Twins close to acquiring pitcher Jason Marquis

MINNEAPOLIS The Minnesota Twins have added several free agent position players so far this offseason, and it appears they may soon be adding a pitcher.According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Twins are close to acquiring pitcher Jason Marquis. The 33-year-old right-hander has spent 12 seasons in the big leagues and made 23 starts last year for the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks. Marquis was 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA in Washington before he was traded to Arizona. He made just three starts for the Diamondbacks, going 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA in 11 13 innings.If Marquis does sign with the Twins, it would be his first American League team. He began his career with Atlanta, played three seasons in St. Louis and then pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Colorado prior to joining the Nationals in 2010. With the addition of Marquis, the Twins would have an odd man out in the starting rotation. Carl Pavano, Brian Duensing, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano were Minnesota's starting five pitchers for much of 2011. Of those five, Duensing might be the likeliest candidate to move from the rotation to the bullpen. Of Duensing's 109 career appearances, 59 have been in relief.