Are the Twins Still Shopping?

After yesterday's surprising signing of Jim Thome (not surprising because I didn't see it coming, it was surprising to see the Twins add a name that means something in baseball), now it seems the Twins are being linked with a couple more names that are rather intriguing.

According to Foxsports.com, the Twins may be linked alongside the Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays to second baseman Orlando Hudson. His defense and ability to slide into the two-hole between Denard Span and Joe Mauer would be perfect for the Twins. The only question is whether he would consider coming here.

The way I see it, it all comes down to what is more important to Hudson - money or winning. If he wants the most money, I'm guessing the Nationals will be willing to dish out the most dough to get him as they have to since no one wants to go there. As for the Rays, they have an outstanding ball club but currently have both the Red Sox and Yankees ahead of them in the pecking order in the AL East. That leaves the Twins who would be his absolute best shot at making the postseason.

For me I would like to see the Twins make an effort to sign Hudson to play second base next season over offering another contract to the broken down Joe Crede. Sure it will be less money but you will also get what you pay for. In fact Hudson's .283/.357/.417 line with 74 runs, 64 RBI and strong defense would be much more valuable than Crede's sub-.300 OBP through 80 or so games until he's hurt again. But that's just this guy's opinion.

The bottom line is if the Twins are serious about adding another player, why not go the O-Hud way and have the Punto/Harris two-headed monster play third base rather than second?

They're already tickling $100 million so what's a few more tacked on?

[Photo courtesy of Malingering/Flickr]