Twins Trade Rumors

"Indications are that the Twins will be extremely cautious with righthander Scott Baker and place him on the 15-day disabled list so he can fully heal from a mild right groin muscle strain. That means the Twins will need a starter for Saturday's game vs. the Red Sox. Baker, who initially was scheduled to start Thursday, underwent a MRI exam Monday that didn't show anything seriously wrong."

"Jason Kubel has something he is eager to sell, but he can't put it in the classifieds or on eBay. He can't take a picture and link it to craigslist, and it wouldn't do any good if he could, because there really is only one potential buyer worth enticing."

"Liriano has two years and 32 days of major league service time, and assuming he stays in the big leagues the rest of the season, he will be eligible for salary arbitration at season's end, which will drive his salary well past $1 million."

"Dave Pepe, the agent for Twins closer Joe Nathan, will meet with the club today to try to complete negotiations on a contract extension."

"There are apparently just a few details to be cleared up before the Twins and Joe Nathan agree on a contract extension believed to be for four years. ESPN is reporting that the deal would be for between $11 and $12 million a year."

"Minnesota closer Joe Nathan said Saturday that he and the Twins are close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension but that nothing has been finalized. On Thursday Nathan said the sides were closer to a contract extension than he originally thought, and on Saturday ESPN's Buster Olney reported that a four-year deal worth between $11 and $12 million a year is all but done. "

"A potential free agent, Nathan notes that his agent is meeting with Twins front-office officials this week to discuss a contract extension. The obvious question is: Why does he even want to stick around if there aren't going to be many games to save?"

"Joe Nathan's Opening Day deadline for getting a contract extension done with the Twins is just over two weeks away. And for the first time in a month, there are signs the team is interested in beating that deadline. The Twins contacted Dave Pepe, the closer's agent, earlier this week. It was the first time since early February the sides have made contact regarding Nathan's expiring contract. Pepe plans to visit the Twins' Fort Myers camp Tuesday to meet with general manager Bill Smith, Nathan said. "

"If you're Twins management and have accepted losing the likes of Johan Santana and Torii Hunter, it seemingly makes little sense to consider signing Joe Nathan to a huge contract."

"Twins manager Ron Gardenhire's contract expires in 2009. Once eager to be proactive about his and his coaches' contracts, Gardenhire said he has no plans to push for an extension with new General Manager Bill Smith."

"The Rays think they have a chance to be taken seriously this year, with or without Bonds, but it would be fun to see him battle the Yankees in New York and the Red Sox in Boston. Where else could Bonds fit? Cleveland, but only if the Indians were willing to play him in left field. The Los Angeles Angels, although he would have to rotate in and out of the lineup if Vlad Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr. are all healthy. Minnesota, but there's no way owner Carl Pohlad would pay him. The best fit of all for Bonds could be in Atlanta, however, with a hole in left field and Bobby Cox to keep him in line."

"Joe Nathan put pen to paper when asked about his contract Friday, but it wasn't to attach his signature to a long-term deal. Nathan printed out a sign that read, "Nothing Yet! Thank You" and posted it below the nameplate on his locker."

"One week after manager Ron Gardenhire declared, "I think we're close" to signing closer Joe Nathan to a contract extension, talks remained at an impasse. Both sides want to know if an agreement is possible before spring training ends, but the negotiations have been at a standstill for nearly three weeks."

"The Twins have made a contract extension offer to Joe Nathan believed to be in the range of $10 million a year, but the 33-year-old closer is seeking considerably more. Nathan, who can become a free agent after the season, will be paid $6 million this year."

"It will be a surprise if the Twins sign relief pitcher Joe Nathan, who can demand a contract in the area of the $15 million-per-season contract signed by Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. The Twins have made an offer, but the word is that it is not close to what Nathan can earn once he is a free agent at the end of the season."

"After a turbulent winter that saw the Twins lose Torii Hunter, Johan Santana and Carlos Silva, manager Ron Gardenhire is confident things will be different with closer Joe Nathan. "I think we're going to sign him," Gardenhire said Tuesday."

"There were no signs Wednesday that the Twins made any progress on a long-term contract with Joe Nathan or even talked to Nathan's agent. Maybe both sides should turn over the negotiations to Ron Gardenhire. The Twins' manager said he has lobbied his front office to strike a deal with the team's elite closer, and he optimistically predicted an agreement will be reached — and soon. "

"Dave Pepe, the agent for Twins closer Joe Nathan, will be in Fort Myers today. There's a chance that, among other business, the sides could discuss a contract extension."

"Joe Nathan's agent, Dave Pepe, arrived in Florida on Monday, the Twins' closer said, but no negotiations on a contract extension have been scheduled. Pepe will be in Fort Myers visiting clients for a couple of days and will drop by Smith's office, Nathan said."

"The Twins' closer is in the same situation as Minnesota's two-time Cy Young winner, just a few months away from free agency. But Nathan said Sunday that the Twins have given him no indication they intend to follow their Santana strategy - trading him to the highest bidder rather than risk losing a valuable asset for nothing - with their closer."

"Dave Pepe, agent for Twins closer Joe Nathan, said over the weekend that there have been no new developments in negotiations over a contract extension, but said his client is open to holding more discussions."

"The Twins are trying to sign closer Joe Nathan to a contract extension. Talks have bogged down recently after a good start, but Nathan and his agent, Dave Pepe, are willing to talk at any time. Signing Nathan, 33, could set up the bullpen for several seasons."

"If Twins catcher Joe Mauer stays healthy and continues to perform at his current pace, the $80 million, six-year contract Twins first baseman Justin Morneau recently signed won't be a franchise record for long."

"The Cubs pursuing Joe Nathan? Johan Santana going to the Cub-killing Mets because the Cubs didn't make a play for him? The Cubs haven't won a World Series in 100 years? Come on. Do you believe everything you hear on your way to work in the morning?"

"The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran right-handed starter Livan Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $5 million to $6 million with incentives that could push the contract to $7 million, Fox Sports has reported. Hernandez, who turns 33 this month, went 11-11 with a 4.93 earned-run average for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007."

"The Minnesota Twins reportedly have signed Arizona starting pitcher Livan Hernandez to a one-year contract. That's the word today from Fox Sports. The report says that the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hernandez, who turns 33 in eight days, has agreed to a contract ranging from $5 million to $6 million for the coming season and includes performance-based incentives that will allow him to get close to his $7 million salary with the Diamondbacks last season. "

"If the Rockies have expressed interested in re-signing Josh Fogg, it's news to him. "I haven't heard anything. They haven't talked to us. Until they call, it's probably not a possibility," Fogg said Monday night. Fogg is hoping for resolution quickly with spring training reporting dates approaching. "

"With Torii Hunter and Santana no longer around, there's no reason for the Minnesota Twins to keep closer Joe Nathan around for one more year. They have been kicking the tires on a deal to keep Nathan beyond 2008 but appear open to dealing him if he wants market value to sign."

"With the Johan Santana saga behind them, the Twins are mostly finished with their offseason business, though two questions remain: • Will they resolve Joe Nathan's contract situation? • Will they add a veteran starting pitcher?"

"A day after the Twins agreed to trade ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets last week, they contacted the agent of their closer, Joe Nathan, to get contract extension talks moving."

"The pool is mildly deeper this spring, with free agents like Josh Fogg, John Thomson and ex-Twin Kyle Lohse still available, along with a handful of pitchers returning from injuries such as Kris Benson, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon. Only Fogg, 9-9 last season with Colorado, is known to have had contact with the Twins."

"For decades, the Twins complained privately about George Steinbrenner. The bombastic Yankees owner inflated salaries, campaigned against low-revenue teams and often embarrassed himself and the game. Today, the Twins might miss King George more than they miss Johan Santana."

"Negotiations between the New York Mets and Johan Santana continued Thursday while the Twins waited for word that their trade of the two-time Cy Young Award winner for four prospects is official. The Twins, who have been in contact with Peter Greenberg, Santana's agent, were told discussions were going slowly. Reports have the sides haggling over the contract length, with Santana seeking a seven-year deal and the Mets willing to go six."

"All's quiet on Kirby Puckett Place and at Shea Stadium. New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya and his front office have been busy working to secure a trade with the Twins for Johan Santana by completing a contract extension for the two-time Cy Young Award winner. The deadline is 4 p.m. CST today, but even if the Mets get close to the cutoff, history suggests the deal almost certainly will get done. "

"The winter free-agent market is starting to thaw for Josh Fogg. The Minnesota Twins contacted Fogg's agent Thursday, and appear serious about adding the veteran right-hander if the Johan Santana deal goes through with the New York Mets."

"The Mets need Johan Santana. Desperately. But the Mets are not the only entity with something to lose if contract negotiations fail. So does Santana. And because of that, most people in baseball expect the sides to finalize a deal - probably in the seven-year, $140 million range - before the 72-hour window to conclude negotiations ends tomorrow at 5 p.m. "

"But Joe Nathan doesn't see a team planning for a 2010 pennant chase. He sees a potential 2008 American League Central contender. And he still wants to be part of it. "

"And while anything can happen and situations change by the day, at the moment the odd man out appears to be Wes Helms... Here's a look at the (short) list of clubs that might be in the mood to add a third baseman before Opening Day..."

"The Red Sox, Yankees and Mets remain in a holding pattern as the Twins keep Johan Santana grounded on their Minnesota runway."

"With Red Sox pitchers and catchers due to report on Valentine's Day, the endgame appears at hand for Twins pitcher Johan Santana, who should know before the start of spring training what uniform he will be wearing in 2008. His most ardent suitors remain the Red Sox and both New York teams, the Mets and Yankees."

"Teams involved in the Johan Santana sweepstakes confirm the Twins have intensified their efforts in the past 48 hours to generate the best offers from the main suitors - and indications are, this has come down to the Mets and the Red Sox for arguably the majors' best starter. The Yankees have been kept apprised by Minnesota officials of where matters stand but continue to indicate they are following the wishes of Hal Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman to protect their prospects and shun this deal. "

"As of late yesterday afternoon, the Mets had yet to hear anything new from the Twins regarding the Johan Santana sweepstakes. They expect that to change shortly, and hope that their offer can land the two-time Cy Young Award winner."

"The Orioles are close to trading ace Erik Bedard to Seattle for a package of prospects. That deal might make it harder for the Mets to pry Santana from Minnesota. Baltimore is set to receive outfielder Adam Jones, the Mariners' best young player; George Sherrill, a terrific lefty reliever; and perhaps two other prospects."

"Indications from Twins officials are that this is a critical week in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. The club has not set any hard deadlines yet but may soon tell the teams most interested in Santana -- the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox -- that it's time for them to step up with their best offers for the two-time Cy Young Award winner."

"Rob Antony, the Twins assistant general manager who negotiated the new multiyear contracts for first baseman Justin Morneau and outfielder Michael Cuddyer, said the four-year extension offer the club made some time ago to pitcher Johan Santana still is on the table."

"The end could finally be near in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. And the winner is . . . according to a report yesterday in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the answer likely will be revealed within the next 10 days, before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Of the three main contenders for the ace left-hander, the Mets New York Mets have emerged as the front-runner mostly based on their open willingness to deal top prospects to the Twins, but the Yankees New York Yankees and Red Sox still lurk in the shadows. "

"The Johan Santana trade discussions finally might be entering their final lap, and the Mets still appear to be the favorites to land the two-time Cy Young Award winner."

"The Twins, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees are not holding up the proposed trade of Twins pitcher Johan Santana. It's Santana, who is seeking $150 million over six years."

"Let's not forget, either, as the Twins close in on a trade of Johan Santana, that he sneered when offered a five-year, $93 million contract extension. He is probably correct in thinking he will make more with an East Coast team, but $93 million is a lot of money for anyone who plays 33 days a year and is one elbow twinge away from the disabled list."

"One major reason neither Livan Hernandez nor Kyle Lohse has signed yet is because they are waiting on the Mets New York Mets , who in turn will not make a decision about Hernandez and Lohse until they find out for sure what the Twins are doing with Johan Santana."