Minnesota Twins Trade Rumors

Twins to skip Blackburn, hoping to solve knee woes
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March 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins righthander Nick Blackburn has had problems with his right knee going back to his days at Seminole State (Okla.) College. He had a synthetic lubricant injected into knee while in the minors because 90 percent of his cartilage had been removed through surgery. He still has to watch out for both knees. The right one is so sore, in fact, that he probably will be held out of his next scheduled start Wednesday. "We have to take care of this now.'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Gardenhire said he wasn't sure who would start in Blackburn's place. He said Blackburn would not miss the game if it were a regular-season start, an indication the injury isn't serious. The Twins are confident ..."
Source: Mauer talks still progressing
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March 15
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"The absence of news in the Twins' negotiations with catcher Joe Mauer should not be misinterpreted. The talks, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions, "are not stalled by any means." The sides continue to talk and negotiate, the source said. Opening Day — the likely deadline for Mauer, who is a free agent at the end of the season — is still three weeks away."
Greg Olson makes pitch for John Smoltz to join Twins
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March 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Will John Smoltz be closing games for the Minnesota Twins, the team that beat the Braves, and the longtime Brave righthander, in a grueling Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Maybe. At least if Smoltz's friend and former battery mate in Atlanta has his wish. Former Braves catcher Greg Olson, who now lives in Minnesota, text messaged Smoltz after learning Twins closer Joe Nathan would undergo surgery to repair an elbow ligament, according to an article posted on the Pioneer Press Web site. "Perfect. Closer in Minny. Here comes Johnny," Olson messaged Smoltz. Olson meant it in a lighthearted way, according to the article. Olson has not heard back from the Atlanta resident, who, at 42, is an ..."
Fransisco Liriano may replace Joe Nathan as Twins Closer
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March 13
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Asked this week what he would look for in a closer if Joe Nathan ends up out for the season, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire mentioned two things: the ability to get strikeouts in big situations and the mental fortitude to handle the pressures that come with protecting slim leads and quickly forgetting blown saves. Among Minnesota's in-house candidates, there is one pitcher who has excelled in one of those areas as much as he's faltered in the other. Francisco Liriano is pitching for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, but the Twins have a bevy of starters to choose from, and the left-hander's wicked slider is seemingly restored to its 2006 glory. So, could Liriano be an enticing ..."
Speculation about Mauer trade premature
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March 12
MLB.com
 
"As the start of the 2010 season draws closer, and Joe Mauer remains unsigned beyond this season, the concern from Twins fans over the catcher's future will likely continue to grow. The expectation all winter has been that the Twins will re-sign Mauer to a long-term contract extension. Yet there has been little news regarding the catcher's contract status in recent weeks. Neither side is speaking publicly about the negotiations, so not much is known about the status of those talks or what the Twins may be offering Mauer in either years or dollars. There still appears to be a sense of optimism that a deal between the two sides will get done. But as Opening Day approaches and no deal is in ..."
Could Minnesota Twins turn to John Smoltz?
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March 12
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Greg Olson, a former Minnesota Twins and Gophers catcher from Edina, caught for John Smoltz for four seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Following Twins closer Joe Nathan's debilitating elbow ligament injury this week, Olson text-messaged Smoltz. "Perfect. Closer in Minny. Here comes Johnny," Olson messaged Smoltz. Olson meant it in a lighthearted way. As of this morning, Olson hasn't heard back from Smoltz, who is 42 and an unsigned free agent following a split season between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals last year. Olson and Smoltz are pals. Olson figures Smoltz still can get hitters out. "He's still able to throw hard with real good command," Olson said. "He's still got pop on ..."
Could Twins trade Mauer?
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March 12
New York Post
 
"With an expected contract extension still not signed, the Twins may have to trade AL MVP Joe Mauer, a Minnesota columnist speculates. Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune writes, "Mauer's hesitancy to accept a record-setting contract offer from his hometown team has made his signing less than a sure thing and raised this previously unthinkable question: 'Won't the Twins have to trade him if he refuses their best offer?' " Souhan does continue to say a deal "is still more likely than not, and at any moment Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, could call the team and make it happen." However, Souhan says without a new contract, and Mauer in the last year of his current deal, "a combination of modern ..."
Injury leaves Twins scrambling
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March 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Righthander Joe Nathan, one of baseball's elite closers, is 30-for-30 in save opportunities against Detroit. He has a career ERA of 0.85 against the Royals. He leads all closers with 246 saves since 2004. Watching Nathan jog in from the bullpen in the ninth had teammates believing the game was in the bag -- and it almost always was. Now those same teammates were left to wonder Tuesday about the potentially season-altering news that Nathan has a significant tear of the vital ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. If Nathan has surgery, which seems highly likely, his season is over before it started. "There's something to be said for the confidence he brings to the team when he's out ..."
Nathan might need Tommy John surgery
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March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Ozzie Guillen slept a little better than usual Tuesday night. Then again, the idea of facing Jon Rauch in the ninth inning with the game on the line instead of Twins closer Joe Nathan, well, that's the best pillow Guillen could've asked for. ''If Rauch is the closer, I'll take my chances,'' Guillen said before the Cactus League game against the Giants. ''It's nothing against Rauch, but Nathan is so good against us. ... I don't remember in the six or seven years with this ballclub that we had a good day against him, except once.'' With the news out of Florida on Tuesday morning that Nathan has a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is likely headed for Tommy John ..."
Agent's arrival doesn't mean Mauer deal is in place
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March 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Twins President Dave St. Peter arrived in Fort Myers on Thursday, and Joe Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, was expected in town, as well. So all the pieces are in place for a news conference announcing a contract extension for Mauer. Only one problem: Nobody close to the negotiations has indicated that the sides are close to an agreement. In fact, since Shapiro makes annual trips to visit Mauer each spring, nobody would confirm that this was any different. St. Peter had planned to be in Fort Myers for the start of the Grapefruit League schedule to meet with the team's corporate sponsors, etc. Mauer did not play Thursday night, as expected, with the Twins opening their exhibition schedule at ..."
Mauer's agent lands at training camp to meet with team
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March 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Ron Shapiro, the agent for Twins catcher Joe Mauer, has arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., to meet with the Twins, a club source confirmed on Wednesday night. While it's being shaped as Shapiro's annual visit to spring training, the sides are expected to hold face-to-face discussions about the future of the Twins' MVP catcher. Shapiro and the Twins have negotiated a contract extension for several weeks. While there have been reports that the framework for a deal is in place, there are indications that progress has slowed recently. There are no indications from either the Twins or Mauer's camp that a deadline for a contract to be worked out has been set. Mauer, at the start of training camp, ..."
All eyes at Twins spring training camp are on Joe Mauer
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February 24
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"One year ago, Joe Mauer spent most of his time during spring training in the Hammond Stadium training room, frustrated while trying to recover from a lower back problem that caused him to miss the first month of the season. Now, at age 26, Mauer is the reigning American League most valuable player and a three-time batting champion who within weeks could become one of baseball's highest-paid players. An eight-year, $200 million deal wouldn't be unreasonable — and that's if he decides to remain a Twin. Should Mauer opt for free agency after this season, allowing the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox to compete for his services, a contract worth $30 million a season would not be ..."
Mauer offers no hint on status of contract
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February 22
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Joe Mauer opened boxes of shoes and stored equipment in his stall on Sunday. A group of reporters stood nearby, waiting to see what he had with him. He did not unpack a new contract. And he did not -- to no surprise -- offer any details as to when it might happen. "I'm not going to get into any of that," the Twins catcher said when asked about that chances he might be a free agent next offseason. "I'm just going to open a can of worms. I'm just looking forward to this year, and that is what I'm preparing for." Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, has been negotiating a contract extension with the Twins for several weeks. Despite previous reports that the sides had the framework of a deal in place, ..."
Contract talks continue between Joe Mauer and Minnesota Twins
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February 17
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Joe Mauer contract extension talks quietly continue, but from all appearances, nothing seems to be imminent. The Twins' all-star catcher, 26, who is signed for $12.5 million this season, can become a free agent after the season. A deal isn't expected before spring training, which begins Monday in Fort Myers, Fla."
Twins sign a familiar face, Jacque Jones, to a minor league contract
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February 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins announced Tuesday that they have signed former Twins outfielder Twin Jacque Jones to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp. The team also lost outfielder Jason Pridie when the New York Mets claimed him off waivers. The Twins had placed Pridie on waivers to make room for newly signed Orlando Hudson on the 40-man roster. Jones, 34, who began his career with the Twins and has played for the Cubs, Tigers and Marlins, has been out of the majors since 2008. The Reds invited him to camp last spring, but he did not make the team. He played some for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League last summer but mostly, he said when reached on his cell phone ..."
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 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 ..."
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 ..."
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 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 ..."
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."
Hudson talks remain fluid
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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 ..."
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 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 ..."
Twins agree with Hardy, whittle arbitration list
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January 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With eight players eligible for arbitration, the Twins appear to be paring down that list. They reached agreement on a one-year deal with shortstop J.J. Hardy worth about $5 million, with incentives for plate appearances, a person familiar with the negotiations told our La Velle Neal today."
Talks stall between Washburn, Twins
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January 9
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Talks between the Twins and the agent for lefthander Jarrod Washburn have broken down after the Twins' recent offer of a one-year contract for around $5 million was rejected, according to a person with knowledge of the offer. Washburn, 35, lives in Webster, Wis., and has indicated that would like to play closer to home. The Twins, despite getting veteran Carl Pavano to accept arbitration, are looking for another veteran starter. "We had to tap into our minor league system a lot last year [for starters]," said Twins General Manager Bill Smith, who declined to comment on the club's interest in Washburn. Washburn was 9-9 with a 3.78 ERA last season but only 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA in eight starts ..."
Report: Twins extend offer to free agent pitcher Jarrod Washburn
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January 6
Michigan Live
 
"Jarrod Washburn likely won't receive a warm welcome from Tiger fans if or when he makes his return to Detroit, but it appears several other teams are willing to look past his second-half woes last season and welcome him with open arms. The Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners and New York Mets have expressed interest in the 35-year-old free agent, although the Twins appear to have a leg up on the veteran pitcher after reportedly offering Washburn a $6 million, one-year deal."
'Wait and see' approach for Twins
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December 23
Foxsports.com
 
"The Twins would like to upgrade their infield and starting rotation before Opening Day. But they seem content to wait while sifting through the options in both areas, hoping that the prices will drop. Really, what did you expect? The Twins may be moving into a new (better-attended) ballpark in the spring, but the Twins are still the Twins. In each search, the field is broad. Among starters, one source said the Twins have some level of interest in Jarrod Washburn, Jon Garland, Doug Davis and Brett Myers. Garland, however, is looking for a multiyear contract and may be out of the Twins' price range. At third base, the Twins like (but may not be able to afford) Mark DeRosa and Adrian Beltre. ..."
Twins will take a look at Cuban defector Chapman
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December 15
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins will have two scouts in attendance Tuesday as Cuban pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman works out for teams potentially interested in signing him as a free agent. Chapman, 21, already has been offered $15.5 million by the Red Sox, according to ESPN.com. A 6-4 lefthander whose fastball was clocked at 102 miles per hour during the World Baseball Classic, he defected from the Cuban national team in August during a tournament in the Netherlands. Chapman's agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks, e-mailed teams with invitations to come get to know their client in Houston. The Yankees and Angels are reportedly among other teams that will be there."
Twins will offer deals to 30 players
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December 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The lobby of the Indianapolis Marriott buzzed last week with talk of which players would not be tendered contracts by Saturday's deadline, and a couple of teams wondered if Twins righthander Jesse Crain would be one of them. But the Twins on Saturday announced that all 30 unsigned players on their 40-man roster will be tendered contracts, meaning Crain, who made $1.7 million last season and is eligible for arbitration, will be back. Crain was 7-4 last season with a 4.70 ERA. Crain could make $3 million next year, which would nudge the Twins' 2010 payroll closer to $90 million. And the club still could sign a third baseman or a bat off the bench, possibly pushing the payroll over $90 ..."
Twins beat deadline on contracts
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December 13
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Twins offered contracts to all of their arbitration-eligible players, general manager Bill Smith said, beating Saturday's 11 p.m. CST deadline. Any eligible player not tendered would have become a free agent. Now all of the unsigned players on the Twins' 40-man roster are guaranteed to sign 2010 deals, either before or after an arbitration hearing. That includes starter Carl Pavano, who accepted an arbitration offer, and shortstop J.J. Hardy, whom the Twins acquired in a trade for Carlos Gomez. The others are pitchers Francisco Liriano, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and Pat Neshek, left fielder Delmon Young and infielder Brendan Harris."
Twins ponder acquiring yet another potential third baseman
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December 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"For the second consecutive offseason, the Twins are looking at Mark DeRosa as a possible answer to their third-base problem. Club sources confirmed the Twins have interest in DeRosa, who hit .250 with 23 homers and 78 RBI for the Indians and Cardinals last season. He batted only .228 with 10 homers and 28 RBI in 68 games after being traded to St. Louis, but the dip has been attributed to a left wrist injury. He has since had surgery. The Twins met with DeRosa's agent, Keith Grunewald, on Tuesday and plan to remain in contact. The Twins appeared to make little progress on any players Wednesday and probably will leave town Friday without any additions. "A lot of conversation, not a lot of ..."
Red Sox acquire Bonser from Twins
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December 10
MLB.com
 
"The Red Sox added some potential depth to their already set starting rotation on Thursday, when they acquired right-hander Boof Bonser from the Twins for a player to be named. Designated for assignment by Minnesota on Tuesday to make room for Carl Pavano, Bonser missed the 2009 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in February. The 28-year-old has made 96 Major League appearances (60 of them starts) since being a first-round Draft pick by the Giants in 2000. In those three seasons, all with the Twins, Bonser is 18-25 with a 5.12 ERA."
Minnesota Twins in no rush to fill third
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December 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Three days into baseball's winter meetings, the only change Twins general manager Bill Smith has made to his roster didn't even require his OK. That was done with Carl Pavano's yes to arbitration. The Twins remain interested in San Diego third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. And free-agent third baseman Mark DeRosa's agent, Keith Grunewald, confirmed that the Twins are one of a number of teams to inquire about his client, though Grunewald's discussion with Minnesota has been only preliminary. Still, Smith said he'll be content to leave Indianapolis on Friday morning with a hole to fill at third base, perhaps because the day after the front office returns to Kirby Puckett Place, some new options ..."
Twins met with DeRosa's agent on Tuesday
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December 9
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins met yesterday with the agent for Mark DeRosa and definitely are exploring ways to land the versatile player. DeRosa is 34 but still hit 23 homers and 78 RBI last year in stints with Cleveland and St. Louis (batted .250 but, IIRC, has an injury with the Cards). He could be the best thing the Twins have as a No. 2 hitter in front of Joe Mauer. There are several third baseman available, and the buyer's market could grow after Saturday, when some arbitration-eligible players aren't tendered contracts. For instance, there's a lot of speculation that Colorado will non-tender Garrett Atkins. That could drive down prices. There have been rumors that DeRosa is seeking a three-year, $27 ..."