The Twins shouldn’t overpay to bring back Jason Kubel or Michael Cuddyer. Instead, I have figured out the three guys the Twins should sign in free agency who would really give them a nice boost and here they are:

1. Carlos Beltran - Carlos Beltran would allow the Twins to bat Joe Mauer #2 in the batting order, which is where he should be batting in the lineup. Beltran is a much better hitter than Michael Cuddyer, so I would roll the dice on him.

2. Heath Bell - The bullpen really hurt the Twins last year. So they should sign closer Heath Bell to close out games.

3. Joel Peralta - The Twins also need a good set-up man. With that in mind, Joel Peralta is the perfect fit as he pounds the strike zone aggressively.

Righty starting pitcher Kevin Slowey has just not been able to adjust to coming out of the bullpen this year for the Twins. With that in mind, the Twins are going to dangle Slowey in front of teams that have relievers that they are willing to deal. The Twins would love to deal with the Blue Jays for Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel or Jason Frasor. The Blue Jays have always liked Slowey so maybe the Twins could get one of those guys to help out late in games. They also likely have interest in righty Koji Uehara of the Orioles as he never walks anyone so he would fit right in with the Twins. Stay tuned this week as I think the Twins are going to get a reliever this week.

The Twins have been decimated by injuries this year, yet they are still only 8 games back of the Cleveland Indians. I think the Twins will hold out hope right until July 31st before they decide whether to buy or sell. One guy that they will be likely moving is righty Kevin Slowey. His arm hasn’t adjusted to pitching out of the bullpen but the Twins don’t have a spot in the rotation for him. He is on a rehab assignment right now and I think the Twins will trade him before he ever pitches another game for them at the major league level. I think the Red Sox would be interested and I think they would dangle a prospect like AAA outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin. I think the Twins would jump on a offer like that one from the Red Sox and they would probably bring Lin right up to the majors due to all of the injuries the Twins have suffered so far this year.

I think the Twins like the roster they already have, but they have to be disappointed with the way this season is playing out. Unless they get hot in the next month, I look for them to deal some pieces of value without breaking up the team. I think the biggest two pieces the Twins will be willing to deal are starting pitchers Francisco Liriano and Kevin Slowey. I expect the Yankees to be calling about both of those pitchers but the Twins shouldn’t deal Slowey or Liriano to the Yankees unless they get a nice haul in prospects back. DH Jim Thome could also be moved at the trade deadline if a contender needs a DH. If Travis Hafner gets hurt again and the Indians are still winning at the trade deadline, I’m sure they would have an interest in Thome. Backups Mike Tolbert, Luke Hughes and Jason Repko could also garner some minor interest on the trade market. I don’t look for the Twins to be major sellers, but I do think they will move some players that they can replace.

This is a staggering number but at least the Twins have options on three of these guys (Michael Cuddyer, Nick Punto and Jason Kubel) making the front office’s work a little bit easier. This is how I would handle the free agent decisions that need to be made on these 13 guys:

Michael Cuddyer: 31-year old OF/1B Michael Cuddyer played in 157 games for the Twins last season and he was 165 of 609 (.271 avg, .753 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 14 homers, 81 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Cuddyer is a very versatile player in the field and he’s still a solid hitter. VERDICT: I would pick up his option.

Jason Kubel: 28-year old lefty swinging DH/OF Jason Kubel is a solid power hitter for the Twins. He played in 143 games for the Twins last season and he was 129 of 518 (.249 avg, .750 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 21 homers and 92 RBIs. The option for 2011 is valued at $5.25 million bucks with a $350,000 buyout. VERDICT: I would pick up his option.

Nick Punto: 32-year old switch hitting infielder Nick Punto played in 88 games for the Twins last season and he was 60 of 252 (.238 avg, .615 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 1 homer, 20 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He has a $5 million dollar club option with a $500,000 buyout. VERDICT: Buy him out and let him sign with another team.

Jim Thome: 40-year old lefty swinging DH Jim Thome played in 108 games for the Twins last season and he was 78 of 276 (.283 avg, 1.039 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 25 homers and 59 RBIs. Thome was a lifesaver for the Twins when Justin Morneau went down due to a severe concussion. VERDICT: I would offer Thome about $3 million bucks to return to Minnesota.

Orlando Hudson: 32-year old switch hitting 2B Orlando Hudson played in 126 games for the Twins last season and he was 133 of 497 (.268 avg, .710 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 6 homers, 37 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Hudson is a unselfish player who is also an outstanding defensive player. VERDICT: I would try to re-sign Hudson as long as the bidding on his services didn’t go too high.

J.J. Hardy: 28-year old righty swinging shortstop J.J. Hardy played o.k. when healthy. He played in 101 games for the Twins last season and he was 91 of 340 (.268 avg, .714 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 6 homers and 38 RBIs. VERDICT: Like Hudson, I would make Hardy a decent offer to come back but I wouldn’t go overboard.

Carl Pavano: 34-year old righty starting pitcher Carl Pavano was outstanding for the Twins last season. He started 32 games for the Twins last year and he was 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The last time Pavano had a great year like that he signed a long term deal with the Yankees and proceeded to stink and not stay healthy. VERDICT: I think Pavano’s going to get a lot more money on the open market then I would feel comfortable paying him. I would let him go.

Jesse Crain: 29-year old righty reliever Jesse Crain had a great comeback year for the Twins in 2010. He pitched in 71 games (0 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 1-1 with 1 save, a 3.04 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. VERDICT: I would offer Crain a small raise and let him make the decision on whether to come back or not for 2011.

Randy Flores: 35-year old lefty reliever Randy Flores didn’t pitch too well for the Twins. Flores pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 3.27 WHIP. He pitched in 58 games (0 starts) overall for the Twins & Rockies and he was 2-0 with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. VERDICT: I would let him walk.

Brian Fuentes: 35-year old lefty reliever Brian Fuentes pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 0-0 with 1 save, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.52 WHIP. He pitched in 48 games (0 starts) overall for the Twins & Angels last season and he was 4-1 with 24 saves, a 2.81 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. VERDICT: I would offer Fuentes around $3.5 million bucks to return as a set up man. But I have a feeling that he’s going to attempt to find another closer’s job on the open market.

Matt Guerrier: 32-year old righty reliever Matt Guerrier pitched in 74 games (0 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 5-7 with 1 save, a 3.17 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. VERDICT: Guerrier is a solid reliever so I would offer him a small raise and put the ball in his court.

Ron Mahay: 39-year old lefty reliever Ron Mahay pitched in 41 games (0 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. VERDICT: I would probably offer Mahay a minor league deal.

Jon Rauch: 32-year old righty reliever Jon Rauch pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 3-1 with 21 saves, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. VERDICT: Rauch is the kind of guy who will get a good deal to be a set up man and I believe the Twins’ funds would be spent better elsewhere.