Strengths: Sometimes it seems like there’s nothing Hicks can’t do. He’s a premium athlete with growing skills and true five-tool ability. He’s a switch-hitter who’s a natural from the right side and improved from the left by lowering his hands and unleashing his bat speed. He was more polished and selective at the plate in his debut than the Twins thought he might be, and his eye allowed him to get to his above-average power potential earlier than expected. He projects to hit 20-25 homers annually as he matures. Hicks has plus-plus speed and good baserunning instincts that should improve with experience. He glides to balls in the outfield and has a top-of-the-scale throwing arm that would play in any outfield spot or on the mound if necessary. In the unlikely event he doesn’t hit, he can try to make it as a pitcher.

Weaknesses: Mostly, Hicks just needs experience facing quality breaking balls. His hands are good enough that he should be able to trust them and stay back on pitches that spin. The game comes so easily to him that at time he has concentration lapses. He’s still learning to be a pro in terms of handling the grind of a long season, when to show he’s having fun and when to have more of a game face.

The Future: Hicks’ tools resemble those of departed Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, though he should move more quickly through the minors than Hunter did and have better plate discipline. Minnesota is deep in young outfielders in the majors and minors, but Hicks’ combination of tools, skills and athletic ability stands out. He’ll head to low Class A Beloit for his first full pro season and should make a steady climb to the majors, arriving in 2011.

Trading for a 3rd baseman AND a SS is just not a smart option.

I’m on the sign Blake and trade for a short stop bandwagon. I also think that there are some good bullpen arms to be had via free agency as well. I would definitely exhaust that route before exploring any kind of a trade for bullpen help as well.

Blake is a solid guy and at 35 has shown zero sign of decline. He’s always been a bottom third of the order hitter (that could explain the lower RBI totals), but I think he could do well hitting between Morneau and Kubel. I also think pitchers have a bit more respect for a vet like Blake than a youngster like Buscher or Harris or even Young or Kubel. Morneau should get better pitches to swing at and we should see his numbers a inch a bit closer to 2006 than 2007. Even if the dome or his age keeps Blake from hitting his usual 20 homers, he would still be worth it if his bat helps Morneau hit 30 dingers again. Even if he doesn’t bat 5th, I still feel that his bat will have a positive impact on anybody hitting before or after him in the bottom half of the order. That makes him a plus in my book, even if his numbers do drop off a bit.

Even if Beltre, Atkins or any of the other 3rd base names dropped were actually available (and I haven’t read one thing confirming that they are - just a lot of speculation and wishful thinking), they would cost plenty in trade. Each also comes with a huge downside and would practically guarantee Punto would be back as the full time SS. The team would probably also go into spring training with the bullpen issues unresolved. Read that last line as hoping to find a unsigned retread that has one good year left in their arm. I would still love to see Punto back, but in more of a utility role than as a starter.

As far as a trade for a short stop goes, I would be happy with just about any of the names regularly discussed on this and other Twins blogs. My hang up would be less who we got and more what we would have to give up to get one of them. I’m very high on all five of our starters and would be reluctant to trade any of them. Some of their ERA’s from last year left a little to be desired, but, if I remember correctly, all five had career highs in innings pitched. I suspect there were a lot more tired arms than many were willing to admit. Go back and check their monthly and 1st half/2nd half splits - we saw a lot of solid pitching for most of last season from those guys. At one point late in the season, all five starters had ERA’s under 4.00. It would be a shame to start the season with any question marks in the rotation. Not that I wouldn’t consider trading one of them, I would do so very reluctantly and I would be extremely stingy as to which one went and who else went with them.

As far as middle relievers go, like most I was a bit stumped. I hate to admit it but I would be hard pressed to name five bullpen guys who aren’t closers and have never played for the Twins. Much less, start naming stud right handers available via trade or free agency. What has me hopeful is that I may not have to. Check out ESPN.com’s archive for an article called “Stark Rumblings and Grumblings.”

According to the article, unlike past seasons, this year, there appears to be a glut of closers and/or FA pitchers looking to fill a closer’s role somewhere. There are maybe 5-6 teams realistically looking for a closer (8 max, but that is pushing it a bit) and about a dozen arms with 20 or more saves in either of the past two seasons looking to land the the jobs. Cruz and several others don’t look to be on any team’s short list either.

That means there are a lot of quality bullpen arms that are going to have to settle for a bit less than they hoped.

If I’m Smith, I approach Cruz and a few others. I point out that it’s a buyers market for closers this year. I add that, the team believes they are closer material, but they might fair much better as a free agent next year. Then I offer them the 8th inning role with the occasional save opportunity - on a team likely to be favored to win the AL central and see post season play. Make no bones that Nathan is our closer and will be getting the lion’s share of the opportunities. Maybe also add that it would also be nice to have somebody who could step into the closer’s role if Nathan should happen to get hurt. Pitch a one year deal with a player option for an additional year (with maybe a player and club option for a third). If the market for closers looks better next year, the player can opt out and test the waters with the team’s blessing. If not, they can exercise their option and be welcomed back in the same role with open arms.

I might be crazy, but it all feels very do-able. The team has the money and it has the players.

Why aren’t the Twins kicking the tires on Furcal? They’ve got the payroll room, and right now they don’t even have Punto on the roster. Who’s going to play SS next year?

Signing Furcal would allow them to use whatever trade pieces they decide are expendable on 3B and the bullpen. I don’t see why signing Furcal is a bigger risk than signing 35 year old Blake.

Never happen though. “Never say never,” except when you’re talking about the Twins actually spending money.