Read More: Jason Marquis (P – ARI), Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs

Jason Marquis, a steady veteran right-handed pitcher that has spent his entire career in the National League, is reportedly close to a deal with the Minnesota Twins. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune is reporting that Marquis, who played for Arizona and Washington last season, is close to joining the Twins:

Marquis’ best season was 2004 with St. Louis, when he went 15-7, 3.71. He never has pitched in the American League. His fastball, according to fangraphs.com, averaged 89.3 miles per hour last season, but he’s avoided giving up a lot of homers in recent seasons.

Marquis has a career 104-98 record and was 8-6 last season combined with Washington and Arizona. Marquis has also pitched for Atlanta, Colorado, and the Chicago Cubs. He has an 0-2 record in the postseason, but has helped his team reach the playoffs in five different years. The 12 year veteran has 267 career Major League starts in his career.

It’s still unclear whether Michael Cuddyer will be back with the Minnesota Twins. But the free-agent outfielder might be more valuable to the Twins than Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan said this morning.

“Everyone always talks about the Mauers and the Morneaus, but Cuddy’s as important, if not more, and I think last year showed how he probably is a little more important to that club,” said Nathan, the Twins’ career saves leader who last month signed a free-agent deal with the Texas Rangers.

“(It’s) just with his versatility,” Nathan said of Cuddyer. “He plays every day. You won’t hear anything (from him) if he’s banged up – he goes out and plays the game. If he’s not in the lineup, something’s got to be keeping him from going out there; it’s not going to be because he needs rest or anything like that.

“I’ve always said he’s a baseball player, and it doesn’t matter where he’s out there, what position he’s playing. He just wants to play the game.”

Nathan said he has no insight as to where Cuddyer, 32, whom the Twins reportedly have offered a three-year contract in the $25 million range, is headed next season.

“I shot a text to Cuddy a while back and didn’t get a whole lot back from him,” Nathan said.

The Twins have re-signed free-agent Matt Capps to replace Nathan as closer.

“Matt has been there before, so this isn’t something new for him,” Nathan said. “I think his comfort level will be fine – he can go in knowing what to expect. He’s

expressed how closing is important to him, so this is great for him, and I think it’s a good move for the Twins.

“He wants to compete and go against that guy in the box and win. I wish them nothing but the best.”

– Pssst: If the Twins can’t re-sign Cuddyer, they’re interested in free agent Reed Johnson, who was the Chicago Cubs’ fourth outfielder – a right-handed hitter who batted .309 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 111 games last season. Johnson, who turned 35 today, is a nine-year major

league veteran.

– A little birdie says the financially challenged Windsong Farm golf club in suburban Minneapolis, after a meeting of the board of directors Wednesday night, is planning to restructure a hefty loan.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Jim Pohlad came to what he called “a stomach-churning” conclusion that general manager Bill Smith needed to be fired, the Minnesota Twins owner was making the kind of decision rarely seen in one of the most loyal and patient organizations in baseball.

A 99-loss season is equally unique in these parts, so Pohlad swallowed hard, made the move and turned to one of the most trusted and revered figures in the organization to pick up the pieces.

Terry Ryan reclaimed the job he had for 13 years on Monday, taking over for the man he recommended to take his place when Ryan stepped down four years ago.

“In the past week, it was clear to all of us that a change in leadership was in the best interest of our organization,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said. “We proceed with that change with a high level of respect and sensitivity to Bill Smith and his family.”

Widely recognized for their stability, class and ability to make the most out of a medium-range payroll, this was a startling move for the Twins despite the embarrassment and deep disappointment of the 2011 season following two straight AL Central titles.

This is the first time since the franchise moved from Washington to Minnesota in 1961 that the Twins have fired a general manager. Calvin Griffith was the owner and general manager until selling the team in 1984. Andy MacPhail became the full-time successor, leaving for a prime job with the Chicago Cubs, and Ryan followed him. They’ve also had two managers — Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire — since 1984.

“We do this with a heavy heart,” Pohlad said. “But we also do this knowing that it is what’s best for the organization.”

Pohlad and St. Peter both side-stepped numerous questions about the specific reasons for the decision, saying it came down to “philosophical differences” in the direction of the baseball operations.

Ryan stepped down from the position in 2007, citing burnout and growing increasingly impatient with some aspects of the job, including working with some agents and, occasionally, dealing with the media.

Ryan remained in the organization on the scouting level and said he turned down several inquiries from other teams about taking over a front office again. On Monday, he said his “batteries are recharged” and he’s ready to get back to work.

“I’m going to take this job head-on,” Ryan said.

It appears to be an interim job in name only. Ryan said he would have a role in grooming and choosing his eventual successor, but both he and Pohlad said they hoped things went well enough where Ryan would want to keep the job for a while.

“I don’t know if it will be for one year or 10 years,” Ryan said. “(I’m) going to see how it goes and see exactly the direction and success and workload and all the things that about 4 1/2 years ago we talked about over at the Dome.”

Ryan’s moves helped turn the Twins from one of the worst teams in baseball in the mid-90s to one of the best the next decade. They won four division titles over Ryan’s last five full seasons, without spending much money in free agency and instead drafting and developing their core players.

Shrewd trades were part of his success, too, fetching Cristian Guzman and Eric Milton for Chuck Knoblauch; getting Nick Punto and Carlos Silva for Milton; and landing Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan for A.J. Pierzynski.

Smith’s decisions haven’t turned out as well, dealing Johan Santana, Matt Garza, J.J. Hardy and Delmon Young for little production in return. Japanese shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka, the headliner acquisition last winter, was hurt for much of the season and a bust at the plate and in the field.

Pohlad added that the Twins will speak with Smith about “an ongoing role within the organization.” Smith has been with the club since 1986.

“This is going to be good for the Minnesota Twins organization,” Smith said in a phone interview. “It’s always tough when it involves you, but at the same time I respect the decision that the Pohlads had to make. We have to do it with players all the time, and it’s no fun.”

The Twins were division champions under his watch in 2009 and 2010, but this season was a mess.

Injuries to Jason Kubel, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Nishioka and other key players didn’t help, but the most expensive team in Twins history — with an opening-day payroll of more than $112 million — prompted Pohlad and the rest of the front office to take a hard look at an organization that has frequently been lauded as one of the finest in the game. The top of the farm system has dried up in recent years, and the rebuilding project will be a challenge for Ryan and the rest of his support staff.

Smith acknowledged when he was hired his strengths lied in administration and operations. He didn’t play the game or scout it like Ryan did. He worked heavily with the team’s development academies in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, and he played a large role in the plans to design Target Field, which opened in 2010.

“I love the Twins organization. I’ve been very fortunate that for 26 years, every morning I get up I can’t wait to get to work,” Smith said. “There aren’t very many people who can say that.”

The 58-year-old Ryan said he planned to bring former Twins executive and Reds GM Wayne Krivsky on as a special assistant and said the team’s payroll likely would be trimmed to around $100 million next season.

One of his priorities will be to address the medical side of the team. Several injured Twins spent an inordinate amount of time on the disabled list, and Ryan said the team has to figure out why they didn’t get back sooner.

“We need to do some tweaking at the very least there. … I know Bill was in the process of doing that up until last week,” Ryan said. “He was worried about it and I’m worried about it. … The players can only take advice. Players take the advice you give them. … I would never put it on the players. It’s our responsibility to take control of that and we will.”

Terry Ryan reclaimed the job he had for 13 years on Monday, taking over for the man he recommended to take his place when Ryan stepped down four years ago.

“In the past week, it was clear to all of us that a change in leadership was in the best interest of our organization,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said. “We proceed with that change with a high level of respect and sensitivity to Bill Smith and his family.”

Widely recognized for their stability, class and ability to make the most out of a medium-range payroll, this was a startling move for the Twins despite the embarrassment and deep disappointment of the 2011 season following two straight AL Central titles.

This is the first time since the franchise moved from Washington to Minnesota in 1961 that the Twins have fired a general manager. Calvin Griffith was the owner and general manager until selling the team in 1984. Andy MacPhail became the full-time successor, leaving for a prime job with the Chicago Cubs, and Ryan followed him. They’ve also had two managers — Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire — since 1984.

“We do this with a heavy heart,” Pohlad said. “But we also do this knowing that it is what’s best for the organization.”

Pohlad and St. Peter both side-stepped numerous questions about the specific reasons for the decision, saying it came down to “philosophical differences” in the direction of the baseball operations.

Ryan stepped down from the position in 2007, citing burnout and growing increasingly impatient with some aspects of the job, including working with some agents and, occasionally, dealing with the media.

Ryan remained in the organization on the scouting level and said he turned down several inquiries from other teams about taking over a front office again. On Monday, he said his “batteries are recharged” and he’s ready to get back to work.

“I’m going to take this job head-on,” Ryan said.

It appears to be an interim job in name only. Ryan said he would have a role in grooming and choosing his eventual successor, but both he and Pohlad said they hoped things went well enough where Ryan would want to keep the job for a while.

“I don’t know if it will be for one year or 10 years,” Ryan said. “(I’m) going to see how it goes and see exactly the direction and success and workload and all the things that about 4 1/2 years ago we talked about over at the Dome.”

Ryan’s moves helped turn the Twins from one of the worst teams in baseball in the mid-90s to one of the best the next decade. They won four division titles over Ryan’s last five full seasons, without spending much money in free agency and instead drafting and developing their core players.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Twins have reached across the border to replace longtime radio play-by-play man John Gordon.

The team announced on Thursday that former Brewers backup Cory Provus will take over the primary duties in the Twins’ booth. The 33-year-old Provus worked with Hall of Famer Bob Uecker in Milwaukee for the past three years.

In Minnesota, Provus will team with Dan Gladden on Twins broadcasts. Gordon retired this season after 25 years with the Twins.

Twins president Dave St. Peter says Provus’ style, baseball acumen and sense of humor will be a strong compliment to Gladden.

Provus has also worked for the Chicago Cubs and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He is a native of Highland Park, Ill., and graduated from Syracuse University.