Update on Twins' Pursuit of Free Agent Joe Saunders

The Minnesota Twins' 40-man roster is full, but that doesn't mean the front office is done shopping for free agents.

A team source said on Friday the Twins are waiting to hear back from pitcher Joe Saunders' agent, Greg Genske.

If Saunders wants to be a Twin, he can be. But the team source wondered aloud if Saunders strongly prefers to be elsewhere.

The Twins' preference is to have Saunders on a one-year deal, but they could be willing to go to two years. They don't want him on a three-year deal.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan wouldn't comment specifically on the pursuit of Saunders but did have a thought on his general interest in a couple free agent pitchers.

It's "just a matter of their interest in us," Ryan said. "I don't know why somebody wouldn't want to come here who's a legitimate starter."

The Twins didn't make starter Shaun Marcum an offer, a source said. Marcum ended up signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Mets on Friday.

Ryan does have permission to spend more money.

"There's definitely payroll flexibility," owner Jim Pohlad said.

The Twins' payroll sits at approximately $80 million.

Even though Ryan has hinted strongly at the possibility of another infield addition, the Twins don't have an interest in free agent third baseman Brandon Inge, who has a fan in the organization but not among the decision-makers.

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