Hot, Hot Stove

Substantial reports about who the Twins may actually be targeting in the free-agent market have finally begun to surface.
Two names I assumed the Twins might and perhaps should show interest in - Brian Giles and Frank Thomas - are apparently not in their plans.
And yet, the list of names Terry Ryan is apparently pursuing is actually better than I expected.
The problem is the players in question are bigger names at this stage in their career than they are bats.
The last time the Twins were in the market, I laid out the candidates and the odds for who would join the team. I correctly, and unfortunately, predicted that they'd add Bret Boone.
We'll try it again.
*Mike Piazza
Age on opening day 2006: 37
Position: C/1B/DH
2005: .251-19-62
Odds he'll be a Twin: 5 to 1.
Piazza is still one of the biggest names in the game, as evidenced by the fact he still goes to the All-Star game every year.
However, after hitting 30 or more homers in 10 out of 11 seasons, he has put up LeCroy like numbers over the last three years.
Odd, since he'd basically be replacing LeCroy, but would cost a lot more.
Look at the similarities. Both hit around .260, hit about 20 homers per 400 at bats, and both stink in the field, whether at first or behind the plate.
To be fair, Piazza's defense behind the plate has never been as bad as reported. He's actually a good receiver with a poor throwing arm.
And it's worth noting that he has hit .313 as a DH in his career, which would be his primary role with the Twins. He also has a .346 career average against AL pitchers.
As similar as he was to LeCroy on paper last year, I'd still be in support of adding him.
What makes him a legit possibility is the fact that his agent said Piazza is interested in the Twins. Anytime the Twins start talking about free-agents, you have to pretty much assume they'd never even consider Minnesota until you hear otherwise.
*Nomar Garciaparra
Age on opening day: 32
Position: SS/3B?
2005:280-9-38
Odds he'll be a Twin: 50 to 1.
While his stock has certainly fallen due to injuries in the last couple years, I still think Nomar is too expensive for the Twins. Too bad, because at 32, you'd think that if he does get back to 100% he'd have some good years left.
While his last two years have been injury-plagued, Nomar hit .301-28-105 in '03, his last full season.
For his career his average season has been .320-29-112.
There's a chance he'd play third for the Twins, which he did at times for the Cubs, though if the Twins did sign Nomar, I'd prefer to see them play him at SS, move Cuddyer to second, and insert Bill Mueller at third. (Trust me, they are going to sign Bill Mueller.) Speaking of which..
*Bill Mueller
Age: 36
2005:.298
Position: 3b/2b
Odds he'll be a Twin: 2 to 1.
The Twins really want this guy, partly I think because they know they can get him.
He'll be a nice pickup, so long as he's not the only pickup.
*Mike Lowell
Age: 32
Position: 3b
Odds he'll be a Twin: 25 to 1.
Too much risk here, I think.
Last year, Lowell hit. 238-8-58 in 500 at bats, a horrible season.
In the five years prior, he averaged .277-26-94.
At just 32, it's tempting to think he just had an off year, and that is certainly a possibility.
But the steroid factor looms as well. They should go for more of a sure thing.
*Reggie Sanders
Age: 38
2005: .271-21-54
Odds he'll be a Twin: 20 to 1.
Even at 38, Sanders is a stud. The bidding again might get too high for the Twins here.
But with 5 straigh years of at least 20 homers, and a knack for coming up big in playoffs, he'd be a good pickup.
*Tony Graffanino
Age: 34
2005: .309-7-38
Positions: 2b/3b/ss
Odds he'll be a Twin: 10 to 1.
After a career as a utility player, Graffanino finally got a chance to play last year and responded with a fine year.
The Twins would be willing to give him a shot to play 2b every day, and if Nick Punto is their only other option, I'm all for it.
But remember, Denny Hocking had a couple great years as a part time player, and nobody made him any big offers. I'm thinkin Graffanino is only a good player when the expectations of him are low.
*Rondell White
Age: 34
2005: .313-12-53 in 97 games.
Positions: OF
Odds he'll be a Twin: 15 to 1.
With Jacque Jones about to leave via free-agency, the question the Twins have to ask themselves with any OF is, 'Will this guy be any better than Jacque?'
And the sad fact is that Jacque is as good as any OF on the market, so just bringin him back wouldn't be a bad move.
On the other hand, Jacque has had six years to make the move from good to great and he hasn't done it.
Rondell White isn't great, necessarily, but he is better than Jacque I think. And righthanded.
Had he stayed healthy he would've put up very big numbers last year, but that's always been his problem. He's never, ever stayed healthy.
The other question of course, is what do the Twins have to give up?
Piazza could be had as a free-agent, while most of the others would have to come in a trade.
It's going to be awhile till anything starts happening.
My prediction is that the Twins sign Piazza and Mueller, both free-agents.
Then they try to trade Kyle Lohse for whatever they can get.
If that turns out to be the case, I'd be satisfied.
It wouldn't make them favorites to beat out Cleveland (the chic pick to win it all in '06 as of now), but it does improve their offense quicker than just getting Morneau to take more batting practice.