In mid-November, Detroit signed RHP Troy Percival to a two-year, $12M contract. Percival will assume the Tigers' closing responsibilities. While I harbor concerns regarding his ability to remain healthy, Percival's skills appeared intact in August and September.

In early December, Minnesota re-signed RHP Brad Radke to a two-year, $18M contract with his salary split evenly between the two seasons. Radke possesses excellent control and remains in good health. The 32-year-old should reward the Twins' investment with quality innings.

Minnesota avoided arbitration with OF-L Jacque Jones in late December, signing the 29-year-old to a one-year, $5M contract. Despite his tendency to hit groundballs, Jones possesses substantial power. He also owns useful speed, though he does not always choose his base stealing opportunities wisely. Unfortunately, his inadequate plate discipline makes his production unreliable. Jones appears equally if not more likely to replicate his 2004 batting average of .254 in 2005 as to rebound to the career best average of .304 he posted in 2003.

The Twins signed 2B-R Luis Rivas, who was arbitration eligible, to a one-year, $1.65M contract. Rivas has not yet established himself as either a groundball or fly ball hitter. After posting a career high, G-F of 2.16 in 2003, he dropped to a career low of 1.13 in 2004. If his G-F continues to drop, Rivas might hit close to 20 homers in 2005. However, a return to his former habits could leave him with a total less than 10. While the 25-year-old clearly possesses substantial speed, his poor plate discipline regrettably hinders his production. He enters spring training as Minnesota's starting second baseman, but a number of players could challenge him for playing time during the season.

IF-R Juan Castro signed a two-year, $2.05M contract with Minnesota in late November. Castro lacks any special offensive proficiency, possessing only marginal power and poor plate discipline. The 32-year-old's position flexibility forms the basis of his usefulness, and the Twins possesses other players who could serve as utility infielders. Consequently, I do not support this signing.

Minnesota also signed C-R Mike Redmond to a two-year, $1.8M contract in late November. While he's allowed his patience to wane over the past two years, Redmond has demonstrated decent plate discipline in the past, though the 33-year-old possesses neither power nor speed with which to compliment it. Redmond will serve as C-L Joe Mauer's back-up with his playing time dependent upon whether Mauer's knee allows him to start regularly.

The Twins claimed C-R Corky Miller off waivers from Cincinnati in early October. Miller possesses solid plate discipline and modest power. The 28-year-old likely will spend most of the season at AAA, providing Minnesota with injury insurance for Mauer and Redmond.

Meanwhile, OF-L Jason Tyner and 3B-S Glenn Williams agreed to minor league contracts with the Twins. Tyner has demonstrated solid plate discipline in the past and possesses considerable speed. However, the 27-year-old will not easily find outfield playing time in the Minnesota organization.

Williams spent last season with Toronto, playing for AAA Syracuse in the International League. A plate discipline improvement stands between him and a major league position, but the 27-year-old possesses substantial power.