Minnesota Twins News

Twins: Paying while they're playing
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February 9
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Last month during a radio interview at TwinsFest, a fan had a question for Twins CEO Jim Pohlad: Why don't you tell General Manager Bill Smith to sign Joe Mauer to a contract extension? "We all tell [Smith] that," Pohlad said Monday, during a wide-ranging interview with the team's beat writers at Target Field. "We're all driven from that because we want Joe Mauer as a part of the Minnesota Twins." Mauer, 26, is entering the final season of his four-year, $33 million deal. How confident is Pohlad that the Twins will keep Mauer? "We basically gave our word [to Mauer and his agent] that we weren't going to talk about the negotiations," Pohlad said, "and we intend to honor that." Speaking in ..."
Twins owner Jim Pohlad not in on Mauer talks, but revenue boost should help team sign star
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February 9
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Twins owner Jim Pohlad, in a meeting with reporters Monday at Target Field, said he's "absolutely not" involved in any Joe Mauer contract negotiations. As snow fell on the team's new ballpark, Pohlad answered questions about his organization's record-breaking payroll, set to reach about $96 million by Opening Day, legacy contracts, and what he thinks of the 2010 Twins. What everyone wants to know, though, Pohlad wouldn't share, insisting he hasn't been and won't be involved in the Twins talks with Mauer, though he joked that he tells general manager Bill Smith to re-sign Mauer all the time. "We all tell him that," Pohlad said while seated next to Twins President Dave St. Peter and Twins ..."
$100M team taking shape in Minnesota
Comment
February 6
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"More than two months before major league baseball will be played at Target Field, Twins fans already are enjoying the benefits of outdoor baseball. Revenue from the new, 40,000-seat stadium is funding the team's unprecedented spending spree, which likely culminated late Thursday when the Twins agreed to sign second baseman Orlando Hudson to a one-year, $5 million contract. "Ownership has always been pretty well committed to spending a significant percentage of revenue on payroll, and that hasn't changed," general manager Bill Smith said Friday. "Fortunately, with the move from the Metrodome to Target Field, we have some additional revenues — and believe me, we've tapped well into that ..."
Addition of Hudson has Twins lined up and loaded
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February 6
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Less than three weeks from spring training, All-Star second baseman Orlando Hudson was still looking for work. His suitors included the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians, two last-place teams. In a phone call with Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, Hudson said he was looking for a contender. "Gardy told him, 'We're not trying to contend; we're already doing that,' " General Manager Bill Smith said Friday, relaying the conversation. " 'We're trying to get to the World Series.' " The Twins proved it by signing Hudson to a one-year, $5 million contract, filling the crucial No. 2 spot in the batting order and pushing their projected Opening Day payroll to about $96 million. Considering the ..."
Twins weren't high bidder for Hudson
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February 5
Foxsports.com
 
"The Twins were not the high bidder for free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson -- at least not in total dollars. The Indians offered Hudson a two-year, $10 million deal, major-league sources say, though the present-day value would have been lower. The deal was backloaded, and a significant portion of the guarantee was in the buyout of a third-year option, according to one source. Hudson, by accepting a one-year, $5 million contract from the Twins, went with a team more likely to contend in 2010 than his two other finalists, the Indians and Nationals. His deal includes a stipulation that the Twins cannot offer him salary arbitration if he is a Type A free agent, ensuring that a team can ..."
Twins' blueprint to signing Joe Mauer just might be Griffey's deal in 2000
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February 5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"A hometown hero with unlimited earning potential. A small-market team trying to sign him to a long-term deal. It's not easy, but it's been done. Ken Griffey Jr. and the Cincinnati Reds made it happen in 2000, and his agent, Brian Goldberg, said there's no reason Joe Mauer and the Twins can't make it happen in 2010. "To work, there have to be a couple of different factors that would allow a player to sign a long-term contract with a team that perceives itself as small-market," Goldberg said. "First, the player has to not go for the highest dollar on the open market. Secondly, after that, the sides have to work on deferring some of that money into the future." That's how Goldberg negotiated ..."
Orlando Hudson agrees to join Twins
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February 5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Eager to make a serious run at a World Series, the Twins are loading up. Minnesota continued its offseason shopping spree late Thursday by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract worth a reported $5 million with veteran second baseman Orlando Hudson. A switch hitter and career .282 hitter who drove in 62 runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, the 2009 all-star would fit nicely between leadoff hitter Denard Span and No. 3 hitter Joe Mauer. "That's all up to (manager Ron Gardenhire)," general manager Bill Smith said, "but I think it's safe to say we project him to be our second baseman and No. 2 hitter." Hudson couldn't be reached for comment. Also Thursday, the Twins officially ..."
Twins sign Hudson to one-year deal
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February 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Seeing a chance to fill the No. 2 spot in their batting order with a two-time All-Star, the Twins signed free agent Orlando Hudson to a one-year, $5 million contract, the team announced late Thursday night. People at all levels of the Twins' organization had been giddy for days about the prospect of signing Hudson, 32, a four-time Gold Glove winner at second base who batted .283 last season for the Dodgers, with nine home runs and a .357 on-base percentage. Three weeks before spring training, his list of suitors had shrunk to the Twins, Nationals and Indians. Those other two teams combined to go 124-200 last season, while the Twins went 87-76 for another division title. MLB.com first ..."
Latest on Bedard, Washburn destinations
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February 4
Foxsports.com
 
"For several months last year, the pitching of Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn helped the Mariners remain in contention. Now, their free-agent marketplaces are intertwined. Two people in the industry said Thursday morning that they expect Bedard to return to the Mariners. For Bedard, who is coming off shoulder surgery, a familiarity with Seattle's medical staff could be an important consideration; the left-hander spent the past two injury-plagued seasons with the Mariners. One source said Thursday that Bedard can probably start pitching again in June, so he won't necessarily address the Mariners' need for starting pitching at the beginning of the season. But Mariners general manager Jack ..."
Twins going after Hudson?
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February 4
Foxsports.com
 
"The Twins have intensified their pursuit of free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, one major league source told FOXSports.com on Thursday morning. Minnesota general manager Bill Smith declined to comment Thursday when asked if he is optimistic about his chances of adding a free agent this week. Hudson is asking for at least $6 million on a one-year deal, a separate source said. He is likely to agree to terms on a new contract this week. The Washington Nationals have been linked to Hudson for weeks, but they aren't a clear frontrunner in the market for his services. The Twins have a much better chance of reaching the playoffs this year, which could nudge Hudson in their direction. Hudson ..."
Twins look to sign Mauer, open Target Field
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February 4
USA Today
 
"The Minnesota Twins' excitement over moving into open-air Target Field is tempered by a question about catcher Joe Mauer's long-term status with the team.Mauer, the 2009 American League MVP who has won three batting titles, is eligible for free agency after the season, and the Twins have made it a priority to get Mauer signed, perhaps before the start of spring training this month. While Mauer and general manager Bill Smith have no comment, manager Ron Gardenhire jokes that the team has to decide "whether to give him Minneapolis or St. Paul." Mauer returns for at least one more season to a Twins team that won the AL Central last season when they beat the Detroit Tigers 6-5 in a 12-inning ..."
For the Minnesota Twins to keep Joe Mauer, he'll have to accept less money
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February 4
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"A hometown hero with unlimited earning potential. A small-market team trying to sign him to a long-term deal. It's not easy, but it's been done. Ken Griffey Jr. and the Cincinnati Reds made it happen in 2000, and his agent, Brian Goldberg, said there's no reason Joe Mauer and the Twins can't make it happen in 2010. "To work, there have to be a couple of different factors that would allow a player to sign a long-term contract with a team that perceives itself as small-market," Goldberg said. "First, the player has to not go for the highest dollar on the open market. Secondly, after that, the sides have to work on deferring some of that money into the future." That's how Goldberg negotiated ..."
Potential Mauer deal is a win-win
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February 3
MLB.com
 columnist Mike Bauman
"This could be a big one for the little guys. If, in fact, Joe Mauer signs a long-term contract extension with the Minnesota Twins, this will be a good thing not only for the Twins, but for baseball, the sport. During the recent kickoff of TwinsFest, manager Ron Gardenhire said on the topic of Mauer's extension: "I think everybody knows what needs to get done here. From our owners to our general manager to our fan base, we all know what everybody wants. It is right out there for us, and I think they'll make it happen." That kind of confidence is unusual in a case such as this. The history of free agency at the highest level of spending is a history of the migration of the best, most ..."
Twins killing: Sign Mauer and open new Target Field
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February 3
USA Today
 
"The Minnesota Twins' excitement over moving into open-air Target Field is tempered by a question about catcher Joe Mauer's long-term status with the team.Mauer, the 2009 American League MVP who has won three batting titles, is eligible for free agency after the season, and the Twins have made it a priority to get Mauer signed, perhaps before the start of spring training this month. While Mauer and general manager Bill Smith have no comment, manager Ron Gardenhire jokes that the team has to decide "whether to give him Minneapolis or St. Paul." Mauer returns for at least one more season to a Twins team that won the AL Central last season when they beat the Detroit Tigers 6-5 in a 12-inning ..."
Mariners on fringe of Hudson pursuit
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February 2
Foxsports.com
 
"The Mariners signed Ryan Garko on Monday, raising to five the number of position players added to their major-league roster from outside the organization this winter. Yet, team officials haven't entirely dismissed the possibility of bringing in a sixth. Seattle, a team not often linked to Orlando Hudson, remains a long-shot candidate to sign the free-agent second baseman, multiple major-league sources said Monday. The Nationals, Indians and Twins have also shown interest in Hudson recently, sources said. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has gained a reputation for making bold moves, but the addition of Hudson would probably require some Olympic-caliber roster gymnastics. For one ..."
A's claim Tolleson on waivers from Twins
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February 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Oakland Athletics on Monday claimed infielder Steven Tolleson off waivers from the Twins. The Twins tried to get Tolleson through waivers to clear space on their 40-man roster to add desiginated hitter Jim Thome, who could officially sign as soon as Tuesday. Tolleson, 26, hit .270 with six homers and 27 RBI in 92 games at Class AAA Rochester last year after hitting .258 in 38 games at Class AA New Britain."
Everyone waiting for definitive Mauer word
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February 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Minnesotans were buzzing about a potential Mauer deal Monday, but the report appeared premature, unless you're talking about the first-day auto sales at Mauer Chevrolet. On the same day Mauer's older brother Billy opened his new dealership in Inver Grove Heights, sending two new cars off the lot, Twins fans were digesting a WCCO-TV report that the team had reached preliminary agreement with the catcher on a 10-year extension. Not so, said several people familiar with the negotiations, including some from the Twins' side and some from Mauer's side. Twins General Manager Bill Smith and Mauer's agent Ron Shapiro declined comment, continuing their efforts to keep the talks out of the press. ..."
Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano says he's ready to dazzle again
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February 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"This time, for the first time in a long time, when reporters gathered around Francisco Liriano in a Metrodome locker room, the left-hander talked of his successes instead of his search for answers. He spoke of moving forward with confidence instead of spinning his wheels in a muddled mess of misplaced fastballs and wayward arm control. And this time, when Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and general manager Bill Smith talked about the pitcher formerly known as 'The Franchise,' both seemed hopeful that, finally, three years removed from Tommy John surgery, Liriano might regain some of his 2006 magic. He gets the chance to prove that in February, when he joins a sizable group of young arms vying ..."
Winter's windup inspires Casilla
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February 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After facing Twins teammate Francisco Liriano in the recent Dominican League finals, Alexi Casilla sensed a renewed confidence surging through both of them. "He's back," Casilla said. "And so am I." The proof won't come until spring training, but this is good news for the Twins since both players loom as X-factors. Both are out of minor league options and will either have to make the Opening Day roster or be placed on waivers. Casilla was the Opening Day second baseman and No. 2 hitter last year, but he batted just .202. He started slowly in winter ball before coming on strong. On Thursday, in the decisive Game 9 of the Dominican finals, Liriano held Casilla's Gigantes to one hit over five ..."
Morneau's goal: Finish strong
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February 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Justin Morneau went down the list. Carl Pavano, J.J. Hardy, Jim Thome, Clay Condrey, Jon Rauch -- all experienced players who weren't with the Twins this time last year. "This is as strong as I've ever seen this lineup look," Morneau said. "Hopefully it is going to be an exciting year. I feel excited about this team." Morneau has to make sure he stays healthy all season so he can play with these more experienced men. Not like last year, when a stress fracture in his lower back knocked the first baseman out of the final three weeks of the regular season, Game 163 against the Detroit Tigers, and the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. He also had offseason surgery ..."
Morneau to work on keeping his back sturdy
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February 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Even with a fractured back, Justin Morneau couldn't help himself. Late in the 2009 season, sitting and watching became overwhelming for the Twins' ironman. "Morneau grabbed his bat in the last two weeks (of the season) and looked at me and said, 'I can take this swing, Gardy,' at least three or four times," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I'd say: 'Sit down. Put the bat down.' He was champing at the bit, and in (Game 163) if you looked at his face, you could see it on the bench. It was hard. That was really hard." A CT scan Friday put an end to that anxiety, showing the stress fracture in Morneau's lower back completely healed. Doctors have cleared the first baseman for all activities and ..."
Thome's arrival was a long time coming
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January 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Jim Thome was asked on Friday to verify a story about him told by his new manager, Ron Gardenhire. "What story did Gardy tell you?" Thome said as his voice rose. "Come over here!" With Thome, it could be one of several stories, tales from a career that goes back to 1991 and spans 564 homers, 57 of those coming against the Twins, primarily as a member of the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. Thome agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Twins last week, a deal between two sides that have had mutual admiration for each other for many years. The Twins actually have had an interest in Thome going back to his days as a prep star at Limestone High in Bartonville, Ill., near ..."
Justin Morneau to work on keeping his back sturdy
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January 31
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Even with a fractured back, Justin Morneau couldn't help himself. Late in the 2009 season, sitting and watching became overwhelming for the Twins' ironman. "Morneau grabbed his bat in the last two weeks (of the season) and looked at me and said, 'I can take this swing, Gardy,' at least three or four times," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I'd say: 'Sit down. Put the bat down.' He was champing at the bit, and in (Game 163) if you looked at his face, you could see it on the bench. It was hard. That was really hard." A CT scan Friday put an end to that anxiety, showing the stress fracture in Morneau's lower back completely healed. Doctors have cleared the first baseman for all activities and ..."
J.J. Hardy putting miserable 2009 season behind him
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January 31
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007, 25-year-old shortstop James Jerry 'J.J.' Hardy slugged 26 home runs, hit .277 and was a National League all-star. In 2008, he continued to excel, banging 24 homers and hitting .283. Last season for the Brewers, Hardy batted just .229 with 11 homers, making him expendable. What went wrong? "I've had some time to think about that over this offseason," said Hardy, traded to the Twins in November for outfielder Carlos Gomez. "I was messed up mentally. I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy good games. I was going to the ballpark mad every day. "I was really, really hard on myself. I felt if I went 2 for 4, 1 for 3, which are decent games, I would come to ..."
Twins out to stop being playoff pushovers
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January 31
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Tom Powers
"Playing against the Minnesota Twins is like getting flicked in the head with a sunflower seed. At first, there's no visible damage. But by the end of the summer, and after dozens and dozens of little pings to head, the opposition is staggered. And the Twins win the division. Then the Twins enter the playoffs brandishing their tiny sunflower seeds and — kapow! — they are the first ones eliminated. How many times have we seen this? After so many entertaining summers the team has gotten no closer to advancing in the postseason. That's because the Twins always have been built for the long haul. They do enough little things right, make the fewest number of critical mistakes, to be able to ..."
Reds agree to contract with Cabrera
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January 31
MLB.com
 
"A Major League source told MLB.com late Saturday that the Reds agreed to terms with free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera on a one-year, $3 million contract. The deal includes a $3 million option for 2011 that carries a $1 million buyout. The Reds have not confirmed the deal, and it was not yet known if it was a player or club option on the contract. Cincinnati's offer comes with the chance for Cabrera to play shortstop, the position he's played for most of his career. Both the Rockies and Cabrera's other suitor, the Nationals, only had opportunities at second base."
Mauer's situation overshadows all at TwinsFest
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January 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The line for Joe Mauer's autograph started outside the Metrodome at 8 a.m. Friday. He was eight hours from signing, and the temperature was minus-4. Travis High, 27, and friends planned accordingly, lugging a portable fish house and propane heater onto the sidewalk near Gate H. By 3 p.m., a line of shivering fans had formed behind them, winding around the block. When the doors finally opened for TwinsFest an hour later, fans could be seen sprinting through the concourse toward Mauer's signing area. It was like the Running of the Bulls, only these were humans wearing boots and heavy jackets, lugging baseball bats and oversized Mauer pictures. Tim Higgins, one of the first through the line, ..."
Punto, Morales both have wrist surgery
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January 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"It's preseason surgery week for the Twins. Nick Punto flew to Phoenix for surgery Friday to clean up a minor problem in his right wrist. The infielder is expected to take part in a full spring training. Punto began experiencing soreness after starting preseason workouts. According to General Manager Bill Smith , the team discussed Punto going through the season without surgery, but ultimately decided to clear up the problem, which is considered more of a cleanup than a repair. "The preliminary forecast is that he would be ready to go [by the start of camp]," Smith said. Punto, expected to start at second base, is coming off of a season in which he batted .228 with a .284 slugging ..."
Target Field thunder could be common
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January 30
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Jim Thome is one of baseball's greatest power hitters, with 564 homers in a 19-year career. But on the best teams he's played for, including two World Series teams in Cleveland, he hasn't been the leading home run hitter. "I've been blessed through my whole career ... to have guys in the middle of the lineup who hit home runs," he said. "And I've been in some tremendous lineups over the years. This will be one of them." It's hard to believe he's talking about the Minnesota Twins. "We have never looked away from power in our lineup, but we haven't had a lot of it for most of this decade," general manager Bill Smith. This team almost has a surfeit, if that's even possible, returning four ..."
TwinsFest marks open season on Joe Mauer
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January 30
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Two years ago at the Twins' annual media luncheon, manager Ron Gardenhire stood in front of a microphone and told the room his wishes. Johan Santana was entering the final year of his contract with the Twins, and national media attention already had homed in on the Twin Cities. Gardenhire wanted the situation behind the ballclub. Specifically, he wanted Santana re-signed or traded before spring training started the following month. On Friday, with Joe Mauer entering the final year of his contract with the Twins, Gardenhire found himself surrounded by reporters again asking questions about timetables and extensions and possible distractions. This time, though, there was no edict from the ..."
Still under one roof
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January 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Only one month has passed since the Twins bade farewell to the Metrodome, packed their boxes and moved from Kirby Puckett Place to Target Field on One Twins Way in Minneapolis. This weekend, though, a group of Twins employees are repacking those boxes and heading back across downtown, where they have set up for a three-day flashback of Twins baseball under the Teflon. TwinsFest begins today at the Dome and, according to Twins director of marketing Patrick Klinger, baseball's biggest fan fest will continue at the Metrodome for as long as the building stands. Only from now on, the Twins will be visitors on their old home turf. WHAT HAS CHANGED? Some of the perennial TwinsFest activities have ..."
Perkins sees the game's 'business' side
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January 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After nearly five months of silence, Glen Perkins opened up this week about his grievance against the Twins and his uncertain future with the team. Sitting down for lunch near his old University of Minnesota stomping grounds, Perkins ordered a turkey sandwich and left it untouched for several minutes, as he explained himself. "I guess I really found out the hard way that it's a business," Perkins said. "I spent my life cheering for that team. I got drafted by them [in 2004] and got to the majors quick [in 2006], and two weeks later we're in the playoffs. I had a really good year in '08, and everything was rosy. You find out the hard way that it doesn't really matter." When TwinsFest opens ..."
Twins fans pack ESPN show to deliver this message to Mauer: Don't go, Joe
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January 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"If the Twins needed another indication of how important Joe Mauer is to their ballclub, they got one Wednesday at Cretin-Derham Hall, where more than 3,500 people crammed into the school's gym to hear ESPN's Rick Reilly grill their hometown hero. Mauer can become an unrestricted free agent after next season and undoubtedly would be the hottest offseason target of the season, maybe ever. At just 26, he already has three American League batting titles and the 2009 AL Most Valuable Player Award on his resume. The Twins, of course, would like to sign Mauer before he hits the open market, where deep-pocketed teams such as the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox could ignite a ..."
ESPN program brings Mauer back to roots at Cretin
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer is going national. Right before St. Paul's eyes. About 4,000 people packed the Cretin-Derham Hall gymnasium Wednesday for the taping of ESPN's "Homecoming" series with host Rick Reilly. Mauer wore a light purple sweater over a collared shirt and seemed to enjoy the whole experience, as Reilly went through his life story, needling him along the way. Mauer's family was there, as was his agent, Ron Shapiro, and several Twins employees, including General Manager Bill Smith. Alas, there was no announcement of a new long-term contract extension for Mauer, who can become a free agent this fall. Late in the 2 1/2-hour program, Reilly asked Mauer what was more important, winning or ..."
Twins make a bold move -- for once -- in landing Thome
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Patrick Reusse
"The addition of Jim Thome was typical for the Twins in that they found him in the bargain basement. It also was unique as an indicator that the hometown nine might aspire to being more than an AL Central Division contender in 2010. The Twins went through a streak of eight consecutive losing seasons that ran through 2000. Since then, they have five Central titles and eight winning seasons in nine years. When they finally surpassed .500 again in 2001, manager Tom Kelly's most relied-on pinch hitter was Denny Hocking. Since then, Ron Gardenhire has had such loaded guns in his dugout as Jose Offerman, Matt LeCroy, Michael Ryan, Luis Rodriguez, Jeff Cirillo, Mike Lamb, Brian Buscher and Jose ..."
Hudson talks remain fluid
Comment
January 27
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson looks like he will have a choice. Take a strong financial offer from the Nationals. Take perhaps a lesser contract from the Rays. Or take a deal from another club that might put him near the Nats financially and the Rays competitively — if such an opportunity exists. The Nationals and Rays both are pursuing Hudson, but his negotiations remain fluid, major-league sources say. At least one, unidentified team might still be in the mix. That team could be the Twins, who are known to have interest in Hudson, major-league sources say. So far this offseason, the Twins have been linked more with third basemen than second basemen. Nick Punto and Brendan ..."
TwinsFest won't include announcement of new contract for MVP Joe Mauer
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January 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"Pssst: That was Minnesota Twins general manager Bill Smith and Baltimore-based Ron Shapiro, who represents American League most valuable player Joe Mauer of the Twins, spotted Tuesday at a restaurant at the downtown Minneapolis Westin Hotel. Though there has been substantial buzz this week that the Twins hoped to announce a new contract for Mauer at the team's TwinsFest this weekend, that's not going to happen. A little birdie says there have been only preliminary talks for a new deal for the three-time batting champion, who can become a free agent after the coming season. When talks get serious, they are expected to center on an eight-year, $200 million contract for Mauer, 26, an all-star ..."
Minnesota Twins sign arch nemesis Jim Thome
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January 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Jim Thome has 57 career home runs against the Minnesota Twins, more than any other player in team history. For the 2010 season, at least, that number will go static as the 39-year-old slugger works on the number of homers he can hit for the Twins. Thome, who turns 40 in August, agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Twins on Tuesday, pending a physical he will undergo this weekend. The move came one day after White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen announced that Chicago would not re-sign the designated hitter. Thome also can earn up to $750,000 in incentives. Thome said the Rays and White Sox were his other suitors. Guillen told reporters Chicago would not bring Thome back because ..."
Twins add Thome's bat
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January 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Jim Thome has smashed 57 career home runs against the Twins, more than any other opponent, but now they finally have the burly slugger on their side. Thome, 39, agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Twins that includes up to $750,000 in incentives, based on plate appearances. When the White Sox passed on Thome, the Twins saw a chance to bolster their inexperienced bench, figuring they could find enough spots for his lefthanded bat, even with Jason Kubel entrenched at designated hitter. Manager Ron Gardenhire, who recruited Thome personally, called him a future Hall of Famer and "one of the classiest acts in the game." Thome ranks 12th on the career list with 564 home ..."
Thome won't return to White Sox; Twins in mix to sign slugger
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January 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday that free-agent slugger Jim Thome won't return to the team this year, a decision that could clear the way for Thome to sign with the Twins. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the Rays and Tigers are also interested in Thome but called the Twins the favorite to sign him. Thome, 39, has hit 564 career home runs but hasn't played an inning defensively since 2007. Guillen is trying to keep the DH spot open to give additional at-bats to Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko. "To me, it was about at-bats," Guillen said in a conference call. "I don't want to go through a situation where Jim is not playing two or three days and ..."
Thome won't return to White Sox; Twins in mix to sign slugger
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January 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday that free-agent slugger Jim Thome won't return to the team this year, a decision that could clear the way for Thome to sign with the Twins. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the Rays and Tigers are also interested in Thome but called the Twins the favorite to sign him. Thome, 39, has hit 564 career home runs but hasn't played an inning defensively since 2007. Guillen is trying to keep the DH spot open to give additional at-bats to Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko. "To me, it was about at-bats," Guillen said in a conference call. "I don't want to go through a situation where Jim is not playing two or three days and ..."
Will Twins, Mauer talk this week?
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January 25
Foxsports.com
 
"This could be the week the Twins accelerate their contract talks with catcher Joe Mauer, if only because the representatives for both sides all will be in one place. Mauer, his agent Ron Shapiro and Twins general manager Bill Smith will be in attendance Wednesday for ESPN's "Homecoming with Rick Reilly" featuring Mauer. The show will be taped at Mauer's high school, Cretin-Derham Hall, in St. Paul, Mn. The two sides have maintained regular contact, according to major- league sources, but the talks have yet to progress to the serious stages. Mauer, eligible for free agency at the end of the 2010 season, will be the most coveted player on the market if he fails to re-sign with the Twins."
Thome's bat could add depth to Twins' bench
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January 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After years of getting tormented by Jim Thome, the Twins are cozying up to the big slugger, hoping to lure him onto their side. Thome, 39, remains a free agent, and the Twins are interested in signing him as a bench player, a team official familiar with the situation said on Friday. Nobody has hit more home runs against the Twins than Thome, who has 57, including a shot off Nick Blackburn that gave the White Sox a 1-0 victory in their 2008 AL Central tiebreaker. The Twins realize Thome wouldn't be a perfect fit. He's a lefthanded-hitting DH, and they already have Jason Kubel in that role. But they also have a very thin bench, which Thome would bolster considerably if he accepted such a ..."
Might Thome follow path to Minnesota?
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January 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Fans wondered during a recent offseason whether a longtime rival player had any gas left in the tank at the end of a Hall of Fame career. He was, after all, set to turn 40 during the upcoming season. He hadn't exactly finished the previous year on a high note. And there was the obvious question of how he would fit into the mix if he did, indeed, wind up playing for Minnesota. This set-up, obviously, refers to Brett Favre and the Vikings. But while some other circumstances are decidedly different, all of the above qualities and questions could also be used to describe Jim Thome and the Twins' apparent interest in the aging slugger. The differences: Favre was either going to play here or ..."
Thome's bat could add depth to Twins' bench
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January 23
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"After years of getting tormented by Jim Thome, the Twins are cozying up to the big slugger, hoping to lure him onto their side. Thome, 39, remains a free agent, and the Twins are interested in signing him as a bench player, a team official familiar with the situation said on Friday. Nobody has hit more home runs against the Twins than Thome, who has 57, including a shot off Nick Blackburn that gave the White Sox a 1-0 victory in their 2008 AL Central tiebreaker. The Twins realize Thome wouldn't be a perfect fit. He's a lefthanded-hitting DH, and they already have Jason Kubel in that role. But they also have a very thin bench, which Thome would bolster considerably if he accepted such a ..."
Twins plan random drawing for Target Field opener tickets
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January 21
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Minnesota Twins ball club is opening its ticket vault to fans who aren't season-ticket holders. Team officials announced a pair of options Thursday for buying tickets to games during the inaugural season at Target Field. First, the team is conducting a random drawing online for tickets for the opening series against the Boston Red Sox April 12-15. The drawing will begin at TwinsFest on Jan. 29 will continue through Feb. 10. Fans selected through this process will be provided the opportunity to purchase tickets to any of the games during the opening series."
Twins work eight new deals, avoid arbitration altogether
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January 20
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins avoided arbitration with all eight players who were eligible Tuesday, a key development even if none of those players is named Joe Mauer. They signed Brendan Harris to a two-year, $3.2 million deal and awarded one-year contracts to Carl Pavano ($7 million), J.J. Hardy ($5.1 million), Matt Guerrier ($3.15 million), Delmon Young ($2.6 million), Jesse Crain ($2 million), Francisco Liriano ($1.6 million) and Pat Neshek ($625,000). Teams officially exchanged figures with arbitration-eligible players Tuesday, and entering the day, no team had more potential arbitration cases than the Twins. With those eight players signed, the Twins can devote all their attention to Mauer, who is ..."
Twins clear plate for Mauer talks
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January 20
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Now, finally, it's time to try to sign the big fish, Joe Mauer. The Twins on Tuesday spent $25.33 million to sign their eight salary arbitration-eligible players. That could be what it will cost to sign Mauer, their all-star catcher, per year. Insiders say there have been no serious negotiations about a new contract for Mauer, 26, the three-time batting champion who will be paid $12.5 million this season, after which he can become a free agent. But it's clear the Twins wanted to first clean up potential arbitration issues before hearings next month. The Twins signed starter Carl Pavano for $7 million for the coming season. They gave new shortstop J.J. Hardy $5.1 million, reliever Matt ..."