Joe Crede is a Twin

[Dr.Don]

here we are:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/40025852.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD 3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ

[Ogee Oglethorpe]

Love the move, not much more to say. Low risk, high reward.

It also likely lets Buscher go back to Rochester and play everyday at 3B, where he COULD still be a viable starter in the future if things work that way.

My only question is, with signing him to a 1-year deal, what are the chances the Twins can keep him for a while if it's working out? Or if he blows up and has a great year, is he gone after the year?

Not a lot of downside to this move. If he has a solid spring, does he immediately go into the 5-spot after Morneau? Guess we'll find out soon enough...

[Dr.Don]

That is where I would put him, 5-spot after Justin. But what do I know? LOL. I can't wait for Crede to get boo-ed in Chi town on his first appearance there, then he can smack a game-winner and shut 'em up.

[BleedGopher]

Fantastic news and great terms on the contract!!!! Congrats to Bill Smith for pulling this off.

Win Twins!!

[Schnoodler]

yesssss.

great news. now if Smith can pull off the Cruz move he'll be my hero.

[GophersInIowa]

Love the move, not much more to say. Low risk, high reward.

Exactly, if he doesn't work out, then it's only $2.5M. But let's hope we end up paying him closer to $7M than $2.5M. That means he stays healthy.

If he's healthy, I see Crede in the #5 spot behind Morneau, then Kubel, then Young. There is the potential for 4 guys there to hit 20-25 home runs or more.

[Goph4phan]

There is the potential for 4 guys there to hit 20-25 home runs or more.

... And when is the last time us Twin fans have entertained that thought?

Far too long, I'd say. Game on Minnesota Twins, game on. This long off-season just got a whole lot better.

[Jim V2]

Exactly, if he doesn't work out, then it's only $2.5M. But let's hope we end up paying him closer to $7M than $2.5M. That means he stays healthy.

If he's healthy, I see Crede in the #5 spot behind Morneau, then Kubel, then Young. There is the potential for 4 guys there to hit 20-25 home runs or more.

I don't think Crede hits that high. He has more HR power than Buscher/Harris (although as Pewter pointed out in a prior thread, not as much as it seems b/c he was playing at the cell) but beyond that his offense is no better, and maybe worse, than those two. He doesn't get on base all that much. So I think he's the last bopper in the line-up before the start of the piranhas--that probably equates to batting seventh.

IMO, the real excitement about Crede is that we've really upgraded our infield defense without losing anything overall at the plate. Combining him with Morneau, Lexi, and Punto (unlike Pewter, I think he has very good range, based both on watching him a lot and on the revised zone rating here http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=fielding&linesToDisplay=50&orderBy=zone_rating&direction=DESC&qual_filter=ignore&season_filter%5B%5D=2008&league_filter%5B%5D=1&team_filter%5B%5D=All&pos_filter%5B%5D=6&Submit=Submit ) gives us the best infield in the AL, along with top notch defense behind the plate and great range in the outfield. When Cuddyer isn't playing, the outfield will be young and subject to dumb plays, but they'll be better than last year, and last year was pretty good by the end of the year. It's always hard to judge, but I expect us to be the best defensive team in baseball this year.