Throughout his major league career, Jason Kubel has dealt with doubt. 

--C Joe Mauer has not been able to do any weight-lifting or conditioning since undergoing surgery Dec. 

A year after doing a near-total overhaul of their roster, and obsessing for four months over a Johan Santana trade, the Twins enter the offseason with far less work to do on a team that nearly won the AL Central. 

Throughout his major league career, Jason Kubel has dealt with doubt. 

--C Joe Mauer has not been able to do any weight-lifting or conditioning since undergoing surgery Dec. 

A year after doing a near-total overhaul of their roster, and obsessing for four months over a Johan Santana trade, the Twins enter the offseason with far less work to do on a team that nearly won the AL Central. 

Joe Mauer was hoping to keep his latest health problem hidden. 

A year after doing a near-total overhaul of their roster, and obsessing for four months over a Johan Santana trade, the Twins enter the offseason with far less work to do on a team that nearly won the AL Central. 

Throughout his major league career, Jason Kubel has dealt with doubt. 

--C Joe Mauer has not been able to do any weight-lifting or conditioning since undergoing surgery Dec. 

The A's, attempting to fortify their bullpen, appear to be closing in on a one-year contract with free-agent right-hander Russ Springer. 

Joe Mauer was hoping to keep his latest health problem hidden. 

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in three weeks, but before the Twins head for the South Florida sun, many of them -- players, coaches and prospects -- are meeting in the Twin Cities. 

Joe Mauer hasn't done any serious lifting or tough conditioning exercises to get in shape for spring training on orders from his surgeon, after he had kidney surgery at Mayo Clinic on Dec. 

The bullpen market is bubbling.