According to the Pioneer Press, the Minnesota Twins will have scouts in Arizona next month to watch free-agent third baseman Joe Crede.  Crede, 31, had season-ending back surgery in 2009 while with the Twins.  He played in 90 games and hit 15 home runs, drove in 48 RBI’s and hit .225.  Crede made $2.5 million in his shortened 2009 season.

The Twins were expected to wait until January to sign a third baseman, so everything is going to plan until the supply of available infielders runs dry.  The Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners (if they decide to use Chone Figgins elsewhere) are in need of a third baseman.  Tradable or free agent infielders include Juan Uribe (may sign with the Giants), Dan Uggla, Adrian Beltre, Orlando Hudson, Felipe Lopez, Miguel Tejada and Melvin Mora.

The Twins are also rumored to be interested in San Diego Padres’ third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.  It was speculated during the Winter Meetings that the Padres may trade Kouzmanoff to the Giants, but that won’t happen anymore given the recent signing of Mark DeRosa and the pending signing of Uribe.

You can see Joe Crede’s contract history and statistics here.
You can see Kevin Kouzmanoff’s contract history and statistics here.