Shooter Now: Facing free agency, Cuddyer hasn't heard from Minnesota Twins

Michael Cuddyer, who has been the Minnesota Twins most valuable player this year and can become a free agent after the season, hasn't heard anything from the club about a contract extension.

Cuddyer, 32, who is hitting .286 and leads the club in runs (33), hits (78), doubles (16) and home runs (10) is making $10.5 million this season. He said he wants to remain with the Twins.

"That would be awesome," said Cuddyer, who is in his 14th season with the Twins organization.

But Cuddyer doesn't expect the Twins to offer an extension during the season.

"That doesn't bother me at all," he said. "I've never really even thought about contract situations (during the season). Never. Obviously, when the offseason comes around, I do, and I have in the past. Even when I was up for (salary) arbitrations and stuff, I never thought about, 'If I put up these numbers, I'll have this to go to arbitration with,' things like that.

"I just play the game. I was always a firm believer that contracts, money and all, that all takes care of itself. Whatever's going to happen is going to happen.

"The only thing I can control is the way I go out there and prepare myself to play. Markets are different year to year, and you never know what the market's going to be. So there's really no reason to worry about it."

-- Twins DH Jim Thome, who has been at career home run No. 593 since May 23, said he's not thinking about reaching No. 600.

"I'm just trying to get
healthy," he said.

As for which cap Thome's Hall of Fame plaque will have, he said he's not paying any attention to that, either. Bet on the Cleveland Indians, though.

-- Baylor is the latest school to offer Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones, 15, a basketball tender. Jones, who'll be a sophomore next fall, received the offer last weekend.