Potential Free Agents For The Twins

The Pioneer Press broke down potential free agents the Minnesota Twins and general manager Bill Smith may be interested in.  According to the article, the Twins likely will be looking for second and third basemen, a shortstop and at least one veteran starting pitcher.

Here are the candidates:

INFIELDERS

Mark DeRosa, 2B/3B (35, $5.5 million) — Batted .285 with 21 home runs, 87 runs batted in for Cubs in 2008. Numbers were down with Cleveland and St. Louis, but hit .385 (5 for 13) in Cardinals’ playoff loss to the Dodgers.

Orlando Hudson, 2B (32, $3.3M) — An all-star in July, he hasn’t played in a postseason game yet, though he batted .283 with 62 RBIs this season for the Dodgers. Has been on winning teams and has reputation as a good clubhouse guy.

Placido Polanco, 2B (34, $4.6M) — Batted .285 with 10 homers and 72 RBIs for Tigers this season. A 2007 all-star, he has a postseason batting average of .295 (5 for 14) with eight RBIs and two doubles.

Felipe Lopez, 2B (30, $3.5M) — Hit .310 with 57 RBIs and 38 doubles between Arizona and Milwaukee this season.

Orlando Cabrera, SS (35, $4M) — Fielding was spotty, but hit .289 with 36 RBIs and was a strong clubhouse presence for the Twins down the stretch.

Joe Crede, 3B (32, $4.0M) — Back and shoulder injuries limited him to 90 games, and he batted only .225. On the other hand, he had 19 homers and 48 RBIs. Believes surgery fixed back problem.

Figgins, 3B (32, $5.7M) — Had a lousy ALDS for Angels (0 for 12) but batted .298 with 54 RBIs and 101 walks this season. Was on one-year deal; looking for big payday.

PITCHERS

Andy Pettitte, LHP (38, $5.5M) — Veteran showed he’s still elite in Game 3 of ALDS, mowing down Twins 4-1 on Sunday. But if Yankees win it all, will he retire? Was 14-8 with 4.16 earned-run average in 194 2/3 innings this season.

Carl Pavano, RHP (34, $1.5M) — Salvaged injury-plagued career by making every scheduled start in Cleveland and Minnesota, and was at his best in Game 3 loss Sunday. Went 5-4 with 4.64 ERA with Twins and pitched 199 1/3 innings this season.

Jason Marquis, RHP (31, $9.8M) — Veteran workhorse who competes everywhere he goes. Started 33 games and won 15, throwing 216 1/3 innings for Rockies in regular season. Has pitched at least 191 innings in five of past six seasons.

Jarrod Washburn, LHP (35, $10.35M) — Hobbled by knee problem, Wisconsin native was 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA after being acquired by Detroit. Before that, he was 8-6 with 2.64 ERA in Seattle. Has averaged 29.4 starts since 2001.

John Lackey, RHP (31, $9M) — Went 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA for Angels. Innings are down past two seasons, but he just blanked Red Sox over 7 1/3 innings in Game 2 of ALDS.

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