Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving weekend. If you're getting caught up on Twins news, they bid about $5 million for exclusive negotiating rights with Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and Justin Morneau said, "There's not a doubt in my mind" that he'll be ready for spring training.
* The official Hall of Fame ballot will be revealed today (with the votes due late next month) highlighted by Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar, who each came fewer than 10 votes from being elected last year.
Former MVPs Jeff Bagwell, Larry Walker and Juan Gonzalez are among the first-time candidates on the ballot.
* By Tuesday at 11 p.m., we'll know if free agents Orlando Hudson, Jesse Crain and Carl Pavano have accepted or declined the Twins' arbitration offer. All three are expected to decline.
Hudson and Crain are both Type B free agents, so the Twins would get a supplemental-round draft pick between the first and second round of the 2011 June draft if they sign elsewhere. Pavano is a Type A free agent, so the Twins would get two high picks if he departs.
Peter Gammons had the following Tweet yesterday: Jesse Crain may be hottest Rel. w/ Benoit signed. TB, Col, LAD, Arizona, Sea, Balt, Cubs, Wash, Tor already in. Makes sense for Bos and LAA
No surprise there. Benoit, another Type B free agent, signed a three-year, $15.5 million deal with the Tigers setting the bar for other relievers.
