Twins' off-season moves and rumors report: 12/5/2016

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 Deron Johnson to senior scouting advisor and Sean Johnson to Scouting Director (12/5)
• 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)
• The Twins' have signed former Rockies' 1B/OF Ben Paulsen to a minor league deal with an invitation to the MLB Spring Training (12/4)
• The Twins and IF Eduardo Escobar have settled in an 1yr/$2.6M contract (12/2)  
• The Twins have offered arbitration to all their eligible players (12/2)
• The Twins have cut RHP Yorman Landa, who became a free agent (12/2)
• The Twins have fired former GM and Assistant to GM Bill Smith. (12/1)
• The Twins have hired Yankee's minor league hitting coordinator and former Cubs' hitting coach James Rowson as their new hitting coach (12/1)
• The Twins have re-signed minor league free agent Alex Wimmers (12/1)
• The Twins have talked to the Diamondbacks about their young pitching.  No particular names were mentioned and nothing is imminent (11/29)
• The Twins have expressed interest in  3B Matt Dominguez as far as minor league free agents go (11/29)
• The Twins might be interested in RHP Justin Masterson (11/23) as a minor league free agent signing (11/29)
• The Twins have officially hired, former Twins' players, Torii Hunter, Mike Cuddyer, and LaTroy Hawkins as Special Assistants to the Front Office (11/28)
• 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:

• The Blue Jays have signed former Twins 1B/OF Steve Pearce to a 2 yr/$12.5M contract (12/5)
• Former Twins LHP Brian Duensing has signed an 1yr/$2MM MLB deal with the Cubs (12/2) 
• Former Twins CF Ben Revere has been non-tendered by the Nationals and is a free agent (12/2)
• Former Twins P Vance Worley has been non-tendered by the Orioles and is a free agent (12/2)
• Former Twins P Jeff Manship has been non-tendered by the Indians and is a free agent (12/2)
• Former Twins C Rene Rivera agreed to an 1yr/$1.75M deal with the Mets, avoiding arbitration (12/2) 
• The Orioles have claimed former Twins OF Adam Walker off waivers from the Brewers (12/2)
• Former Twins 1B/OF Chris Colabello was outrighted to AAA by the Blue Jays (12/2)
• Former Twins C Eric Fryer was cut by the Pirates (12/2)
• Former Twins OF Logan Schafer signed a minor league deal with the Orioles. (12/1)
• Former Twins 1B/DH Chris Parmelee a minor league deal with the Athletics (12/1)
• Former Twins LHP Dan Runzler signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. (12/1)
• Former Twins SS Wilfredo Tovar signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals. (12/1)