Baseball Insider: Twins might be forced to roll the dice in Vegas

Twins General Manager Bill Smith headed to Las Vegas on Saturday to attend a pre-winter meetings meeting. Good thing he's already on the scene, because the Twins offseason has just become more challenging.

Their pursuit of free-agent third baseman Casey Blake has ended, according to a source with knowledge of the talks, after discussions with Jim McDowell, Blake's agent, fell apart Friday night. The Twins had offered Blake a two-year deal with an option. Blake, 35, wanted a three-year deal. But the Twins couldn't craft a offer to satisfy Blake, who might wind up back with the Dodgers.

There's a chance the sides could rekindle talks, but the Twins can't wait. They have watched Edgar Renteria sign with the Giants. Khalil Greene has been traded from San Diego to St. Louis. Brent Lillibridge has been traded from Atlanta to Chicago, which means the Braves will hang on to Yunel Escobar. Shortstops are falling off the market, so the Twins -- who are looking for either a third baseman or shortstop who can hit and play a little defense -- want to get discussions with teams going before the pickings get slim.

This changes the team's approach at baseball's winter meetings, which begin Monday at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. Instead of signing Blake, the Twins might have to use resources to deal for righthanded-hitting infield help, while acutely aware that their bullpen needs attention, too.

They still intend to look for help in both areas this week. Are they comfortable with dealing for both?

Indications are that they will reach out to teams they have spoken with in the past about third basemen.

That includes the Colorado Rockies about Garrett Atkins. The Twins have expressed interest in Atkins before, but the Rockies' demands have been too high (Kevin Slowey and Denard Span). Perhaps a common ground can be found this week.

The Twins might contact the Mariners about Adrian Beltre, again. Like the Rockies, the Mariners placed a huge price tag on Beltre when the Twins inquired about him during the regular season. Beltre is entering the final year of his contract and is represented by Scott Boras, which means he will become a free agent -- which affects what a team is willing to give up. New Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik might offer a fresh perspective.

The Twins also like Phillies shortstop prospect Jason Donald, who batted .407 with a .476 on-base percentage during Arizona Fall League play and is considered close to the majors. But the Phillies might hold on to him with Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz working their way back from injuries.

And there's a chance the Twins might make a play for Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson, who also is being eyed by Detroit.

Here's some other things we know as baseball executives descend upon Sin City:

• The Twins want infielder Nick Punto back as a starter or a utility player and will meet with Punto's agent, Jeff Caulfield, during the meetings. Caulfield has received calls from several teams, including the Phillies and Mets, with the Mets even looking at Punto's medical records.

Punto and the Twins have waited for the shortstop market to play out before getting serious. Now might be the time to talk, with San Francisco overpaying Renteria ($9.25 million a year? The Giants never learn) and the Cardinals trading for Greene.

• The Twins are interested in Milwaukee shortstop J.J. Hardy, but the Brewers haven't put him in play. The Twins are not interested in free agent Rafael Furcal because of cost and recent injuries.

• Among third basemen, I have not heard the names Joe Crede or Kevin Kouzmanoff mentioned.

• After examining the list of free-agent relievers -- and grabbing their stomachs -- the Twins offered a contract to righthander Mike Lincoln, like Blake a former Twin from years ago. Lincoln then signed a two-year deal with Cincinnati after he went back to the Reds with the Twins' offer and gave them a chance to top it.

If the Twins don't get a reliever, they will pull for Boof Bonser to complete his conversion to setup man; try out Philip Humber, who is out of options; and hope Jesse Crain is better another year removed from shoulder surgery.

What's worth watching is for free-agent closer Brian Fuentes to return to Colorado; the Rockies then could make the recently acquired Huston Street available.

While the Rockies have asked for a lot in return, it was learned Friday that Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd was researching the background of Twins outfielder Delmon Young.

A deal with the Rockies that included Street and Atkins for package that included Young? I think that would change opinions about this offseason for the Twins.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

WINTER MEETINGS

When: Monday-Thursday

Where: The Bellagio, Las Vegas

What to expect: See C4