--RHP Jose Mijares has followed up his strong September showing with the Twins by dominating hitters in the Venezuelan winter league. The reliever, expected to contend for the vacant setup role in Minnesota's bullpen, had allowed only two earned runs through 21 innings while pitching for Tigres de Aragua. He had struck out 25.
--RF Michael Cuddyer has undergone laser eye surgery during the offseason, hoping to improve his chances of bouncing back from an injury-plagued 2008 season. Cuddyer batted only .249 in 71 games last season, the first of a three-year, $24 million contract. Manager Ron Gardenhire reiterated his intention to restore Cuddyer to right field, despite the presence of three other outfielders on his roster. --RHP Matt Guerrier was offered a contract for 2009 before baseball's Dec. 12 deadline, assuring he will return to the Twins bullpen next season. The 30-year-old reliever avoided arbitration last year by agreeing to a $950,000 contract, then was handed a setup role when RHP Pat Neshek was lost to an elbow injury. Guerrier wore down as the season went on and posted an 8.88 ERA over his final 25 1/3 innings.
--OF/DH Jason Kubel was offered a contract at the non-tender deadline and figures to receive a large raise over his $1.3 million salary, whether through arbitration or by reaching an agreement with the team. Kubel, who suffered a career-threatening knee injury three seasons ago, hit a career-high 20 home runs for the Twins, second most on the team.
--OF Luis Matos, who hit 30 home runs over parts of seven seasons with the Orioles and Nationals, signed a minor league contract with the Twins. Matos, 30, will be invited to spring training, and given the Twins' lack of right-handed power, he could earn a roster spot on the bench.
BY THE NUMBERS: 72 -- Runs driven in by Twins left fielders in 2008, which ranked 13th in the American League. The position, manned most of the season by Delmon Young, is the only one in which the Twins ranked in the lower half of the American League.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're not going to give up our short-term and long-term success to get somebody for a year." -- General manager Bill Smith, quelling rumors that the Twins have discussed a trade for Seattle 3B Adrian Beltre, who can become a free agent next fall
