Darn late night deadlines. There’s no word on if Carl Pavano will accept or decline arbitration. The deadline is 11 p.m. CST, so we might have to wait a little while for a decision. There are rumblings that Pavano might accept arbitration.

Credit Bill Smith for planning ahead. He gave us a quote if Pavano accepts and one if he rejects.

Each manager has a 30-minute press conference at the winter meetings. But Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has called in sick with the flu and won’t fly here for his scheduled presser tomorrow. It’s kind of a letdown for some of the national media here who enjoy the Gardy-isms every year.

It’s been reported that Miguel Angel Sano’s visa has been approved. But the Twins only deal in absolutes. They just received a copy of his visa via fax and now feel comfortable that he’s officially on board. Smith said that the club will meet with the family to determine which last name he’ll go by - Sano or Jean.

Aaron Gleeman will be happy to know that I’m sitting next to ESPN’s Keith Law in the press room. I think Kieth is one high-quality guy.

Saturday is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players, and there’s already speculation about players joining the free agent ranks this weekend. There’s a chance that Brayan Pena might be at the top of the Royals’ depth chart at catcher by then.

For Twins fans wondering who their Opening Day third baseman will be, there’s been little news down here so far. But heard in the hallway that Garrett Atkins could be non-tendered. Classify that one as slightly above rumor level for now.

Finally, the phrase I’ve heard the most in less than 24 hours here: “What were the Twins thinking when they built that stadium without a roof?”

I’m set up and ready to roll here at the Indy Marriott as the first day of the annual baseball winter meetings kicks off. Check back here during the day for updates on what the Twins are (or aren’t) doing to improve their ballclub.

I checked with Tom O’Connell, Carl Pavano’s agent, last night to see if they intended to accept or reject arbitration from the Twins. O’Connell didn’t want to tip his hand, so we’ll have to wait until later to find out what their move is. My guess is that they will reject the offer but keep talking to the Twins.

The Twins aren’t too fired up about giving him a two-year deal. Pavano is trying to distance  himself from a bad four-year run with the Yankees and might have to take another one-year deal - and have a big year -  before he can get more security.

Pavano is the Twins’ top priority right now. Cleveland has expressed interest in Pavano too.

There’s already been some news this morning, with the announcement that Whitey Herzog and Doug Harvey have been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Tony Oliva fans, chill. This was the year for managers, umpires, owners and pioneers to be voted on by the Veterans Committee.

Former Twins managers Tom Kelly, Billy Martin and Gene Mauch were among a group of people who received fewer than three votes.  Davey Johnson and Steve O’Neill were the others. 

Check back here during the day for updates. I’ll probably tweet a couple things from the lobby, too.

I’m also pleased to announce that the Winter Meetings Confidential staff has been retained for another year. The WMC staff scours the hotel every year for newsy nuggets from all over the league and drops them in the ink edition of our newsgathering juggernaut.

For instance, WMC heard last night that the Rangers are looking to move righthander Kevin Millwood because of their continuing financial dilemma. The Twins were in Texas in August when the Rangers couldn’t sign their first-round pick because of what everyone believes were mounting financial woes.  

Another nugget: It sounds like Tampa Bay firmly believes it has the cultural infrastructure in place to handle a complicated personality like outfielder Milton Bradley. Good luck to them if they make that move.

So in addition to any Twins news, you’ll get league-wide dope in the daily paper.

That’s all for now. Gotta stake out the lobby.

Here are a few tidbits as I gather information for my winter meetings preview, which will appear in Sunday’s editions.

I spoke to someone with knowledge of Joe Mauer’s contract extension talks. There have been some general discussions but serious negotiations haven’t begun. I was told that talks should heat up before the calendar year ends.

And the same person clearly stated that there have been no deadlines set as to when a deal must be completed. This follows up what Mauer tweeted to me earlier in the week. There have been reports of serious negotiations starting and deadlines and such, but I finally got a hold of someone who would know for clarification.

In a perfect world, the Twins would be able to add a solid veteran starter and an infielder.  They would like to re-sign Carl Pavano but there are other options if that doesn’t work out. They have showed interest in Rich Harden and Jarrod Washburn in the past and I haven’t received any indications that has changed. Harden, however, has been linked to Seattle and Boston recently. Washburn remains somewhere on their radar.

Pavano is their main target. I’m sure his agent is checking with other teams to see if there’s a good market for a two-year deal before he rejects the Twins’ offer of arbitration. Should be interesting. I agree with ESPN’s Keith Law. If Pavano can’t find a team willing to offer him more than one year, he’ll have a tough case to make in arbitration because he only has one decent season to go on.

If the Twins bring Pavano back, he’ll join righthanders Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey in the rotation. That leaves a Battle Royale for the last spot in the rotation between Brian Duensing, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins (if he’s not dealt), Boof Bonser, Anthony Swarzak and Jeff Manship.

Obviously, some are stronger candidates than others. A couple could land in the bullpen, but with Joe Nathan, Jesse Crain, Jon Rauch, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier coming back, there’s not much room. And what if Pat Neshek comes to camp with his mojo back?

Yes, the Twins remain interested in Mark DeRosa, just like they were last year at this time. Yes, there has been some contact with the reps for infielder Orlando Hudson but it doesn’t sound like they are hot on the trail right now. My guess is that the Twins will read how the market will shake out before jumping in on someone.

One potential problem is that the Phillies have signed Placido Polanco for three years and $18 million, which could influence other deals.

I can see a scenario in which Joe Crede is signed just before camp begins, again. Crede’s comeback from his latest back surgery will be monitored. Another half-season of Crede could be just enough time for Danny Valencia to get ready in the minors.

That’s all for now. Keep checking back here for new developments.Â

The Twins have offered arbitration to righthander Carl Pavano, which comes several hours before the 11 p.m. deadline for clubs to offer arbitration to their free agents.

Pavano is a Type B free agent. If he signs with another club, the Twins would receive a sandwich pick as compensation. The Twins remain interested in re-signing Pavano, who was 5-4, 4.64 for the team after being deal from Cleveland.

Cleveland, ironically, is one of the teams interested in signing Pavano.

“I have spoken to Carl and to his agent and informed them of this decision and we look forward to continued negotiations with them,” Twins GM Bill Smith said in an e-mail.

Orlando Cabrera, Mike Redmond, Ron Mahay and Joe Crede also are Twins free agents. Cabrera is a Type A free agent, but had it written into his contract that he couldn’t be offered arbitration. Redmond, Mahay and Crede don’t have Type A or B status and aren’t expected to be offered arbitration.

Mauer update

There was a yahoo! report late last night that Joe Mauer had set a Opening Day deadline for contract negotiations.

I found that rather odd. This is the same Mauer who, at the end of the season and again last week at his MVP press conference, said that he’s not the type of guy to say he needs a contract done by a certain date.

I texted Mauer last night, and he responded today with the following:

“Sorry for the late reply. Just got back to FL and it feels great. As far as that report, that’s news to me. Don’t know where that came from.”

Historically, players who begin their walk year break off negotiations to concentrate on the season. Mauer, I feel, is a little different. His agent, Ron Shapiro, has a history of taking negotiations into a walk year. The combination of Mauer and Shapiro makes it hard for me to believe that they would really shut things down.

The X factor, of course. is the player’s association. I’m sure the union sees Mauer as the rising tide that lifts all boats and might push for such a stance. Shapiro’s track record says that he’s his own man.

Even if it was true, you can’t convince me that Shapiro would turn down a big offer in June if it’s the right number.

Other stuff

There has been contact between the Twins and Joe Speed, the agent for former Gopher Robb Quinlan. The Twins could use a bat off the bench, and Quinlan could back up at first, third and the outfield. Quinlan, does have some interest from other clubs and might opt to sign with a National League team.

“I’m sure we’ll get together at the winter meetings and explore if there’s a good fit,” Speed said.

Third base prospect Danny Valencia has agreed to play winter ball in Puerto Rico. That’s a good move because he has a lot to prove in camp. Not sure which team he’ll play for yet.

Update: Valencia will play for Ponce in the Puerto Rican league. He either left tonight or is leaving tomorrow. 

And, yes, Miguel Angel Sano is now known as Miguel Jean. After using his mother’s last name he now uses his fathers. It’s not the first time that’s happened. Remember David Arias? Most Red Sox fans call him Big Papi.

The Rochester Red Wings have announced that Tom Nieto has been named manager of the Class AAA club. Nieto, who managed Class AA New Britain to a 72-69 record this year, replaces Stan Cliburn, who was let go after the season.

Bobby Cuellar will return as pitching coach. Floyd Rayford will take over as hitting coach. Here’s the Red Wing’s release. 

The Twins are expected to release all their minor league coaching assignments in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, if you want to talk Twins, I’m filling in for the flu-ridden Paul Allen tomorrow from 9-Noon on KFAN. Phil Mackey will join me for awhile to talk about the Twins and Vikings. And there will be other treats as well. Tune in!