Minnesota Twins Trade Rumors

Righthanded reliever remains on to-do list for Twins
January 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Three months from Friday, the Twins will open a new season at Baltimore's Camden Yards, and on the 20th anniversary of that ballpark's opening, the warehouse windows in right field should be safe. Lefthanded hitters take aim at that warehouse with each swing, but the patchwork relief corps the Twins are assembling has decent numbers against lefties. It's the righties that should worry them. Here are nine of the Twins' internal bullpen candidates and the batting averages righthanded hitters posted against them last year: Matt Capps (.260), Glen Perkins (.259), Brian Duensing (.330), Alex Burnett (.264), Lester Oliveros (.292), Anthony Swarzak (.301), Esmerling Vasquez (.254), Jeff Gray"
Twins are reportedly close to agreement with righty Marquis
December 22
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins might have found a starting pitcher in veteran righthander Jason Marquis. According to a foxsports.com report, the Twins are close to an agreement with Marquis, 33, who is 104-98 in his career and was 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA in stints with Washington and Arizona last season."
Comings and goings add up
December 17
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Start with this premise: The Twins are better off as a franchise moving forward with Josh Willingham than Michael Cuddyer, and that takes into account everything Cuddyer meant on and off the field. Willingham is practically a Cuddyer clone -- same age, a similar righthanded hitter, comparable outfield skills and by all reports a good guy -- and Willingham's three-year, $21 million deal will save the Twins about $3 million per year compared to what the Rockies will be paying Cuddyer. The Twins lose Cuddyer's versatility and the insurance he gave them at first base, but his departure gives them two compensatory picks between No. 31 and No. 65 in next June's draft. All that said, the lineup"
Twins turn attention back to Kubel
December 17
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Now that Michael Cuddyer and Josh Willingham are off the board, the Jason Kubel sweepstakes are heating up, and the Twins are right in the mix. The Twins increased their efforts to re-sign Kubel late this week, a person familiar with Kubel's situation told the Star Tribune today. The Twins made limited progress in their discussions with Kubel before agreeing to their three-year, $21 million contract with Josh Willingham. All along, the Twins made it clear to Kubel and Willingham that Cuddyer was their first choice. They made a three-year, $25 million offer to Cuddyer, but he has since agreed to a reported three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Rockies. The Twins wanted at least one"
Rockies favorite to land Cuddyer, their primary target
December 16
Denver Post
 
"With their best and final offer on the table, the Rockies were growing increasingly confident Thursday night that they would land free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer. The Rockies have extended themselves as far as they will go — believed to be three years and $27 million — in an attempt to land their first big-ticket free agent since 2000. Cuddyer was weighing interest from Philadelphia and Seattle, but Colorado is considered the strong favorite. The Rockies' interest in Cuddyer began at season's end. The aggressive pursuit began a week ago when general manager Dan O'Dowd cleared $9 million off the year's payroll in trades of reliever Huston Street? and third baseman Ian Stewart. O'Dowd,"
Door open but Cuddyer may still walk
December 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"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"
Jason Kubel says he and Twins are "probably" done negotiating
December 15
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins are still waiting on their third 2012 outfielder, but one thing seems certain: It won't be Jason Kubel. Not according to the longtime Twins outfielder and designated hitter. Asked late Wednesday whether he and the Twins are done negotiating, Kubel said, "Probably so." Kubel, 29, is one of three players the Twins have been chasing hard the past 72 hours as they try to fill their starting lineup; the others are teammate Michael Cuddyer and Oakland A's outfielder Josh Willingham. Word of a deal with Willingham was reported nationally on Monday, but nothing has materialized, and Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said late Wednesday there is no deal. "We're still looking for"
Twins haven't ruled out Cuddyer's return; hope rising internally
December 15
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"There is growing hope within the Twins organization that they might be able to re-sign Michael Cuddyer, despite already signing free agent outfielder Josh Willingham to a three-year, $21 million deal. "I would not rule out anything at this point, including Cuddyer," one Twins official said this morning in a text message. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan has kept an open dialogue going with Cuddyer's agent, Casey Close. To my knowledge, the Twins still haven't pulled their three-year, $24 million offer off the table."
Willingham looks to be in for Twins; Cuddyer, Kubel likely are out
December 14
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins were finalizing a three-year, $21 million agreement with free agent outfielder Josh Willingham late Tuesday night, according to two people familiar with the negotiations. Team officials would not confirm the deal, but they acknowledged having serious discussions with Willingham's agent Matt Sosnick while awaiting a final answer from Michael Cuddyer on their three-year, $24 million offer. By agreeing with Willingham, pending a physical, the Twins knew they effectively would be closing the door on Cuddyer and fellow free agent outfielder Jason Kubel. Barring an unforeseen development, those two players will sign elsewhere, bringing the Twins three compensatory draft picks -- two"
Report: Twins have agreement with Willingham; team won't confirm
December 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins have reached agreement with free agent outfielder Josh Willingham, pending a physical, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. A Twins official confirmed that the Twins have had substantial conversations today with the agents for Willingham and Cuddyer but would not confirm that an agreement with Willingham has been reached."
Agent: Willingham will make decision in next 48 hours; Twins in the mix
December 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins have made a three-year, $24 million offer to Michael Cuddyer, but they can't wait forever. One of their top alternatives if Cuddyer signs elsewhere is Josh Willingham, and Willingham's agent, Matt Sosnick, told The Star Tribune today that his client is nearing a decision. "Josh has three viable options," Sosnick said. "He and his wife, Ginger, are going to make a decision in the next 48 hours. It may come as early as today.""
Twins GM Terry Ryan left to sift through the free-agent leftovers
December 9
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"In four days of baseball's winter meetings, the Twins made a few minor moves, made their best pitch at Michael Cuddyer and watched the market for a thin free-agent pitching class inflate to unreasonable proportions. Yet on his way out, Terry Ryan vowed to find a starter before his team reports for spring training Feb. 18. "This was a little bit of a lean free-agent class, there's no doubt," the Twins' general manager said. "I think in years past there might have been a little bit more of an opportunity, but there are still some pitchers out there that we have an interest in. "Going in, the class was lean; I think everybody acknowledged that." The Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels set"
Rockies in mix for free agent OF Michael Cuddyer
December 8
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies' willingness to consider a three-year deal for Michael Cuddyer has made them a serious suitor for the free-agent outfielder. Cuddyer is already sitting on a reported three-year, $25-million offer from the Twins, his existing club. The Rockies' trade of reliever Huston Street on Wednesday, which freed up $7 million for this year's payroll, has left them in position to be more aggressive with free-agent targets, namely Cuddyer and pitcher Hiroki Kuroda?. General manager Dan O'Dowd has long identified Cuddyer as a good fit for the Rockies, citing his right-handed power and presence in the clubhouse. He confirmed the club's interest again today, but declined to talk about specifics"
Twins pursue Cuddyer, but also consider backup plan
December 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins General Manager Terry Ryan wants to win. And he believes Michael Cuddyer improves the team's chances of doing that. That's why he continues to push to re-sign the outfielder, first baseman, emergency second baseman and clubhouse leader. A club source on Tuesday confirmed that the Twins have made a three-year offer worth around $24 million to persuade Cuddyer to stay a Twin. "All I have to do is tell you what our thoughts and objectives are about putting together a ballclub," Ryan said. "We are chasing Michael Cuddyer. If we don't get Michael, we have to make alternative plans.""
Rockies acquire starting pitcher Kevin Slowey from Twins
December 6
Denver Post
 
"Looking to create more options and add experience, the Rockies acquired starter Kevin Slowey today from the Twins in exchange for a player to be named later following Thursday's Rule V draft. Slowey, who has a reputation as a strike thrower, will compete for a rotation spot, potentially buying more time for some of the Rockies' young starters to develop. Slowey, 27, went 0-8 with a 6.67 ERA last season, his first struggles at the big league level. In the previous three years, he reached double figures in victories every season, including 13 in 2010."
Twins roster about to take shape
December 4
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Baseball's winter meetings begin Monday in Dallas, and Terry Ryan isn't going down there to kick tires. "We're going down there with things we'd like to accomplish," the Twins general manager said. Items on the agenda include finding a closer, signing an outfielder and adding depth to the pitching staff, whether it's the rotation or bullpen. Already the Twins have filled holes at shortstop (Jamey Carroll) and backup catcher (Ryan Doumit), but there clearly is still much to do for a team that lost 99 games last season. There is no better place for Ryan to multitask than the winter meetings, the epicenter of Hot Stove baseball, a four-day happening full of agents, scouts, coaches, trainers"
Twins face free agent mystery
December 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins are still trying to re-sign outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, though general manager Terry Ryan acknowledged Friday that bringing both back could be tough. It also will be difficult for Ryan to move forward without knowing where those players stand, particularly Cuddyer. The right fielder/first baseman earned $10.5 million last season and made the all-star team. If he re-signs with Minnesota, his salary will take up a large chunk of what is available, an estimated $12 million to $14 million if Ryan's $100 million budget estimate remains accurate. The Twins have $69.5 million committed to nine players in 2012 and must field an active roster of 25 by Opening Day. Among"
Labor negotiations are a factor for Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel
November 20
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"Whether free agents Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel re-sign with the Twins could depend on major league baseball's current labor contract negotiations. Under the current labor deal, Cuddyer is a Type A free agent. That means a signing team would have to give the Twins a first-round draft pick in exchange. Kubel is a Type B free agent, meaning the Twins would get a supplemental pick if he signs elsewhere. Baseball hasn't determined what, if any, compensation there will be for teams losing free agents in the new labor deal, which could be finalized this week. The new basic agreement is expected to be for five years. If there is less compensation in exchange for free agents in the new labor"
Twins agree to deal with Ryan Doumit
November 19
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins are close to checking a second item off their offseason to-do list after agreeing to terms with free agent Ryan Doumit, who hit .303 with a .477 slugging percentage for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season and immediately would become the team's second catcher. The one-year, $3 million dollar deal is pending a physical scheduled for early next week. His agent, Matt Sosnick, confirmed the deal Friday afternoon. Twins general manager Terry Ryan couldn't be reached for comment. Backup catcher and shortstop were priorities for Ryan, who moved back into the GM's role on Nov. 7, and he has addressed those priorities for a combined $6.5 million in 2012. If the Twins have an Opening Day"
Twins showing interest in Willingham, Doumit
November 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins recently contacted Matt Sosnick, the agent for Ryan Doumit and Josh Willingham, expressing interest in both players, according to people familiar with the discussion. Sosnick and Paul Cobbe also represent Hisashi Iwakuma, a free agent pitcher from Japan who interests the Twins. In Doumit and Willingham's case, no offers have been made, but they are among the free agents on the list the Twins are considering this offseason. Willingham is a corner outfield option for the Twins if they don't re-sign Michael Cuddyer or Jason Kubel."
Twins are about to sign Jamey Carroll to start at shortstop
November 12
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins are closing in on a two-year deal with free agent Jamey Carroll, who is being hired to be their starting shortstop and No. 2 hitter. Two people with knowledge of the situation provided details of the negotiations. The deal won't be official until Carroll passes a physical, and new Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said the Twins have nothing to announce. The physical will take place Monday or Tuesday, the sources said. Carroll's contract is for two years and $6.75 million guaranteed. It includes a $250,000 buyout and an option for 2014 that becomes effective if Carroll gets more than 400 at-bats. If he passes that threshold, he can accept $2 million and play for the Twins in 2014"
Jamey Carroll signs two-year deal with Twins
November 11
Los Angeles Times
 
"And then he was gone. Multiple media outlets have reported that Jamey Carroll, one of the few pleasant Dodgers' surprises the last two seasons, has agreed to a two-year deal and identified that mystery team as the Minnesota Twins. Carroll, who turns 38 in February, is slotted to be the Twins' starting shortstop, an opportunity he wasn't expected to have even at second base had he re-signed with the Dodgers. Carroll did not come cheaply, however, the Twins reportedly signing him for a contract worth approximately $7 million."
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire: 'We're not going to re-sign everybody'
November 11
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"While recovering from shoulder surgery performed this week, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is helping recruit free agents the team is targeting, and he's being honest about the job ahead in 2012. The Twins lost 99 games last season, the second-worst record since the franchise began play in Minnesota in 1961. "The pitch is we have a lot of work to do, and we don't know how it's going to turn out," Gardenhire said Thursday. "We have to get healthy and back on the field and move forward like we're building a baseball team. We're trying to get good players back in there so we can get back where we want to be, which is in position to win the division - and I'm talking next year, not down the"
Jonathon Broxton, Brad Lidge and Joe Nathan may be able to revive careers with bargain-hunting NY Mets
November 11
New York Daily News
 
"We know what the Mets are seeking on the free agent market this winter: An affordable closer. We also know that Brad Lidge, Jonathan Broxton and Joe Nathan are available former All-Star closers. So what do those pitchers want? According to Broxton's agent, B.B. Abbott, the former Dodger is amenable to an incentive-laden one year-contract, perhaps with a vesting option for 2013. He wants to reestablish himself as an elite reliever, but does not need to become a closer immediat ely. "He's not only looking for a closing job, or the chance to compete for a closing job," said Abbott, who has not heard from the Mets. "He does want to close in the future." Broxton, 27, had 36 saves in 2009, but"
Michael Cuddyer still 'on our radar,' says Twins GM Terry Ryan
November 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"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"
Twins Insider: The road to Philadelphia
November 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"If the Phillies have decided free agent Michael Cuddyer is a player they must add this offseason, they made a brilliant move Saturday by re-signing his former Twins teammate Jim Thome to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. At 41, Thome will be reduced to a full-time pinch-hitting role in the National League, but he's going back to a place where he thrived from 2003 to 2005 and returning to a manager he loves like a father, Charlie Manuel. Imagine the conversations Thome and Cuddyer could have about playing together in Philadelphia, in the hitter's paradise that is Citizens Bank Park, under Manuel, the old hitting guru, alongside that incredible pitching staff. "We've texted a little bit;"
Phils sign Thome; Is Cuddyer next?
November 6
CSN Philly
 
"Jim Thome is a Phillie again. Could Michael Cuddyer be next? The Phillies on Saturday signed Thome to a one-year deal that according a source is worth $1.25 million. Thome, 41, hit 96 of his career 604 homers with the Phillies from 2003 to 2005 and will give the team some much-needed left-handed pop off the bench. "We're very happy to be able to bring Jim back to Philadelphia at this point in his career," general manager Ruben Amaro said in a statement released by the team. "He will be an option for Charlie [Manuel] to use off the bench each night and brings a great attitude to the ballpark every day." Thome finished the 2011 season with the Cleveland Indians. He spent most of the"
Twins deny Orioles access to Radcliff, report says
November 5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins wouldn't allow Baltimore to interview vice president Mike Radcliff for the Orioles' president of baseball operations opening, masnsports.com reported Friday, citing an industry source. The source said the Twins said no because of a possible reorganization and promotions within Minnesota's front office. "I've been around a long time," Radcliff told the Pioneer Press. "I guess my name starts getting bandied about. ... I have not talked to them.""
Thome agrees to deal with Phillies; Cuddyer next?
November 5
CSN Philly
 
"Jim Thome is a Phillie again. Could Michael Cuddyer be next? The Phillies will sign Thome to a one-year, $1.25 million contract once he passes a physical on Saturday in Philadelphia, according to a source. Thome, 41, hit 96 of his career 604 homers with the Phillies from 2003 to 2005 and will give the team some much-needed left-handed pop off the bench. Thome finished the 2011 season with the Cleveland Indians. He spent most of the last two seasons with the Minnesota Twins and there are strong indications that the Phillies would like to reunite him with one of his former Minnesota teammates. According to sources, the Phillies are in serious pursuit of free-agent Michael Cuddyer,"
Closer Joe Nathan shows interest in playing for NY Mets
October 30
New York Daily News
 
"The dedication ceremony for Stony Brook's new baseball stadium yesterday culminated with big-league closer Joe Nathan throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. It's not a reach to envision that the next real pitch he throws will be in a Mets uniform. "The Mets are a team on our radar for sure, but until we talk with them we can't be sure how well we fit," Nathan said Saturday in an exclusive interview with the Daily News. "I know what playing in New York is about and I know how passionate the fans are about the teams they like. ... I was a Met fan growing up and my friends from the area are giving me pressure to give them strong consideration." Mets general manager Sandy Alderson identified"
Twins' free agents looking toward open season
October 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Once the World Series ends, teams have an exclusive five-day negotiating window with their own free agents, but this figures to be a quiet period for the Twins, who plan to let Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Joe Nathan and Matt Capps test the market. "You've waited this long, you might as well wait a few more days," Kubel said Friday. This is the first time Kubel, Cuddyer and Nathan have reached free agency. Capps hit the open market after the 2009 season, when he was non-tendered by the Pirates and wound up signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Nationals. He made $7.15 million this year with the Twins, thanks to arbitration, and went 4-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 15 saves in 69"
Denard Span getting back to old self after battle with concussion symptoms
September 26
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Denard Span played in back-to-back games for the first time since mid-August and had his best game since before the all-star break in Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. "That's exactly what we're after here," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "When he leaves here, he'll have confidence that he can go out and do these things, and we'll have confidence that he can go out on the baseball field and play." Span went 2 for 5 with a triple, a double and two runs scored, and made a terrific sliding catch in center field to rob Travis Hafner of extra bases in the eighth inning. He has been limited to 12 games since suffering a concussion in a home-plate collision"
Twins grooming rookie first baseman Chris Parmelee, just in case
September 22
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Before Chris Parmelee reports to spring training for the 2012 season, the Twins are taking steps to work on his fundamentals at first base. The rookie was an early arrival at Target Field on Wednesday afternoon to get in extra fielding work before the team's night game against Seattle. In 12 starts since his call-up from Class AA New Britain on Sept. 6, Parmelee had committed only two errors - not bad for a rookie in the midst of a late-season promotion to the majors. Concerns about Justin Morneau's health for next season have created added interest in Parmelee's defensive development. "He's doing fine, but he has some stuff to work on," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Some of the routine"
Joe Mauer's season is over
September 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer's season is over. The upper respiratory infection that he came down with in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago never got better. He began to cough. He was sent to the Mayo Clinic to be checked out. ``Despite medication his symptoms have not resolved,'' Twins trainer Rick McWane said. ``In Kansas City, he started to complain of a persistent cough. Yesterday, he was sent to the Mayo Clinic and was diagnosed with mild pneumonia and the reccomendation is medications and rest for two weeks.'' Guess what? There's only a week-and-a-half left in the regular season. That means Mauer probably has played his final game of the season for the Twins."
Uncertainties abound for Twins and their free agents-to-be
September 14
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"When it was suggested to Jason Kubel that the Twins might be a much different team next year, the right fielder looked around the clubhouse and said, "It already is." Good point. The Twins started "only" four rookies Tuesday night against the Royals because Kubel (foot) and Michael Cuddyer (wrist) returned from injuries. On Sunday at Detroit, only one Twins starter - Joe Mauer - didn't start the season in the minor leagues. Injuries have been the major factor for all the call-ups - the Twins have used the disabled list 24 times this season - but they also traded Delmon Young and Jim Thome, who led the team in runs batted in and home runs, respectively, when the Twins won the American"
Knee surgery had Mauer a leg down from Day 1
September 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The boos are getting louder at Target Field, and Joe Mauer knows it. It's been a brutal season for the Twins, caused by a perfect storm of injuries and roster-wide failure, but it's been particularly disappointing for Mauer, the hometown icon, in the first year of his eight-year, $184 million contract. The team is 59-87, and Mauer has played only 80 games, batting .290 with three homers and 30 RBI. "I understand that I'm probably going to get more of [the criticism] than anybody in this clubhouse," Mauer said. "Just given the fact that I'm from [Minnesota], I have a big contract -- all that stuff. So I'm going to take a lot of heat." Mauer, who has started only 46 games at catcher, has"
What do you want to see?
September 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins have just 19 games yet to play starting tonight in Kansas City. It's been a long, frustrating season for the Twins and their fans, but now that the Twins are out of it, there are still some things that I would like to see over the nexst three weeks. I'm sure tehre are other things you would like to see as well. Comebacks - I would like to see Justin Morneau get into a handful of games yet. I would like to see Denard Span play a few games before the end of the season. I think it would be important for Alexi Casilla to get back into the lineup at some point for a couple of games. Although less important, I also think that it would be great if Brian Duensing, Scott Baker and"
Youth, as main course, is bland for Twins
September 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Sunday was rookie dress-up day for the Twins, an annual September tradition where the veterans make the rookies board a team flight wearing the most ridiculous costumes they can find. With 13 rookies on the active roster, it seemed half the team was in costume, and Joe Benson's was especially fitting. He was dressed as a white rabbit in a giant black hat. To win these days, with such an inexperienced lineup, that's what manager Ron Gardenhire must do: Pull a rabbit out of his hat. The astonishing free fall continued. Doug Fister pitched the Tigers to a 2-1 victory at Comerica Park, completing another three-game sweep. At 59-87, the Twins would have owned the American League's worst record"
Justin Morneau concerned his latest concussion occurred on routine play
September 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Whether Justin Morneau has a new concussion or is still battling the one that cost him 81 games last season, the fact it's an issue again has the Twins first baseman concerned. What particularly concerns Morneau is that the play that sidelined him this time was fairly routine. "It's a normal baseball play. I should be able to do that without any problems," he said. Morneau believed his July 7, 2010, concussion was long behind him when he dived to his left in an attempt to snag a double down the right-field line early in a victory over Detroit on Aug. 28 at Target Field. He stayed in the game, which he ended with an acrobatic unassisted double play. But he hasn't played since, missing"
Both veterans, rookies crave more playing time
September 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer might need four or five more days before his sore left wrist heals enough for him to play. But once he's healthy, he wants to be on the field. "I never want to sit on the bench," he said. "Right now, I can't go out there and play. I'm not really good out there right now, the way my wrist is." Outfielder Denard Span, working his way through migraine symptoms, said it's worth it to try to play a few games before the season is over, if he can string a few days of good workouts together. "If I continue every day to keep up with everyone else, then I'll go out there and try to play some games," he said. The Twins could just shut down Cuddyer, Span, first baseman"
Gibson's surgery goes well
September 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Righthander Kyle Gibson on Wednesday in New York underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. Twins General manager Bill Smith said that Gibson will soon begin the standard post-operative rehabilitation program following such a surgery. Gibson will spend most of the offseason working out in Fort Myers, Fla., with an eye toward a return for the 2013 season."
Hendriks latest to get a shot in Twins' ongoing 2012 tryouts
September 6
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Brad Radke has retired, Johan Santana is long gone and Francisco Liriano's career continues to tease. Those who believe the Twins need a true ace won't find one on their expanded September roster or knocking on the door in the minors. Kyle Gibson will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday. The best candidates to bolster next year's rotation are getting chances this week. Anthony Swarzak pitched Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the White Sox, and Scott Diamond pitched Game 2, as the Twins got swept 2-1 and 4-0 at Target Field to fall to last place in the AL Central. On Tuesday, the Twins will introduce their next best hope: Liam Hendriks, a 22-year-old righthander from Perth,"
Liriano to meet with noted physician Yocum about sore shoulder
September 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano, out since a two-inning performance in a 6-1 loss to Baltimore on Aug. 25, will travel to Southern California this weekend to meet with Angels physician Lewis Yocum about his sore left shoulder. The left-hander gave up an earned run on two hits and three walks in his last start, his seventh of less than five innings this season, complaining of shoulder soreness. An MRI exam, team trainer Rick McWane said Friday, "didn't show anything that you really wouldn't expect to see." In fact, McWane said, the findings were identical to those of an MRI Liriano had in May. According to McWane, Yocum, a nationally known orthopedic specialist, agreed with Twins"
Top prospect Gibson will have elbow surgery
September 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"During spring training, it seemed inevitable that Twins pitching prospect Kyle Gibson would reach the majors this year. Now that's not happening before 2013, at the earliest. Gibson will undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, General Manager Bill Smith announced Thursday. Dr. David Altcheck, the same doctor who handled closer Joe Nathan's Tommy John surgery in March 2010, will do Gibson's procedure Wednesday. The rehab program takes about one year, and the Twins don't expect Gibson to pitch competitively again until next fall, in their instructional league. "We aren't going to do anything to try to shorten the process or anything that might affect Kyle Gibson's"
Morneau rests with minor concussion symptoms
August 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Justin Morneau made last year's concussion sound like a part of his distant past Sunday, after a game spent getting his uniform dirty at Target Field. Apparently, he spoke too soon. Morneau began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday — a headache and fogginess — and the Twins immediately contacted the Pittsburgh specialist who treated Morneau through the injury that cost him last season's final four months. The specialist recommended that Morneau take a baseline concussion test. "The test is broken down into a series of mini-tests, and one of them came back, as the doctor described, as mildly below baseline," Twins trainer Rick McWane said. "For the most part, the rest of the tests"
Morneau's mild concussion symptoms
August 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Four hundred and twenty days after taking a blow to the head in Toronto, Justin Morneau finds himself sidelined with "mild concussion symptoms." This technically marks the first time since the end of last year that Morneau has missed regular-season time as a result of the brain injury that cut short his 2010 campaign. But, in light of these recurring symptoms, one does wonder how much the first baseman's dismal performance this year can be attributed to the concussion's after-effects. It's been nearly 14 months since Morneau suffered the injury, yet he still barely resembles his old self on the field and can't be in a good place if he's asking out of the lineup."
Twins hope three more days of spring training workouts next year fixes problems
August 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Even with a month left in the 2011 season, it's no secret that winter and spring will be, well, interesting for the Twins. That's why Ron Gardenhire asked for, and received, three extra days of spring training to prepare for the 2012 season. "We've always said too much spring training is not good, but you know what? I just know we're going to have some different people and we're going to need to do some extra work," the manager said Sunday. General manager Bill Smith agreed, which is no surprise. While the Twins have had an inordinate amount of injuries to key players - resulting in 24 total trips to the disabled list - the team hasn't been sharp, especially as Gardenhire relied more and"
Twins win, Morneau sounds optimistic about health and future
August 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Justin Morneau went 3-for-4 in the Twins' 11-4 victory today, but what impressed me was that Morneau, in a meaningless game, ran crazy on the bases, twice trying to advance on fly balls and making a hard take-out slide. I assumed Morneau was following up his public talk about the importance of the Twins playing hard the rest of the season. He downplayed that aspect, but I believe he was trying to set an example for the Twins' younger players, many of whom have not displayed a lot of baseball intelligence or gamesmanship this season. ``No, it was just an opportunity,'' Morneau said. ``On one of them, I probably shouldn't have run. ``Just trying to play the game. It's hard to be aggressive"