--DH Randy Ruiz, who batted .274 in 62 at-bats in August and September, was granted his release by the Twins, and the longtime minor league slugger signed on with Toronto for 2009. Ruiz, called up to handle right-handed DH duties when Craig Monroe was released Aug. 1, hit only one home run in his two months with the Twins.
--1B Justin Morneau was the first player named to Canada's national team in the World Baseball Classic. Morneau also competed for his home country in 2006 and has campaigned for a return engagement ever since. RHP Jesse Crain, who was born in Canada, is also expected to be named to the squad. --RHP Joe Nathan has watched with interest as free agent closers have shopped around for contracts worth far less than expected this winter. Nathan could have been part of an already glutted market for closers but signed a four-year, $47 million contract during spring training. "I feel very blessed that we got something done," Nathan told mlb.com. "I'm excited that I don't have to go through this process."
--SS Nick Punto has been designated as next season's starter, but the Twins inquired once more about making a deal with Atlanta for SS Yunel Escobar. Those preliminary discussions went nowhere, however, once the Braves' deal with Rafael Furcal fell through, leaving Escobar as Atlanta's only option next season.
--LHP Francisco Liriano is pitching in the Dominican winter league with the Twins' blessing, but the team has placed restrictions on how the pitcher, still recovering from elbow surgery, can be used. Liriano is limited to 75 pitches, and his throwing between starts has been curtailed. Liriano, who plans to pitch for the Dominican Republic during the WBC, is 0-1 with a 1.00 ERA in two starts.
BY THE NUMBERS: 20 -- Strikeouts by CF Carlos Gomez in his first 74 at-bats in the Dominican winter league. Gomez, who struck out 142 times during the 2008 season, vowed to work on plate discipline in winter ball.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Seeing guys like K-Rod (Francisco Rodriguez) struggle to get more than three years ... it just makes you wonder what would have been out there." -- RHP Joe Nathan, on avoiding a glutted market for closers by signing a long-term contract last spring
