The latest Twins rumors, courtesy of ESPN 1500's Phil Mackey…
- Joe Nathan's top priority is to pitch for a winning team next year, preferably as the closer. Last week Nathan's agent said his client seeks a closing job. "Money won't be the driving force" for Nathan, writes Mackey. Mackey says Nathan has strong interest in returning to the Twins, who definitely have openings at the back end of their bullpen.
- Mackey hears that Michael Cuddyer will "listen attentively to all interested parties," even if the Twins make the best offer. The Twins maintain interest in Jason Kubel as well. At the least, I expect they'll offer arbitration to both of them later this month.
- Mackey's hunch says to keep an eye on Clint Barmes, Kelly Shoppach, and Ryan Doumit as potential free agent targets. I ranked Barmes 35th among free agents on Monday, predicting the Twins as his new team. Make your picks for Barmes and 49 other free agents by Sunday night for the chance to win cash and baseball-related prizes and bragging rights. Over 3,000 people have entered so far.
- There's a very good chance the Twins will non-tender righty Kevin Slowey, wrote MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger on Monday.
- The Twins' 2012 payroll is expected to decrease slightly, leaving $20-25MM to spend, wrote Bollinger on Saturday.
- View MLBTR's projected salaries for Slowey and the Twins' other four arbitration eligibles here, and read Ben Nicholson-Smith's offseason outlook for the team here.
Wait…Nathan first says Mets are on his radar then says he wants to play for a winning team…One or the other!
Even though they were the 2nd worst team in baseball the Twins had a very successful season, they weren’t swept out of the playoffs by the Yankees again for the umteenth time.
I would like to see the Red Sox try to sign both Nathan and Kubel. If the Sox don’t get into the Ortiz sweeps I think Kubel and Youk could share the DH duties with each taking a turn in the field periodically.
Nathan could be the closer or set-up person–I’m thinking Papelbon will be in Texas or Philly come Christmas if not before.
god if the twins let cuddy and kubel go. I do not know what I will do..
Have a chance at a decent outfield D ?
yea but without them the twins are looking at only hitting 20 or so homeruns as a team….
I think Papelbon will end up with the Angels. Nathan maybe with Boston or Texas. Madson & Bell resign with their respective teams.
As I recall the last time the Twins faced the Yankees in the play-offs Nathan was one of the main reasons they weren’t a “winning team”.