First full day complete for the Twins at the winter meetings
December 12, 2017 at 1:22PM
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – The Twins spent the first full day of the winter meetings talking to representatives of free agents, but they don't appear to be close to any deals. "A lot of check-ins on Day 1," Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said.
• With so many new staff members, the Twins suite looks vastly different. Player personnel head Mike Radcliff, pro scouting coordinator Vern Followell, senior scouting adviser Deron Johnson and assistant GM Rob Antony are some of the holdovers.
• Jake Mauer has left the organization to pursue other interests; he was not fired by the Twins. In fact, they offered him a roving instructor role so he could spend more time at home, but he declined. While working for the family auto dealership, Mauer can spend time with his three kids, ages 3, 6 and 8. "The kids are at an age where I need to be home more," Mauer said.
• Former Twin A.J. Pierzynski played with an edge and talked with an edge. So his new role as White Sox ambassador will be an interesting transition. "Opening Day, the draft, come to some games and be around a little bit," Pierzynski told Chicago media. "It will be fun." OK …
• The winner of the 2018 J. G. Taylor Spink Award will be announced Tuesday. It is presented by the BBWAA "for meritorious contributions to baseball writing." The three finalists are Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon-Journal (retired); Jim Reeves, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and the Star Tribune's own Patrick Reusse. The recipients are featured in a permanent exhibit in Cooperstown, N.Y.
La Velle E. Neal III
about the writer
Kepler was the longest-tenured Twins player after signing at 16 in 2009.
