Joe C. is monitoring news today but there were a couple things I have for you.

I totally forgot to mention this from the winter meetings, but I literally bumped into Twins pitching prospect Tyler Robertston and his agent while headed to the elevator one day last week.

Robertson made just 15 starts last season for Class A Fort Myers, going 5-3 with a 2.72 ERA. Shoulder problems curtailed his season, but trainers came up with a rehab program that worked wonders for him. His agent, Kevin Kohler, told me a few months ago that Robertson was very encouraged by the early results, and Robertson last week talked as if his shoulder problems were well in the past. He’s already fired up for the season.

Robertson, who turns 21 next week, was one of the Twins better pitching prospects in 2007 and landed in a few Twins’ top ten lists. You can never have too many prospects.

The other bit of information is a programming note: I am filling in for Dan Barriero on KFAN today from 4-7 p.m. Join me and Mr. Fender-to-Fender for quality entertainment. Guests include Twins assistant GM Rob Antony and Chicago Sun-Times football writer Mike Mulligan.

(Actually this is by La Velle, who is having computer problems)

The Twins left the winter meetings without upgrading at third base, but an interesting option popped up on Friday when the Astros non-tendered third baseman Ty Wigginton.

A well-placed source told me today that Cleveland, San Francisco and Pittsburgh already have expressed interest in Wigginton, with the Reds sniffing around as well. Will the Twins jump into the fray?

It makes a lot of sense that they should.

Wigginton hit .285 last season with 23 homers and 58 RBI in 111 games last season. In addition to third base, he can provide cover at second base and play first base on days Justin Morneau wants to DH (he apparently NEVER wants a day off).

The Twins have admired Wigginton for a few years and made a run at him a couple years ago near the trade deadline. I’ve heard the phrase. “game on,”  used to describe him.

When reached on Saturday, Twins GM Bill Smith said, “we are going over the list (of non-tenders) and seeing what’s out there and will meet on Monday.’’

A lot of posters are already screaming that Wigginton should be signed by now. If the Twins indeed haven’t made a call yet, I’d be mildly surprised.

But….

If you’re Wigginton’s agent, you’re going to drum up a market for your guy and get as many teams interested as possible.

Wigginton made $4.35 million last season and stood to get a raise to around $7 million in arbitration before he was non-tendered. Houston tried to trade him last week at the winter meetings, and there are indications that he was nearly dealt to San Francisco. The fact that he was due an arbitration bump likely led to teams backing off of a trade. Now a free agent, they can negotiate with him and not have to give up a player.

It will be interesting to see how much Wigginton gets.

At 31, he’s four years younger than Casey Blake, who signed with the Dodgers for an annual average value (AAV) of just under $5.5 million (not counting the option year or buyout). I’m not an agent or front office expert, but Wigginton must be worth at least $6 million a year and it may take $7 million a year tog get him.

I still think Wigginton presents a great opportunity for the Twins. They can solve their third base problem for a few years with someone who, apparently, is a Twins-type player. They can take their time with getting Danny Valencia to the majors and figure out a position for Luke Hughes.

As expected, the Twins have tendered contracts to every player they were required to. Any player non-tendered a contract by today would have become a free agent.

Players part of multi-year deals - like Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Nathan, Jesse Crain, Mike Redmond (option picked up), Phil Humber (final year of five-year deal signed with Mets) and now Nick Punto - don’t have to be tendered.

It’s always interesting to see the list of non-tendered players who drop into the free agent market. That list should be out soon.

Now, for a little entertainment.

Check out this unique perspective of the winter meetings.

Something I said while in THAT bathroom wound up in the story. 

We’re tired.

Four days of walking from the media room to the hotel lobby five times a day - with strategic stops at the elevator bank to stake out sources - has most of us worn down.

The winter meetings are over. The Yankees spent freely again. The Twins made no major moves, again. There’s plenty of offseason left for the Twins to come up with a third baseman and eighth-inning help, so we’ll see what happens.

Some thoughts

Twins GM Bill Smith said he’s comfortable with going to spring training with Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris as a third base platoon. But rest assured they are still talking to teams about third basemen.

Talks with the Rockies about Garrett Atkins have slowed down for now but there’s a chance the sides could get together again.

Seattle’s Adrian Beltre has placed the Twins on his no-trade list. But I don’t know how the Twins and Seattle can make a deal anyway. Beltre is going to walk after the 2009 season, which affects what the Twins are willing to give up in a deal. If the Twins don’t find a third baseman before the season starts I wonder if it would be easier to make a half-season rental deal.

I think Kevin Kouzmanoff would be a good fit. I think Ty Wigginton would be a good option if all else fails.

Look for the Twins to keep talking with the Cubs about Mark DeRosa, too, now that Cubs GM Jim Hendry doesn’t have to worry about Jake Peavy talk.

There are teams (Seattle, Philly, Colorado) that still need a corner outfielder, so Delmon Young might continue to see his name in trade rumors.

I wonder how large Boof Bonser looms in trade talks. He could be viewed as a low-risk mini-reclamation project for a team hungry for pitching.

The only reliever I’ve heard of who was attached to the Twins was Texas’ Joaqiun Benoit - but that was shot down by a Twins official. Does Bill Smith have something up his sleeve here?

Some highlights

It was cool to see a few more players around the winter meetings. I guess that’s what happens when you have it in Vegas.

In addition to Twins players Nick Punto and Joe Nathan, Ben Sheets, Milton Bradley, Jack Wilson and Derek Jeter were seen. Torii Hunter lit up the lounge when he stopped by Tuesday night.

There were many noteworthy former players here too. Eric Davis and Ellis Burks looked ready for a camp invite. Michael Tucker hasn’t played since 2006 and WAS in Vegas looking for a camp invite. George Brett, Frank Robinson and Al Kaline all commanded attention….

I’m finding out more baseball people are reading my blog. After writing about how great a prospect Jason Donald is, I was assailed by a scout from a NL team who disagreed.

I hopped on the elevator Tuesday to begin my work day, only to have it stop on the next floor to pick up Andy MacPhail, the former Twins and Cubs exec who now runs the Orioles. We began to chat.

“I’m trying to find out what the club I cover is going to do for a third baseman,” I said.

“I read your stuff,” MacPhail said. “Mark DeRosa? That would be a good pick-up for the Twins.”…

Ran into a few Upper Midwesterners during the week. One woman was embarrassed to approach me and had her friend ask who I was. Turns out her name was Meghan <sp?>, who works for the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks and was with other staff members at the meetings. They listen to KFAN all the time and, I hope, read the StarTribune. Anyway, hello Meghan and the rest of the Redhawks staff.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! gets big props. He made an unannounced run Tuesday night to In-N-Out burger and busted into the media room with 35 burgers and a tubful of fries. Talking about lifting spirits! Goodness, we’re so easy….

By the way, my boss mentioned the words, `Per,’ and `Diem,’ to me the day he found out the meetings were in Las Vegas. Well, I’ve only had dinner twice this week - and one of those times a buddy gave his credit card to the waitress without me knowing and picked up the whole tab! The media this week wore out a trail to a sandwich shop near the poker room to get some grub. Eating well at the winter meetings is hard to do….

Uber blogger Aaron Gleeman on Tuesday, like he’s done before, sat in on Ron Gardenhire’s press conference. He also joined us for the daily briefing with Twins GM Bill Smith and got a taste of what it’s like to try to get information from someone who doesn’t want any of his cards on the table. Gleeman was nowhere to be seen when Wednesday’s briefing took place…

I spotted Twins manager Ron Gardenhire in a haberdashery at the hotel. He under packed for the trip and needed to buy a jacket to wear the next day at the annual media-managers lunch. He purchased one sweater and one jacket that cost more than my hotel bill and airfare to Vegas. The jacket was tailored within two hours.

Gardy looked sharp the next day as we shared a table with Royals manager Trey Hillman and the Royals writers. It was like a homecoming for me. Kansas City Star beat writer Bob Dutton was my high school editor at the Star when I broke into the business in 1989 (I was responsible for him running out of red ink). MLB.com reporter Dick Kaegel was the Star’s Royals beat writer then and later helped me learn the ropes my first year on the Royals beat in 1995.

While eating, the sad state of the newspaper industry came up. And Phil Miller of the Pioneer Press produced the line of the day.

“This may be the first year that the writers have worse job security than the managers,” Miller said….

Finally….

I’ll still monitor Twins news, but I’m on my own dime here after tonight. I’m switching hotels and laying low for a couple days - as well as one can lay low in Las Vegas.

Check this out for one person’s take of the winter meetings.

Infielder Nick Punto has signed a two-year $8.5 million contract to remain with the Twins. He’ll make $4 million in 2009 and 2010, and there’s a $5 million club option for 2011. Punto is expected to be the Twins ’ starting shortstop in 2009.

The deal, wrapped up late last night at the Bellagio hotel, is the Twins’ biggest move during the winter meetings. Punto came to the winter meetings and spoke with 16 of the 30 teams, with three or four emerging as serious options. In the end, he was too comfortable with the Twins to leave.

Punto said he wants to help the Twins make a long playoff run.

“I feel like we got really close last year,” he said.“I have a sour taste in my mouth from that last game in Chicago. We’re looking forward to next year.”

The Twins are still looking for a offensive upgrade at third base, but Twins GM Bill Smith said that the team isn’t afraid to go to spring training with Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris as a platoon there.

Word is that the potential deal between the Cubs and Padres involving Jake Peavy has fallen apart. Cubs infielder Mark DeRosa, who can play third base, could be an option for the Twins. The Phillies also are interested in DeRosa.

Update on Beltre: Just heard that the Twins, indeed, are on Adrian Beltre’s no-trade list. That usually means the clause would have to be bought out in order for the player to waive it. It would be another hurdle if the Twins approach the Mariners about a trade.

It’s a slick move by Beltre and his agent, Scott Boras, if they recently added the Twins to the no-trade list. They listen to the rumors….