What big named Free agent pitchers are available this off-season?

[howieramone2]

 

It's not a sexy FA pitcher list, but ignoring free agency isn't a good strategy.

I would avoid any long term commitments from this group. However, hopefully our new PBO and GM can zero in on one or two short term deals that turn out to be fantastic bargains. One, two, or even three year deal(s) should absolutely happen. It's only money.

Those "finds" happen every year. Some GMs look like geniuses because they were able to spot the guy(s) likely to outperform their recent history, and then cash those assets in, either with W's or by flipping them at the deadline.

This team needs pitching. The most likely result of "Don't sign anyone, play the kids" is another half decade of suckage. I want the new leadership to augment the existing pitching, not wait for the magic beans to grow into magic beanstalks. And that means all avenues pursued, including free agency, even in a "bad year" for free agents. If all the new front office does is wait for "tomorrow, tomorrow" we might as well have kept Ryan.

There's no reason a good front office shouldn't be able to turn the position players on this team into a contender in a year or two. If Buxton, Sano et al aren't ready to compete by 2017, they likely never will be. Get on with it...that's why they hired a new front office.

Bingo!

[ThejacKmp]

 

Take a look at the bottom of his scouting reports. If his ceiling is Gibson's or Santiago's, our favorite team would do the happy dance.

 

This doesn't make sense? Can you explain further?

 

I think the Twins have much higher hopes for Berrios than Santiago, a guy who likely should not be tendered his last year of arbitration. And I'm positive that his ceiling is higher than current day Kyle Gibson. Basically any starting pitcher who was ranked in the top 30 on Baseball America's prospect list after last season has a higher ceiling than Kyle Gibson by definition.

 

He's 22. His minor league stats are impressive. He's 22. Maybe he won't pan out and maybe he will but it's ludicrously early to be calling his ceiling a #4/#5 starter.

[Physics Guy]

As I've been reading this thread and the one about the 2017 rotation, I keep thinking back to something that was discussed in one of the recent G&G podcasts.  According to BR:

 

AL Runs Allowed - 2016

#14 - Twins - 873

#13 - Rangers - 746

#1 - Blue Jays - 653

 

There is a bigger gap between #14 and #13 than there is between #13 and #1.  The Rangers team ERA is 4.41.  I don't think it is outrageous to think that five pitchers from this group can break that threshold next season: Santana, Gibson, Santiago, Duffey, May, Hughes, Berrios and Mejia.  Last season the team ERA was 4.07.  Just getting to #13 level gives the Twins a pythagorean record for the season of 76-86 for this season.  I don't think .500 next year is out of the realm of possibility.  

[twinssporto]

 

If competing for a WS title by 2019 isn't a realistic goal, we hired the wrong guy.

Well said!  Are we related?

[bird]

 

Well said!  Are we related?

 

 

He's your grandpa

[ALessKosherScott]

I'd take a shot at Edinson Volquez if KC bought him out and he'd take a one or two year deal. Righty sinkerballers seem to make the most sense for Target Field, and if he worked out and you weren't in contention you could possibly flip him for a prospect.

 

But I agree it's not the sexiest list.