Will Carl Pavano Resign?

Carl Pavano was fantastic for the Minnesota Twins last season. He went 17-11 with 7 complete games. Now the question is, will Carl Pavano resign with the Minnesota Twins? It seems like it is between the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals. It had been reported that he is seeking a 3 year contract. Much like Jim Thome, Carl Pavano is a valuable player that I think many fans hope return. Hopefully the "Pavstache" returns.

TwinsFest 2011 Moved to Blaine

So, if you haven't heard, the Metrodome collapsed. That meant that TwinsFest 2011 at the Metrodome would be in jeopardy. It has now been announced that TwinsFest 2011 has been moved to the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. It remains scheduled for January 28 to 30. TwinsFest 2011 admission prices are $9 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under.

Minnesota Twin Legend Harmon Killebrew Has Cancer

Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew was diagnosed this week with esophageal cancer and will undergo treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he has a home. It is a rare form of cancer but it definitely is one that takes a vigorous approach to overcome. Killebrew has an optimistic outlook, setting a goal to recover in time to make his trademark appearance during spring training in Fort Myers, Florida in February. Best wishes to Harmon Killebrew and we are all praying for you!

Will Jim Thome Re-sign with Minnesota Twins?

Just about every Minnesota Twins fan has been paying close attention to whether Jim Thome will re-sign with the team or move along to another team. Fans are hoping and crossing their fingers that Jim Thome returns to the Minnesota Twins. Not a whole lot has been made about where he might possibly go, but it has worried most fans. The free agency period has upgraded some teams with Cliff Lee headed back to Philly, Zach Greinke to the Brewers, and Adam Dunn to the White Sox. The Minnesota Twins are hoping their upgrade may come in the form or re-signing their powerful designated hitter, Mr. Jim Thome.

Minnesota Twins Top Prospects

Hey, it's the offseason right? If you paid attention, the Minnesota Twins didn't make a huge splash this offseason. It just didn't happen. I'm okay with that though because we did upgrade in the infield with "Yoshi" and the contracts that Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier got were too much in my opinion. We also gained a draft pick because of Orlando Hudson leaving and still have a chance to resign Jim Thome and Carl Pavano.

Anywho, instead of talking about who we didn't get or who we should get, how about we talk about who we have. Here are my Minnesota Twins Top Prospects currently:

1) Kyle Gibson - could make the rotation as early as this season. Big arm, big guy and hopefully can upgrade our 4/5 starter

2) Aaron Hicks - unlimited potential with high baseball IQ. Smart player that "could" be a 5 tool player, has speed, can field, can hit for average, and hopefully hit for power.

3) Miguel Sano - extremely young and raw but has scouts drooling over his game already

4)Alex Wimmers - very good command and control, a prototypical Twins arm. I feel I value him more than some other critics have given him credit for.

5) Ben Revere- saw a glimpse of him last season. You're gonna see with what you get from him, he has speed, field, and hit for average. Won't be a power guy by any means but the guy has a love for the game and can slap the ball around (Juan Pierre in my mind).

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"Yoshi" is Officially a Twin

Tsuyoshi Nishioka is officially a Minnesota Twin. We got him for 3 years, $9 million. He hit .346 last season with 22 steals and 206 hits. I am excited to see this guy play and hope he can bring his ability to hit and run with the Minnesota Twins. Welcome aboard, Yoshi.

Think Spring, Twins Spring Training

Since the weather is FRIGID here in Minneapolis this week, I am thinking SPRING...Minnesota Spring Training.

Wish I was here:

Watching This:

JJ Hardy Traded to the Baltimore Orioles

Shortstop JJ Hardy was traded from the Minnesota Twins to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. The official trade was J.J. Hardy, Brendan Harris and cash to the Orioles for Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. Hoey and Jacobson are two minor league relief pitchers. The theory behind the trade most likely indicates that the Twins did not value Hardy. That means Tsuyoshi Nishioka will be playing either shortstop or second base and Alexi Casilla at the other position. Hardy did not have a lot of speed, was hurt often, and really did not make that much of an impact to me. Good luck in Baltimore JJ.

Winter Meetings Begin

Over the next four days, the MLB's Winter Meetings will take place. All of the general managers of the MLB meet together in Florida and negotiate with eachother. For the Minnesota Twins there are several hot topics. Will we sign Tsuyoshi Nishioka over the winter meetings? His agent apparently is meeting with Twins GM Billy Smith. If we sign Nishioka, will we deal JJ Hardy? Apparently there are abot 6 teams interested in JJ Hardy's services. Also, will we look for another starting or relief pitcher? Maybe even dare I say, Zach Grienke? Stay tuned.

Jason Repko and Pat Neshek Signed and Will Return

Utility outfielder Jason Repko has signed a 1 year tender for $600,000 and relief pitcher Pat Neshek has signed a 1 year contract worth $625,000. I like both of these signings since they are essentially cheap contracts. Repko provides solid defense, a great arm, and speed on the basepaths. Neshek obviously did not pitch for the team that much this year but he continues to improve from his surgery. Hey, I'd rather see the Minnesota native get back on track for the hometown team than another team. Plus, it's not a longterm or expensive contract. Also - Adam Dunn appears headed to the Chicago White Sox. He can hit absolute rockets.

Minnesota Twins Secure Rights to Tsuyoshi Nishioka

The Minnesota Twins have won the right to negotiate with 26-year-old infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka on a major league contract. Apparently the sum to earn the right to negotiate with the Japanese star costed around $5 million. Nishioka led Japan's Pacific League with a .346 batting average this season and had 206 hits, becoming the first Pacific League player to get 200 hits since Ichiro Suzuki. He led the Marines to this year's Japan Series championship. The Twins have 30 days to work out a deal with Nishioka. He could play either shortstop or 2nd base.

Ron Gardenhire Wins American League Manager of the Year

Ron Gardenhire is pretty familiar with the American League Manager of the Year. He was a 5-time runner-up until last week when he was named the American League Manager of the Year. Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers finished in 2nd place. Gardenhire led the Minnesota Twins to a 94-68 record and another American League Central Division Title. Even with injuries to Joe Nathan and Justin Morneau, Gardenhire found a way to get the 6th AL Central Title in 9 years. Congratulations to Ron Gardenhire!

Justin Morneau Upset About Target Field

Last week, Minnesota Twins 1st baseman Justin Morneau voiced his concerns and frustrations with Target Field's dimensions. It is a tough ballpark to hit home runs at. Morneau stated “Right-center to left-center is ridiculous." He then went on to state, “You start to develop bad habits as a hitter when you feel like you can only pull the ball to hit it over the fence. You take those habits on the road.’’

The Twins record at home last season was 53-28 in 2010, the best in the American League. The team decided to not change Target Field's dimensions. The Minnesota Twins president, Dave St. Peter, pointed to that fact in defending the decision to retain Target Field’s dimensions. The Twins hit 52 home runs at Target Field and hit 91 on the road.

Free Agent Splash?

The Free Agency Period has officially begun for Major League Baseball. High sought after free agents include Cliff Lee, Derek Jeter, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Jason Werth, and Derek Lee. Are the Minnesota Twins expected to make a move on any of these players. Probably not and for right reasons. Keep an eye on where these players end up because all of them can still perform at a high level. Also, rumors around the league are saying that the Twins might make a move for Kansas City Royals pitcher Zach Greinke. It'd probably be a stretch, but something to pay attention to.

Minnesota Twins Pick Up Jason Kubel's Option

The Minnesota Twins reportedly picked up Jason Kubel's $5.25 million option for 2011 and turned down Nick Punto's $5 million option for 2011. After having a career year in 2009, Jason Kubel hit 21 home runs and batted .249 in 2010. The hope is that Jason Kubel can come back strong in 2011 and be that player he is capable of being. Also, I'd like to see thank you to Nick Punto for all the hustle he had as a Twins player. We will see where he goes this offseason.