Twins Sign Mark Grudzielanek

Those who follow sports learned a valuable lesson this week. After watching Tom Watson nearly win the British Open before fading down the stretch and finally losing a playoff to Stewart Cink, we learned that sometimes age is nothing but a number. We learned that just because somebody is older, that doesn't mean they can't compete on the big stage.

So, possibly with that in mind, the Minnesota Twins have signed 39-year old free agent Mark Grudzielanek to a minor-league deal. OK, so I doubt Tom Watson's run at the British Open had anything to do with it, but it still happened.

The Twins have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, General Manager Bill Smith said today.

The move, first reported at www.sethspeaks.net, gives the Twins another option at second base, though Grudzielanek hasn't played all season.

Smith said Grudzielanek will report to the Twins' Gulf Coast League squad in Fort Myers, Fla., and then join one of the Twins' minor-league affiliates.

Even at the age of 39, Grudzielanek has proven to be a pretty solid player over the last couple of years, hovering near .300 every season since 2003. He's also provided above average defense at second base everywhere he's been, so this is a good signing by the Twins.

After all, even if Grudzielanek hasn't played an inning of baseball at any level in 2009, he can't be doing much worse than Twins second baseman have Alexi Casilla, Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto have all combined to hit .190 with an OPS of .512 this season -- dead last in the Major Leagues.

(Tip of the hat to MLB Trade Rumors)