AL Central Nine Biggest Offseason Acquisitions #1 By Dane Moore

1. Orlando Hudson 2B- Minnesota Twins

Last week the Minnesota Twins made the American League Central’s biggest move of the 2010 offseason. In signing Orlando Hudson to a one-year $5 million deal, the Twins made a move for a proven veteran who is not out of his prime and plays a position that was a clear need for the squad. The Twins needed a bat for the two-hole, a glove at second base, and considering the $250 plus million Minnesota may soon be adding to their books, they needed a contract that didn’t force their hand to spend money in the coming years. Because Hudson met so many needs of the Twins and his proven success fitting in on ball clubs makes himself and the Twins the undisputed champion of this list.

Hudson is only 32 years old and therefore much less likely than previous veteran Twin signees to fall off their previous production, a la Joe Crede. And because Hudson is less of a risk and in all likelihood will be a success in his role, the Twins paid a higher premium than they would have for other veteran second baseman who have signed this offseason. Twins history would have pointed to Minnesota pursuing a 40 year-old Craig Counsell or Mark Grudzelanek player-coach free agent option, to fill the void at second.

Times have changed and Minnesota is going for it. For the first time we are witnessing the Twins upper management open their wallets and splurge. Yes the Twins are still a business and very likely have spent this money in an effort to promote the opening of Target Field. Nonetheless the Twins have increased payroll from 2009 ($65 million) by an unheard of $31 million to a grand total of $96 million dollars. While team payrolls have not been finalized for 2010 it is likely the Twins can say goodbye to the image of small-market baseball. Because at a $96 million figure the Twins have a higher payroll than 20 franchises did in 2009. It is likely the Twins will be close to cracking the top-10 in payrolls not only in 2010 but will continue to rise as they pursue a ten-year contact worth over $250 million with Joe Mauer.

To be competitive, as in competing for a championship teams must be willing to spend in a league without a salary cap. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire responded to Hudson’s comments, after signing with Minnesota, about wanting to play for a contender by saying “We're not trying to contend. We're already doing that. We're bringing [Hudson] over here to win. We're trying to get to the World Series.” With the players, coaches, and now most importantly management ready to pursue a championship the Minnesota Twins are now a compelling World Series contender. I never have said that before.

The Twins have recently been considered an above average team and a very successful business but this year we see Minnesota striving to move through this mediocrity in an effort to take a shot at greatness. The Orlando Hudson signing is the culmination of Minnesota making a move at becoming an elite team and 2010 is hopefully the first of many, but possibly the Twins one splurge and only shot at World Series in the near future.