For now, Twins say pitching needs can be met from within

Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press - Ap

Carl Pavano is testing the free-agent market after helping the Twins reach postseason in 2009.

Pavano, Harden, Washburn top list of free-agent arms.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 19, 2009 - 11:40 PM

This year's free agent market includes at least three pitchers who look like potential fits for the Twins: Carl Pavano, Jarrod Washburn and Rich Harden.

Pavano is testing the market again after helping the Twins reach the playoffs. Washburn is a Wisconsin resident who has long talked about pitching close to home. And the Twins tried trading for Harden with an August waiver claim before the Cubs pulled him back.

The Twins like all three pitchers to varying degrees, but as the market officially opened Thursday night, it was unclear how aggressively they planned to pursue them.

Last year, the Twins' Opening Day payroll for their 25-man roster was about $65 million. After trading Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy this month, the projection for next year's Opening Day roster -- just counting players currently in the fold, many of whom are due big raises -- is about $83 million.

The Twins haven't said how high they're willing to push that number in their first season at Target Field. There have been indications it could surpass $90 million, but that still doesn't leave room to sign a marquee free agent, barring other cuts.

When asked this week about the free agent class, General Manager Bill Smith steered the conversation toward players already on the team's 40-man roster.

"There's some choices [on the free agent market], and we have choices internally," Smith said. "The best thing we can do is get [Kevin] Slowey, [Boof] Bonser and [Pat] Neshek back healthy. Those three plus [Glen] Perkins. If we can get those four back healthy, that's as good as any trade we can make, or any signing we can make."

Slowey went 10-3 with a 4.86 ERA before undergoing season-ending wrist surgery. Perkins went 12-4 in 2008 and opened last season with three eight-inning starts but finished 6-7 with a 5.89 ERA after stints on the disabled list with elbow and shoulder injuries.

Slowey and Perkins are expected to be a full strength for spring training, as are Bonser (right shoulder surgery) and Neshek (right elbow surgery), who missed all last season.

The Twins' 4.50 ERA last season was their worst since 2001. After a strong finish in 2008 behind young starters Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Slowey and Perkins, they did not acquire another big league starter last offseason.

Collectively, the rotation took a step back, but Smith expects a step forward next year.

"They're not all going to get better every year, but as a group, we expect them to perform at a higher level in 2010 than they did in 2009," he said"

Besides starting pitching, the Twins will explore moves for a third basemen or second baseman, though Nick Punto is expected to fill one of those spots.

The Twins could re-sign third baseman Joe Crede to another one-year deal. Also, the agent for infielder Mark De- Rosa reportedly listed the Twins as one of 12 teams that have expressed interest. The Twins explored a trade for DeRosa last winter, before the Cubs dealt him to Cleveland.

Recent Twins stories

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - November 19, 2009

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time since elbow surgery last Sept. 1 and said he felt good. More