MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was discussing the state of his roster in baseball's so-far quiet offseason, making no secret of the team's desire to re-sign designated hitter Nelson Cruz.

Baldelli pushed his interest in the 40-year-old free agent a step further, taking a few seconds out of his video conference call on Tuesday with reporters to make a pretend pitch to the six-time All-Star.

"Nelson, if you're watching, which I know you're not, we'd love to see you in spring training, and I'll talk to you soon," Baldelli said, smiling at the camera on his computer.