Twins Notes: Mauer, Morneau, Valencia

MLB.com's Kelly Thesier answered a few e-mails from fans in regard to what Minnesota might have up its sleeve in the offseason, and here are some of the most notable bits of news from the piece...  Thesier said that though talks between the Twins and Joe Mauer about a contract extension  haven't yet begun, "don't take Mauer's patience to mean that the catcher isn't interested in signing an extension."  Thesier also noted a possible good omen for Minnesota fans --- Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, also represented single-franchise stars Kirby Puckett and Cal Ripken Jr. Justin Morneau should be recovered from minor wrist surgery in four weeks' time, and looks to start rehabbing his injured back by the middle of November. Top prospect Danny Valencia will need a big performance in spring training to win the third base job, given that the 25-year-old didn't even receive a call-up last September. Money may be the only thing tha...