The Twins and Rockies have discussed a deal for third baseman Garrett Atkins here, according to a person with knowledge of talks. The Rockies were interested in one of the Twins’ starting pitchers, plus a prospect. Indications are that the Twins still weren’t willing to go there. 

About a week ago, there were indications that Colorado wanted righthander Kevin Slowey and outfielder Denard Span for Atkins, so their recent request isn’t as steep.

The source made it clear that the Rockies are in no hurry to move Atkins, so they would have to be very impressed with an offer to make the deal.

Huston Street’s name came up toward the end of the discussion but that didn’t go far. The Rockies don’t expect to re-sign Brian Fuentes so they want to hold on to Street as cover for Manny Corpas.

What’s coming to light here is that the Twins really want to hold on to their core of young starters. Perhaps they feel that this isn’t the year - or Atkins isn’t the player - to give up a starter for.

Two sources have shot down a report that the Twins and Rays were discussing a three-team deal involving Delmon Young.

A National League source confirmed that Nick Punto met with the Phillies on Monday and that the Phillies like Punto, “very much.”

When that was told to a Twins official, he replied, “we like him very much too.”

Just heard that Jorge Cantu doesn’t throw well because of some sort of shoulder issue. One person indicated that he’ll eventually need to transition over to first base. Don’t know how that affects things.

The annual GM meeting has just begun. Bill Smith was seen walking into the meeting room while talking with Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman.

Scott Miller of CBS,Sportsline.com reported that Scott Erickson is kicking around a comeback and has contacted the Twins. The Twins, by all indications, aren’t interested.

Joe Nathan has been spotted hanging out with Nick Punto here.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark is reporting that Casey Blake has agreed to a three-year deal with the Dodgers for $17.1 million or so. He writes that the Twins offered two years and $14 million. If that’s true, a third year at $3 million or so doesn’t sound that bad. But let’s make sure what the final numbers are because so baseball official told me last night it was three years and $21 million. Maybe it’s $3 with attainable incentives. Just speculating.

Everyone is waiting to one of three things to happen today: K-Rod signing with the Mets. Jake Peavy going to the Cubs and progress on the Mark Teixeira front. Many feel the meetings are being held up by those situations.

2:45 updates: One official with knowledge of the situation said there’s little chance the Rays and Twins craft a three-way deal involving Delmon Young.

Award for Gardy: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has been named Baseball America’s Manager of the Year. BA will announce its 2008 award winners tonight.

More praise for Aaron Hicks: One BA staffer believes Aaron Hicks will be ranked very high in their top prospects list for 2009, which will be released around the start of the season.

Hunter-Agassi join forces: Torii Hunter appeared with tennis star Andre Agassi to announce his plans to provide 100 college scholarships from 2009-2012. Some of them will be awarded to students at Agassi’s charter school in las Vegas.

Agassi used an old but well-delivered line while talking about his school.

“Just because I’ve built a school doesn’t mean I know a lot about education,” he said. “Eighth grade was the best three years of my life.”

Hunter’s Heart of a Champion program, a charter education program for secondary students, is being used in 18 states. That includes roughtly 7,000 students in Anahiem, Minneapolis and Hunter’s hometown of Pine Bluff, Ark.

What’s up! Just getting organized before the rumor mill begins here at the Bellagio.

Here are some things I’ve heard since the last time I posted:

The Twins have had internal discussions about San Diego’s Kevin Kouzmanoff, Houston’s Ty Wigginton and Florida’s Jorge Cantu. What I couldn’t clarify is if the Twins have talked to these teams here or have scheduled talks yet. All it takes is a phone call to get something going.

Cantu is only 26 but isn’t strong defensively. Was told some Twins think Kouzmanoff is fine defensively while others are skeptical. And the Twins were very interested in Wigginton in 2007.

There is one report that Nick Punto met with the Phillies yesterday. If that’s true, Punto could indirectly help the Twins because he could be insurance for Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz, who are coming back from surgeries. That might help the Twins’ efforts to pry Jason Donald away. Just my theory.

Was told that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is very fond of Punto.

Jack Wilson remains somewhere on the Twins radar, although the Pirates are in no rush to move him and likely would want a couple decent young players in return. And the Twins aren’t the only team grimacing at Wilson’s salary.

Ron Gardenhire will meet the press at 6 pm CST.

There are a lot of people here who think Twins’ first-round pick Aaron Hicks is an uber prospect. Some still think highly of him as a pitcher - he did hit 97 on the gun as a senior in high school. The Twins drafted him as an outfielder.

Boof Bonser has hired a trainer again this offseason and is working out - again. The Twins’ medical staff is being kept up to date on his progress. Several teams have asked about Bonser, who could get another shot to start if traded.

Torii Hunter will hold a press conference here at 1:15 pm - with Andre Agassi. The two are hooking up on a youth charity initiative. Can’t wait to see those two bald heads next to each other.

That’s all for now!

Just spoke with sources on both sides of the Delmon Young-to-the-Phillies rumor:

It would take more than Jason Donald for the Twins to make that deal. The Phillies are looking for a corner outfielder to replace Pat Burrell but because Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz are recovering from injuries, they feel inclined to hold onto Donald.

The sides have not spoken to each other lately - and there are no plans to meet in the near future.

Clarification: I do believe that the Phillies are interested in Young but there’s not anything heating up right now.

There also is nothing going on with San Francisco. That’s makes sense because the name of the player I was given - Jonathan Sanchez - didn’t make sense unless he was going in the bullpen. “That’s not happening,” I was told by a source.

So it seems as if this was the classic rumor that became bigger than it really was. I was talking with former major league catcher Brent Mayne about how rumors and gossip get out of control at the winter meetings and he said. “It’s like high school with cell phones and texting.”

Other news….

I haven’t had time to check other sites so this might already be out there, but word is that the Dodgers have added a third year to their offer for Casey Blake. That takes the Twins out for sure. And the Indians had hoped Blake would give them a shot to sign him. Not now.

The Twins have some interest in Jack Wilson but Pittsburgh would have to pay some of his salary. And the person I spoke with said they would be better off signing Nick Punto back than trading for Wilson, even at half the cost.

Miguel Tejada is NOT an option.

For a team that claims it’s not shopping Delmon Young around his name sure keeps popping up around the Bellagio.

The Phillies apparently are doing due dilligence on Young now. The Twins do like shortstop Jason Donald, who’s coming off of a huge Arizona Fall League run.

I’ve talked to two baseball officials who know Donald. One described him as a true baseball player with great instincts. The other thought he needed to at least begin the year at Class AAA. Both felt Donald might wind up at third.

Also heard from one official that Giants might be interested in Young. This rumor was tossed out earlier this offseason, but it might be true because a Twins official told me right after the Casey Blake thing fell through that they would contact teams they’ve talked to in the past about infield help. Not sure who the Twins like on the Giants roster.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Twins are interested in Jack Wilson. This isn’t surprising because a Twins official indicated to me over the weekend that Wilson could land on their radar.

My problem is that Wilson is not that great of an offensive upgrade. They might as well bring back Nick Punto, who gets abused here way more than he should.

Adam Everett has signed with the Tigers.

Dennys Reyes might be on the Reds’ radar.

Add the Diamondbacks to teams interested in Punto.

More later….