I'd offer Gibson 3yrs at $30-36M.Lance Lynn signed one of the few 3yr (30M) contracts this offseason.He had produced more than Gibson career-wise, but they are on opposite ends of the pendulum swing with Gibson being much better the past 1.5 yrs.The FA market has some talent available in Gerrit Cole and Chris Sale at the top, followed by Verlander (37yrs old), Bumgarner and Porcello.I'm not sure the Twins would be in on any of those.Zack Wheeler was a younger player (30) who should interest the Twins.Most of the FA starters are Gibson's age or older.
https://www.mlbtrade...ree-agents.html
Berrios is the only other one that interests me.He is the most likely bet to maintain his performance IMO.Get him to sign a five year contract to buy out this year, 3 years of arbitration and one year of FA.Might have to overpay a bit, but it would give him financial security and FA for his age 30 season.
Sano and Buxton are a no at this point.Their range of possibilities is far to great to extend them.Talk to me again after the season.
Rosario and Kepler both have issues.2nd half 2017 and 1st half 2018 Rosario is an All-Star, but second half he had a .622 OPS.I think he has plateaued.Kepler has the opposite problem, he is maddeningly consistent (3 yrs 95 or 96 OPS+ in a row) and hasn't taken the next step.I wouldn't extend either with Cave, Wade, Rooker, Kirilloff and Larnach all potential replacements.
I would be interested in Polanco after this season if he can produce a full season at or near .800 OPS.I still think he ends up at 2B and would love to see one of Lewis, Javier or Gordon push him over there.
Great post.