Twins hire Cuddyer as special assistant

In case you haven't noticed, Yoenis Cespedes is a free agent and the rumor mill is silent. It's quiet. I'll get to Yo in a second. However, in regards to the overall hot stove, know that what I've been saying for a few weeks is very much in effect, which is that big-spending teams are essentially in a freeze until owners and the player's union settle on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The two sides must agree on a new deal by Dec. 1, or risk a potential work stoppage, which was hinted in multiple reports last week >> Read more here.

For instance, there's a chance the new CBA eliminates the qualifying offer/free-agent compensation system, and that the luxury tax threshold increases,…