Twins notes: MLB Winter Meetings: Day two

Not a whole lot to report from today.  Below are some notes that LaVelle E Neal III of the Star Tribune posted today.

Also, make sure you check out Seth Stohs of sethspeaks.net Winter Meetings podcast (link)

• The Twins and Carl Pavano met today.  There is a growing feeling that they will be able to re-sign him.  He has contacted teammates telling them of his desire to stay in Minnesota, it will just take a reasonable offer most likely.  There is a good chance at this stage in his career that Pavano may turn down a little more money to stay where he is comfortable.  You can find a link to LaVelle’s post here.
• The Twins have touched base with Jim Thome’s agent and still hope to sign him. In what seemed to be an attempt at a longer contract. Thome told FOX’s Ken Rosenthal that he thinks he has two more years in him
• According to LaVelle, there is a belief at the Winter Meetings that all the Royals are doing is gauging how much interest there is in Zack Greinke and really have no intentions of dealing him right now. Still, the Twins remain in touch. LaVelle goes on to note that he jdoesn’t see how they can put together a package to get Greinke without bringing in a third team
• FOX Sports is reporting that the Twins were one of seven teams to have checked on Rich Harden, which makes sense since they’ve had interest in him in the past. LaVelle notes that they will most likely want him to accept a bullpen role.  I personally think that would be a great spot for Harden.  It would significantly cut down his innings and keep him healthy throughout the entire year.  Not to mention, it would add a power arm back in the bullpen if the Twins are to lose Crain.
• A quote from LaVelle’s early morning post reads: “Keep hearing about plenty of  interest in Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier from other teams. Toronto might be a destination for Crain.”
• Bill Smith tells LaVelle that Justin Morneau is on track to be ready for spring training after missing the second half of the season with a concussion.
• The Twins and Nishioka’s agent exchanged contract offers on Monday. Indications are that a three-year deal is on the table for anywhere from $3-5 million a year.

Credit LaVelle with all of these notes.  Make sure you are checking out his blog on startribune.com throughout the day during the Winter Meetings.  You can find the link here.