Twins owner Jim Pohlad is a Yu Darvish fan: 'He's a cool guy'

"Yes, I'm totally on board with that," Pohlad said during a fan forum at TwinsFest. "There are some interesting names and some interesting opportunities there. I'm as intrigued by it as anybody and attracted to it as anybody."

Applause echoed through Puckett Atrium at Target Field as Pohlad finished his answer. Asked later if he is a Darvish fan, Pohlad smiled.

"Who wouldn't be?" he said. "I mean, he's a cool guy. I admit to being a Yu Darvish fan. I admit that."

With a projected Opening Day payroll around $104 million and a spot on Darvish's list of finalists, the Twins would seem better positioned than usual to make such a splash. Ervin Santana's four-year, $55 million deal from December 2014 remains the richest deal they have bestowed upon any pitcher on the open market, and Phil Hughes' three-year, $42 million extension that same month carried the largest average annual value ($14 million).

Securing Darvish, 31, could require a commitment of five or more years with an average annual value of $20 million to $25 million. One person familiar with the Twins' thinking suggested they might stretch as far as $120 million over five years to close the deal with Darvish, but talks continue to play out with the Japanese star and his agent, Joel Wolfe.

"There is mutual interest in seeing if something makes sense for both parties," Twins president and CEO Dave St. Peter said. "We're not there yet today but that could accelerate here in the near future. We'll see."

Darvish got to know Twins general manager Thad Levine well during his first five seasons in the major leagues (2012-16), and the Twins also hired Japanese assistant trainer Masa Abe out of the Arizona Diamondbacks' system this winter. Both factors would increase Darvish's comfort level in a potential pairing with the Twins.

"It's got to be a deal that makes sense," Pohlad said. "We kind of know where we would be willing to be, but that doesn't mean that's where Yu is."

Fellow right-handers Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb also remain unsigned, but Levine has made it clear for months Darvish is a "priority." The Twins also continue to look for potential upgrades via trade, with the Tampa Bay Rays still shopping Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer, for instance.

"There are options," Pohlad said. "There are many options, and we hope to be a part of one of them."

Coming off a pair of World Series shellings with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a Game 7 loss at home to the Houston Astros, Darvish is determined to return to that stage as soon as possible.

"Tell him we have that in common with him," Pohlad said, smiling. "We clearly believe this could be the place. The team will get back to that. Maybe it won't even be the seventh game. Maybe we'll win it in four."