Your next Twins setup man

[IFallsRon]

Who was that fat lefthander the Twins let slide? If this guy comes out of spring healthy, he'll be the deal while we're getting ready for the closer to walk two and give up a burner to the OF.

The Twins reached agreement today on a one-year, $1.3 million contract with free agent reliever Luis Ayala, pending a physical, Ayala’s agent Joe Longo told the Star Tribune.

Ayala, 31, went 2-10 with a 5.71 ERA and nine saves in 86 appearances last year with the Nationals and Mets, handling a heavy workload despite a groin injury.

After getting traded from Washington to New York, Ayala stepped into the closer’s role for the Mets and converted nine of 11 save opportunities. The righthanded sinkerball specialist went 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA the previous year with Washington.

The Twins agreed to pay Ayala up to $575,000 in performance incentives. After losing setup man Pat Neshek to an elbow injury in November, they’ve explored numerous trade and free agent options.

[zamboni]

Anyone else think this reeks of the Sydney Ponson signing????

[carnelianlake]

When are they going to stop signing these guys that are marginal major leaguers at best? He'll be gone by June just like Ponson, Ortiz, Lamb, Batista....should I continue?

[zamboni]

When are they going to stop signing these guys that are marginal major leaguers at best? He'll be gone by June just like Ponson, Ortiz, Lamb, Batista....should I continue?

You forgot Rondell White. I bet he still has marks from the bench on his rear.

[wahoohendoo]

dont forget the mighty craig monroe!

[Cicada]

Why do you think middle relievers are middle relievers? Because they are marginal at best? That's what you get for these roles and try to work with their strengths to patch up a ball game.

[mike morris]

After looking at his stats prior to last year, I've changed my mind about this guy. It sounds like he had groin injury problems last year, so that could be a reason for the 5 + ERA. The four seasons prior to last he held his ERA close to, or mostly below 3.

[Scott K]

I think this was a decent signing. It was something, and we all know the Twins werent going to get a top name as a reliever. A good gamble with a possibily of being a good set up man for the Twins for the future as well.

[Dahitman44]

I agree it was a decent signing. Nothing great, but if he gets his era back to below 3ish it will be a great signing.

As Common will say on Monday ...

"We got 'em"

I can hear it now.

[Get-em-good]

Decent signing. If nothing else he gives you another option. Start out using him sparingly till he proves himself, then if he does, great. Right now looks like starter for 6, Guerrier/Crain/Breslow for the 7th, Mijares/Ayala for the 8th, and Nathan to shut the door.

I'll take that although would have liked to get a guy that was a top-notch setup man.

Now to sign someone to play 3rd. Sounds like the Twins are whining and don't want to do any more cause Crede actually wants to be paid in dollars rather than potatoe chips and bobblehead dolls.

[greebs]

a little off topic but heard Crede wants $7 mil for one year. I'm wanting a different 3b as bad as the next person, but can understand if they tell him to take a hike for that kind of money. $3 mil plus some hefty incentives sounds a little more realistic given his last two seasons of playing time.

as much as I hate to say it, I am guessing the lineup is more or less set from a non-pitcher standpoint. these boys can play ball and think they will make some noise during the regular season but don't think there is enough there do play with the big boys in the AL.

[Dahitman44]

Don't believe everything you hear and wait till he signs with somebody -- may be less than we have heard ...

[zepman]

Morneau and Mauer need a little protection...I say sign Crede and give him what ever it takes to get him here. We haven't done squat this off-season and if the Twins are going to make some waves this year down the stretch we will need him. Spend some $$$ Twins and take a risk on a very good ball player!!

[Windy City]

You guys better hurry if you want to sign Crede. I hear the Giants are sniffing around his camp!

[Get-em-good]

You guys better hurry if you want to sign Crede. I hear the Giants are sniffing around his camp!

Then you haven't heard from the right people. Sounds like the Giants just signed Rich Aurilla and have somen else that could play there also. They may still take a run at him and there may be other teams out there, but right now, sounds like Crede will have to lower his demands a little as there is really noone bidding on him like he and his dink Agent Boras thought.

They also have Uribe.

READ

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/giants-to-sign.html

[Windy City]

Get Em,

Shows you how fast things can change. The Crede thing came across the crawl on ESPN while I was at lunch around 1 pm yesterday and it was old news by dinner time! But since your article says that the Giants were backing off Crede it supports my original statement of them sniffing around for him!

[Dahitman44]

Windy --

The Twins make me so mad -- he could be a "smart" risk that could pay us BIG time.

Well worth the risk - -great glove and big bat.

[Windy City]

Hitman,

If they do pull the trigger on Joe you will be getting a top notch stand up guy, the only risk is, when he is standing! As a fellow cronic back sufferer I feel for Joe and when that back goes down it takes a long time to recover. He does have a golden glove and a huge bat that always seems to come thru in big time situations. I love the guy but his back is making it impossible to carry a team on. I think it is a smart move for my Pale Hose to let him go, as much as I love the guy, but it would be a smart move for the Twinks to give him a shot. I hope they don't! I hope the Giants snatch him up and move him to the National League!

[mnwild]

Hey windy, still grilling steaks outside in your rope?

It would be a good addition for the Twins but I dont see this happening at all with the track record the Twins have of signing people in the offseason. The Twins do need a good 3rd baseman, I guess it will be a wait and see thing. If he is still out there in a week or 2 they could maybe sign him cheap.

[Windy City]

Wild,

I was out on Saturday grilling in my Speedo, man! It was something like 60 degrees out. Don't worry though, I was properly "manscaped" LOL

We did up a dozen 20 oz beauties, boneless and about 2" thick. YUM!

Had our three kids over, two of their spouses and the 4 grand kids, for my oldest son's 28th birthday.

[mnwild]

Sounds like a very good time Windy with your family,

I was laid-off 12-6 (13 yrs at the company) and still havent found anything yet, so in turn I have been doing pleanty of grillin the last 2 months outside in this nice weather in MN....

[Windy City]

Wow,

I am truly sorry to hear that Wild. I think this economy is just horrible and I am sorry to say I think it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better, especially with this horribly bloated spending bill that was just passed. Hang in there man and I hope something breaks for you, man!