Three Key Twins to Become Free Agents

Nick Punto filed for free agency today, along with pitchers Eddie Guardado, and Dennys Reyes. Punto was our utility player able to play almost anywhere on the field. Reyes was a key player out of the bullpen and was used more often when Pat Neshek went down. While Guardado was signed to anchor the bullpen late in the season.

Punto is probably the most important player to file for free agency, love him or hate him he always came ready to play on game days. The question is, however, is he important enough for the Twins to invest money in? 

Personally he doesn't seem to produce enough on the offensive side. As the season progressed, the Twins need hits and he couldn't get them.

While he wasn't the only one to not produce, he didn't do enough for the Twins to keep him around. On the defensive side he was important, but with the lineup we had, we need offense.   

Guardado is of the least importance. The Twins don't need him bringing his injury-prone body to work everyday. With Joe Nathan as the closer, and perhaps Neshak as setup with the loss of Rincon early last season, the emergence of Craig Breslow and Jose Mijares, I don't see the Twins signing him.

Dennys Reyes is in the same position as Guardado, but the only difference is that Reyes was used primarily as a middle reliever. As the roster looks right now, we should be set with Matt Guerrior, Jesse Crain, Boof Bonser, Phillip Humber, and Bobby Korecky. Really leave no roster spot for Reyes.

Even with the loss of these three players, we are keeping the core group of young players, which made last year the success that it was. We have a few holes that need to be filled on the top of that list: 3rd base, shortstop that can hit for power from the right side of the plate.

This off-season should be interesting. The Twins have the pieces to repeat their success from last season, and hope to they hope to improve by bringing in the right guys to fit the team.