Is Joe Crede the answer to the Minnesota Twins' prayers?

After receiving the 2006 Silver Slugger Award as a third baseman, Joe Crede was on top of the world. His Chicago White Sox, at the time, just got off winning their 2005 World Series Title.

Nothing could make life better, although everything could make it fall.

Crede has undergone two back surgeries in the last two years, including one this past fall to remove a nerve impingement. Crede's agent, Scott Boras, has told reporters that following the surgery, his client is now healthy and ready to play when Spring Training begins.

The big question at hand is if Crede is on the Twins' wish list. The Twins have been without a slugger third baseman they have long-needed since Corey Koskie left for Toronto—and he's now retired.

After Michael Cuddyer moved from third base to right field, his bat power came alive and Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire has no intention of putting him back at the hot corner.

Nick Punto, Mike Lamb, Brian Buscher, and Brandon Harris all have fallen victim to third base's curse—with the possible exception of Brian Buscher, the position hasn't been type of offensive output the Twins were looking for.

After failing to pick up Casey Blake, the Twins have been silent through the offseason and look like they were to go into next season with no answer, much less a key player that, if plays, could well put Minnesota into contention in the American League.

With Justin Morneau across the diamond, Joe Mauer behind the plate, a young pitching staff that has a major upside, and uprising outfielders in Denard Span and Carlos Gomez that are still improving, this young Minnesota team might only need the bat of Crede to make them go over the top to claim the Central for their fifth division title in seven years and possibly their first division title in almost twenty years.

With teams like the San Fransisco Giants currently in the hunt with the Twins, Crede won't be an easy grab for the Twins. Even if he commits to Minnesota, his performance is still in question after his limited playing time in the past two seasons.

Only time will tell if he is worth the investment.