Minnesota Twins Sign 14-Year Veteran Mark Grudzielanek

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 19, 2009 3:35 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

The Minnesota Twins have agreed to a minor league contract with Mark Grudzielanek, this according to Joel Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Grudzielanek, 39, will report to the Twins Gulf Coast League. The 14-year veteran is expected to give the Twins additional help at second base. He batted 299 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 86 games for the Royals last season.

The Twins have gotten awful production from their second baseman this year. Collectively Alexi Casilla, Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert - have combined to bat .190 with a .270 on-base percentage and a .242 slugging percentage. That is good for dead last among all 30 major league teams.

Twins GM Bill Smith still hopes Alexi Casilla is the future at second base, but he believes Grudzielank gives them another option.

"We are still hoping Alexi Casilla is going to take the second base job and run with it. That's our first choice, that he can bring energy and spark our lineup. This gives us another option."

The Twins are currently 47-44, which puts them two games behind the first place Tigers. Look for the Twins to continue to find creative ways to upgrade their roster. With a new stadium coming next year they'd love to maximize the value of this season, but given payroll constraints they won't be able to add high priced free agents.

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Freddy Sanchez to the Twins is no more

by Jett on Jul 19, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

I'm still holding out hope for Sanchez.

But this move smacks of what the Twins have always done—latch onto veterans and hope for the best. Clearly that hasn’t always worked out.

Oddly enough, the Twins will be able to add payroll. They were $5-$10 million under their budget for this season, although they still need to be careful if they want to keep any of the younger guys around for a few years. Joe and Justin will get expensive, but there’s still wiggle room.

by Jesse on Jul 19, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

How does this relate to the Type B status Grudz held?

Do the Royals receive a compensation pick on this? I’m assuming no. I don’ t think the Twins would have done that if the Royals got a pick….

Someone please clear this up.

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Jul 20, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Here's what I know...

If the Royals didn’t offer Grudz arbitration, they wouldn’t get a compensation pick anyway. If they did, and Grudz declined, by this point the deadline to receive compensation has passed. I can’t find where that deadline is, I thought it was June 1 or June 15…but that’s just speculation.

by Jesse on Jul 20, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions