Twins still riding the Crain train

The Associated Press today reported that the Twins are tendering contracts to all their arbitration-eligible players. (This is deadline day to tender contracts; those not getting formal offers become free agents.)

The only one there was any doubt about was Jesse Crain.

This pushes the projected payroll to about $90 million, and that in turn casts doubt on the notion that a major free-agent infield signing is in the works. 

Keeping Crain, as noted a couple days ago, sets up a potential log jam in the bullpen, with as many as four veteran right-handed set-up men in front of Joe Nathan (Crain, Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch and Pat Neshek). But Neshek will have to prove first that he is indeed back from his injury, and if he is, the Twins may have a useful trade chip during spring training.