Article: Three-Bagger: Johan, Gardy & Free Agent Buzz

[Nick Nelson]

This week was a blast from the past for Minnesota Twins fans, with a few recognizable names popping up in the news. Here's the rundown.* Determined or deluded? Whatever you want to call it, Johan Santana refuses to give up in his mission to pitch in the major leagues once again. The lefty will turn 38 next March, and hasn't thrown an MLB pitch since 2012, but is reportedly heading to Venezuela to showcase himself in winter ball, with hopes of landing a deal for 2017.

 

Santana signed a minor-league deal with Baltimore in 2014 and another one with Toronto in 2015, but stalled out due to continuing setbacks and bad breaks, including a torn Achilles tendon in the summer of '14. He was still trying to make his way back this year but never emerged with any club.

 

Pitchers who suffer multiple shoulder capsule tears, as Santana did with the Mets, have an incredibly poor prognosis as far as returning to the mound. Thus far, the two-time Cy Young winner is just another statistic. Given that he was never terribly dependent on velocity, it's conceivable he could work his way back as a crafty southpaw leaning on his signature changeup.

 

If the Twins take a look at him this winter and see anything they like, there would be little risk in giving him a shot on a minor-league deal. Few teams could offer a more realistic path to a rotation spot, and of course there is the familiarity factor.

 

* Ron Gardenhire is returning to the dugout. The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Thursday that they were hiring the longtime Twins skipper to serve as bench coach on their reconstructed staff.

 

Interestingly, he will work under new D-backs manager Torey Lovullo, who was runner-up to Paul Molitor as Gardenhire's replacement in Minnesota.

 

A year ago, Gardy was offered the a bench coach position with the San Diego Padres after losing out to Andy Green for the top job. He declined it, and subsequently rejoined the Twins as a special assistant to general manager Terry Ryan.

 

But now, the 59-year-old will lend his experience in assisting Lovullo, who has been around for a while but is taking on his first gig as a full-time big-league manager.

 

I, personally, will be glad to see Gardenhire returning to a more visible role in the game. His quips and quotes are tough to beat.

 

* If the Twins are serious about trying to land free agent catcher Jason Castro, the task might have gotten a little bit easier on Thursday. His former team, the Astros, completed a trade with the Yankees to acquire Brian McCann in exchange for prospects. Houston was among the clubs reported to have interest in signing Castro.

 

That still leaves several others pursuing the veteran backstop. The Twins are believed to be one of them, although according to Darren Wolfson they still had not made a formal contract offer as of Wednesday.

 

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[Lee-The-Twins-Fan]

Johan might be worth a look. 

 

I'm glad for Gardenhire's return to the dugout. I'm just glad it's not the Twins' dugout.

 

I hope the Twins can sign Castro, but, either way, we have to look at guys like Mitch Garver and John Ryan Murphy

[Thrylos]

The Twins do not need a 38 year old starting pitcher with shoulder issues, Johan or no Johan.  I'd rather see what Mejia, Jay, and Gonsalves can do than what the ghost of Johan's past cannot do... 

[jctwins]

Thankfully the new PBO and GM don't care about familiar faces, and won't waste time on projects like Santana because they are familiar faces.

[theBOMisthebomb]

The Twins do not need a 38 year old starting pitcher with shoulder issues, Johan or no Johan.  I'd rather see what Mejia, Jay, and Gonsalves can do than what the ghost of Johan's past cannot do...

Amen to that. We were able to gracefully part ways with Gardy. Now let's continue to cut ties with the past while at the same time still respecting and honoring past Twins legends.

[gil4]

 

The Twins do not need a 38 year old starting pitcher with shoulder issues, Johan or no Johan.  I'd rather see what Mejia, Jay, and Gonsalves can do than what the ghost of Johan's past cannot do... 

I wouldn't mind rolling the dice on the ghost of Johan's past.    If he has some semblance of a fastball, he will probably get people out.  If he doesn't, he won't make it out of spring training and will likely retire.  

[Nick Nelson]

 

The Twins do not need a 38 year old starting pitcher with shoulder issues, Johan or no Johan.  I'd rather see what Mejia, Jay, and Gonsalves can do than what the ghost of Johan's past cannot do... 

It's not an either/or. Is someone suggesting getting rid of any of those players in order to give Santana a shot on a minor-league deal? 

[Thrylos]

 

It's not an either/or. Is someone suggesting getting rid of any of those players in order to give Santana a shot on a minor-league deal? 

 

Opportunity cost.  With Santana there, they will be given fewer opportunities to stick in the rotation

[jctwins]

The opportunity cost is that this club is not a home for former players anymore, it's a place for young talent that might be able to make a meaningful contribution in 3-5 years.

[Shaitan]

If Johan will consider being a LOOGY I'm open minded.

[Brandon]

I'm cool with Santana getting a minor league deal and spring training invite. If he makes the team it means he beat everyone else out for the spot and can be flipped if he builds enough value

[nicksaviking]

If Allen and Falvey are really on board with the "teach all the pitchers a good changeup" philosophy, bring him in and once it's clear it's not going to work out for Johan which would be approximately February 14th (I see pitchers and catchers report February 13th), see if he wants to, and has what it takes to work with the young guys.

 

Also, I'm not one to want to bring back old players, but Santana's changeup was special. If there's any thought he could teach it, I'd at least be interested.

[Mr. Brooks]

If Johan will consider being a LOOGY I'm open minded.

I'm too lazy to look it up right now, but I'm pretty sure Johan usually had a reverse split, or at least even, because of that changeup.

If so, I'm not sure he'd be much of an asset as a LOOGY.

[Thrylos]

 

Also, I'm not one to want to bring back old players, but Santana's changeup was special. If there's any thought he could teach it, I'd at least be interested.

 

If that were the intention, then the Twins should have re-hired the person who taught Santana (and Pedro and the Big Unit) their change ups, as their pitching coach...  He is still available.

Edited November 19, 2016 by Thrylos

[HitInAPinch]

 

If Allen and Falvey are really on board with the "teach all the pitchers a good changeup" philosophy, bring him in and once it's clear it's not going to work out for Johan which would be approximately February 14th (I see pitchers and catchers report February 13th), see if he wants to, and has what it takes to work with the young guys.

 

Also, I'm not one to want to bring back old players, but Santana's changeup was special. If there's any thought he could teach it, I'd at least be interested.

I said it many times in the GameDay chats:  Hector Santiago could REALLY use Johan's circle change.

 

I suspect the new regime will not bring him back.

[mikelink45]

No to Johann.  Move on.  Old Twins are one thing - OLD and we do not need them.  

[BD57]

I want outs from the pitching staff ... consistent outs.  

 

I don't care where we get them, or who delivers them.

 

If Santana can help, great; if he can't, then that's a shame.  

[Willihammer]

It would be kinda cool to have two Johan Santana's on the same team.

[laloesch]

As much as i love Johan Santana especially during his years with Minnesota he's old now.  I just don't see a spot for him on the roster.