The Twins have signed 34-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jacque Jones to a minor league deal. He took last season off. Jones last played in the majors in 2008 when he appeared in 42 games for the Marlins and Tigers in which he was 17 for 116 (.147 avg, .446 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs. Jones played seven seasons for the Twins early in his career in which he appeared in 976 games and was 974 for 3,492 (.279 avg, .782 OPS) with 492 runs scored, 132 homers, 476 RBIs and 67 stolen bases. Jones has now played in 1,302 games in his major league career and he is 1,272 of 4,989 (.277 avg, .775 OPS) with 632 runs scored, 165 homers, 630 RBIs and 82 stolen bases. The Twins are deep in the outfield so it will be hard to Jones to make the opening day roster. But, he has indicated that he is willing to start the season in the minors if need be. In that case I really like this signing as it gives the Twins good organizational depth in the outfield.

32-year old righty swinging Orlando Hudson will be the starting 2B for the Twins in 2010. He played in 149 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 156 for 551 (.283 avg, .774 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 9 homers, 62 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. What he did last season mirrors his career numbers so look for similar offensive numbers out of him in 2010. Hudson made 8 errors in 145 games at 2B last season while showing above average range. He is a Gold Glove type defender and he is a solid hitter so I really like this addition for the Twins as he should fit right in.

25-year old switch-hitting Alexi Casilla really tanked last season following up his solid 2008 for the Twins. He played in 80 games for the Twins last season and he was 46 for 228 (.202 avg, .539 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 17 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Casilla played o.k. in the field last season as he made 5 errors in 72 games while showing good range. Casilla will have to hold off Matt Tolbert this spring for a spot on the Twins’ bench in 2010.

27-year old switch-hitting Matt Tolbert also saw his performance drop for the Twins in 2009. He played in 71 games for the Twins last season and he was 46 for 198 (.232 avg, .611 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 2 homers, 19 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Tolbert made only 2 errors in 36 games at 2B last season for the Twins while showing out of this world range. He probably has an edge on Casilla for a bench job in 2010 because he’s more versatile in the field.

32-year old switch-hitting Nick Punto and 29-year old righty swinging Brendan Harris can both play 2B but they will probably be platooning at 3B in 2010. Punto played in 63 error-free games at 2B for the Twins last season while showing slightly below average range. Brendan Harris played in 11 error-free games at 2B last season for the Twins while showing below average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2010: B

The Twins have signed 32-year old switch-hitting 2B Orlando Hudson. He played in 149 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 156 for 551 (.283 avg, .774 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 9 homers, 62 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Hudson has now played in 1,014 games in his major league career and he is 1,035 for 3,670 (.282 avg, .778 OPS) with 493 runs scored, 77 homers, 434 RBIs and 50 stolen bases. Hudson has 4 Gold Gloves and he is a two time All-Star. Hudson will fit right in with the Twins as he is a solid hitter who plays outstanding defense.