I’m hearing the Rockies have been doing their homework on Twins outfielder Delmon Young, with GM Dan O’Dowd checking with people who have known him over the years, including Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, who works out at the same facility as Young in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Tracy Ringolsby, of the Rocky Mountain News, mentioned Young in his latest column as a possible fit for the Rockies, who are looking for a young, right-handed hitting outfielder. The Twins need bullpen help and Huston Street has long been one of their favorites.

However, La Velle heard this week that the Rockies asking price for third baseman Garrett Atkins was Kevin Slowey, Denard Span and another prospect. As we’ve written, the Rockies drive a hard bargain, and the Twins have been pessimistic about being able to work a deal with them.

I spoke to Delmon on Thursday, and he was in good spirits, though he is well-aware that his future with the Twins is up in the air. Stay tuned.

The Twins have offered free agent third baseman Casey Blake a two-year contract worth about $6 million per season with an option for 2011, but Blake wants the third year guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Star Tribune today.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Twins and Dodgers have basically been told they’ll get Blake if they’ll add a third year to their two-year offers.

Blake, 35, made $6.1 million this year while batting .274 with 21 home runs and 81 RBI for the Indians and Dodgers. He’ll turn 36 next Aug. 23 but has averaged 598 plate appearances over the past six seasons.

The Twins have been aggressive in pursuing Blake, hoping to seal a deal before the winter meetings, but team officials don’t expect a signing tonight.

(*) This is my fourth offseason covering the Twins and the first time I can remember them closing in on signing a significant free agent, the way they are with Casey Blake. Now, they just have to fend off the Dodgers.

I know there are concerns about Blake’s age - 35 - but he has averaged 598 plate appearances over the past six seasons. He lives in Indianola, Iowa and seems like a great fit.

Don’t overlook his versatility. You could pencil him into the starting lineup at third base, but he could move to left field, right field and first base, if injuries arise. He even played some second base for the Dodgers during the playoffs.

(*) Sometimes you see a trade rumor that just leaves you shaking your head. Danny Knobler is a well-respected, veteran scribe and has countless contacts around the game. I made calls to Twins and Rays sources, and from what I gathered, the Rays very well could have called the Twins to let them know Bartlett was available, probably in an attempt to get Denard Span.

As Knobler said, the talks didn’t go very far. The Rays do need an outfielder, and they are ready to turn shortstop over to prospect Reid Brignac. Bartlett was voted their team MVP, but he’s going through his arbitration years, and the Rays are deep with talented shortstops with Brignac and last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Tim Beckham, coming through the system.

(*) I know everyone wonders if the Twins truly are shopping Young. Let’s just say I get the feeling they’re listening if teams are interested. They have five legit starters for three outfield spots and DH - Young, Span, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez and Jason Kubel.

I think the Twins would move Young in the right deal, but with his value down from a year ago, they’re also in no hurry to give him away.

Unless free agent prices plummet, the Twins have no intention of signing a Type A free agent who was offered arbitration Monday. They value their draft picks too much to give up next year’s first rounder.

The Twins are looking to add bullpen help and bolster their infield at third base, shortstop and/or second base. Type B free agents – such as Casey Blake, who was offered arbitration by the Dodgers, and Dennys Reyes, who was offered arbitration by the Twins — generate a supplemental round pick for the team that loses them, but teams that sign them do not lose a pick.

MLBTradeRumors.com has an updated look at the entire free agent class here. But let’s focus on Monday’s Type A decisions with an eye toward how they could affect the Twins.

Type A free agents who were offered arbitration
(In other words, cross them off the list)

Orlando Cabrera, SS, White Sox
Juan Cruz, RH reliever, Diamondbacks
Brian Fuentes, LH reliever, Rockies
Orlando Hudson, 2B, Diamondbacks
Darren Oliver, LH reliever, Angels
Francisco Rodriguez, RH reliever, Angels

Type A free agents who weren’t offered arbitration
(Twins’ interest might grow because these signings won’t cost a first-round pick)

Doug Brocail, RH reliever, Astros
Trevor Hoffman, RH reliever, Padres
Bob Howry, RH reliever, Cubs
Edgar Renteria, SS, Tigers
Russ Springer, RH reliever, Cardinals
Kerry Wood, RH reliever, Cubs

Note: SS Rafael Furcal is another intriguing free agent who is not a Type A (or Type B, from what I can gather), but he is said to be seeking a four-year deal and has likely priced himself out of the Twins’ range.Â

The Twins offered arbitration to free agent reliever Dennys Reyes today, which will assure them of a supplemental-round pick in next June’s amateur draft if he signs with another team.

Reyes qualified as a Type B free agent. He has until Sunday to accept or decline the arbitration offer.

The Twins’ other three free agents — Nick Punto, Adam Everett and Eddie Guardado — did not qualify as Type A’s or B’s.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers declined to offer arbitration to shortstop Edgar Renteria, a type A free agent. That could make Renteria more appealing for some teams because they won’t have to give up a first-round pick by signing him, but I haven’t heard of the Twins having interest.