Article: Twins To Sign Lance Lynn

[jimmer]

Angels made quite a few good moves this year, not just Ohtani.  I think they will be fine.

[ScooterDance]

How sick is this going to be if the Gibson we saw at the end of last year is the Gibson we see all year? 10 game SSS to be sure, but it *did* correlate directly with a change from firing sinkers all day to many more 4 seamers up in the zone.

 

Barring injury, guys like Romero and Gonsalves are going to have to force their way into the show. Instead of forcing their way in on the likes of Turley and Santiago.

[wsnydes]

Yeah. There is another part of that equation here: Lots of the Angels' helium is based on Ohtani helium who so far seems unable to get AAAA players out. Ohtani has been so bad that the Angels had him pitch at the back fields his last start so will not attract attention. That team will be a circus this season. Mark my words

I tend to agree. The hype around these foreign stars gets pretty absurd. It seems too often that these guys simply can't live up to it. That's unfortunate. I can't imagine that playing in LA will help matters.

[wsnydes]

How sick is this going to be if the Gibson we saw at the end of last year is the Gibson we see all year? 10 game SSS to be sure, but it *did* correlate directly with a change from firing sinkers all day to many more 4 seamers up in the zone.

 

Barring injury, guys like Romero and Gonsalves are going to have to force their way into the show. Instead of forcing their way in on the likes of Turley and Santiago.

If those guys have to force their way in, that's a great sign. I'd take that for sure.

[jimmer]

 

How sick is this going to be if the Gibson we saw at the end of last year is the Gibson we see all year? 10 game SSS to be sure, but it *did* correlate directly with a change from firing sinkers all day to many more 4 seamers up in the zone.

 

Barring injury, guys like Romero and Gonsalves are going to have to force their way into the show. Instead of forcing their way in on the likes of Turley and Santiago.

The last 10 games you mentioned, he had 3 games where he didn't even pitch 5 innings. 

 

7 of those 10 games he pitched 6 or more innings (and in 1 of those 7 he gave up 5 ER). 

 

Basically, six of those were good outings and he finished his season with a clunker (3.2 IP, 3 ER).

 

I know a lot of people are convinced he's figured it out, or will say that kind of ending is fine for a #5 pitcher.  I believe only the latter to be true.

Edited March 11, 2018 by jimmer

[gocgo]

This is going to be interesting to see what corresponding moves are made.  Sanchez is definitely gone unless he accepts a minor league deal and he won't.  Hughes could potentially end up in the bullpen, but then what happens to Gibson?  Are there options left?  or do we break camp with him in a 5 man rotation and then figure out something when Santana comes back...I guess I'd prefer to have him as an option in case someone gets hurt and the good Gibson shows up.  Dunno, but it sure is fun to be a Twins fan lately.

[DocBauer]

Hate to repeat myself, but I will, lol. The only negative is Mejia being forced out of the rotation, probably, when Santana is back and ready to go. (Of course, injuries can happen). And it's kind of a shame, though I love the Lynn signing, because I think Mejia has a future.

 

But that being said:

 

Santana

Berrios

Odorizzi

Lynn

Gibson

 

Echoing the previous statement this is the best rotation the Twins have put out since I'm not sure when. Yes, Gibson still has to prove he belongs. And you can claim those 13 starts by Gibson are a SSS, but they are close to half a season. Additionally, it may have been a coalesence of the changes he made in the previous off season and ST coming to fruition.

 

But less we forget, waiting in the wings for 2018 will be:

 

May (when back)

Mejia (assuming him to be the odd man out)

Gonsalves

Romero

Slegers

Jorge

 

Rochester is loaded! And there is real depth here, in whatever order you want to rank these guys.

 

Not that looking ahead to 2019 accomplishes much at this time, but, Santana can be brought back. Berrios and Odorizzi will be back. Lynn could be re-signed, particularly not only if he does well, but enjoys his time here. I believe the team still has ankther year of control over Gibson, though I could be mistaken. And Pineda will be back. Then you factor in the 6 guys just listed at Rochester.

 

Absolutely the best depth and potential we've seen in ages for the rotation! And there still remains the possibility of a major trade or FA signing for 2019.

[DocBauer]

This is going to be interesting to see what corresponding moves are made.  Sanchez is definitely gone unless he accepts a minor league deal and he won't.  Hughes could potentially end up in the bullpen, but then what happens to Gibson?  Are there options left?  or do we break camp with him in a 5 man rotation and then figure out something when Santana comes back...I guess I'd prefer to have him as an option in case someone gets hurt and the good Gibson shows up.  Dunno, but it sure is fun to be a Twins fan lately.

To me, the guy released just has to be Sanchez. There is really nothing invested there. I get it's ST, and early, and guys are getting in work and the such. But he is a flier anyway, and has shown little to nothing thus far. Hughes may end up as a casualty also, but there is money invested, sunk cost or not, and he's younger than Sanchez as well. I know some will say Enns, but he's relatively young, LH and breathing, and offers at least SOME upside, perhaps in the pen if nothing else.

[wsnydes]

Hate to repeat myself, but I will, lol. The only negative is Mejia being forced out of the rotation, probably, when Santana is back and ready to go. (Of course, injuries can happen). And it's kind of a shame, though I love the Lynn signing, because I think Mejia has a future.

 

But that being said:

 

Santana

Berrios

Odorizzi

Lynn

Gibson

 

Echoing the previous statement this is the best rotation the Twins have put out since I'm not sure when. Yes, Gibson still has to prove he belongs. And you can claim those 13 starts by Gibson are a SSS, but they are close to half a season. Additionally, it may have been a coalesence of the changes he made in the previous off season and ST coming to fruition.

 

But less we forget, waiting in the wings for 2018 will be:

 

May (when back)

Mejia (assuming him to be the odd man out)

Gonsalves

Romero

Slegers

Jorge

 

Rochester is loaded! And there is real depth here, in whatever order you want to rank these guys.

 

Not that looking ahead to 2019 accomplishes much at this time, but, Santana can be brought back. Berrios and Odorizzi will be back. Lynn could be re-signed, particularly not only if he does well, but enjoys his time here. I believe the team still has ankther year of control over Gibson, though I could be mistaken. And Pineda will be back. Then you factor in the 6 guys just listed at Rochester.

 

Absolutely the best depth and potential we've seen in ages for the rotation! And there still remains the possibility of a major trade or FA signing for 2019.

I agree with you on Mejia, but if this is the problem that this team has I'll take that any day. That's a good problem and a good sign of the state of the franchise.

 

That's a long way from where this franchise was not so long ago.

Edited March 11, 2018 by wsnydes

[wabene]

Very exciting! The payroll is now up to snuff. Damn this is a totally different fan experience

[nicksaviking]

Not bad. One year deals are winners in my book. Hard to screw them up.

[NewClearHarley]

Gibson as our #5 = nice - this team got Odorizzi, Lynn, and Morrison for just a little more this year than Darvish - I consider this a win.

[NewClearHarley]

remember a couple years back when our rotation was Scott Diamond Sam Deduno and X, Y, Z off the street - this rotation is bonkers comparatively.

[gunnarthor]

Holy crap. 1/12? Owners are sure winning this collusion war.

[Danchat]

 

Holy crap. 1/12? Owners Twins are sure winning this collusion war.

FIFY.

[Thegrin]

Lets see...this makes the Rochester rotation:  Meija, Gonzalves, Sleger, Romero, Littell & Lord knows who else in Rochester.  That should be a winning rotation for them and we'll see clearly who needs to be promoted to the Twins in case of injury or catastrophe.  

[dbminn]

Great value signing. It's like Falvine went to the mall and found everything at clearance prices. They can't stop filling the cart.

 

 

[KirbyDome89]

 

At this point, would you trade Darvish at 5-6 years for two years of Odorizzi, one year of Lynn, and two years of Morrison?

I’m not sure I would. To get that kind of talent for Darvish money without suffering through the back half of a six year deal is HUGE.

Darvish. That back half of the contract is usually rough, but I think it's almost universally accepted at this point that you view the last few years as payment for the expected immediate production. 

 

We're banking on Lynn and Odorizzi reverting back to better form. Morrison has to prove he's the guy who slugged an OPS+ of 135 last year, and not the guy who has been about average the 5 years prior to last. Of all those players I think Darvish is the safest bet to have the steadiest and most productive season. Barring injury, I think Chicago can reasonably expect X amount of production out of him. I don't think the same can be said for any of Lynn, Odorizzi, or Morrison. They're all question marks when it comes to this season. 

 

Look, the FO did a nice job adding depth to the starting rotation this offseason. If this was plan B after Darvish, then count me in. Lynn and Odorizzi aren't sexy but they're better than Mejia and Hughes. At this point I think more has to go wrong than right for the Twins to not be in the WC hunt, which is a big step from where they were a few months ago.  That said, it's still a rotation full of mid to back end guys. I was hoping for more quality than quantity. 

[David HK]

 

What was your favorite Anibal Sanchez moment?

[Dr. Evil]

Kudos to those who said to give this new management team time to evaluate and settle in.

[terrydactyls]

Kudos to those who said to give this new management team time to evaluate and settle in.

Thank you for the kudo.

[nicksaviking]

At this point, would you trade Darvish at 5-6 years for two years of Odorizzi, one year of Lynn, and two years of Morrison?

I’m not sure I would. To get that kind of talent for Darvish money without suffering through the back half of a six year deal is HUGE.

As for Lynn vs Cobb, I also lean Cobb but didn’t see enough difference to really get upset about it (not claiming you did either).

I take Darvish. I only care about this team being formidable in the playoffs and I don't have any faith in Lynn or Odorizzi matching up with the top of the other rotations in the AL.

 

That said, they couldn't/didn't get Darvish. The front office was active and bold. I don't like all the players brought in, but they made splashes unlike any other year. I'm glad for the effort and the deals are short, they can try again next year.

[jokin]

 

 

 

 

 

  That said, it's still a rotation full of mid to back end guys. I was hoping for more quality than quantity.

 

 

Tough crowd out here, at least some of us, anyway.

 

Let's see... We went from 2017 having one Mid++ guy and a still-developing rookie- who is now trying to avoid the sophomore jinx- and a stable full of back end, dead end and major question mark guys.... to this season's upgrades in adding two new quality SPs with proven #2 level potential (that gives any or all of 4 guys that could hit #2 production levels), and not to forget, quality pen additions..... in exchange for.... virtually nothing? 

 

Okay, so we didn't get a potential Ace... but, I'd say we definitely got a quantity of higher quality over the mostly mediocrity that was the Twins staff in 2017.

Edited March 11, 2018 by jokin

[ashbury]

Tough crowd out here, at least some of us, anyway.

 

Let's see... We went from 2017 having one Mid++ guy and a still-developing rookie- who is now trying to avoid the sophomore jinx- and a stable full of back end, dead end and major question mark guys.... to this season's upgrades in adding two new quality SPs with proven #2 level potential, and not to forget, quality pen additions..... in exchange for.... virtually nothing? 

 

Okay, so we didn't get a potential Ace... but, I'd say we definitely got a quantity of higher quality over the mostly mediocrity that was the Twins staff in 2017.

Improve the team each year, that's all I ask. Our FO seems to have done this.

[Mike Sixel]

Yeah. There is another part of that equation here: Lots of the Angels' helium is based on Ohtani helium who so far seems unable to get AAAA players out. Ohtani has been so bad that the Angels had him pitch at the back fields his last start so will not attract attention. That team will be a circus this season. Mark my words

Right. No one noticed his start....

[Mike Sixel]

Improve the team each year, that's all I ask. Our FO seems to have done this.

These are short term deals. They have to do the same thing next year or the year after. This is one nice of season, I'm not ready to crown them yet. But, it is a nice of season!

[jimbo92107]

Now the Twins don't need to feel any urgency about promoting any of their top pitching prospects. This means that as it stands today, the Twins will have something like a MLB average pitching staff, which is saying a lot.

 

This reminds me how the Vikings grabbed a couple key FA's for the offensive line, and how just having an average NFL O line was a revelation. Same could happen here for the Twins. An average pitching staff could make this team a real competitor. 

[jokin]

 

These are short term deals. They have to do the same thing next year or the year after. This is one nice of season, I'm not ready to crown them yet. But, it is a nice of season!

 

Are you insinuating that what was accomplished by the braintrust this offseason might have been mere luck or accidental?

 

Pardon me, but all evidence suggests that what was demonstrated this offseason was a lesson taught from a pair of sharp, well-trained 21st Century baseball business minds- accumulating valuable and talented pieces that build upon last years' success- without busting the budget, and without damaging continued future improvements and upgrades incoming from the farm pipeline. 

 

Let's revisit this topic one year from now; what we've seen thus far suggests that the braintrust this offseason have laid the groundwork for further similar personnel upgrades next offseason, while simultaneously securing and extending the optimum veteran core going forward.

 

Short term moves or not, they have not shown anything thus far that suggests that this team isn't being positioned for an extended run well into the 2020s.

 

 

Edited March 11, 2018 by jokin

[KirbyDome89]

 

Tough crowd out here, at least some of us, anyway.

 

Let's see... We went from 2017 having one Mid++ guy and a still-developing rookie- who is now trying to avoid the sophomore jinx- and a stable full of back end, dead end and major question mark guys.... to this season's upgrades in adding two new quality SPs with proven #2 level potential (that gives any or all of 4 guys that could hit #2 production levels), and not to forget, quality pen additions..... in exchange for.... virtually nothing? 

 

Okay, so we didn't get a potential Ace... but, I'd say we definitely got a quantity of higher quality over the mostly mediocrity that was the Twins staff in 2017.

Odorizzi was acquired straight up for Palacios, and Lynn wasn't fielding interest anywhere near the level he'd hoped for. MN isn't pulling one over on TB and the rest of the league with these acquisitions. There are reasons the Twins were able to bring these two in for "virtually nothing." They each have question marks after their respective performances last season. Yes, they're better than Mejia and Hughes, and I said as much in an earlier post, but that isn't exactly a high bar to clear. 

 

I gave the FO credit for pivoting and solidifying a starting rotation that badly needed it, but I'm not going to pretend like either of these two are front end talent. Realistic would be a better adjective for those who don't share your confident outlook. 

 

[ashbury]

These are short term deals. They have to do the same thing next year or the year after. This is one nice of season, I'm not ready to crown them yet. But, it is a nice of season!

I don't think they can set up some perpetual motion machine. They make some long term moves, they fill in with one-year deals. It'll be like this every year, in that view. So far, so good.