Unless free agent prices plummet, the Twins have no intention of signing a Type A free agent who was offered arbitration Monday. They value their draft picks too much to give up next year’s first rounder.

The Twins are looking to add bullpen help and bolster their infield at third base, shortstop and/or second base. Type B free agents – such as Casey Blake, who was offered arbitration by the Dodgers, and Dennys Reyes, who was offered arbitration by the Twins — generate a supplemental round pick for the team that loses them, but teams that sign them do not lose a pick.

MLBTradeRumors.com has an updated look at the entire free agent class here. But let’s focus on Monday’s Type A decisions with an eye toward how they could affect the Twins.

Type A free agents who were offered arbitration
(In other words, cross them off the list)

Orlando Cabrera, SS, White Sox
Juan Cruz, RH reliever, Diamondbacks
Brian Fuentes, LH reliever, Rockies
Orlando Hudson, 2B, Diamondbacks
Darren Oliver, LH reliever, Angels
Francisco Rodriguez, RH reliever, Angels

Type A free agents who weren’t offered arbitration
(Twins’ interest might grow because these signings won’t cost a first-round pick)

Doug Brocail, RH reliever, Astros
Trevor Hoffman, RH reliever, Padres
Bob Howry, RH reliever, Cubs
Edgar Renteria, SS, Tigers
Russ Springer, RH reliever, Cardinals
Kerry Wood, RH reliever, Cubs

Note: SS Rafael Furcal is another intriguing free agent who is not a Type A (or Type B, from what I can gather), but he is said to be seeking a four-year deal and has likely priced himself out of the Twins’ range.Â

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 am and is filed under Around MLB, Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.