MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — J.A. Happ won a World Series with Philadelphia in 2008 and returned to the final round with the Phillies the following season, but he hasn't been back since. The Minnesota Twins were Happ's pick to try to experience anew the fall success that has often been missing since early in his career. The left-hander finalized an $8 million, one-year contract with the Twins on Friday, giving the two-time defending AL Central champions — who are carrying a baseball-record 18-game postseason losing streak — a steady 38-year-old for the back of their rotation. “After family, that’s number two on the list: ‘Does this team have a chance to contend?’” Happ said on a conference call with reporters. “You know they certainly do." Happ spent the past 2 1/3 seasons with the New York Yankees. Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the 2018 trade deadline, he went 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch to finish 17-6. The Yankees then rewarded him with a $34 million, two-year contract.... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and pitcher J.A. Happ finalized an $8 million, one-year contract on Friday. The 38-year-old Happ spent the past 2 1/3 seasons with the New York Yankees. Acquired from Toronto at the 2018 trade deadline, the left-hander went 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch to finish 17-6. The Yankees then rewarded him with a $34 million, two-year contract. Happ was the second offseason addition by the Twins, who also added relief pitcher Hansel Robles to the team that has won the AL Central division in each of the last two years. Jake Odorizzi and Rich Hill became free agents, creating openings in the rotation behind José Berríos, Kenta Maeda and Michael Pineda. Minnesota was third in the AL in 2020 with a team ERA of 3.58. Happ went 12-8 in 2019 and struggled at the start of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season, prompting the Yankees to skip his turn. Happ gained strength as the year went on and finished with a 2-2 record and 3.47 ERA in nine starts.... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and veteran starting pitcher J.A. Happ agreed Wednesday to an $8 million, one-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced it. The 38-year-old Happ spent the past 2 1/3 seasons with the New York Yankees. Acquired from Toronto at the 2018 trade deadline, the left-hander went 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch to finish 17-6. The Yankees then rewarded him with a $34 million, two-year contract. Happ will be just the second offseason addition by the Twins, who also added relief pitcher Hansel Robles to the team that has won the AL Central division in each of the last two years. Jake Odorizzi and Rich Hill became free agents, creating openings in the rotation behind José Berríos, Kenta Maeda and Michael Pineda. Minnesota was third in the AL in 2020 with a team ERA of 3.58. Happ went 12-8 in... [More]

The free agent market received a small boost this week, although it remains to be seen whether teams will be eager to take advantage. A record 59 players became free agents when their teams declined to offer them contracts by Wednesday night's tender deadline. That group included a few well-known names like Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins — but these additions to the free agent class did little to change the sense the market could be slow this offseason. Teams may be looking to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, and so far there have been only a few short deals, such as Charlie Morton going to Atlanta on a one-year, $15 million contract and Mike Minor signing with Kansas City for two years and $18 million. As we enter the heart of the offseason calendar, here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. The biggest names on the market are players who were already free agents well before the new group of non-tenders... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins declined Wednesday to offer a 2021 contract to Eddie Rosario, their regular left fielder for the last six seasons. The Twins also decided to non-tender reliever Matt Wisler prior to MLB's deadline. They reached one-year deals with five of their arbitration-eligible players: José Berríos ($500,000 signing bonus and $5.6 million salary), center fielder Byron Buxton ($5,125,000), reliever Tyler Duffey ($2.2 million), catcher Mitch Garver ($1,875,000) and reliever Caleb Thielbar ($650,000). Rosario cleared waivers this week, another sign of the economic uncertainty around the industry. “We very much appreciate everything Eddie has done up to this point. He’s been a big part of this team over the last number of years. So those are always difficult decisions. But he was a pro about it,” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. Though Rosario and Wisler were the only players on the 40-man roster not offered new contracts, Falvey said the team remains... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins declined Wednesday to offer a 2021 contract to Eddie Rosario, their regular left fielder for the last six seasons. The Twins also decided to non-tender reliever Matt Wisler prior to MLB's deadline. They reached one-year deals with five of their arbitration-eligible players: José Berríos ($6.1 million), center fielder Byron Buxton ($5,125,000), reliever Tyler Duffey ($2.2 million), catcher Mitch Garver ($1,875,000) and reliever Caleb Thielbar ($650,000). Rosario cleared waivers this week, another sign of the economic uncertainty around the industry. “We very much appreciate everything Eddie has done up to this point. He’s been a big part of this team over the last number of years. So those are always difficult decisions. But he was a pro about it,” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. Though Rosario and Wisler were the only players on the 40-man roster not offered new contracts, Falvey said the team remains open to negotiating with them... [More]

A capsule look at the best-of-three playoff series between the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis beginning Tuesday: ___ HOUSTON ASTROS Record: 29-31. Playoff Entry: second place, AL West. Playoff Seed: No. 6. Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). Projected Rotation: RHP Zack Greinke (3-3, 4.03 ERA, 67 Ks), RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (3-3, 3.93, 56 Ks), RHP Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.73, 17 Ks) or LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.57, 76 Ks) or RHP Cristian Javier (5-2, 3.48, 54 Ks.) Top Hitters: LF Michael Brantley (.300, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs, 15 doubles), CF George Springer (.265, 14, 32), RF Kyle Tucker (.268, 9, 42). Top Relievers: RHP Ryan Pressly (1-3, 3.43 ERA, 12 saves), LHP Brooks Raley (0-1, 3.94, 1 save). Series Summary: Last year’s American League champions limp into the playoffs as the only AL team to make the postseason with a losing record after dropping three straight and four of their last five. With ace Justin Verlander out due to Tommy John surgery, the Astros look for Greinke... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins reinstated right-hander Homer Bailey from the 45-day injured list on Tuesday so he could start their series opener against Detroit. Bailey made just one start with his new team before getting hurt, picking up the victory by logging five innings in Minnesota's home opener on July 28 against St. Louis. The 34-year-old missed the next 51 games with right biceps tendinitis. He signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Twins, and his salary was prorated once the coronavirus pandemic prompted an abbreviated 60-game schedule. The Twins have used the injured list 16 times this season, covering 13 different players, but Bailey's activation leaves only right-hander Jake Odorizzi, second baseman Luis Arraez and outfielder Brent Rooker still sidelined. Rooker is done for the season because of a broken forearm, but Odorizzi (finger blister) and Arraez (knee tendinitis) are expected to be available next week once the postseason starts. Arraez suffered a minor ankle sprain on Monday at the team's alternate training site. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins set their opening day roster on Thursday, with right-hander Jake Odorizzi on the 10-day injured list due to mild soreness in his upper back.Rich Hill will take Odorizzi's place the first time through the rotation, scheduled to start on Saturday in Chicago against the White Sox. José Berríos will take the mound for the opener on Friday, with Kenta Maeda set for Sunday and Homer Bailey on track for next week.Manager Rocco Baldelli said he expected Odorizzi to throw a bullpen session at some point during the weekend. The 2019 All-Star will be eligible to rejoin the active roster on July 30. With an off day on Monday, the Twins might not need an additional starter before Odorizzi is cleared.Backup catcher Willians Astudillo, who tested positive for the coronavirus upon his arrival at camp and has yet to work out with the team, joined Odorizzi on the injured list. Center fielder Byron Buxton, who suffered a left mid-foot sprain on July 13, was included on the 30-man roster and expected to join the Twins in Chicago. The biggest surprise on the opening day roster was Australian rookie outfielder Aaron Whitefield, a speedster who finished last season in Double-A.Major league rosters must be trimmed to 28 players in two weeks, and then to 26 players two weeks after that.___More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When the Minnesota Twins signed Rich Hill from the bargain aisle of free agency last winter, they expected the left-hander to be available around midseason after his recovery from elbow surgery. Now the 40-year-old is on track to be ready right away, thanks to the virus outbreak that shoved the schedule back by four months and shrunk it to 60 games. The Twins, who open on the road against the Chicago White Sox on July 24, are setting up a rotation with Hill in it. The 15-year veteran faced hitters at Target Field on Monday, logging four simulated innings in his latest step forward in yet another injury comeback.“There’s a lot of people who put in the time and the effort and gave me their time to make sure that I can be in the best position possible to go out there and perform,” Hill said Tuesday on a video conference call with reporters. "I put in the time and put in the effort, and it’s definitely paid off. I feel great, and yesterday was just one step in the right direction.”Over... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — For the Twins to land free agent Josh Donaldson, Miguel Sano knew what would be asked of him. He didn't hesitate.Instead, Sano sent a video to Donaldson, lobbying the 2015 American League MVP to join the Twins. The key to Sano's pitch: He would happily move across the infield to play first base with Donaldson taking over at third.Understand, too, that Sano has appeared in just 31 games at first base since making his big league debut in 2015, spending the last five seasons working to improve at third."The first time I met him, I saw that he's a really good guy and he's got a lot of energy," Sano said. "He's the kind of player that I love to see. He's positive and he loves the game. He likes to win and play hard. That's something that I see all the time."Just as his teammates saw what Sano did."The teammate that he was to kind of help on the recruiting process of JD, tell him, 'Hey, you can have third base, I'm willing to move to first base' I think needs to be put... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — For the Twins to land free agent Josh Donaldson, Miguel Sano knew what would be asked of him. He didn't hesitate.Instead, Sano sent a video to Donaldson, lobbying the 2015 American League MVP to join the Twins. The key to Sano's pitch: He would happily move across the infield to play first base with Donaldson taking over at third.Understand, too, that Sano has appeared in just 31 games at first base since making his big league debut in 2015, spending the last five seasons working to improve at third."The first time I met him, I saw that he's a really good guy and he's got a lot of energy," Sano said. "He's the kind of player that I love to see. He's positive and he loves the game. He likes to win and play hard. That's something that I see all the time."Just as his teammates saw what Sano did."The teammate that he was to kind of help on the recruiting process of JD, tell him, 'Hey, you can have third base, I'm willing to move to first base' I think needs to be put... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Expecting another big season from their high-octane offense, the Minnesota Twins hope to pitch well enough to win a second straight AL Central title.Minnesota set a major-league record with 307 homers and was eighth with a 4.18 ERA last year."We had a pretty darn good pitching staff last year statistically speaking,” said right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 30 starts. “You didn’t hear anything about it because we had such a historic offense. As with any staff, I think we’re fine with it. We don’t need the notoriety. This isn’t the Nationals’ pitching staff, the guys that have tremendous staffs that always get talked about.”Minnesota was second in runs with 939 and batting average at .274. The ERA was fifth among AL teams.“I think we’re just going to try and build off what we did last year,” the 29-year-old Odorizzi said. “If we get talked about a little more this year, great. If not, as long as we win, we’re a happy group.”Minnesota signing... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The acquisition of Kenta Maeda took the Minnesota Twins longer than they anticipated.The trade that was made to get him, the team believes, will be well worth the wait and the price.“We made a lot of decisions this offseason to invest in the now,” Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. “Now we also get a pitcher here who we think is going to impact us now and beyond.”Maeda joined the AL Central champions on Thursday morning, three days after the Twins finalized the deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and more than a week after the initial agreement on the three-team trade that also involved the Boston Red Sox was first struck.The move was the latest by the Twins in demonstration of their desire to play deeper into October. Last month, they signed third baseman Josh Donaldson to the biggest free agent contract in club history, a four-year deal worth $92 million. They’ve also added free agent pitchers Homer Bailey, Rich Hill and Tyler Clippard and... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized their trade sending starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to the Twins and bullpen prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Dodgers.Just in time for spring training. Twins pitchers and catchers take the field Wednesday for their first official workout in Fort Myers, Florida, with the Dodgers following Friday in Glendale, Arizona.In Monday's deal, spawned from the original three-team agreement with Boston that hit a snag last week, the Twins sent minor league outfielder Luke Raley and a competitive balance round pick in the 2020 draft, 67th overall, along with Graterol to Los Angeles. The Dodgers will send $10 million and minor league catcher Jair Camargo along with Maeda to Minnesota.The 25-year-old Raley returned to the Dodgers, after missing most of last season with an ankle injury and playing in just 33 games for Triple-A Rochester. The Twins acquired him and starting pitching prospect Devin Smeltzer on July 31, 2018, in a... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized their trade sending starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to the Twins and bullpen prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Dodgers.Just in time for spring training. Twins pitchers and catchers take the field Wednesday for their first official workout in Fort Myers, Florida, with the Dodgers following Friday in Glendale, Arizona.In Monday's deal, spawned from the original three-team agreement with Boston that hit a snag last week, the Twins sent minor league outfielder Luke Raley and a competitive balance round pick in the 2020 draft, 67th overall, along with Graterol to Los Angeles. The Dodgers sent $10 million and minor league catcher Jair Camargo along with Maeda to Minnesota.The 25-year-old Raley returned to the Dodgers, after missing most of last season with an ankle injury and playing in just 33 games for Triple-A Rochester. The Twins acquired him and starting pitching prospect Devin Smeltzer on July 31, 2018, in a trade... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Moving Mookie Betts out of Boston proved to be quite the task for the cost-cutting Red Sox.The trade wound up taking all week — and being divvied into two different deals.The Minnesota Twins agreed Sunday to send bullpen prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Los Angeles Dodgers for starting pitcher Kenta Maeda, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal, five days after the initial Betts-headlined trade with the Red Sox was held up.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deals had not yet been announced. The Twins also agreed to send one of their draft picks in the competitive balance round this summer — 67th overall — and a minor leaguer to the Dodgers for $10 million and a minor leaguer to settled their portion of the trade.Graterol was first headed for the Red Sox as part of a three-team swap agreed to Tuesday that moved Betts, a four-time All-Star, and starting pitcher David Price to the Dodgers. But the Red Sox, as first... [More]