Minnesota Twins Free Agent Rumors: Updating 9 Hot Rumors Surrounding the Team

It's one of the best times of the year to be a baseball fan. Free agency started up about a month ago, but there hasn't been any big news to get people excited about the upcoming season. That's what makes the period between the beginning of free agency and the first big player to sign a bit frustrating to follow, especially for fans of the Minnesota Twins.

It always seems like the Twins tend to keep things close to the vest when it comes to free agency. Twins fans fill out a Christmas list of solutions, only to be disappointed when Jamey Carroll shows up in their stocking.

Still, Twins fans can dream. That's what makes this fun.

It's time to filter through all the smoke screens and see what the Twins are thinking this offseason.

Will Michael Cuddyer Re-Sign with the Twins?

Surprisingly, Michael Cuddyer is a very wanted man in baseball circles. He brings many things to the table and that's why teams love him.

As of now, it's a three team race for Cuddyer's services. The Twins obviously want Cuddyer back because of the way he manages the clubhouse. Plus, as the longest tenured Twin, the backlash from fans could be severe.

The Boston Red Sox are also interested in Cuddyer's services. The Sox are intrigued by Cuddyer's ability to play almost everywhere on the diamond. If they lose David Ortiz, Cuddyer could pick up some of the slack offensively and play a steady designated hitter.

The Philadelphia Phillies are also interested in the 32 year old right fielder. Like the Red Sox, the Phillies like Cuddyer because he can play multiple positions. However, Philadelphia recently signed Ty Wigginton to fill that utility role, so that might water down their pursuit of Cuddyer.

As of now, I would still say the Twins are the front runners to get Michael Cuddyer.

Twins Pursuit for a Closer

The Twins have a gaping hole in the back of their bullpen (along with the front and middle too, but that's a different subject). With Joe Nathan leaving to close for the Texas Rangers, Twins general manager Terry Ryan said that he wants to acquire a reliever with major league experience.

The target I've been hearing for the Twins is Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod would be a great fit for the Twins and he is listed as second in my free agent power rankings.

As always, the one obstacle here is money. The Twins want to reduce their payroll from 2011, and Rodriguez had a $17.5 million option turned down by the Milwaukee Brewers. I would assume it would take about $10 million (or more) to get Rodriguez to sign.

Several reports said that the Twins were also interested in Jonathan Broxton, but that the price tag was too high. That was $4 million dollars. If the Twins aren't willing to spend $4 million on him, then Rodriguez may be a pipe dream.

The more likely scenario is that the Twins will re-sign Matt Capps, who underwhelmed in his second season as a Twin. In a recent radio interview, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that the Twins were "making a mad effort" to sign Capps along with Michael Cuddyer.

If the Twins want to go bargain basement, Matt Capps could be the Twins closer in 2012.

The Trade Availability of Denard Span

This is a bit of a touchy subject for Twins fans. Denard Span is one of the best players on the Twins, and most likeable among fans. However, the Twins have plenty of prospects who are waiting in the wings to play an outfield spot.

At the trade deadline, it was rumored that Span was almost shipped to the Washington Nationals for Drew Storen. If the deal is on the table, I would say that the Twins should take it, but Terry Ryan doesn't agree.

In an interview earlier this weekend, Ryan had said that both Span and Ben Revere were not going to be traded. We've all heard GM's lie before, but at this point it looks like Denard Span will be a Minnesota Twin in 2012.

Twins Looking at Yoennis Cespedes

This would be a real interesting signing if the Twins could pull it off.

Should the Twins lose Michael Cuddyer, one of the replacements mentioned could be Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes. Cespedes is considered to be a five tool outfielder, and his market is expected to be very large.

Cespedes is waiting for his residency request to be approved by the Dominican Republic. Once that is granted (and it should be any day now) Cespedes will become a free agent.

I can't see the Twins getting involved in too big of a bidding war, but with the bonuses that they've given out to Miguel Sano and Max Kepler over the past couple of seasons, I wouldn't be shocked if the Twins nabbed one of the best international prospects in the game.

If the Twins don't get Cespedes, they could look at Josh Willingham, who would be an excellent fit should Cuddyer leave.

Twins Interest in Josh Willingham

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, The Twins may be interested in the services of Josh Willingham if Michael Cuddyer decides to leave.

Willingham, who was ranked seventh in my free agent power rankings, would be a perfect fit should the Twins lose Cuddyer. He can play both corner outfield positions and give the Twins enough power to soften the blow should Cuddyer leave.

Until Cuddyer makes a decision, there really isn't much to report on this situation. However, it's worth keeping an eye on.

Edwin Jackson to the Twins?

The sixth ranked player on my free agent rankings list is also drawing interest from the Twins.

Edwin Jackson has had a career similar to Francisco Liriano's stats wise, but he could also join Liriano in the same rotation next season.

The Twins have reached out to Jackson's agent Scott Boras to gague Jackson's interest, but once again the price tag rears it's ugly head in this situation. If the Twins are unwilling to pay Jackson, then he'll go somewhere else.

Jeff Francis to the Twins?

Jeff Francis may be a more affordable option for the Twins to bolster their starting rotation. Earlier in the week, the Twins had offered Chris Capuano a two year, $10 million contract. The left-hander turned that offer down so he could practice near his home in Arizona for the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the Twins were looking for someone similar to Capuano, Jeff Francis could fit that bill.

Francis won 17 games in 2007 for the Colorado Rockies, but his career has gone downhill since. Francis underwent Tommy John surgery in 2009, and signed with the Kansas City Royals in the 2011 season. Francis' numbers of 6-16 with a 4.82 earned run average weren't eye popping, but he gave the Royals 183 innings pitched.

It's not the best possible pitcher the Twins could get, but Francis could be cost effective as the team is expected to continue talks through next week's winter meetings.

Mark Buehrle to the Twins Dead?

Actually, I don't think this was alive in the first place. In my free agent power rankings, I ranted and raved about how Mark Buehrle could help this team. That's why he was placed as fifth.

However in a weak starting pitching market, the Twins can't seem to afford Buehrle and therfore haven't even reached out to him for the possibility of signing him.

I know the Twins don't want to add to payroll, but spending money is OK when you're spending it on a proven track record like Buehrle's.

Joe Mauer Declares Himself Healthy for 2012 Season

While it's not free agent news, Joe Mauer's health is something that should be kept track of over the offseason. On December 2, Mauer had an impromptu press conference at Target Field declaring himself healthy for the 2012 season.

Mauer only played in 82 games last season, and with his $23 million salary fans were furious Mauer was unwilling to play through pain.

According to Mauer, he has changed his diet and workout regimine to hopefully add more strength in his legs. Mauer has also gotten back to his playing weight of 225 and hopes to add five more pounds to reach 230 by the beginning of spring training.

It's also been said that Mauer will now try and sell Minnesota to possible free agents. I'm assuming this won't be like Ozzie Guillen selling the Miami Marlins, but it can't help to have the face of the franchise not only convince players to come to Minnesota, but explain to them what happened in '11 as well.