, $17.5 million deal.

How it's working out: Blake is in the lineup every day and getting some key hits for the ManRam-less Dodgers. The Twins offered a two-year deal to Blake, but he got a third year from the Dodgers. Blake would have been a nice signing, but you can't fault the Twins for refusing to guarantee a third year to a 35-year-old player. And the Dodgers had to come up with an option year just to cram some more money into the deal.

MARK DEROSA ST. LOUIS

Stats: .270-13-50

Salary: $5.5 million, free agent year.

How it's working out: Here's one player the Twins probably wished they could have gotten. The Twins let the Cubs know during the offseason that they would consider dealing prospects for DeRosa. The next thing they knew, DeRosa was with the Indians for three minor league pitchers the Twins easily could have topped. But Saturday night, Cleveland traded him to the Cardinals for reliever Chris Perez and a player to be determined. DeRosa will play third in St. Louis, but he could have played second for the Twins when Alexi Casilla lost his mojo.

JOE CREDE TWINS

Stats: .232-11-35

Salary: One-year, $2.5 million with incentives that could make it $7 million.

How it's working out: It's not surprising that Crede has missed a few games. What's surprising is that most of his days off haven't been related to his twice-surgically-repaired back. FieldTurf at the Dome hasn't been kind to his body. His power bat helps deepen the lineup. The more he stays on the field, the more chances he can put a swing on the ball like he did Thursday in Milwaukee, when he homered. DeRosa and his power would have been a nice fit, but Crede was a good bargain and the best thing the Twins have had at third since Corey Koskie.

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