Craig Monroe's deal with the Twins is a good one for him, as well as for the team.

The outfielder could provide much-needed additional power to the local nine. Since he became a regular, he has averaged 22 homers a season. Last year, he hit only 12.

Monroe took a paycut from $4.77 million in 2007 to $3.8 million with the possibility of a $150,000 bonus in 2008. The deal is a lot of money for a guy who batted .219 going into free agency.

But last year was last year.  

For the Twins, the gamble is a good one. Monroe's only 30 years old, so he might have a few better years ahead of him. His career high in homers is 28 in 2006.

A few questions remain, many of them for manager Ron Gardenhire, including:

- How will Monroe, who is best suited to play left field, be used? Will he be a regular or a platoon player?

- How much time will Monroe spend at designated hitter?

- What does the Monroe signing mean for Jason Kubel, the Twins left fielder who is yet to live up to his billing?

- Could newly acquired Delmon Young move from left to center field?

- How realistic is the possibility of Young, Kubel, or Monroe starting in right field? Would the Twins ever consider moving Michael Cuddyer back to third base (which, by the way, was a disaster the last time)?

Here are a few other blog posts and comments about Monroe:

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/who-should-twins-pick

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/who-should-twins-pick#comment-2853 

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/so-what-do-twins-do-outfield

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/mlb-com-lists-silva-top-free-agent#comment-2804

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/local-games/twins-search-power