Joe Crede was on the Twins' radar at this time last year, though not much was made of it publicly, General Manager Bill Smith said.
Now, Crede is a free agent again, recovering from another back surgery, and he remains an option to fill third base for the Twins in 2010.
"We've got a lot of depth [at third base]," Smith said. "We're going to look at what's available in free agency, what's available in trade, and what's available in-house."
At this week's GM meetings in Chicago, Crede's agent, Scott Boras , said his client's third lower-back surgery in three years made a difference. Boras said it was a minor procedure to remove tissue that was putting pressure on a nerve.
"They finally feel like they've got it to a place where they've got it," Boras said. "Joe's report on it is he's never felt better, so he's really looking forward to coming back and playing a full season."
After signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Twins, Crede earned another $1.5 million in incentives, as injuries limited him to 367 plate appearances. He batted .225 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI.
The Twins' in-house third base options include Nick Punto , Brendan Harris and Matt Tolbert , along with prospects Danny Valencia and Luke Hughes .
Valencia, 25, has been labeled the third baseman of the future, but insiders say he will need more seasoning at Class AAA Rochester. Crede, 31, could serve as a stop-gap.