Article: Twins Sign RHP Michael Pineda

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins announced this morning that they have signed right-handed pitcher Michael Pineda to a two-year, $10 million deal. The former Mariners and Yankees starter had Tommy John surgery July 18, so he is likely to miss the entire 2018 season.Pineda stands 6-7 and about 260 pounds. He is a flame-thrower, when healthy. The Twins deal with Pineda is such that he will make $2 million in 2018 and then $8 million in 2019.

 

The move is very similar to the transaction the Cubs made earlier this week when they signed lefty Drew Smyly for two years and $10 million.

 

While Pineda is unlikely to pitch in the big leagues in 2018 (14 month recovery would be late September), this move is a push for 2019 when he will be over 20 months post-surgery and the Twins should be making another playoff push.

 

It's another creative move for the Twins brass, and it doesn't necessarily stop them from doing anything else.

 

What do you think of the move?

 

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[mazeville]

Good. 

[Tomj14]

I like the move, don't see much downsize. I like the idea that he will "hopefully" be competing for a spot in the 19 rotation and at that price if isn't ready 8 million isn't a huge hit to take and if he does well 8 million will be a steal.

[markos]

Very solid move. Obviously doesn't solve anything for next year, but definitely a good move looking forward. 

[SF Twins Fan]

There is no downside to this move because it's only two years and very low money. This is a low risk high reward signing.

[zenser]

I liked the Cubs signing of Smyly but I like this better!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Call me a skeptic.

 

Maybe Pineda can come out of the pen late in 2018. He throws hard but been mediocre as a starter.

[sthpstm]

Great - hard to dislike this type of risk/rewards move. And in my opinion he offers more upside than Smyly on the same contract. I wonder if the incentives are similar to what Smyly received.

[Tom Froemming]

And the new front office continues to be unpredictable. I wouldn't have guessed they'd be shopping in the rehabbing pitcher market, but this is such a low risk/potentially high reward move. Probably doesn't help them much to get into the playoffs in 2018, but could make a huge impact in a postseason rotation if they can get in and then be a key piece for 2019 at a very reasonable price tag (relatively speaking).

[jorgenswest]

He could be a September addition to the bullpen when rosters expand. The bullpen might be the best spot for 2018 also.

[Brandon]

good insurance if we dont pick up Santana's option next season. this gives us more payroll flexibility in that regard.

[Comrade Bork]

I like the move though the guy still needs to prove he's not dumb as rocks.

 

[DocBauer]

Very smart move. Adds to the 2019 rotation in a potentially big way, no pun intended, lol.

 

Cost and terms are minimal, shouldn't affect 2018 negatively on the financial front, and helps cover Gibson and Santana possibly moving on after this season.

[nicksaviking]

I like the move a lot. FB with plus velocity a slider and a change. No CB but otherwise he looks like the kind of starter that Cleveland has had success showing patience with as of late.

[Steve Lein]

Interesting signing. Is it weird I see him as a better fit in bullpen when he is back?

[kab21]

 

good insurance if we dont pick up Santana's option next season. this gives us more payroll flexibility in that regard.

I don't really see Ervin and Pineda related at all. Picking up Ervin's option will most likely be based on his 2018 performance. Pineda is there either way and provides good depth in the rotation that might actually be a strength in 2019. The Twins definitely need to make a big addition this offseason but combined with that mystery man, Berrios, Ervin?, Pineda and the hopeful emergence of a prospect the team might actually have a competitive rotation.

 

I continue to like the outside the box thinking that the FO has been doing. In other seasons we looked at other teams making these moves and thought good risk/reward but didn't see the same moves being made. 

[Drew]

His career k/9 (9.1) would rank #2 in Twins history. Even if he never pitches like we hope he can I like the thinking behind this move and the direction Falvine seems to be taking our pitching staff. 

[Han Joelo]

I saw the Smyly move and thought "this is the type of move the Twins just don't have the dollars to make--only the biggest spenders do this."

 

Wrong.  Nice move for only $2 million on this year's payroll.

[scottz]

I like that this front office seems capable of making moves that serve different time scales. This is good.

[laloesch]

Too bad they couldn't have snuck in an option year for 2020.  Basically we get him for one year because he's likely spending almost all of 2018 rehabbing.

[Lefty]

Hopefully he can recover fully and contribute at some point.

[nytwinsfan]

Uggh, not a fan. A year after coming back from TJ is pretty risky. That's a lot of risk for $10 million that could be spent on something else next year.

[rdehring]

Trevor May should be back sometime in May or early June.  Will it be as a starter or reliever?  Using a similar timeline, Pineda could be joining the team about three months later.  That would be as early as late July, but more likely late August/September.  

 

Both will fill in much like that big trade we always are looking for come mid-season.  Love this move.

 

So the 40-man roster now has 3 open spots!

[laloesch]

 

Uggh, not a fan. A year after coming back from TJ is pretty risky. That's a lot of risk for $10 million that could be spent on something else next year.

 

My thoughts exactly.   Basically he rehabs in Minnesota in 2018 and rebuilds his value (potentially) in 2019 and then departs as a free agent for his next big contract that following off-season.  The long term benefit is not there.  I guess when you are absolutely desperate for pitching help and can't attract talent you have to resort to these kinds of measures. 

 

Perhaps the FO is seeing him as a stop gap measure.  By 2019 Thorpe and Romero should be joining the rotation (assuming they stay on track and aren't traded).  Hope this isn't the only move the Twins make.  Mlbtraderumos has stated that the Twins have been in contact with Colon's agent which is depressing if that's all they can muster.  

Edited December 13, 2017 by laloesch

[drjim]

 

My thoughts exactly.   Basically he rehabs in Minnesota in 2018 and rebuilds his value (potentially) in 2019 and then departs as a free agent for his next big contract that following off-season.  The long term benefit is not there.  I guess when you are absolutely desperate for pitching help and can't attract talent to a place nobody wants to move to you have to resort to these kinds of measures.

 

I like the move, but these are very valid critiques. This signing is not low risk, $8mil next year is a good chunk of change! Pretty much pays for a year of the relievers that are going off the board right now. If Pineda never comes back, that money is squandered.

 

But I don't mind the aggression. I imagine he would go for 1/10 at least if he came back healthy next season. Lock it up now and let your doctors oversee the rehab.

[laloesch]

 

Trevor May should be back sometime in May or early June.  Will it be as a starter or reliever?  Using a similar timeline, Pineda could be joining the team about three months later.  That would be as early as late July, but more likely late August/September.  

 

Both will fill in much like that big trade we always are looking for come mid-season.  Love this move.

 

So the 40-man roster now has 3 open spots!

 

I would hope early to mid May.  He's had over a year rehabbing.   

[laloesch]

 

I like the move, but these are very valid critiques. This signing is not low risk, $8mil next year is a good chunk of change! Pretty much pays for a year of the relievers that are going off the board right now. If Pineda never comes back, that money is squandered.

 

But I don't mind the aggression. I imagine he would go for 1/10 at least if he came back healthy next season. Lock it up now and let your doctors oversee the rehab.

 

I guess i should clarify.  I like the move sort of.  I just wish there was an option year included to benefit the Twins potentially.  Seems like the Twins are taking all the risk here.

[Dantes929]

 

Too bad they couldn't have snuck in an option year for 2020.  Basically we get him for one year because he's likely spending almost all of 2018 rehabbing.

Exactly what I was thinking.    Pretty sweet deal for him.   Has someone pay him 2mil just for working out and then giving him more than he has ever made for the following year with the risk of not coming back as strong and even if completely healthy will have missed over a year of baseball so still risky.    Club option of 8 mil for the 3rd year seems more than fair.

[bobs]

My favorite part of the move is it shows how forward thinking, how "outside the box" Falvine are thinking.  If things go according to plan, 2019-2020 is when this roster should be hitting it's peak.  This move could make them much better for that run.

[drjim]

 

I guess i should clarify.  I like the move sort of.  I just wish there was an option year included to benefit the Twins potentially.  Seems like the Twins are taking all the risk here.

 

I assume they tried to get an option year, but I think Pineda didn't have to offer one. Someone else would have signed him without the option.