Twins end pursuit of reliever Cruz

Last update: February 25, 2009 - 11:35 PM

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Twins end pursuit of reliever Cruz

If you think Boof Bonser's season-ending surgery will motivate the Twins to acquire reliever Juan Cruz, think again.

Indications are that the Twins will look elsewhere for bullpen help rather than trying to add Cruz, considered the best set-up man on the free-agent market.

Cruz is a Type A free agent, which normally would require a team to relinquish a first-round pick as compensation for signing him. But Major League Baseball made its sign-and-trade rules an easier process this year, allowing teams to work out a contract with the player's agent, then get a 48-hour window to negotiate a trade rather than lose a pick.

The Twins last week made an offer to Cruz's agent that wasn't accepted -- and indications are that another offer won't be made. While the Twins believe righthander Jesse Crain will improve and that they can get free-agent righthander Luis Ayala on track, they will continue to keep an eye out for opportunities to upgrade the bullpen. Just not with Cruz.

Bonser's agent, Larry Reynolds, also represents free-agent reliever Chad Cordero, who is working his way back from shoulder surgery. Cordero, who Reynolds said will be ready to pitch in April, threw for several teams on Wednesday -- including the Twins.

Early work

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will lose six players in camp to the World Baseball Classic next week: Joe Nathan (USA), Justin Morneau (Canada), Jesse Crain (Canada), Nick Punto (Italy), Ayala (Mexico) and Luke Hughes (Australia).

Gardenhire said before Wednesday's game that he intends to give all his WBC-bound players as much game time as he can before they leave to join their national teams.

Morneau and Punto were in the starting lineup on Wednesday, and Nathan and Crain pitched in relief. Ayala and Hughes are expected to play soon.

Young on MLB

The Major League Baseball Network has announced it will air two original documentaries -- one involving Twins outfielder Delmon Young.

"We Are Young: A Baseball Family" focuses on a seven-year period in the development of Delmon Young and older brother, Dmitri. It shows how they were molded as players by their father, Larry, and also deals with Dmitri Young's battle with diabetes as well as Delmon Young's suspension for flipping a bat at an umpire.

The 96-minute film will air at 8 p.m. Monday. A documentary on Texas slugger Josh Hamilton will air at 8 p.m. Friday.

Etc.

• Twins pitchers will be required to bat during three road games against National League teams this spring: Philadelphia on March 21, Florida on March 24 and Cincinnati on March 26.

• A moment of silence was observed before Wednesday's game for former Twins owner Carl Pohlad, who passed away last month.

On deck

The Twins will travel to Sarasota today to play the Reds. Righthander Nick Blackburn is scheduled to face righthander Micah Owings. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.

La Velle E. Neal III

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