Twins: Japan's part of the plan

Last update: December 6, 2007 - 9:51 PM

Foreign flavor: The final Winter Meetings Confidential was cobbled together as the staff looked upon a group of Japanese reporters in the media room. Surely they are all over the race for center fielder Kosuke Fukudome, who has received interest from the Cubs, Royals (who seem to be flush with cash) and Padres, among others. Word is that the Cubs are going to offer $12-15 million a year for him. Wow.

Righthander Hiroki Kuroda had as many as 10 clubs interested in him but is believed to have narrowed that list to a handful of teams -- likely all on the West Coast.

Workout teammates: Twins closer Joe Nathan has been working out at the University of Tennessee with Royals pitching prospect Luke Hochevar and former Twins pitcher Mike Lincoln, who is attempting a comeback.

Blockbuster deals? Not so much: A season highlight video shown before the Rule 5 draft included footage from Clay Buchholz's no-hitter. What a curveball. Are the Twins asking Boston for the right guy? ... The Twins' outrighting of Chris Basak off the 40-man roster made the official winter meetings transactions summary. So, officially, the Twins were active.

New Astros on the way?: Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada could be dealt to the Astros. Baltimore's Andy MacPhail wants to rebuild the franchise, leading to talk about Orioles lefthander Erik Bedard being dealt.

Clueless in Washington: What are the Nationals doing? Aaron Boone? Elijah Dukes?

Vegas, baby: That's it for 2007, everyone. WMC will now begin the countdown to the 2008 winter meetings in Las Vegas, where no work will get done.