"The Twins left the door open for Michael Cuddyer on Thursday, even after signing Josh Willingham to a three-year, $21 million contract, but by day's end, it sounded as if Cuddyer would walk away anyway.

The Denver Post reported that the Rockies were the favorites to land Cuddyer after making what is believed to be a three-year, $27 million offer. The Twins were not optimistic.

Minnesota had a standing three-year, $25 million offer for Cuddyer for more than one week before signing Willingham. Once Willingham agreed to terms, the Twins pulled their offer to Cuddyer but the dialogue continued.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan told Cuddyer's agent, Casey Close, that the offer still stood, but if Cuddyer accepted, Ryan would have needed special approval from Twins CEO Jim Pohlad, since the deal would have pushed the Twins past their $100 million payroll target.

Willingham will make $7 million next season, pushing the Twins projected payroll to about $96 million.

Last week, Ryan was asked if he'd be willing to exceed his payroll budget for the right move, and he said he'd have to check with Pohlad. Ryan calls this "the three-block walk," since Target Field is about three blocks from Pohlad's office in downtown Minneapolis.

The Twins have Willingham penciled in at right field, with Denard Span in center and Ben Revere in left. The lineup would look a lot more potent with Willingham in left, Span in center and Cuddyer in right, allowing Revere to serve as a fourth outfielder."