Juan Rincon is here today, so the bullpen should be in good shape. Sir Sid threw in the bullpen and will start on Saturday.

My bosses asked me to get player reaction to the new stadium designs. As I predicted, no one had seen them yet. Torii Hunter remarked to me that he’ll probably won’t be here in 2010 anyway.

The following is Jim Souhan’s early column from yesterday on Johan Santana’s thoughts about staying a Twin past 2008. Good stuff. Check it out while I grab the starting lineups:

Johan Santana strolled into the Twins clubhouse Wednesday afternoon wearing a fancy hooded sweatshirt, saying, “Good afternoon, everyone,’’ unaware a national publication had reported that he had cut off contract negotiations with the Twins.

Santana, signed through the 2008 season, seemed stunned by the news, and during the course of the afternoon, he, his agent and the Twins front office labeled the report false.

For anyone wondering about Santana’s state of mind, a session with local reporters offered some insights. Here’s an edited version of the Q&A:

On the report that he turned down a two-year contract extension from the Twins and cut off further negotiations: “I’m wondering who said that because as far as I know I haven’t talked to anybody about anything … I tell them [the Twins] the sooner the better. You know, it’s up to them to make something happen. I’ve got a good relationship with them, so whatever they want to do. But they said it’s a team policy they don’t negotiate during the season. They made that clear with [Justin] Morneau and the other guys. If that’s the way it is, that’s the way it is.

“I’m not a rulebreaker, so if they want to break their own rules, it’s up to them, it’s not up to me. They’re the ones who have to move forward; I have nothing else to do. During the season, I have to focus on baseball, and whatever they want to do, it’s up to them to say something.’’

Are you closing the door on further negotiations? “If I was closing the door, I would have said I’m out of here. I’ve never said anything like that.’’

Was he offered a two-year extension? “Like I said, we haven’t talked about anything. So that’s why I’m surprised. … They’ve got a lot of things to do, and I’m pretty sure I’m one of them. I don’t really know what they’re thinking about right now at this point, but like I said before, the deeper you go into the season, it’s going to get tougher …

“I’m going to be honest with you, I would like to stay here forever. Now, how many years would they be willing to offer? I don’t really know. Hopefully, I could do lifetime. That would answer your question because that’s what I would like to do.’’

Will you offer the Twins a hometown discount? “I’d say yes, but it’s not up to me. It depends on the length of that contract, too. It depends on how many years they’re willing to offer.’’

If you were running a team with a two-time Cy Young Award winner, would you lock him up long-term? “Oh, definitely. It all depends. I’d have to work on my budget, too. You have to be smart, and you have to know exactly that you’re going to have enough money to lock up the players that will help you win a World Series.’’

Would a two-year extension be long enough? “I would like to definitely do something longer than that, but I guess the question here is how long it can last or whatever. I don’t know. I feel pretty good, you know.’’

Do you think you’ll pitch in the Twins’ new ballpark, scheduled to open in 2010? “I wish and I hope, but you get to a point where you don’t know. That would be one of the best moments of my baseball career, but at this point, I don’t have an answer because it’s not up to me.’’

Do you think the Twins will be willing to invest 20 or 25 percent of their payroll in one player? “If you look at it from a financial point, then I guess I won’t be here then because that’s the way it goes. That’s just being honest. If that’s the way they see it, then I guess there’s no reason to talk. … But this is business, but I guess that’s the sad part, you get in an atmosphere where you’re pretty comfortable, and all of a sudden you have to go away. … ’’

Have you talked to former teammates playing elsewhere? “Yeah, they say it’s different. Some say it’s nicer, and some of the guys say they miss this clubhouse. But that’s about it.’’

Ever wonder about wearing the Yankee pinstripes? “If they trade me I guess, I don’t have a choice. I don’t know. I don’t really know. Whatever team, whatever uniform I have to wear, I guarantee I’m going to do my job, and I’m going to make people feel proud of seeing me wear whatever uniform I wear. Right now I’ve got the Twins uniform, and that’s all I worry about.’’

As a former Rule V draftee, are these good problems to have? “Nothing wrong with that, that means you’ve had a lot of success … I don’t even think about the way people see it, whether they put me on the top or whatever, I’m just the same guy, a guy who just wants to get better.’’

Jim Souhan can be heard Sundays from 10 a.m.-noon on AM-1500 KSTP. • jsouhan@startribune.com

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