Twins talking to several teams, but no deals are set

General Manager Bill Smith had hoped to find offensive help for the left side of the infield and improve the bullpen. But so far he has only conversation to show for his trouble.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: December 11, 2008 - 7:32 AM

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TWINS WINTER MEETINGS

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LAS VEGAS - This might look familiar, but the Twins could leave the Major League Baseball winter meetings without meeting their main objectives. That was to find offensive help for the left side of their infield and fortify the bullpen.

But the Twins were far from inactive on Wednesday as they met with teams and agents.

They remain in contact with the Chicago Cubs about infielder Mark DeRosa. DeRosa, who will turn 34 in February, will make $5.5 million next season in the final year of his contract. He batted .285 last season with career highs of 21 homers and 87 RBI and could play either third base or second.

The Twins are still trying to get a feel for what the Cubs want from them for DeRosa. Chicago is looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder, but they also are trying to finalize a deal for Padres righthander Jake Peavy and might need to acquire a starting pitcher from the Twins to spin off to San Diego. But a separate Twins-Cubs deal for DeRosa appears to be much more of a possibility. Even a Cubs-Twins deal helps the Peavy situation because Chicago needs to shed some salary before adding the former Cy Young winner.

When asked about the possibility of being in a three-team deal, Twins GM Bill Smith said, "It's tough enough trying to make a two-team deal."

The Phillies, who are looking for help while second baseman Chase Utley recovers from surgery, also are interested in DeRosa and have been mentioned as a potential third team in a Peavy-to-the-Cubs deal. Phillies lefthanded prospect J.A. Happ has been mentioned as a possibility to be included that deal. Philadelphia would use DeRosa until All-Star second baseman Chase Utley recovers from surgery then provide depth at second and third base.

The Twins also are interested in San Diego third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Houston third baseman Ty Wigginton, but there are no indications the Twins have attempted to heat up things with either team.

Smith did say he has made a contract offer to infielder Nick Punto, who is a free agent. On Tuesday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Punto would start at short if he returns.

"We would like to re-sign him,'' Smith said. "He has been a good player for us. Gardy loves the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the lineup and clubhouse on a daily basis.''

But the Phillies could have a say in this matter, too. Punto met with the club on Monday, and the Phillies view Punto as a fallback plan if they can't deal for DeRosa.

Philadelphia also has talked with the Twins about outfielder Delmon Young, but those talks appear to be on the backburner for now.

The Twins also have spoken with the agent for lefthander Dennys Reyes, but were told they will explore the market first before they proceed with the Twins. It's unclear if the Twins have made any progress in finding bullpen help.

Smith was non-committal when asked if he was close to any deal.

"We've had a lot of conversations,'' he said. "We have spent a lot of time as a staff going over different possibilities. We have talked to a lot of teams to see if there's a fit. We obviously haven't found it yet.''

La Velle E. Neal provides all-day updates on baseball's winter meetings on his Twins Insiders blog at startribune.com/twins.

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