Carroll tries to provide shortstop stability

MILWAUKEE - Jamey Carroll will turn 38 in February, when he begins the first year of his two-year, $6.75 million contract he signed Wednesday with the Twins. Second base is his best position, but for now he's penciled in as the starting shortstop.

It's a move that left rival baseball officials scratching their heads at this week's general managers meetings at Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel, but the Twins were determined to add a sure-handed shortstop after watching Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Trevor Plouffe and Alexi Casilla flail away at that position last season.

Twins GM Terry Ryan said the Twins know Carroll can play second base, third base and the corner outfield spots.

"But we need to fill the middle of the diamond," Ryan said. "Until we find a shortstop, I don't think our defense is going to come together."

Several teams pursued Carroll, including the Rockies, who hoped to bring him back as a second baseman. The Twins enticed him by guaranteeing the second year of the contract, adding a mutual option for 2014 and offering the chance to play shortstop.

Two years ago, Carroll signed a two-year, $3.85 million deal with the Dodgers and exceeded every expectation. He played 279 games over the two seasons, batting .290 with a .368 on-base percentage.

"Our intent when we signed Jamey wasn't to have him play that much," Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said. "But both years we ended up with injuries, and he was always ready to play.

Last season, Carroll played a career-high 146 games, including 54 starts at shortstop and 57 at second base.

"Second base is better for him, but he can play short," Colletti said.

Listed at 5-9, Carroll no longer possesses great range, but he generally catches the balls that are hit to him.

"I like playing [shortstop]," Carroll said. "It's a position where you get to be a leader out there. I'm hoping to be able to have that opportunity to play it a lot more the next couple years."

The Twins are moving Plouffe to the outfield, and Casilla is penciled in at second base. As for Nishioka, Ryan said, "We're going to bring him in as a shortstop and let the best man win, and then you go from there."

Carroll's presence will allow the Twins to not rush middle-infield prospect Brian Dozier, who is sure-handed enough to play shortstop in the majors but has average range.

Ryan said everybody he asked about Carroll referenced his dependability, durability and leadership.

"Yes, we know his age," Ryan said. "If you look at him, you certainly don't know if he's 37 or 38. He can still really run. He's aged well, if that's the right description, so we're not concerned about it."