Twins' off-season moves and rumors report: 12/23/2016

This is the latest installment of the Twins 2016-2017 off-season rumors and moves report.  You can find the previous here and all the previous installments in this series here.

I will be bringing news for Twins moves and rumored interest as they come periodically, leaving the names of interesting parties as are unless something changes about their status, adding new information as it comes.  As previously, this is actually reported interest, and not "who fits where" hypothetical interest.  I will be adding information about former Twins as it happens, but not rumors, as well.  This is what has happened or rumored to have happened so far:

• The Twins have promoted former Miracle and Rock Cats manager Jeff Smith to their first base coach and officially announced the hiring of Jeff Pickler as their "major league coach" (12/21)
• The Twins have signed 1B/3B Matt Hague to a minor league contract with Spring Training invitation (12/21)
• The Twins have announced that they have retained all their medical staff for 2017 (12/21)
• The Twins have re-signed 1B/OF Reynaldo Rodriguez to a minor league contract (12/21).
• The Dodgers have had discussions with the Twins regarding second baseman Brian Dozier (11/11  and reconfirmed on 11/16).   The Twins are "aiming high" as far as returns for Dozier go and are "shooting for the stars" (11/25). The Angels and Philies are among the teams interested in Dozier (11/25).  The latest news indicates that the Dodgers have piqued the Twins' interest as far as a potential Dozier trade goes (12/4).  Add the Yankees to the list of the teams interested in Dozier (12/5), a report that Yankees' GM Cashman later called false (12/5).  The Dodgers are still interested, even after their latest signings (12/12), and the dialogue still continues (12/14).  Jose DeLeon might be the centerpiece of a deal (12/16) and there seems that the two teams have already agreed on DeLeon and discussing potentially other players (12/21).  Add the San Fransisco Giants to the teams interested in Dozier (12/17) (and 12/20),. however nothing is imminent (12/17).
• There is interest by unnamed teams on Twins RHP Ervin Santana and the Twins have indicated that nobody is "untouchable" (12/16)
• The Twins could have interest in Red Sox'  P Drew Pomeranz, but have not discussed them yet with Boston (12/6); However are not listed among the teams that were interested in Red Sox' pitchers per Boston sources (12/7)
• The Twins have talked to the Diamondbacks about their young pitching.  No particular names were mentioned and nothing is imminent (11/29)
• The Twins might be interested in RHP Justin Masterson (11/23) as a minor league free agent signing (11/29)
• It looks like the new Twins' Front Office t is doing the right thing and committing to a full-time rebuild.(11/20)  However, previous reports suggested that the Twins were after "experienced" players, without any names mentioned. (11/9)
• Twins' 1B Kennys Vargas (who apparently has a fourth option left), has drawn some trade interest, but no teams are named (11/17)
• The Twins have had discussions with the agent of RHP Joba Chamberlain, Casey Close.  He also represents who also represents former closers Joe Smith and Shawn Tolleson (11/10)
• The Twins' have attended the showcase of former Royals' closer RHP Greg Holland. (11/7)

From the former Twins' news department:

• Former Twins' 1B Aaron Bates was named the Great Lakes Loons' (Midwest League, A, Dodgers' affiliate) hitting coach (12/21)