2007 Media Guide Coverboy Candidates

It’s time for this blog to fire up the hot stove. With the Winter Meetings in the rear view and pitchers and catchers set to report in 8 weeks, Terry Ryan has locked himself in the command center and vowed not to come out until the 2007 Twins have filled their remaining holes through trade or free agency. What follows is the contents of top secret documents that I was able to smuggle from the war room. Before revealing Terry Ryan’s free agent targets, we must revisit free agent signings from prior years in an attempt to get inside the head of the master.
The 2000’s have seen the Twins make almost two dozen “significant” free agent signings aimed at assembling the pieces for a championship run. Terry Ryan has always preferred to build a team through trades and the amateur draft, but that doesn’t mean he won’t go get the final piece of the puzzle when he sees it.
"We've never been one to make a lot of winter news up here," says Terry Ryan. "I'm not apologetic about it; it's just fact. We end up going about our business with what suits our needs best and sometimes it doesn't equate to hot-stove talk."
Well, Terry, perhaps after reviewing this list, an apology might be warranted. (Pitchers signed as free agents are not included due to space constraints)

2000:
Butch Husky- 64G .223 5 HR, 27 RBI OPS+ 62
Jay Canizaro- 102 G .269 7 HR 40 RBI OPS+ 75
Marcus Jensen- 52 G .209, 3 HR, 14 RBI OPS+ 62
Dustan Mohr- spent season in minors
2001:
Tom Prince- 64 G .219 7 HR 23 RBI OPS+ 67Quintin McCracken 24G .219 0HR 3RBI OPS+55
2002*:
David Lamb- 7G .100 OPS+ (46)
2003:
*No significant signings, however the Twins did sign Carlos Pulido as a pitcher, which is noteworthy because he hadn’t played in the majors since 1994.
2004:
Henry Blanco- 104G .206 10 HR 37 RBI OPS+ 60
Jose Offerman-77G .256 2 HR 22 RBI OPS+ 97
2005:
Juan Castro- 97G .257 5 HR 33 RBI OPS+ 73
Brent Abernathy- 24G .239 1 HR 6 RBI OPS+ 65
Mike Redmond- 45G .311 1 HR 26 RBI OPS+ 97
2006:
Rondell White- 99 G .246 7 HR 38 RBI OPS+ 66
Tony Batista- 50G .236 5 HR 21 RBI OPS+ 79
Ruben Sierra- 14G .179 0 HR 4 RBI OPS+ 30
So, there it is. 15 players over 7 seasons played in 823 games, hit 41 home runs and drove in 235 runs. To sum things up, the average effect of free agents in their first season with the Twins has been to add 117 games, 6 HR and 32RBI. Keeping those numbers in mind, here it is; Terry Ryan’s hit list.
1. Juan Gonzalez
Juan fits several of the Twins FA criteria. He is out of baseball, much like Pulido and Batista were, and he would have been a HUGE signing if this were 1997 and not 2007. Juan would likely see 200 or so AB's of mostly DH/PH work, but wold be an emergency option in the outfield. A career .295 hitter with 400+ HR's, Juan Gonazalez would be this years Ruben Sierra, including the nearly 15 games played. Likely contract: Lesser of 15 Day/15 AB, $75,000 to be paid towards incurred medical bills.
2. Tuffy Rhodes
Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes announced his retirement from baseball recently, but at 38 years young still has a little left in his tank. Tuffy has only 13 ML HR's over 6 seasons and hasn't played stateside in nearly a decade, but he is Japan's all time HR leader. Also, signing Rhodes would allow Terry Ryan to say he cashed in on the Japanese invasion into baseball. Not since Mike Nakamura would the Twins have had such a strong Japanese influence on their roster. Daisuke Who? Likely contract: 51.1 Million yen
3. Rick Ankiel
Ankiel brings a Swiss Army knife of skills to the Twins. After failing to succeed as an OF with the Cards, Ankiel is still looking to catch on with someone. If he fails in the OF, Rick Anderson can always work some of that Dennys Reyes magic and turn Ankiel into the 3rd or 4th starter. This is the low-risk high reward signing the Twins are looking for. Likely contract: $250,000/position played
4. Dmitri Young
Dmitri fills the overweight, terrible defender roster spot the Twins were missing after the mid-season release of Tony Batista. Dmitri is sort of the Target to Matt LeCroy's Wal-Mart. Lecroy provides more value, but you feel better about relying on Young. Young would provide 15 or so HR's and could play some emergency 1B. Likely Contract: MLB minimum, but we have to throw in a "Every Day is Wednesday" card good for dollar Dome Dogs during every home game.
5. Richard Hidalgo
Hidalgo is only 4 years removed from a .310 28-88 season, and he played in Japan last season which makes him a hot commodity in today's FA market. He can play all 3 OF positions, and is a career .118 postseason hitter, so adjusting to the Twin's lineup should be effortless. Likely contract: MLB minimum, plus body armor.
6. Aaron Guiel
Guiel is Lew Ford's older, less experienced brother. His 10 years in the minors mean he's actually a young 34, and he is approaching the 1000 career AB number, when many great hitters start to break out. Evidence of the sleeping giant began to show during the last half of '06, when he averaged 1 RBI every 4 games with the Yankees. He also belted 4 HR's in only 44 games with the Pinstripers while hitting at a .256 clip. Likely contract: Paid ticket to spring training and a Justin Morneau autographed pennant(Guiel is a Vancouver native).
7. Erubiel Durazo
Durazo spent 17 memorable days with the Twins farm teams in 2006, but 2007 should see a seasoned Durazo looking to be the Dan Rudiger of this years squad. A once powerful hitter, Durazo was released 4 times during 2006, but Twins brass feel he still may return to his 2004 form(.321 22-88). Likely contract: Continental breakfast every day until his release, then return airfare to Parral, Mexico.
8. Sammy Sosa
After sitting out the season, Sosa has vowed to make a comeback in 2007, and the Twins are the perfect fit. Sosa has Pucketts charm, Killebrew's power and Oliva's diction, making him the perfect Twin. Sosa is still capable of playing some OF, and with Ruben Sierra gone, the Twins would like to employ some senior citizens. Serviceleader.org says, " Older workers are more motivated to exceed expectations than younger ones." Likely contract: An incentive laden contract as laid out in the Serviceleader.org guide to Seniors as Volunteers.