FA Starting Pitching List....

[mikelink45]

 

Another year of Sano and Buxton gone? Why?

Sano and Buxton are still working on reaching their true potential.  If we are worried about them many teams extend their players early.  Right now I want to see Sano stay healthy for a year.  

[beckmt]

Depends on how close the new FO thinks Romero is to being ready. If he feel he will not help until 2019 they will have to bring in help.  Just will not want to spend $80 - $100 million for 5 years of a #3 or #4 starter(Cobb or Lynn).  If you want to do this go big and spend $25 - $30 million a year for Darvish.

[ashbury]

Depends on how close the new FO thinks Romero is to being ready.

I don't believe a FO that thought Romero was close to being ready would have had him pitch all year at AA, without even a look-see when rosters expanded in September. It's not impossible he goes north with the big club in 2018, but it's a longshot, and you don't make your rotation plans based on longshots.

[Vanimal46]

I don't believe a FO that thought Romero was close to being ready would have had him pitch all year at AA, without even a look-see when rosters expanded in September. It's not impossible he goes north with the big club in 2018, but it's a longshot, and you don't make your rotation plans based on longshots.

There's an old saying in Tennessee - Texas too... Probably Massachusetts as well. "Hope for the best, assume the worst" or something like that. As fans, let's learn from past mistakes relying on prospects to fill an MLB need. 6 out of 8 times it's better when a prospect forces the issue of a call up over handing him the starting position out of necessity.

[Mike Sixel]

Depends on how close the new FO thinks Romero is to being ready. If he feel he will not help until 2019 they will have to bring in help. Just will not want to spend $80 - $100 million for 5 years of a #3 or #4 starter(Cobb or Lynn). If you want to do this go big and spend $25 - $30 million a year for Darvish.

That's what free agent pitchers cost. If you won't pay it, fold the franchise.

[beckmt]

 

That's what free agent pitchers cost. If you won't pay it, fold the franchise.

My comment was to point out that if you are going to pay $20 million a year for a #3 or #4 starter, why not pay $25 - $30 for a #1 or #2 starter, more like go big or go home.

[Physics Guy]

 

That's what free agent pitchers cost. If you won't pay it, fold the franchise.

Agree, it's the cost of doing business.  They clear $13.8M in Santiago and Perkins.  They can add Cobb or Lynn at $16M per without raising the payroll dramatically.  Yes, they have others due some increases, but not dramatic ones (thinking Dozier, Gibson and some of the relievers if they choose to keep them around).  A team on the upswing should be willing to take on salary to take the next step.

 

Mauer's $23M per year is done after 2018 and Santana's 13.5 potentially as well, although I hope the $14m option in '19 is exercised.  Hughes' 13.2M comes off the books after '19 as well.  They have some flexibility. 

 

I'm going to ammend my earlier post, I want them to go after Darvish, Cobb and Lynn in that order.  I'd be happy with any of them as an upgrade that doesn't cost us prospects.  If they can't get one, then they have to find an upgrade in the trade market.  I'd be willing to trade Romero or Gonsalves, but not both.  I don't want to trade Gordon because he appears to be a true SS.  I want to trade Dozier or Polanco since I'm not convinced Polanco stays at SS.  If a Dozier trade can't be consummated, then trade Polanco.  I'd have to think he performed well enough this year to raise his trade value.  Dozier almost has to go to a contender whereas Polanco might intrigue a rebuilding team not wanting to take on salary.

[Mike Sixel]

 

My comment was to point out that if you are going to pay $20 million a year for a #3 or #4 starter, why not pay $25 - $30 for a #1 or #2 starter, more like go big or go home.

 

got it. That seems unlikely to me, but would be welcome.

[Mr. Brooks]

I don't believe a FO that thought Romero was close to being ready would have had him pitch all year at AA, without even a look-see when rosters expanded in September. It's not impossible he goes north with the big club in 2018, but it's a longshot, and you don't make your rotation plans based on longshots.

Wasn't Romero already shut down by the time rosters expanded in September?

[howieramone2]

 

That's what free agent pitchers cost. If you won't pay it, fold the franchise.

Actually, free agent pitchers come in many price ranges, and we have a very deep farm system we can certainly use in trades. Save the big money for our 6 young stars. I can't believe how many members still confuse free agency with Christmas. 

[beckmt]

 

Actually, free agent pitchers come in many price ranges, and we have a very deep farm system we can certainly use in trades. Save the big money for our 6 young stars. I can't believe how many members still confuse free agency with Christmas. 

Prices in prospects are very high for frontline starters, that should be option #2.  Do not see all of Twins top players working out to big paydays, of the 6 maybe 3 - 4 if we are so lucky.  Then you can use some of the talent to trade the major league players for the cheaper options.

[ashbury]

Wasn't Romero already shut down by the time rosters expanded in September?

Probably. Even more reason not to make 2018 rotation plans around him. That's trying to thread the needle too close. He's just not ready.

 

Acquire some MLB-ready talent, and if Romero forces his way into the picture, you have a nice problem on your hands, with nice solutions available.

[PseudoSABR]

 

we have a very deep farm system we can certainly use in trades

It's really not that deep, and we will need those players to supplement the current class.  Yes, you overpay in free agency, but you also don't have to spend your affordable assets (prospects) to net upgrades, so in the total cost (assets plus dollars) free agency may be the better way to address the rotation both short and long term.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It's really not that deep, and we will need those players to supplement the current class.  Yes, you overpay in free agency, but you also don't have to spend your affordable assets (prospects) to net upgrades, so in the total cost (assets plus dollars) free agency may be the better way to address the rotation both short and long term.

It's not that deep right now but I suspect it will continue to climb the ladder over the next 12-14 months. I think the farm system is in pretty good shape and would be in favor of trading a few prospects for immediate help.

[GP830]

According to Rhett Bollinger:

Possible FA fits: Andrew Cashner, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Jason Vargas

[drjim]

 

According to Rhett Bollinger:

Possible FA fits: Andrew Cashner, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Jason Vargas

 

Cashner would be uninspiring if he is the only guy, but I could live with him on a 1 year deal if they also sign someone better. There are a handful of other guys that fit that mold in my mind, but they really need to go big on one guy.

[Mr. Brooks]

According to Rhett Bollinger:

Possible FA fits: Andrew Cashner, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Jason Vargas

Aren't those all soft tossing, PTC types?

[GP830]

Agree, we need the Big One. 

 

Darvish 

Cueto

Bumgarner

Archer

 

Etc.

 

[GP830]

 

Aren't those all soft tossing, PTC types?

Seems that way. It's possibly just conjecture by Bollinger. I wouldn't be against one of these guys being added so long it was in addition to some heavy artillery.

[kellyvance]

I like making a splash for a Darvish, and then adding upgraded BP arms. By going for just one stopper, it allows the kids to get a shot at #4 or 5 spots.  If Gibson is able to continue like he ended this season, the patience paid off. But that is a huge maybe. Not sold on Meija.  I like having young guys ala Gonsalves, while upgrading to add a playoff caliber #1 guy. I think we made a youth movement in position players. Time to see what young pitchers can make it, like Berrios did. 

[kellyvance]

 

It's really not that deep, and we will need those players to supplement the current class.  Yes, you overpay in free agency, but you also don't have to spend your affordable assets (prospects) to net upgrades, so in the total cost (assets plus dollars) free agency may be the better way to address the rotation both short and long term.

The dumpster diving for bargains, Nolasco and Hughes come to mind, haven't paid off. A Darvish is expensive, but pencil him in and don't worry about his turn in the rotation. That is worth something. Then let our young guys get their shot at 4 and 5. Erv is good for another year and is really a #2. Berrios is solid as #3, and maybe a future #1. That is all assuming Gibson's late season surge was fools gold. If Gibby really did figure things out he is a solid #3 or 4. . 

[GP830]

 

I like making a splash for a Darvish, and then adding upgraded BP arms. By going for just one stopper, it allows the kids to get a shot at #4 or 5 spots.  If Gibson is able to continue like he ended this season, the patience paid off. But that is a huge maybe. Not sold on Meija.  I like having young guys ala Gonsalves, while upgrading to add a playoff caliber #1 guy. I think we made a youth movement in position players. Time to see what young pitchers can make it, like Berrios did. 

 

Darvish

Berrios

Santana

Gibson

Mejia

 

That's a seemingly serviceable ML rotation. If the Twins can pull of a coup for Darvish (who knows? Levine has a previous relationship with him, and we have a very promising young core), I'd be open to forgoing one of the secondary FA talents and continuing to focus the efforts on the bullpen. I don't remember where I saw it, but I saw an article this week that proposed that the Twin's young BP core were almost ready and that we really only need to add one more effective BP piece. 

 

Curtis

Rogers

Hildenberger

Busenitz

Moya

May

Holland???

 

 

[gunnarthor]

The Twins can't afford Darvish.

[old nurse]

 

Aren't those all soft tossing, PTC types?

92 to 96 mph fastballs are now soft tossing

 

[USAFChief]

The Twins can't afford Darvish.

of course they can.

[Mr. Brooks]

92 to 96 mph fastballs are now soft tossing

I was legitimately asking, not commentating.

96 would not be soft tossing, no. Does any of those guys throw 96?

 

My first thought upon those names was that all four were low K rate guys, but I didn't look it up to confirm, so I asked instead.

[Vanimal46]

 

According to Rhett Bollinger:

Possible FA fits: Andrew Cashner, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Jason Vargas

 

So basically he looked at the top FA names, skipped them, then went to the next tier of pitchers. Just like the Twins do every year. 

[GP830]

 

So basically he looked at the top FA names, skipped them, then went to the next tier of pitchers. Just like the Twins do every year. 

That's just good predictive reporting.

[Physics Guy]

That's just good predictive reporting.

Unfortunately, too often in the past this was true. I don't think we have enough information yet to say the same of our current FO. I hope they have a different MO.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Unfortunately, too often in the past this was true. I don't think we have enough information yet to say the same of our current FO. I hope they have a different MO.

 

Yeah, we will see this offseason how much of this was Ryan being cheap or Pohlad being cheap.