The Winter Meetings Confidential staff hit a little lull with the rest of the media at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on Tuesday because there was nothing going on. Then news broke that a good lefthanded pitcher was about to agree to a deal.
Soon it was learned that Francisco Liriano — one of the Twins' pitching targets — was staying with the Pirates for three years and $36 million. A little high but not unreasonable for average pitching on the free agent market.
Twins General Manager Terry Ryan acknowledged that they spoke with Liriano's agent but couldn't reach a deal. Then it was learned that another Twins target, righthander Edinson Volquez, was being targeted by the Pirates to return, too.
Who will be left for the Twins?
They did not double back on Justin Masterson, who has narrowed his choices to a couple of clubs and is set to decide soon. There's still lefthander Brett Anderson, who's looking more and more like the best pitcher in the Twins' wheelhouse. Perhaps they have something up their sleeves.
Ryan continues to talk with clubs and agents.
"Some talks dissipated," he said, "some heated up. Some expanded."
Guess it does take a little chemistry to pull off a deal.
