We’re in the portion of the hot stove season where there are great stretches of nothing, a spate of rumors, more nothing, then a buttload of activity. As we wait for the buttload (NOTE TO SELF: rethink this), here’s what we know as of Friday AM, December 16:
The Dodgers still seem to be the most likely suitor for Brian Dozier. Via area brunch enthusiast/Baseball Prospectus editor Aaron Gleeman:
Asked around on this again. Twins and Dodgers still talking. Sense is they're haggling over what comes with De Leon. https://t.co/Fn6LGq2z9I
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 15, 2016
- The “De Leon” in question is Jose De Leon. Quick backgrounder on him if you want to learn more. He pitches!
- Old Friends, Part 1: Chris Colabello, who was the most beloved Twin of all time for about three weeks in 2014, is nearing a minor league deal with Cleveland per MLB.com’s Joe Trezza. When last we heard from him, he was getting suspended for having Turinabol in his system. That’s a steroid. They get mad at you for that.
- Old Friends, Part 2: Tommy Milone, soft-tossing starter and owner of best modern Twins spoonerism outside of Pat Dean, signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. ESPN says the deal is worth $1.25 million. Will he throw a baffling 3-hit, complete game shutout against the Twins this year? You already know the answer to this.
- If you were privy to the “Twins Town Hall” on Wednesday, you heard that the new braintrust’s plan to rebuild the team’s shattered bullpen is to bring in some veterans. The Strib’s Phil Miller has the story. Most noteworthy part: Phil Hughes may be closer to returning from his injury than Glen Perkins.
- Keep Rod Carew in your hearts and minds today.
If anything does happen with Dozier or free agency today, we’ll let you know. Bundle up.