FORT MYERS (AP) – Minnesota Twins general manager Bill Smith walked to the podium at a media luncheon earlier this month, and it didn’t take long for him to deliver a summation on the team’s offseason activity.

“We have had a very, very busy winter,” Smith said, before pausing for a little comedic effect that is rare from this straight-laced executive, “and the net result has been almost nothing. It’s been pretty well-documented.”

Laughter filled the hotel ballroom. Yet the truth in that statement isn’t nearly as entertaining for a fan base that watched their favorite team lose to the White Sox in a one-game playoff for the AL Central, then do nothing to improve the roster.

When the Twins hold their first full-squad workout Saturday, the team that takes the field at the Lee County Sports Complex will be nearly identical to the one in that 1-0 defeat at U.S. Cellular Field that cost them their division title.

Adhering to the team’s promote-from-within philosophy, the Twins stood pat and are hoping familiarity will breed success.

No marquee free-agent signings. No big trades.

Zip. Zilch. Nada.

“We like this club,” Smith said Friday. “We like the players. We like the makeup. They’re good teammates. They’re talented players. We’re excited to get going.”

To most longtime followers of this team, the approach should not come as a surprise. Offseason spending sprees just aren’t what they do.

“We don’t go out and land huge free agents, but we promote from within and there’s a purpose to our spring trainings,” shortstop Nick Punto said. “We’ve had pretty good success with that.”

This year Minnesota didn’t even bother bringing in the usual washed-up veteran in a desperate attempt to fill a hole.

Three years ago, it was third baseman Tony Batista and outfielder Rondell White. In 2007, the Twins tried pitchers Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson. Last year, shortstop Adam Everett and third baseman Mike Lamb failed miserably while starter Livan Hernandez won 10 games before being replaced by Francisco Liriano.

“We’re in a different situation this year than we were in a year ago,” Smith said. “I can’t sit here and say all of the free agents worked out great, because they didn’t.”

The failures opened the door for young players like third baseman Brian Buscher, second baseman Alexi Casilla, outfielder Denard Span and starter Glen Perkins to get valuable big league experience.

All four had pivotal roles after their call-ups in the Twins’ surge toward the top of the division. Now Smith thinks they’re ready to build on that.