Minnesota Twins Week in Review

Dec 6, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is interviewed on the MLB Network during the Major League Baseball winter meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Today is the day! Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday with their first workouts to get underway today. Aside from that, this past week has hasn’t had much going on. Let’s review:

News:

• Terry Ryan was diagnosed with a treatable cancer, and underwent a successful surgery earlier this week on his neck. Ryan will  miss the start of Spring Training, and everyone here at the Pond has him in our thoughts.
• Lefty Brooks Raley was claimed from the Cubs and placed on the 40-man roster. Raley, 25, was selected in the 6th round of the 2009 draft by Chicago. He made his big league debut in 2012, posting an 8.14 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. He also appeared in relief last season for the Cubs, doing a bit better with a 5.14 ERA in 14 innings. It’s a short timeframe and he’s only 25 and it will be interesting to see what Rick Anderson and the Twins can do with him. This is my optimism.

Hot Stove Update

• No progress has been made between the Twins and former ace Johan Santana. While GM Terry Ryan said Santana wouldn’t be ready until mid-season, Santana tweeted a while back he had thrown off a mound and felt good. We’ll see.
• The Twins had been rumored to be in on Bronson Arroyo for most of the offseason, however Arroyo signed with Arizona. I’m not disappointed.
• Korean pitcher Suk-min Yoo, who the Twins have also been linked to, signed with the Orioles. Again, not disappointed.
• Rich Harden is attempting another comeback, but I highly doubt there is any interest on either side.
• There are still reports connecting the Twins with free agent bats Stephen Drew and Nelson Cruz. The Twins certainly could still have a shot at either of these players, but their asking prices must be lowered. I’m still holding out hope for a Stephen Drew signing, and with full squad workouts less than a week away, I think/hope his situation will come to a resolution soon.

Former Twins Elsewhere

• This wasn’t really news in the past week, but Justin Morneau will wear #33 for the Rockies.
• Josh Roenicke signed a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite with the Nationals.
• Juan Morillo signed a minor league deal with the Orioles.

Enjoy the first week of Spring Training!