The Twins have hit 96 home runs going into tonight’s game in Texas after the All-Star break. That total puts them fifth among American League teams and is a major improvement over 2008 when the Twins hit 111 for the season, ranking last in the league.
Justin Morneau leads the team with 21 home runs, followed by Joe Mauer with 15, while Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Crede all have 14. Crede was a wise free agent acquisition during the off-season, ending a long search for a long ball hitting third baseman.
Crede, though, has a one year deal with the Twins, partially because of his age (31) and history of back problems. Whether Crede and the Twins will want to agree on a deal for 2011 seems uncertain.
He’s played in 68 of the team’s 89 games so far. Crede and the Twins monitor his back. With a past that includes major back surgery, his health is an ongoing concern. His one year deal with the Twins is a $2.5 million contract, according to Cot’s baseball contracts. It’s also believed that with incentives he can earn considerably more.
Even a first-time baseball card collecting kid knows the Twins can be frugal with their payroll. The franchise might be more inclined to look within the farm system for Crede’s replacement.
Danny Valencia, 24, was recently promoted from double AA New Britain to AAA Rochester. He’s batting .380 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 79 at bats. He seems like one of the franchises’ top 10 prospects.
Luke Hughes, another 24 year old, was signed as a free agent out of Australia. He’s playing third base at New Britain after being at Rochester earlier in the year. At New Britain last season he hit 15 home runs in only 70 games and has a reputation for power.
The Twins also have some protection at third base with reserve Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris who despite a good bat probably isn’t the long term holder of the shortstop job because of limited range. For sure, though, if Crede isn’t the third baseman next season it will be difficult to replace his power numbers (he’s hit more than 20 home runs three times in his major league career that began in 2000 with the White Sox and his fielding is outstanding).
The Crede watch for the balance of this season and into the off-season will be interesting.