February 21, 2009 – By signing Joe Crede, the Minnesota Twins have signaled to everyone in baseball that they believe they can contend for a World Series Title this season.  The club finished 2008 with an 88-75 record and narrowly missed the postseason by virtue of a one-game-playoff loss to the Chicago White Sox.  The Twins were successful despite suffering some key injuries.  Now with a healthy roster and established starting rotation, the organization is indicating that it’s ready to contend by signing the big bat they’ve been missing for so long.

Crede has been limited to 144 games over the past two years due to back problems.  This off-season he had surgery and is hoping to return to the form he displayed in 2006.  That season he hit .283 with 30 homers and 94 RBIs.  Unsure of how his back will hold up, the Twins gave him a one-year contract with a base salary of $2.5 million.  The dollar amount could go as high as $7 million should Crede make 525 plate appearances.

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