Twins' off-season moves and rumors report: 12/1/2016

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 signed 17 year old Venezuelan C Jeferson Morales and have assigned him to the DSL Twins (11/30)
• 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 1B/OF Ben Paulsen and 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)
• Chad Allen and  Joe Vavra are internal candidates for the hitting coach position for the Twins, along with a couple of outside candidates; an announcement might be close (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)
• The Dodgers have had discussions with the Twins regarding second baseman Brian Dozier (11/11  and reconfirmed on 11/16).  However they seem to be some ways apart (11/20).  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).
• 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 GM Terry Ryan has been hired by the Phillies as special assignment scout (11/30)
• Former Twins' OF Adam Walker has been designated for assignment by the Brewers (11/28)

The Twins new marketing slogan is way out of touch.

The Minnesota Twins after they finally decided to put an end (albeit slow) to the Terry Ryan regime, and the day after they announced that they hired the former player from the malaise era of "almost good enough" of Ron Gardenhire and the Unemployables,  here comes their new marketing campaign.  I received this in my e-mail box this evening:

 

I get summertime.  I do.  But "memories"?  Really?  What memories?  It has been a full 25 years since memories of the Twins' performance on a ballpark were worthwhile.  

On the other hand, the person who came up with the Twins' new marketing slogan was likely not born then... 

 

Twins' off-season moves and rumors report: 11/28/2016

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:

• Twins' LHP Glen Perkins' rehab activities look like he will be in line for another typical season for him (11/27)
• It is early but it looks like the Twins are following two High School players, one pitcher and one position player, for their first overall draft pick next summer (11/26)
• Sounds like the Twins will announce their new hitting and first base coaches this week (11/26)
• The Dodgers have had discussions with the Twins regarding second baseman Brian Dozier (11/11  and reconfirmed on 11/16).  However they seem to be some ways apart (11/20).  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 Twins might be interested in RHP Justin Masterson (11/23)
• 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' LHP Pat Dean has signed a contract with the KBO KIA Tigers (11/26)
• Former Twins' IF Tim Teufel  who has been fired as Mets' third base and catching coach, has accepted a position in that organization as minor league roving instructor (11/26)
• Former Twins' RHP DJ Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Rockies (11/25)