Minnesota Twins Off-Season Roster

The Minnesota Twins, who are well known for their silent and patient off-season approach, have rebuilt their middle infield and added some interesting (not in a bad way) arms to the bullpen. Below are the moves made by the Twins thus far. I'm sure there will be more to come as there are existing questions for the Twins off season, but take a look at the current roster changes.

Who Left Minnesota:

JJ Hardy (SS): traded to the Baltimore Orioles
Orlando Hudson (2B): signed free-agent contract with the San Diego Padres
Jose Morales (C): traded to Colorado Rockies
Matt Guerrier (RP): signed free-agent contract with Los Angeles Dodgers
Jesse Crain (RP): signed free-agent contract with the Chicago White Sox
Brendan Harris (IF): traded to Baltimore Orioles

Who Came to Minnesota:

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (SS/2B): signed as a transfer from Japan for three-years and $9 million
Brett Jacobsen (RP): acquired in trade from Baltimore Orioles
Jim Hoey (RP): acquired in trade from Baltimore Orioles
Scott Diamond (RP): selected in Rule 5 draft

To Be Determined:

Brian Fuentes (RP)
Jon Rauch (RP)
Nick Punto (IF)
Carl Pavano (SP)
Jim Thome (DH)

The Twins are still extremely interested in signing Carl Pavano while he is interested in making bank off a season in which he won 17 games.

Nick Punto still has a shot at re-signing with the Twins, but would likely have to take a pay cut. If money were not an issue I would definitely keep Punto at the $4 million he made in both the 09 and 10 seasons because, well he works very very hard and never has a clean uniform after playing a game. I like him.

Jim Thome also has a good chance of returning to Minnesota, though he will undoubtedly be more expensive and, with Justin Morneau back, Michael Cuddyer will move back to right field and Jason Kubel to the starting DH position. Basically, I love Jim Thome and would love to have him back. I would pay almost anything for him, if not anything.

Fuentes and Rauch are unlikely to sign with the Twins again because the Twins have already committed $18 million to Matt Capps and Joe Nathan. I sure will miss Rauch's tattoos and Russian-mafia mentality and looks.

Happy hunting Twins!