The Twins announce non-roster Spring Training invitees and there are some surprises

Today the Twins have announced that the following players not on their 40-man roster will be invited to the MLB Spring Training camp:

RHP Raul Fernandez
IF Tommy Field
LHP Stephen Gonsalves
IF Bengie Gonzalez
IF Niko Goodrum
IF Nick Gordon
IF Matt Hague
IF Ben Paulsen
RHP Jake Reed
IF Leonardo Reginatto
C Eddy Rodriguez
C Dan Rohlfing
RHP Drew Rucinski
OF J.B. Shuck
RHP Aaron Slegers
RHP Alex Wimmers

This puts the total number of invitees to 56.  Last season there were 23 non-roster invitees, so I do expect some additions.   However, there are a few surprises:  DJ Baxendale,  Nick Burdi, and Tyler Jay could all help the Twins' bullpen and Levi Michael could potentially fight for a utility spot.  The addition of Nick Gordon who is not close to being MLB-ready is also puzzling.   I expect that a few more catchers and at least one more OF will be added who potentially are not yet in the organization

Twins' off-season moves and rumors report: 1/5/2017

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 agreed on a minor league contact with RHP Jim Miller (1/4)
• It was officially announced that Jake Mauer will be the AA Chattanooga Lookouts manager (1/3) 
• It was officially announced that Doug Mientkiewicz will be the A+ Fort Myers Miracle manager (1/3) 
• It was officially announced that Tommy Watkins will be the A Cedar Rapids Kernels manager (1/3)
• The Dodgers have had discussions with the Twins regarding second baseman Brian Dozier (11/11  and reconfirmed on 11/16).   The Angels and Philies are among the teams interested in Dozier (11/25). .  Jose DeLeon might be the centerpiece of a deal with the Dodgers (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).  The Cardinals and Nationals are also interested in Dozier, in addition to the Giants and Dodgers (12/26).  However both the Cardinals and the Nats deny active interest (12/27).  The Twins have informed interested clubs, including the Braves that are newly mentioned, to submit their best offers because they are looking for a quick resolution (12/30)
• The Twins are interested in free agent RHSP Tyson Ross (12/26)
• 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:

No recent news

Twins' off-season moves and rumors report: 1/2/2017

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:

• It looks like Jake Mauer will be the new manager at Fort Myers and there is a manager's vacancy at Cedar Rapids (12/31)
• The Twins have re-signed LHP Nick Greenwood to a minor league contract (12/30)
• The Dodgers have had discussions with the Twins regarding second baseman Brian Dozier (11/11  and reconfirmed on 11/16).   The Angels and Philies are among the teams interested in Dozier (11/25). .  Jose DeLeon might be the centerpiece of a deal with the Dodgers (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).  The Cardinals and Nationals are also interested in Dozier, in addition to the Giants and Dodgers (12/26).  However both the Cardinals and the Nats deny active interest (12/27).  The Twins have informed interested clubs, including the Braves that are newly mentioned, to submit their best offers because they are looking for a quick resolution (12/30)
• The Twins are interested in free agent RHSP Tyson Ross (12/26)
• 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 RHP Joe Nathan has signed  with the Giants (1/2) 
• Former Twins' minor league pitching coach Steven Mintz was named the pitching coach of the Down East Wood Ducks (A+ Carolina League, Rangers' affiliate) (1/2)