The Awful-season

Jostle your memory. Think back.
When was the last time the Minnesota Twins had a decent free agent sign, an everyday player inked to a deal he repaid with a strong performance?

Figure it out? The answer should consist of very few names. (For your enjoyment a list of every sign since 1996 -- the good, mostly bad -- appears in the previous blog post -- as soon as my laptop gets fixed).
It's true, Minnesota Twins management and minor league scouts have been terrific over the years finding and developing talent. When it comes to acquiring ready-made talent, the Twins, lacking funds, fail to cash in. Think Adam Everett and Mike Lamb this year. Think Rondell White and Tony Batista last. The list goes on ... .
The Twins have needs to fill at third base and in the bullpen ahead of Joe Nathan. Possibly bringing back Casey Blake to play the hot corner has been discussed. There's Joe "Plays Half the Season" Crede and Adrian "Underachieving and Overpaid" Beltre may be on the trading block -- a possible exchange for Michael Cuddyer and a Nick Blackburn could be arranged. Rafael Furcal would make a nice shortstop and leadoff hitter, but he's asking probably $15 million per season for three or more. The turf for one may prevent him from playing again (he missed much of 2008 with a bad hamstring while playing on grass). Then there's Nomar "Not the same, never healthy"Garciaparra.
For acquisitions to play third base that's pretty much it. Check out the FA list.
And based on the extensive list of Harry Dunn's and Lloyd Christmas' acquired over the years, the Twins would be better suited to sit tight, to think instead about moving Cuddyer back to third base and having an outfield of Denard Span in right, Carlos Gomez in center and Delmon Young in left. Cuddyer was tolerable when starting at the position from 2004 through 2005. He played better defense than Brian Buscher and hit better than Nick Punto and Lamb. Or, they could go out and sign a guy like Aaron Boone. Yeah, that would work out.
There aren't really any answers on the market at middle-reliever, either. The seemingly impecunious Twins, let alone the liberal-spending Yankees, have no need to acquire over-the-hill pitchers with Isaiah Thomas (as a coach) command that comprise this year's free agent class.
The Twins do, nevertheless, need another arm in the pen with Pat Neshek gone for the entire season and Matt Guerrier serving injured wildebeast pitches to hungry lion hitters.
Again, Minnesota would be best served to dig from within its organization for help. Flame-thrower Anthony Swarzak or Kevin Mulvey (acquired in the deal for Johan Santana) could be used out of the bullpen while they adjust to the big leagues a la the way Glen Perkins started his career. Both pitched well with the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins' AAA affiliate. Swarzak went 5-0 in seven starts and posted a 1.80 ERA while Mulvey carried a 7-9 record and 3.77 ERA in 27 starts.
Minnesota could also part ways with left-hander Dennys Reyes as José Mijares proved he could readily handle tight-game situations, giving up just one run in 10 1/3 innings.
Here's what the Twins should do: Use the offseason to continue developing talent and use the extra cash to lock up some regulars for a long time.
Who would you rather have Sidney Ponson, White and Batista for six starts, two seasons and one month respectively, or Joe Mauer locked up through 2015?
Good call.