Twins rumors: Minnesota waiting on Joe Saunders

The Minnesota Twins are hoping to sign free agent left-hander Joe Saunders to a one-year contract, and the team is currently waiting to hear back from the veteran's agent, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com.

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

Wolfson notes that if Saunders wants to join the Twins, he will be able to. Minnesota wants him, but they are only interested in extending a one-year contract at this point. They may potentially be willing to increase the offer to two-years, according to Wolfson, but it's been reported that Saunders is seeking a three-year commitment.

General manager Terry Ryan wouldn't comment specifically on Saunders, but he did confirm that he has the "payroll flexibility" to make another free agent addition. If the Twins do add another player, it is expected to be a starting pitcher.

Saunders spent the 2012 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles. Over 28 combined starts the 31-year-old maintained a 4.07 ERA. During seven regular season starts with the O's, Saunders posted an ERA of 3.63. He owns a career ERA of 4.15 with 5.1 strikeouts and 2.7 walks per nine innings over eight seasons at the major league level.

So far this offseason the Twins have acquired Vance Worley from the Philadelphia Phillies and signed free agents Rich Harden, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey.