Minnesota Twins: Five Free Agent Options at the Keystone Corner

1 of 8

The Minnesota Twins need to improve the infield.

The club is set at first base and shortstop with Justin Morneau and J.J. Hardy, respectively.

Second base and third base, however, are both wide-open.

Nick Punto figures to be guaranteed a starting job at either of the two positions. As such, the Twins need to add just one more infielder.

Unfortunately, the free agent market—although still loaded with talent—has grown rapidly depleted when it comes to impact players.

The Placido Polancos, Adrian Beltres, Miguel Tejadas, and Mark DeRosas of the world have all signed deals elsewhere and the Twins find themselves still in hunt of an infielder with less than a month before Spring Training begins.

Today I’m going to take a look at five free agents who could potentially play second base for the Minnesota Twins next season.

Orlando Hudson–Second Base

Opening Day Age: 32

Bats/Throws: Both/Right

Career AVG/OBP/SLG: .282/.348/.431

Stat that Matters: Hudson has earned four Gold Glove awards in the last five seasons.

Quick Rundown: Hudson, of all the remaining free agents, makes the most sense for the Twins on both sides of the ball.

He is an ideal number two hitter—easily one of the club’s biggest deficiencies—and he is a solid defensive second baseman, as evidenced by the aforementioned Gold Glove awards.

The biggest knock on Hudson right now seems to be his rumored asking price of a $9 million payday next season.

If the Twins—who reportedly have $5 million(ish) left to spend—can negotiate a deal with deferred money and/or a multi-year pact at a lower annual value, Hudson could be the missing piece to a championship run.

BONUS: For an indepth look at Orlando Hudson, check out this piece written by fellow Minnesota Twins Featured Columnist Dan Wade.

Felipe Lopez–Second Base/Third Base

Opening Day Age: 29

Bats/Throws: Both/Right

Career AVG/OBP/SLG: .269/.338/.400

Stat that Matters: In addition to being a top-flight second baseman, Lopez is also an above-average third baseman defensively.

Quick Rundown: Lopez is coming off a career year split between Arizona and Milwaukee.

He is a very good defensive second baseman who can handle himself at the plate and on the base-paths.

Much like Hudson, Lopez would be a great upgrade in the two-hole and he ranks as one of the game’s top defenders at the keystone corner.

He made $3.5 million last season after signing as a free agent with Arizona. He figures to earn closer to $5 million in 2010, and that would put him right on par with what the Twins have left to spend on free agents and figures to be willing to sign a multi-year deal.

Orlando Cabrera–Second Base/Third Base/Shortstop

Opening Day Age: 35

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Career AVG/OBP/SLG: .275/.322/.398

Stat that Matters: Consistency is key with Cabrera. He has played in at least 153 games in eight of the last nine seasons.

Quick Rundown: Cabrera’s days at a shortstop appear to be over. Despite winning two Gold Gloves at the position, his performance dropped off a cliff last season.

Whether it was an aberration or a sign of the times is a non-issue with J.J. Hardy firmly entrenched as the everyday shortstop for the Twins going forward.

Cabrera’s ability to hit for average and his solid locker room presence would both be great assets in Minnesota.

Cabrera has never played third in the majors and has only 241 innings at second base, none since 2000, but his future appears to be at either of those two positions.

A transition would take serious dedication from O.C. and a leap of faith from the Twins front office, but given the lack of interest in Cabrera this offseason, a reunion might be the best bet for both parties.

Adam Kennedy–Second Base/Third Base

Opening Day Age: 34

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Career AVG/OBP/SLG: .277/.330/.391

Stat that Matters: Has a career UZR/150 of 8.2 at 2B.

Quick Rundown: Kennedy is coming off one of the best seasons of his career.

He bats left-handed, so he isn't ideal for a Minnesota lineup that is already overloaded with lefties, but he hit .289/.348/.410 last season, despite playing most of his games in Oakland’s pitcher-friendly ballpark.

That level of offense would be a drastic improvement over what the Twins received from second baseman last season.

Additionally, Kennedy—much like Cabrera—saw his previously stellar defense take a hit during his lone season with the Athletics.

If Kennedy could replicate his offensive production from last season and regain his defensive prowess, he would be a huge boost for the Twins at second base.

Ronnie Belliard–First Base/Second Base/Third Base

Opening Day Age: 34

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Career AVG/OBP/SLG: .275/.339/.418

Stat that Matters: When it comes to Belliard, the most important stat would be his potential salary. Belliard figures to sign for far cheaper than many of these other options and would allow the club additional payroll flexibility.

Quick Rundown: Belliard has bounced around a lot in his career. In eleven full seasons in the big leagues, he’s suited up for six different teams.

Despite his penchant for changing addresses, Belliard has proven to be a very consistent player in every stop of his career. He can routinely be relied on for solid defense at second base, a solid approach at the plate, and some moderate pop as well.

Belliard has also shown a willingness to help out the club in any way possible by shifting between second base, third base, first base, and even shortstop throughout his career.