Article: Five Remaining Free Agent Fits

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota’s biggest off-season move was signing Jason Castro to a three-year deal worth $24.5 million. The team had a clear need at catcher and Castro was the 13^th best available player according to ESPN.com. But are there other free agent fits after a 103-loss season? Here are five names the Twins could still be considering.Jason Hammel, RHP

Hammel posted a 3.68 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over the last three seasons in Chicago and Oakland. With other Cubs’ starters ahead of him, the team could afford to let him go. The Twins need more pitching and he would slide into the rotation nicely. He might be a good candidate to sign to a one- or two-year deal so he could recoup some value. At the start of next season, he will already be 34-years old so he will not have many more opportunities to be a free agent.

 

Doug Fister, RHP

Fister is only two-years removed from a terrific season in Washington where he threw for a 2.41 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has posted ERA totals greater than 4.15 in each of the last two seasons. Fister is younger than Hammel and he has pitched 237 fewer big league innings. He has pitched over 160 innings in each of the last four seasons where he was used exclusively as a starter. Like Hammel, there is an opportunity for him to produce a bounce back season.

 

Scott Feldman, RHP

Feldman was one of the players I targeted when completing my 2016 Twins offseason blueprint. I would offer him a two-year deal with some incentives since he has shown some positive signs since joining the bullpen. Minnesota’s bullpen has been overused in recent years so a new arm could add some life to a worn-out group. If he continues to make strides in the right direction, the Twins might be able to deal him for prospects at the trade deadline.

 

Stephen Drew, 2B/3B/SS

Drew will be entering his 12^th big league season and he has shown the ability to play multiple positions around the infield. He could provide some insurance with young players like Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco scheduled to start. He got on base almost 34% of the time last year. His .864 OPS was his highest total since his rookie season. Drew could take over the role vacated by Eduardo Nunez while providing a veteran voice in the clubhouse.

 

Austin Jackson, OF

Minnesota is scheduled to start the year with Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario, and Robbie Grossman as the team’s outfielders. The young trio of Buxton, Kepler, and Rosario all have things to prove. Jackson would add a veteran bat who can play all three outfield positions. If any of the young core needs more seasoning in Rochester, Jackson could take over the starting duties.

 

Derek Falvey, the Twins Chief Baseball Officer, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “The reality is, we’re standing here today with players still available in free agency that I don’t think any of us would have predicted in October. Things change.”

 

Regardless of whether the front office pursues any of the names listed above, it looks like the Twins are incredible longshots to make it to the World Series. Mytopsportsbooks.com, which already has MLB Futures odds posted, lists them at 200-1 right now.

 

While the odds seem to be against a World Series run, it seems likely for the Twins to head to Fort Myers with a player or players who are not currently on the roster. Who would be a good fit with the club’s current direction? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[Thrylos]

I cannot begin to state the ways why any of those are not fits for a 103 loss team that needs to rebuild...

[tobi0040]

Thrylos. We are all in. We got Castro and are keeping Dozier. Just need Scott Feldman and we are in this thing.

[TheLeviathan]

I came in with low expectations and still managed to get surprised by how bad the list is.

[jimmer]

 

I came in with low expectations of the new FO and still managed to get surprised by how bad the list  offseason is.

FTFY :-)

[Old Twins Cap]

Well, the Twins won't be winning the World Series in 2017.  Can they win 75-80 games?  Can some of their young pitchers develop?  Can the young outfield and infield hit and play defense?

 

Will they be fun to watch?

 

Over 40 years now of watching the Twins, you learn to enjoy the little things, especially when the big things don't go well.

[jorgenswest]

I would sign any but Drew to a one year deal. I don't think Drew can play middle infield any longer and he has little value to this team as a bench bat occasional 3B. The others can all be flipped by mid season or released if they can't play anymore.

[DocBauer]

Drew and Jackson were both on my blueprint list for 2017. Not sure Drew really fits unless Dozier is moved somewhere, but I like Jackson as a very use able 4th OF who can play more due to injury or someone spending time in Rochester. He and a backend bullpen arm would be my top 2 targets. Drew jumps back on my list quickly if a Dozier deal still happens.

[Shaitan]

 

Well, the Twins won't be winning the World Series in 2017.  Can they win 75-80 games?  Can some of their young pitchers develop?  Can the young outfield and infield hit and play defense?

 

Will they be fun to watch?

 

Over 40 years now of watching the Twins, you learn to enjoy the little things, especially when the big things don't go well.

If they keep changing the format, 75 wins might get them into the playoffs.

 

[zchrz]

Hammel would be a decent enough move, but really he is another in the Gibson/Hughes/Santiago/Placeholder bin.  I would rather they just give the young guys ample opportunities to take a rotation spot and run with it. 

 

 

[nytwinsfan]

Not sure about Austin Jackson. He's had reverse splits most of/almost his entire career. If we get another outfielder it should be someone who can platoon with Rosario and Kepler.

[Teflon]

"Fister is only two-years removed from a terrific season in Washington"

 

see Ricky Nolasco, Kevin Correia, Vance Worley, Jason Marquis...

[Cory Engelhardt]

I am all about signing a good bullpen guy to a 1 year deal. I would also love to get an outfielder who can platoon/work with Rosario and Kepler. I don't know that I love the starting options you have listed, but a DH could be a nice get as well.

 

1) Desmond Jennings

2) Pedro Alvarez

3) Greg Holland or Joe Blanton or Sergio Romo or Aaron Barrett or Fernando Salas or you name it.

 

That would help a team going into spring training.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I am all about signing a good bullpen guy to a 1 year deal. I would also love to get an outfielder who can platoon/work with Rosario and Kepler. I don't know that I love the starting options you have listed, but a DH could be a nice get as well.

 

1) Desmond Jennings

2) Pedro Alvarez

3) Greg Holland or Joe Blanton or Sergio Romo or Aaron Barrett or Fernando Salas or you name it.

 

That would help a team going into spring training.

 

Agreed. I'm not married to Robbie Grossman so any 1 year OF deal is fine by me. Same thing for relievers - short term flippable deals are fine.

 

No starters. Let's see what we have.

[Teddy]

Personally, I don't want to sign any starters if it means putting Trevor May back in the bullpen. We need to see if he can be a quality starter, once and for all. As for the bullpen, I know Molitor wants another veteran out there, but I don't see Scott Feldman as the guy to fit that need. And frankly, Drew doesn't have it anymore, and I'm not sure Jackson is worth of the investment either. I'm cool with standing pat, at least until July 31 and letting Falvine see what they have to work with.

[Cody Christie]

Last night at the Winter Caravan stop in Fargo, Dave St. Peter said he wouldn't be surprised if the Twins added more pitching before spring training. He went on to say that he would expect it to be relief pitching.

[Mike Sixel]

If you add a starter, I assume Berrios is in the minors, and May is in the bullpen. Is that what people want, at this point?

 

I wouldn't be shocked at a RP or two, frankly. Can't let young guys pitch in relief....even if you spend numerous 2nd and 3rd round picks on them.

[glanzer]

Yes, Sergio Romo! He's at the top of my list for a bargain reliever. 

 

I am all about signing a good bullpen guy to a 1 year deal. I would also love to get an outfielder who can platoon/work with Rosario and Kepler. I don't know that I love the starting options you have listed, but a DH could be a nice get as well.

 

1) Desmond Jennings

2) Pedro Alvarez

3) Greg Holland or Joe Blanton or Sergio Romo or Aaron Barrett or Fernando Salas or you name it.

 

That would help a team going into spring training.

 

[VikingGuy]

Rather have Fister than Hammel.  Bringing NL pitchers to the AL was Terry Ryan's downfall and Fister has had success in the AL.  I'd rather see Gonsalves than Hammel.  Anything and everything that improves the bullpen should open for discussion.

[d-mac]

Fister. Heh. 

[Brandon Warne]

 

I cannot begin to state the ways why any of those are not fits for a 103 loss team that needs to rebuild...

 

They are not rebuilding. The rebuild is basically over. You can't rebuild what isn't built. They are on the upswing, which unfortunately is starting very low. 

[nicksaviking]

 

Derek Falvey, the Twins Chief Baseball Officer, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “The reality is, we’re standing here today with players still available in free agency that I don’t think any of us would have predicted in October. Things change.”
 

 

I can only assume he said that because he assumed these players had long ago retired.

 

There are no starting pitchers I'm interested in free agency at this point. I'd much rather give the jobs to May/Mejia/Berrios two of whom will already be squeezed out if the Twins give Hughes another shot at the rotation.

 

I would be just fine adding a starting pitcher for the implicit purpose of going to the pen though.

[Mike Sixel]

 

They are not rebuilding. The rebuild is basically over. You can't rebuild what isn't built. They are on the upswing, which unfortunately is starting very low. 

 

cant

tell

if

serious

[Brandon Warne]

 

cant

tell

if

serious

 

What is there to rebuild? All the useful players outside of Ervin Santana are young. 

[Lee-The-Twins-Fan]

 

What is there to rebuild? All the useful players outside of Ervin Santana are young. 

 

Well... There are Mauer and Dozier...Or maybe you don't consider them "useful".

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Well... There are Mauer and Dozier...Or maybe you don't consider them "useful".

 

Well, Mauer cannot be traded (and wouldn't fetch anything if he could)...  Dozier shouldn't be replaced (unless he's traded).  The real problem is SP.  I'm more upset that Santiago will likely be there pushing one of May, Mejia, or Berrios out. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

What is there to rebuild? All the useful players outside of Ervin Santana are young. 

 

Everyone who pitches the ball?

 

So....half the roster?

[Linus]

What a list. Hard pass. Go get a real arm for the bullpen as the rotation now is what it is. If the young guys are pitching well the vets can get flipped.

Edited January 25, 2017 by Linus

[Richie the Rally Goat]

What is there to rebuild? All the useful players outside of Ervin Santana are young.

cuz Kintzler, Hughes, Santiago and Perkins are so bankable to build a pitching staff around?

[Brandon Warne]

 

cuz Kintzler, Hughes, Santiago and Perkins are so bankable to build a pitching staff around?

 

*sarcasm alert* Cuz they're so bankable someone else will give you something for them?*sarcasm alert*

 

Do people realize what a rebuild is? 

 

The offense has the pieces in place for the next good Twins team, the pitching staff has some. They need to find the rest. That's not what a rebuild is. 

Edited January 25, 2017 by Brandon Warne