MLB Trade Rumors Predicts Top 50 Free Agents

[ScottyB]

MLB Trade Rumors has predicted who will sign each of their top 50 free agents.  They have the Twins signing 2 starting pitchers - #22 Jason Hammel and #48 Brett Anderson.  Other notables include Max Scherzer to the Yankees, Jon Lester to the Cubs and James Shields to the Red Sox.

 

They have a boatload going to the Cubs -besides Lester,  Russell Martin (catcher), Dave Robertson (closer), Justin Masterson (SP), Jake Peavy (SP).  Former Twins Frankie Liriano will be picked up by the Red Sox, Torii goes to the Rangers, Cuddy goes to the Mariners, and Pat Neshek goes to the Astros.

[SwainZag]

MLB Trade Rumors has predicted who will sign each of their top 50 free agents.  They have the Twins signing 2 starting pitchers - #22 Jason Hammel and #48 Brett Anderson.  Other notables include Max Scherzer to the Yankees, Jon Lester to the Cubs and James Shields to the Red Sox.

 

They have a boatload going to the Cubs -besides Lester,  Russell Martin (catcher), Dave Robertson (closer), Justin Masterson (SP), Jake Peavy (SP).  Former Twins Frankie Liriano will be picked up by the Red Sox, Torii goes to the Rangers, Cuddy goes to the Mariners, and Pat Neshek goes to the Astros.

 

Neither the Hammel nor the Anderson picks would surprise me as both guys could probably be had on short deals, and a bounce back candidate in Anderson.

 

Also, it was in the next post on MLBTR, they always have a pick'um contest.  I got a whoopin' 6 right last year.  Prizes for the Top 5, something to do during the slow off-season. Link:  http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/mlbtr-free-agent-prediction-contest-3.html

[jorgenswest]

Were stuck with Nolasco. I'd rather Hughes, Gibson, May and Meyer over short term fixes. They need longer term solutions. The Twins can't have another year near the bottom in innings from 25 year olds and younger.

 

Sign big or sign no one.

[James Richter]

If you hate Nolasco, I don't see why you'd want Hammel. He might benefit a la Hughes from leaving a bandbox in the AL East, but his career road FIP is still over 4.00. As we're already paying Ricky, I don't see a fit there.

 

I would love to add Anderson, though. Next year is just his age 27 season. When he's been on the mound he's pretty consistently performed as a #2. He's had a lot of trouble staying healthy, but the injuries from 2013-14 haven't been arm-related. He's always had a tremendous GB%, which would help him stay away from the defensive uncertainties in the OF. I think he's a great low-cost, high-upside play that could help push some of the more questionable rotation candidates down the depth chart while leaving some money in the pot for high-velocity additions to the bullpen.

[DocBauer]

I don't think we are "stuck" with Nolasco. No stud, he's posted solid and consistent numbers/seasons for his career, even while pitching for some pretty bad teams at times. When healthy this season, he admittedly showed some inconsistency at times, but also looked good to very good at times. Once again I state the only thing he was guilty of is being injured in the first year of his new FA deal.

 

I expect a healthy and strong rebound season in 2015 where he pitches to his career numbers. With Hughes, an experienced and improved Gibson and the hopeful prospect of a right FA signee, Nolasco could be anything from the Twins #2 to #4 SP.

 

The Hammel and Anderson signings make sense here. But probably on the milb contract level.

 

Despite the presence of May and Meyer, and hopefully the arrival of Berrios at some point, I believe the Twins will be more aggressive this offseason than the likes of Hammel or Anderson. Similar to last season, despite some talented youngsters on the rise and impending promotion, the Twins will make a move for a Santana or a Masterson, or one of a few others that will be available.

 

I believe the market will be very fluid this offseason. I think there will be a handful of big signings to be sure. But I also believe a lot of large market teams are going to limit big spending, having already taxed themselves to certain points. Even more than last season, you will see some interesting 1yr make good contracts.

[Major League Ready]

I don't know enough about Tomas to say with any certainty he is the right move but he makes the most sense for rebuilding.  It would be like adding another top prospect.  The only bad news is that if he flames out he is a payroll burden that would be a problem for a very long time and that would detract from what we can do when we are contending again.

 

He sure does fit.  We could platoon Hicks and Schafer in center until Buxton is ready.  That gives us a late innings defensive replacement and pinch runner as well.   If Walker, Kepler or others work out one of them or Tomas becomes a great trade chip which adds additional fuel to the rebuild.  If we get really lucky, Hicks finally finds it or Schafer breaks out.  Neither one of them is going to become an all-star but they do have ceilings that if reached would net a good return given they are CFs.  If not they remain good 4th outfielders.

 

We simply don't have the ability to outbid teams with $75-$175M more revenue than us for Scherzer or Lester so that is a dream.   It will also require 5-6 year deals so they will very likely be in their decline when we are ready to contend or are contending. 

 

I like the idea of bringing on Anderson as a bounce back candidate on a  1year deal with an option for a 2nd year or even a two year deal if the price is right.  He could be the next Kazmir in which case we have a trade asset or even better, Nolasco gets back to his norm and we trade him if Anderson rebounds.

[pierre75275]

If MLB Trade rumors is right....that is extremely disappointing to me. I would rather watch Gibson, May and Meyer pitch then Hammels, Pelfrey, or Anderson. IF Malone was non-tendered and Duensing, picking up Anderson would be a smart move

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

There's no reason for the Twins to sign middle-of-the-rotation talent. There's plenty of that on the roster already. We need an ace. Go big, or go home.

[Otto von Ballpark]

MLB Trade Rumors has predicted who will sign each of their top 50 free agents.  They have the Twins signing 2 starting pitchers - #22 Jason Hammel and #48 Brett Anderson.

Actually, they considered each player's destination independently -- so while they consider Minnesota the most likely destination for both Hammel and Anderson, they don't necessarily think the Twins will sign both.

 

Here's the relevant explanation from their post:

 

Please note that I’ve given up on trying to create a scenario where all 50 signings fit together, so you’ll see some redundant picks where multiple players are listed for a team that could only sign one of them.  I looked at each player individually and made a pick.

[ashbury]

Please note that I’ve given up on trying to create a scenario where all 50 signings fit

 

[geek]Any of you who've ever been exposed to combinatorial optimization will appreciate that at numbers like 50 and above it can get difficult.[/geek]

 

_{^{/ no, like Ebola, there's no cure if you've been exposed.  Only rest and TLC.}}

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I'm guessing that Hammel will go to an NL team. My guess is Pittsburgh (they'll need to replace Liriano and/or Volquez).

 

Brett Anderson might come to the Twins, I think he's more likely of the two.

 

Interesting to me is the prediction that Colby Rasmus will sign with the White Sox. I agree that they could use some outfield help, so Rasmus might be the winner of this year's free agency period because there are so few good options out there. I'm guessing his contract will be higher than it "should" be based on his performance this past year.

[nicksaviking]

As long as the pitcher only gets a one year deal.  This club has shown the willingness to eat a bad contract if only one year is remaining, but I don't want this club to give itself any more excuses for not calling up the prospects.  I don't care if they fantastically bomb, we have to know, and they have to get their feet wet early if we want to have hope they can carry this team to relevance in 2016.  We aren't going to get relevant based on mid-low tier free agent pitchers.