Twins Ink Another Lefty Reliever

The Twins have added yet another veteran lefty to the mix that will be competing for a 12th bullpen spot during Spring Training, signing Randy Choate to a minor league deal. Choate will compete with previously signed lefties Mike Venafro and Carmen Cali for a spot that may - or may not - be open in Spring Training.

Choate isn't exactly an innings-eater - last year, he made 30 appearances, and pitched the sum total of 16 innings. He's only hit the 50 inning mark in one year - 2004, for Arizona - and his career Major League ERA of 4.64 doesn't suggest that he's ever likely to reach that mark again. Nevertheless, as a pure lefty-only specialist, he'd provide an interesting piece to the Twins bullpen that would be a bit different from what the Twins have had in the past. I think it's extremely unlikely that we'll get a chance to watch him pitch for the Twins, however. At least his signing gives Gardy and Ryan a chance to look at another arm down in Ft. Myers.