2014 Winter Meetings: Minnesota Twins Day 1 Review

For fans of the speculation season, being a Twins fan during the Winter Meetings can lead to a bit of frustration. Let's see what we can glean from the various bits and pieces that floated around yesterday.

• The most involved teams in the AL Central have, so far, been the Indians (Brandon Moss) and the White Sox (Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson). Both teams have gotten better in the short term, which will put pressure on the Tigers and Royals.
• Second-tier starter Jason Hammell will sign with the Cubs for two years and $20 million. He was a common referral point regarding the type of pitchers that the Twins could target, but I doubt that similar right-handers will be taking up such short-term deals.
• Jon Lester has six and seven-year contracts in hand. It's the siren song, people.
• Cole Hamels is being made available. With four years remaining under contract, could the Twins be interested in targeting the Phillies ace? I'd like to think they'd at least make a call. Hamels has averaged 4.0 fWAR over the last eight seasons, and turns 31 just after Christmas.

Ryan also said they've been in serious talks with both agents and clubs about acquiring pitching. But wouldn't confirm offers are out there.

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) December 9, 2014

• Terry Ryan told Rhett Bollinger that the Twins have been "in serious talks with both agents and clubs about acquiring pitching." Have the Twins made any offers? It's unclear.
• Regarding Justin Masterson, the Indians' superficial interest has belied that they weren't really serious about bringing him back. The Red Sox and Rangers have apparently made him offers, Is he talking to the Twins? A Jon Heyman tweet that included the Twins as a team that Masterson was talking to has disappeared.
• There remains interest in Francisco Liriano, and allegedly the club wouldn't flinch at the draft pick compensation "if the price is right." Calling Bob Barker...
• Per the Strib, Ryan's talks for pitching help have been "serious." John Axford and Alexi Ogando have had agents meet with the Twins, while Minnesota is also interested in Dustin McGowan and Logan Ondrusek. In an earlier update, LEN III commented that Ondrusek could come on a minor league deal.