Twins Will Negotiate In-Season

La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune quotes a high-ranking Twins official in saying that the club will ignore their own policy and negotiate contracts during the season.  In particular, they'll continue to try to extend Joe Nathan and Johan Santana.  Neal also cites precedents where the Twins bent policies, whether regarding contracts or beards.

We last heard about Nathan a few days ago, when Charley Walters reported "positive discussions" on a deal that could run through 2011.  A week prior to that Nathan said he didn't think a deal would get done this year.

Santana wants to stay, and was quoted saying "the sooner the better."  It's just a matter of how much of a discount he'll concede to the Twins.