Welcome Home Mr. Jones!

The Twins welcomed back an old friend Tuesday as they announced the signing of outfielder Jacque Jones to a minor league contract.

Jones was with the Twins from 1999-2005 and was part of the group that catapulted the Twins back into playoff contention back in 2001. The 35-year old has posted a career .277 average with 165 homers in his 10 big league seasons. After playing Independent baseball all of 2009, Jones is looking for his chance to get back into Major League Baseball after approaching the club this past winter.

What do I think about this? I like it. Jones is a non-roster invitee to Spring Training and has already said he would be willing to start the year in Triple-A Rochester if the Twins decided to keep him aboard. Really you are getting a veteran player who knows what this organization is about and has been on playoff teams in the past. Sounds like a deal to me.

As it stands now, the Twins will most likely break camp with four outfielders - Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel (who will primarily DH) and Delmon Young - and most likely won't have the need to carry a fifth on their bench.

I really like the idea of having Jones available in Triple-A should the need arise for him. It's another low-risk, high-reward type scenarios. If nothing else he's a good leader to have teaching those kids who are on the cusp of joining the big leagues.

Putting aside his free-swinging ways, Jones was always a fun player to watch and a good club house guy. It's always nice to see guys get a chance like this to make one last impression especially when its with his former club.

So I say welcome home Jacque. Welcome home.

[Photo courtesy of MarkKelley/Flickr]

MLB10: The Show

Since I'm still giddy over the Orlando Hudson signing and there's really no other news to report tonight, I thought I'd share this video clip for the upcoming game MLB10: The Show which will be released in a few weeks.

The clip is of the Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins at the new Target Field. It's of a few plays including a home run that is under review. The reason I'm showing you is to see Target Field as well as to see how great this game looks. Check back tomorrow for a real update. Enjoy...

Video Games | MLB 10: The Show | Umpire Video Review Gameplay HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

[Video courtesy of Gametrailers.com]

Thome & O-Dog Solidify Lineup

How funny is it when an entire fan base (and the baseball world in general) gasps anytime you make a signing that actually makes it in the headlines section of sports websites?

Well the Twins have now done it twice over the past couple of weeks as they have added a future Hall of Famer in Jim Thome to beef up their bench and DH spot and now a Gold Glove winning All-Star second baseman in the O-Dog Orlando Hudson.

I have been begging the Twins to sign Hudson for weeks and even broke down their current roster options for second base and discussed how truly pathetic they were. But this changes everything. Here's a look at Minnesota's projected lineup...

1.) Denard Span, CF
2.) Orlando Hudson, 2B
3.) Joe Mauer, C
4.) Justin Morneau, 1B
5.) Michael Cuddyer, RF
6.) Jason Kubel, DH
7.) Delmon Young, LF
8.) JJ Hardy, SS
9.) Nick Punto, 3B

Bench: Jim Thome, Brendan Harris, Jose Morales, Matt Tolbert

Of course I have made it very clear I want to see Jim Thome in the lineup with Kubel in left at least three times a week including against any tough righties. But even with their normal projected lineup, that is pretty strong. The addition of Hudson clearly makes them the favorites in the AL Central over the weakened Tigers and punchless White Sox.

The bottom line is that we as Twins fans appreciate what the organization is trying to do. Not only are they trying to show our franchise player Joe Mauer that they are committed to winning, but they are also trying to show that to us. After all these years of our continued dedication to this club, after all the stupid attempts to fill holes on our roster with names like Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson, they are finally starting to put the pieces together to help us compete with the New York's and Boston's of the world.

2010 is going to be a fun year.

[Photo courtesy of Doug Wallick/Flickr]

Sources: Hudson, Twins on Verge of Contract

Well as if the Jim Thome signing wasn't enough excitement for one winter, now it appears as if the Twins may actually be about to add a legitimate second baseman to their roster for the first time since, um, Chuck Knoblauch?

From ESPN.com:

Orlando Hudson is on the verge of a one-year, $5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, sources told ESPN.

There are details to be worked out on the contract, but Hudson has chosen the Twins over the Indians and Nationals.

First we trade for an everyday offensive shortstop in JJ Hardy. Then we sign a powerful future Hall of Famer to DH and pinch hit for us in Jim Thome. And now it appears we are about to add a real second baseman to the mix and all of this on the brink of opening our brand-spankin' new stadium this April (oh and we're on the verge of signing one of the top players in baseball to a contract for around $200 million).

Is this all real? Can someone pinch me? Are you sure these are our Minnesota Twins? Because I'm pretty sure this is not how we have done business for the past couple decades.

I really don't know what to do with myself. I can't remember the last time the Twins were rumored as suitors for impact type free agents and then actually got them. And we've done it twice in the past couple weeks!

As with the Thome signing, I will wait until this becomes official before digging into any Hudson impacts again. But what I will say is that this is a helluva time to be a Twins fan!

[Photo courtesy of Malingering]

Source: Mauer, Twins Agree To 10-Year Contract

Well it looks as if it may finally become a reality...

A source tells WCCO-TV's Mark Rosen that American League MVP Joe Mauer has come to a preliminary agreement with the Minnesota Twins for a 10-year contract extension.

I will wait until things are official and we see dollar amounts before going into complete analysis mode. Needless to say I am more giddy than a teenage girl at a Jonas Brothers concert.