So....Time to make a call to Kimbrel?

[Coobelz]

I know it’s being discussed in the game thread but figured why not give it one of its own. Prety sure there haven’t been any prior threads on this before

[Mr. Brooks]

Not unless he's lowered his salary and term demands significantly.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The bullpen has been bad, the rotation has been worse and imminent for significant worsening.

 

Keuchel?

[ChrisKnutson]

Keuchel has said he’s willing to sign a one year deal, why not? Yeah, we may lose a draft pick, but should that really be holding us back? If so, then should we really even consider ourselves contenders??

 

Besides, if we sign him, Perez stays in the pen, which I think should be enough incentive since he’s obviously better suited for that kind of role.

[h2oface]

It was time a month ago. It surely is a good time immediately if not sooner.

[TwinsfaninPA]

Give me his number i'll call him.  Hell call Keuchel as well (M Perez blows!).  Offense is playing well.  Let's go!!!!

[mudcat14]

As near as I can tell, Kimbrel would cost a 3rd round pick if the Twins received revenue sharing, a 2nd if we did not. Either seems worth it to me.  

[RatherBeGolfing]

We had no problem giving up the 3rd round pick for Lance Lynn of all people

[Mr. Brooks]

We had no problem giving up the 3rd round pick for Lance Lynn of all people

I doubt the 3rd round pick has much to do with it.

More likely the insane contract he's supposedly holding out for.

No other team has signed him either, that should speak volumes about his asking price.

[akmanak]

We are talking about the Twins here. No way do they sign anyone that is going to cost over 22 dollars.

[Coobelz]

 

I doubt the 3rd round pick has much to do with it.
More likely the insane contract he's supposedly holding out for.
No other team has signed him either, that should speak volumes about his asking price.

 

Yeah you would think if he was willing to take a 3 year or lower deal, he would have done it by now so I completely understand the argument (same for Keuchel). Aside from those arms, I think the frustration more so lies with the fact that FO did absolutely nothing to address our biggest need.  I don't post often but concur that I too was frustrated seeing quality arms go for pennies on the dollar this offseason, and we did not partake in any way.  At this point though we are either stuck with what we got or forced to trade prospects to address the problem. 

 

For those that are on the sign Kimbrel bandwagon, would you give him 4 years at say 17-18M per (which may even be under what he is requesting)? 

[gunnarthor]

Expecting the Pohlads to spend money has always been foolish. They could add a solid starter and improve the bullpen but they won't. Not can't. Won't.

[RatherBeGolfing]

 

We are talking about the Twins here. No way do they sign anyone that is going to cost over 22 dollars.

 

Pohlad Pocket Protector response: "Hey we signed a guy for 30 dollars just last year!"

[bighat]

The Twins seem to prefer to just going with what they have, and then hoping for improvement. It seems they're content with finishing with around a .500 record and feel that their current roster is sufficient to meet that goal.

 

Odorizzi...didn't he have just a dynamite start in the second game of the season? What happened to that guy?

[ashbury]

I know it’s being discussed in the game thread but figured why not give it one of its own. Prety sure there haven’t been any prior threads on this before .

 

Seriously though...this bullpen has had some brutal innings thus far.

If yesterday's game is the rationale for asking, I have to wonder how Kimbrel's presence on the roster would have affected that nasty fifth inning?

[darin617]

Why not check in on Jim Johnson or Bud Norris? Both have closed before if the situation arose where they needed to step into the role. They may have a dip in velocity but they have been around and would be able to make adjustments.

 

It's also not too early to think about possible trades to build up the bullpen to help us push by Cleveland. Sad part is they had all winter to improve it and did little to nothing to help us win an easy division title.

[Twodogs]

Personally I'd love to see Kimbrel in a Twins uniform. But I think if Perez and his newfound 97 mph fastball only had to pitch 1 inning at a time I feel that he may actually be pretty dominating coming out of the pen. So I think if he is less expensive to go get Keuchel to be in the rotation and that may defacto make the bullpen a little better at the same time?

[Mr. Brooks]

Personally I'd love to see Kimbrel in a Twins uniform. But I think if Perez and his newfound 97 mph fastball only had to pitch 1 inning at a time I feel that he may actually be pretty dominating coming out of the pen. So I think if he is less expensive to go get Keuchel to be in the rotation and that may defacto make the bullpen a little better at the same time?

I have no interest in signing a starting pitcher that didn't have a Spring training again. Unless there is a way to legally IL him and let him have a 3 week EST and a 3 week rehab assignment.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I have no interest in signing a starting pitcher that didn't have a Spring training again. Unless there is a way to legally IL him and let him have a 3 week EST and a 3 week rehab assignment.

Keuchel has an option left. With 5+ years service time, we'd need his consent to use it, but it should be pretty straightforward to get him a couple minor league starts if/when he signs. The Braves optioned Ervin Santana with his consent to begin the 2014 season, to make 1 start at AAA, after he signed late (March 12, about the same point as Lance Lynn in 2018)

 

(As an aside, we could have done the same with Lynn, as he has 2 option years left -- although I feel like his late start was perhaps more of a convenient excuse than the primary driver of his 2018 issues.)

 

For players without minor league options, it would be a little trickier -- you'd need to make it a IL/rehab thing, and the league may not like that. Or you could make it a minor league contract with a verbal promise to promote him soon, like Ervin signed with the White Sox this year -- although the league might not like a ~$15 mil "minor league contract"!

[Doomtints]

Never fear, the bullpen will improve immediately once Perez moves into the rotation. If we are patient just a little longer we can talk about having to improve the rotation instead.

 

But yes, no matter how you slice it ... the pitching will be the problem this year. But hey, the 87 Twins made it with 2.5 (quite good) starters, a good closer, and a good bullpen. Stranger things have happened. (Don't get me wrong, the top teams in the league are far better now than in 87, it won't be enough to go all the way.)

[yarnivek1972]

Keuchel has an option left. With 5+ years service time, we'd need his consent to use it, but it should be pretty straightforward to get him a couple minor league starts if/when he signs. The Braves optioned Ervin Santana with his consent to begin the 2014 season, to make 1 start at AAA, after he signed late (March 12, about the same point as Lance Lynn in 2018)

 

(As an aside, we could have done the same with Lynn, as he has 2 option years left -- although I feel like his late start was perhaps more of a convenient excuse than the primary driver of his 2018 issues.)

 

For players without minor league options, it would be a little trickier -- you'd need to make it a IL/rehab thing, and the league may not like that. Or you could make it a minor league contract with a verbal promise to promote him soon, like Ervin signed with the White Sox this year -- although the league might not like a ~$15 mil "minor league contract"!

Late in Roger Clemens’ career I seem to recall him signing very late. Like into May late. I don’t recall what he did though as far as getting ready for the season.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Late in Roger Clemens’ career I seem to recall him signing very late. Like into May late. I don’t recall what he did though as far as getting ready for the season.

Clemens had a few minor league starts -- and this article says he was indeed on a minor league contract to begin with:

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2862088

[Otto von Ballpark]

Via MLBTR this morning:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/04/latest-on-craig-kimbrel-3.html

 

According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”

[Mr. Brooks]

Via MLBTR this morning:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/04/latest-on-craig-kimbrel-3.html

 

According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”

So many people want the Twins to sign him now, but can you imagine the vitriol there would be towards that contract later? That's only 3 million per year less than Mauer, and he'd overwhelmingly likely be much less productive than Joe was during the latter years of his deal.

[bighat]

 

Via MLBTR this morning:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/04/latest-on-craig-kimbrel-3.html

According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”

 

Came here to post this link. It looks like nothing has changed, Kimbrel isn't budging, and we can put any hope of the Twins signing him to bed for good.

[howeda7]

Much rather have Kuechel. The bullpen is easier to fix at the deadline. 

[yarnivek1972]

Via MLBTR this morning:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/04/latest-on-craig-kimbrel-3.html

 

According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”

That was March. It’s April 13. The longer he goes unsigned, the lower his demands will be.

[gman]

Looks like not just the Twins, but nobody wants him at that price. At this point its easier to foresee a 1 year deal in the 10-12 mil range.

[Otto von Ballpark]

That was March. It’s April 13. The longer he goes unsigned, the lower his demands will be.

Sure, but evidence suggests it's not meaningfully lower yet.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Ken Rosenthal on Twitter: "Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel continues to seek a deal he believes to be fair and in the range of two recent free-agent relievers, Wade Davis (3 years, $52M) and Zack Britton (3/$39M), sources tell The Athletic."