After taking some time off over the past week, I’m back on the beat and just in time for the Hot Stove season to really start heating up.

This week is an important one, not just in terms of the BBWAA awards that are being announced. The exclusive negotiating period that teams have with their free agents comes to an end on Thursday night at 11 p.m. CT and that means the official start of free agency. While many expect it to be a slow start

Another important date for clubs is Friday, as they must set their 40-man rosters. This is the time when teams can protect players from being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, which takes place on Dec. 10. The Twins currently have 35 players on their 40-man roster — not including their five free agents. There are bound to be additions to that roster this week, although it’s not likely to be five players as the Twins often leave at least one spot open in case they want to make a selection in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft.

I also wanted to pass along another tidbit for you. Baseball America has released its complete list of Minor League free agents. The Twins have eight and they are as follows:

RHP: Frank Mata (AA), Oswaldo Sosa++ (AA)
LHP: Reid Santos (AAA)
1B: Brock Peterson (AAA)
2B: Alejandro Machado+ (AA)
3B: Brian Buscher (AAA)
OF: Matt Moses (AA), David Winfree (AAA)

Before free agency takes center stage, the focus today will be on the American League Manager of the Year announcement. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is among the contenders for the award yet again. It could be another case of a runner-up finish for Gardy, as Angels manager Mike Scioscia is considered the favorite. I’ll have more on that later in the day, after the award is announced.