I get tired of being right all the time.... (Extend Hughes?)

[DaveW]

Per MLBTR Hughes is very much open to a contract extension. Get it done TR!!!!! 3 more years on top of the next two! 47-52 million should

Get it done

[Squirrel]

Per your thread title ... we get tired of it, too.

[nytwinsfan]

I'm not sure if anyone has posted on this yet, but Mike Berardino is reporting that Phil Hughes went out of his way to indicate that he is open to extension talks:

 

“I’ve felt really comfortable here,” Hughes told the Pioneer Press on Saturday. “It’s certainly a place I would love to stay if they would have me. I don’t know if that’s something we’ll get into this offseason. If it is, I certainly wouldn’t be against it.”

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/09/27/twinsights-phil-hughes-love-stay-twins-long-term/

 

I know there is understandable concern that Hughes may regress, based on previous years' performances, but if anything his excellent (to put it mildly) K/BB rate and FIP this year suggest the opposite, especially if the Twins improve their outfield defense with Buxton, Rosario and/or Hicks in the coming years. Plus, he just turned 28, not 34. He is not Josh Willingham. I know many people have posted time and time again on these forums that the Twins should do almost anything to acquire an ace (or even a prospect with a decent likelihood of becoming an ace - if such a prospect even exists). But what if we already have one, and he is willing to sign an extension for something less than it would cost in terms of cash or trade on the open market?

 

Hughes doesn't give any indication of how many years and how much money he would be interested in, but he does seem to legitimately like the Minnesota organization and fans, and obviously also knows that Target Field is well built for his style of pitching. So maybe he'd be able to give a slight discount.

 

Do people think he would go for 5 years (2015-19) for $75 or 80 million? If so, I'd take it. More likely, he'd want six or seven years, which I think is more likely to be the dealbreaker than the $ per year. By 2020 Buxton and Sano will likely be up for free agency. At a minimum, I hope the Twins speak with Hughes about extensions seriously this winter, and see how much he really wants to stay here.

[drock2190]

I like Hughes, but why pay him after his best season?

 

Didnt we do that with Joe Mauer? How's that turning out?

 

I say wait a year. I would put money down that he wont be that stingy on walks next year and he could put up a higher ERA.

[chopper0080]

I would wait.  I don't see the win for the team in paying him more for his prime years while also acquiring more of his less prime years.  I would prefer to negotiate an extension closer to the age of 30, more leverage.

[nytwinsfan]

But if he pitches at all like he did this year the next two years, or even one more year, the Twins will have way way less leverage, to the point that he probably won't be resignable. There is a downside to waiting. I also am not the expert on this, but aren't pitching prime years a little later than hitters? I don't think of age 30-32 seasons to be past prime for pitchers, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

He had the 6th best FIP and the 3rd best Pitcher WAR in baseball (because he didn't miss starts). And obviously the best K/BB rate. He also has little injury history/risk.

That is definitely an ace this year. With a good outfield defense, he would be a Cy Young competitor this year. And the other thing is that other than the improved BB and HR rate nothing jumps out as being way out of line with his previous stats. And his HR rate has a lot to do with being out of Yankee Stadium and into Target Field, and also with a decrease (although not dramatic) in fly balls. So this isn't a statistical fluke. I just think you have to listen seriously to what he says, especially if he is offering a discount, and especially if he is willing to make it 5 years or fewer.

[Seth Stohs]

These stories are always so funny. Reporter asks player if he wants to 1.) stay with current organization and 2.) wants to sign an extension.

 

Pretty much everyone is going to say yes. It means nothing. 

 

However, the discussion of whether the Twins should go to Hughes about an extension is interesting.

[Paul Pleiss]

Hey player X, do you like playing here in (insert city)? Would you like to stay here long term?

 

Player x: I love it here, it would be great to stay here and continue building relationships with the front office and the fans.

 

Of course he'll say that. Everyone should say that.

 

I dont think extending Hughes now makes sense. Let him pitch into next season, show that he can continue his dominance, and maybe reapproach next season around the ASG. What'st he rush, the Twins have him for 2 more seasons.

 

-P

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Never met Hughes, but he seems sincere. California boy, sent to New York, and has found his happy middle here in Minnesota.

[Paul Pleiss]

Please don't extend Phil Hughes. Please. Not now. Maybe around the 2015 ASG, but not now. Please, not now.