Terry Ryan, in his second tour as GM of the Minnesota Twins, made clear in speaking to the media last week that his first priority is addressing the team's four key free agents: utiltyman Michael Cuddyer, pitcher Matt Capps, closer Joe Nathan and outfielder Jason Kubel. Indeed, as the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports, Ryan has already reached out to at least Matt Capps' agent to reaffirm interest in re-signing the reliever.

"[Ryan] called me and expressed interest in Matt coming back," Capps' agent Paul Kinzer told a group of reporters today, on the eve of the GM meetings. "[Capps is] such a presence in the clubhouse and a good teammate, and the Twins really valued him."

The Twins also have interest in re-signing Joe Nathan, but there's a belief that they could turn their attention to Capps if the price for Nathan proves too high. Nathan turns 37 on Nov. 22; Capps is 28

Capps struggled last season, posting a 4-7 record with a 4.25 ERA, but he is just a year removed from an All-Star campaign in which he went 5-3 with 2.47 ERA and 42 saves in a season that he split between the Washington Nationals and Twins.