The Casey Blake free agent sweepstakes is sounding like a two-horse race: Twins and Dodgers.

“We’re certainly not that far apart with either club,” Blake’s agent, Jim McDowell, said Tuesday.

The Twins view Blake, 35, as an upgrade at third base, and they value his versatility. He can play left field, right field, first base and even played some second base for the Dodgers in the playoffs.

Blake, who has had two previous stints with the Twins, batted .274 with 21 home runs and 81 RBI this year with the Indians and Dodgers.

McDowell has had recurring dialogue with Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony, as well as GM Bill Smith, and the sides are “within shouting distance” on both years and money, McDowell said.

 

This is from the Minn. Star-Tribune.

Blake can be pesky. Hopefully he's too old to sting us every game.

OC also could prove a thorn. Hopefully he'll boot some routine grounders when we play them if they acquire him.

Edited December 3, 200817 yr by greg775

If the Twins sign OC, they have to give the Sox their draft picks, right?

If the Twins sign OC, they have to give the Sox their draft picks, right?

 

We would get their first rounder.

 

 

I thought that type A was 2 picks.

 

We get their pick, and a sandwich pick?

I thought that type A was 2 picks.

 

We get their pick, and a sandwich pick?

 

Yep.

I thought that type A was 2 picks.

 

We get their pick, and a sandwich pick?

Yes.

 

And as far as Blake, he wants a 3 year deal, and teams don't want to give it to him. Apparently he opened convo's with the Twins at 2/20, and they weren't feeling it.

Let them sign his old ass.

Little surprised they're not gonna stick with Punto at 3B actually.

 

Depending on the cost, Blake maybe a decent signing for them, but he may regress.

uh oh nothing. Blake isnt going to be the savior in Minnesota

Casey Blake is an above average 3rd baseman who would be a pretty good addition. He's not a star, but he's a pretty damn good 6 hitter who provides a nice veteran prescence.

Little surprised they're not gonna stick with Punto at 3B actually.

 

Depending on the cost, Blake maybe a decent signing for them, but he may regress.

Punto was their SS last year, not third, and was not offered arbitration because he sucks and isn't worth the multiple of millions they'd have to pay him.

Buscher and Brendan Harris played third the majority of the time.

 

The Twins are deliberating moving Casilla to SS, which would open up a hole at 2B. They could play Tolbert over there, or move Harris, who is pretty weak defensively, especially at short...they have some options.

 

They might end up signing Uribe as low cost insurance all around the diamond. I think I would prefer him to Punto, if the money's right.