Winter Meetings Day One: Twins still quiet on slow-moving pitching market

With the Shoehei Ohtani deal done and Giancarlo Stanton finally going to the Yankees, there was hope this week’s Winter Meetings would bring more action to the MLB offseason. After Day One, however... it’s still been pretty dead — especially for the Twins. The biggest thing that has happened for Minnesota so far is St. Paul native Jack Morris getting elected to the MLB Hall of Fame.

Here’s the small Twins tidbits that have been floating around on Day One of the 2017 Winter Meetings:

• According to Rhett Bollinger, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have checked in on “just about every available starter and reliever in free agency.” Levine also said that the starting-pitching market has been slow moving, which, well, no poop, Thad.
• Levine also told Bollinger that he believes the Twins already have a future closer on their roster, but Bollinger opines that they still prefer a veteran closer at least to start the 2018 season.
• That closer could be old friend Brandon Kintzler, according to multiple sources. The Diamondbacks, Cubs, and Rangers are also said to be interested in the Twins’ former All-Star reliever.
• However, that veteran closer will not be old friend Pat Neshek, as he signed a two-year deal worth $16.35 million today with the Phillies. According to Darren Wolfson, the Twins hadn’t heard much from Neshek’s camp since at least Thanksgiving.
• The Pirates are reportedly listening to offers for starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, and spoke to the Yankees today. I am pissed because what the hell the Yankees just got Giancarlo Stanton you can’t have all the players New York!!! The Twins have previously checked on on Cole, but no word on how far those talks have gotten, or how serious the Pirates are about actually moving him.
• According to Jon Heyman, the Twins are looking for a backup catcher. If that’s true, it probably means either Mitch Garver will have to compete for the spot with whoever else the Twins sign, or what the front office thinks Garver should be getting more day-to-day playing experience experience down at Triple-A.