MINNEAPOLIS -- Happy New Year, Twins fans.

 

Hopefully everyone had a safe and fun holiday week. With 2005 now upon us, you can believe that Spring Training isn't too far away. I'm sure there are plenty of questions -- please keep e-mailing and I'll do my best to answer them.

 

 

The likelihood is slim to none that the Twins will sign a free agent for their infield. It is possible the club would offer minor league deals and Spring Training invitations to some unsigned Major League veterans before the team heads to camp. There are some areas Minnesota identified that it wanted to shore up -- namely a left-handed bat for the bench and another lefty reliever. By re-signing right fielder Jacque Jones and second baseman Luis Rivas and extending arbitration to his four remaining eligible players, general manager Terry Ryan has probably hit the ceiling on his 2005 budget, if he hasn't already moved slightly beyond it.

 

 

Outside of the pitcher, the catcher is probably the most important player on the field and it's important to have as much depth as possible at that position. The Twins wanted a veteran backup for the 21-year-old Mauer, injury issues or not. That's why Henry Blanco was signed for the 2004 season and Redmond for 2005. He will be a step up from Blanco, offensively, and a bit of a step down in arm strength. But he is a talented catcher with a reputation for calling good games and being a positive presence in the clubhouse. As for Redmond's abilities as a would-be starter, it's a bit hard to make any assumptions. He has never played more than 89 games in seven big league seasons with the Marlins.

 

 

The Twins signed Ryan to a one-year contract Dec. 20 and are looking for him to regain the swing he had when he blasted five September homers at the end of 2003.

 

The outfielder's 2004 season was truly grim. He didn't perform well with the Twins and then hurt his shoulder sliding into first base in June. He didn't return to the big league level, even for a September callup, after hitting .211 in Triple-A. The organization liked the potential of Ryan's left-handed pop off the bench and will give him another chance to lock up a reserve outfielder's job. I see him having the inside track for the job if he can produce this spring in Fort Myers.

 

 

Offerman was offered a minor league assignment and not retained by Minnesota after he elected free agency. You're right that he performed well as a pinch-hitter, but only in the regular season. The 36-year-old batted .414 (12-for-29) in the pinch-hitting role but was a disappointing 0-for-3 in the playoffs. To the best of my knowledge, he has yet to be picked up by another team.

 

 

It's usually a coach who tosses a ball to the first baseman as he returns to the dugout after the third out. It's done so the first baseman has a ball already in his glove when it's time to return to the field for the next inning to warm up the other infielders with practice grounders.