"Though the Twins don't have a ton of money to throw at free agents this winter, general manager Terry Ryan says they can still re-sign Michael Cuddyer.

After being introduced as Bill Smith's replacement Monday, Ryan made it known that the 2012 payroll will start around $100 million - about $15 million less than what was ultimately spent on last season's club.

That seemed to preclude the Twins from re-signing Cuddyer, who made $10.5 million last season and was the team's lone all-star. Asked Wednesday morning whether that were the case, Ryan said, "No, he's on our radar - very much on our radar."

Ryan also implied that the Twins won't be outbidding anyone.

"I feel like there is a familiarity factor here for (Cuddyer); there's no doubt about it," Ryan said from his office at Target Field. "He's been with this club, what, 15 years? Since 1997. I always think that players wish they could spend their whole careers with their original team, especially a player with the type of career he's had." "