As a White Sox fan I'm generally not in the business of helping out the Minnesota Twins seeing as how they're the White Sox's biggest rival, but, due to some new developments, I feel I have to step forward. Over the last month and a half as I've scoured the internets reading rumors on free agents and the teams interested in them, I've seen a tidbit over and over again. When I first saw it, I thought that the Twins would come to their senses and realize the mistake behind their idea, but every few days there's another mention of it in a Minneapolis newspaper or on a Twins blog, and I feel it's time to put an end to it. The latest person to broach the subject is the Pioneer Press' Charley Walters.
The Twins admit they are intrigued by former Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, 30, but the free agent had back surgery in October, so that possibility remains wait-and-see.No, the black hole is obviously in the Twins thought process if they honestly think signing Joe Crede would be a good idea. Crede has spent his entire career playing for the White Sox, and during that time he has emerged as my favorite player on the team, so I know a thing or two about him.
The Twins got 91 runs batted in from their third basemen last season.
"So that's not a black hole for us," [Twins general manager Bill] Smith said.
One of the things I know is that Crede's back is never going to get better, not with his style of play on defense. He's constantly flinging himself around the diamond with total disregard for his health, and the Twins think having him play at least half his games on turf is going to help things?
Over the last few seasons in Chicago, Ozzie Guillen would repeatedly leave Crede out of his lineup in games played on turf for this specific reason. So if the Twins do sign him, they'll be paying him for about three weeks worth of play before his back forces him to go on the disabled list and miss the majority of the season. So sign him if you must, Minnesota, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Plus, I just can't stomach the idea of seeing Crede in a Twins uniform. I'd rather go to U.S. Cellular Field in a Cubs jersey.
