Winter meetings evening update

While the Twins have expressed interest in bringing back Neal Cotts, have kicked the tires on Shawn Kelley and have possibly looked into adding Tony Sipp and Antonio Bastardo, there is no evidence that they are close to wrapping up any deals after one day at the winter meetings.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan, however, sounded as if it was a good day.

``We're making progress," Ryan said. ``I wouldn't gauge it as being close.

``There are things out there that will be available and things we have interest in. A lot more firm about some things as we progress into the week. I feel good about where we are right now."

The market for relief help appears to be drying up, with Ryan Madson agreeing to a deal with Oakland, Joakim Soria agreeing to a deal with Kansas City and Carson Smith being dealt from Seattle to Boston.

Prices for good relievers are rising. Madson is getting $21 million over three years. Soria is getting $25 over three - although he might convert to starting. Sipp reportedly wants three years for $5-6 million annually.

``It happens every year," Ryan said. ``We have been through this."

``That still isn't going to scare us off," Ryan said. ``If we've got a guy we like and we've seen him and evaluated him and the analytics work out for us and his injury history is solid for the most part, (and) whether or not he comes from the National League or the American League. All the things that you gauge. If it checks out, we will move."

The Twins feel they don't need to be in panic mode to add a good reliever. They have Glen Perkins, Kevin Jepsen and Casey Fien coming back. Trevor May could return to the bullpen. And they have prospects who are nearly ready.

We'll see how the Twins will proceed. I will have more on their approach tomorrow afternoon.