Twins needs

[Scott K]

With less than a month away til spring training, the Twins still have some things they need to get done. First and foremost, sign Mauer! Then they need to fill the huge hole in the left side of our infield. I would like them to go after Jose Lopez, but that is a long shot. They could get Adam Kennedy to fill the hole at 3rd, or get Orlando Hudson for either 2nd, or SS.

What do you think our biggest need is?

[SledNeck]

playoff calibur closer

[Scott K]

I disagree, I think Nathan is a top 5 closer!

[mike morris]

Don't think Kennedy's good enough... but he's probably about what we'll end up with.

[SledNeck]

I disagree, I think Nathan is a top 5 closer!

in april may june july and august he is

[zamboni]

I agree with Sled on this one. In Sept-Oct he is either nervous in the playoffs, or wore out from the season, don't know which one it is

[SledNeck]

I probably wouldn't mind his playoffs chokes so much if he didn't eat up so much payroll. I know shutdown closers are hard to come by, but after watching Mariano Rivera pitch with ice in his veins in October it makes me feel even worse about our situation.

[mskyfshntchr]

Rivera is the exception not the norm here....Name me another closer who does what that guy does? We have a top 3 closer in Joe Nathan. Don't complain. It could be Crain back there... It's the curse of the Yankees that gets the whole team...and maybe the umpires too after that blown call on Mauer's "foul ball" last playoffs...

Hudson would be a nice addition at second, although it seems his numbers have declined from what I have read from baseball insiders...

SS- We traded for Hardy. I think we are set there.

[Stratosman]

I know, I was watching with one eye closed when he stepped in the games toward the end of last year. He is still top 5 easily, but the man needs to start with decaf.

[Scott K]

Come on, Nathan just makes those blow out games a little more exciting

[Scott K]

I know we have Hardy, but we could move him to 2nd if needed to. I think we need to either fill the SS/2nd or 3rd base. I think Adam Kennedy would be a nice pick up for the Twins, sign him for a 1 year contract. I just dont want to see Punto and Harris in the line up at the same time.

[bassNspear]

Come on, Nathan just makes those blow out games a little more exciting

isnt that the truth!

[porterhouse]

Bullpen still gets me nervous. Need a good #2 hitter in the lineup.

Looks like Harris and Tolbert will platooning time at third. Punto and Castilla at 2nd. We need to find a everyday 2nd baseman!

Brian

[bassNspear]

gardy is all about punto at 2nd!

[Scott K]

Bullpen still gets me nervous. Need a good #2 hitter in the lineup.

Looks like Harris and Tolbert will platooning time at third. Punto and Castilla at 2nd. We need to find a everyday 2nd baseman!

Brian

I think we should package all 4 of them up and trade them for 1 good 2nd basemen, or 3rd basemen.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Orlando Hudson Rumors: Thursday

By Tim Dierkes [February 4, 2010 at 11:59am CST]

The Twins have "intensified their pursuit" of Orlando Hudson, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers believe Hudson is likely to find a team this week, though the free agent second baseman is still asking for at least $6MM on a one-year deal.

Rosenthal and Morosi say the Nationals are not a clear frontrunner for Hudson, who could be swayed by the Twins' status as a contender. The Indians are seen as the least likely of the three suitors.

Quote:

A major league source told FOXSports.com that the Twins have intensified their pursuit of free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.

The Nationals have been connected to Hudson most often, but that doesn't mean they are the front-runners for his services. They are hoping that O-Dog comes down to their price, but the veteran second baseman still hopes to land $6 million on a one-year deal, according to a source. That isn't likely to happen with either club, but if they offer similar deals, the chance of being on a winning ballclub in Minnesota could be the difference. Stay tuned.

[BeezeHound]

More right handed power at the plate. I think we pretty much have the left side buttoned up. A 3B with some pop would be nice.

[Scott K]

Hudson is a switch hitter. And he would fill in nice for a #2 hitter in the line up.

[Scott K]

Quote:

A baseball source tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com that Orlando Hudson will not sign with the Nationals and is most likely headed to the Twins.

Ladson writes that a deal is almost done with Minnesota. The Nationals were hoping that Hudson would fall to them at a low-base salary, but all things being equal it makes more sense to play with a winning club in Minnesota, even with a similar guarantee. Hudson, 38, batted .283/.357/.417 with nine home runs and 62 RBI last season and figures to be a fine upgrade over Nick Punto at second base

[Scott K]

1 Denard Span CF

2 Orlando Hudson 2B

3 Joe Mauer C

4 Justin Morneau 1B

5 Michael Cuddyer RF

6 Jason Kubel/Jim Thome DH

7 Delmon Young LF

8 J.J. Hardy SS

9 Brendan Harris/Nick Punto 3B

I could settle with this. I am starting to get a little excited for this up coming season now.

[mrklean]

kinda makes me laugh 4 years ago we had pretty good pitching and average at best batting, now its almost opposite if that lineup is what we get we should have good batting and who knows what our pitching will be like

[Scott K]

Starters

1 Scott Baker

2 Nick Blackburn

3 Kevin Slowey

4 Carl Pavano

5 Francisco Liriano

Bull pen

Joe Nathan

Jon Rauch

Pat Neshek

Matt Guerrier

Jose Mijares

Jesse Crain

Brian Duensing

Not to many super stars in our pictures, but a lot of good talent. It sounds as though the Twins might get Washburn as well, for a big discount. He isnt a huge upgrade, but he can eat some innings, if some of these youngsters fall.

[B. Amish]

wow, i didn't realize hudson was 38!!

[First Ice-Mike]

I don't think he is that old. I thought he was 32 or something like that.

FI

[DonBo]

wow, i didn't realize hudson was 38!!

He's 32, here's the story.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins appear to be getting close to making a deal with second baseman Orlando Hudson, a Major League source told MLB.com on Thursday.

Hudson would fill the club's hole at second base and provide it with a natural fit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

Last season, Hudson batted .283 with 35 doubles, nine home runs and 62 RBIs for the Dodgers. He scored 74 runs and had an on-base percentage of .357.

Twins general manager Bill Smith declined comment when asked about Hudson on Thursday, keeping with his policy of not discussing specific players.

Hudson, 32, made a base salary of $3.38 million in 2009 with the Dodgers, but with incentives, he received close to $7 million. Hudson was thought to be looking for a guarantee closer to his actual '09 earnings, though the industry speculation has been that he'll have to take a pay cut.

The Nationals had appeared to be one of the leading candidates for Hudson, but the two sides were too far apart on money, the source said. Another team that reportedly expressed interest in Hudson was the Indians.