What Twins Free Agent Starter Do the Twins Bring Back?

[old nurse]

14 hours ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

Like any other pitcher on the open market, all we have to do is offer more money than anyone else. 

Who wants to pitch for a team that doesn't score runs? This is exactly what Sonny was talking about when he spoke of retiring. It's like everyone ignored his comments about having fun.

I believe we will have a more potent offense next year with AK & Lewis, however. Waller too, if this brilliant FO doesn't resign Gallo.

Not true on offer the most money. Dervish is the local example that comes to mind, Wheeler wanted to stay on the west coast. A player or two have expressed a desire to be in Texas

[old nurse]

13 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Odds of Gray staying go up the more it looks like Rocco is leaving.

The only way Rocco goes is if the front office goes.

[Tiantwindup]

QO to Sonny, sign Maeda and Mahle. I don’t understand the argument that the Mahle trade was horrible so let him go. Whether we traded a bag of balls or our entire farm system to get him is irrelevant; the question is should we sign him now and I say yes if it’s something along the lines of the Pineda and Paddock deals. 

[wabene]

@DocBauersaid, "I don't believe Gray is unhappy being a Twin. He's a tough competitor and is probably frustrated with his record, lack of support at times, and wants his team to win more. But he's also played on some bad teams in his career. Many times he's been interviewed he's only been "down" on himself for having a bad game or a bad inning that frustrated him. The whole "I want to pitch deeper in games" from last year has been blown out of proportion by those who want to dislike Rocco. When given a chance to go longer at one point in 2022, and it didn't go well, Gray stated he appreciated the opportunity but it was up to him to perform better. And again, more than once this season, Gray has voiced frustration with his own performance, but never anything in regard to Rocco, his usage, or his teammates. But I DO think he declines the QO as someone will offer him 3yrs, or a 2+1 that will come to around $60M. Biggest payday of his career, having never been a FA before, and without actually looking up career earnings....being tired and lazy...I'd bet it comes close to his career earnings so far. "

This is a very good explanation of the Gray situation. As stated in the bolded section for whatever reason people are projecting their dislike for Rocco onto this with no evidence. It is irrational, unfounded and untrue, lol.

QO Gray and take the pick, a sweet cherry on top of that very good trade.

Sign Maeda. I think it will be reasonable, he will want to come back and it will turn out well. 

Hard pass on Mahle. 

[arby58]

7 hours ago, DocBauer said:

But I DO think he declines the QO as someone will offer him 3yrs, or a 2+1 that will come to around $60M. Biggest payday of his career, having never been a FA before, and without actually looking up career earnings....being tired and lazy...I'd bet it comes close to his career earnings so far. 

Probably right. His career earnings through 2023 are roughly $63 million.

[TL]

I could see Maeda end up playing on the QO. He's pitched well and there are "no bad 1 year deals" so the Twins may extend it to him and be happy with that as opposed to risking the open market. For him, one more year sets him up to prove his health and get another 2-3 year deal next year. And $20mm on the QO is not a bad consolation prize.

[Doctor Wu]

20 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Maeda is a solid guy. Good attitude around clubhouse and he is a tough competitor. Can’t go wrong with him - rebuilt arm with experience!! Not too expensive either at 35-37yrs. old.

Paddack - Ober - Ryan - Lopez……Maeda gives us a nice #4-5 guy!

I'm a big fan of Maeda and agree on all the points you made. I would love to have him back with the Twins and I hope it happens. As far as Sonny Gray, I just don't get the feeling that he really wants to stick with the Twins, and frankly, I think we should move on from him at this point. I'd like to see the Twins come to some sort of agreement with Mahle, just so that we can salvage something from that unfortunate trade with the Reds last year. 

[Whitey333]

Keep Maeda.  I'm in the group that doesn't believe Gray wants to play here anyway.  Paddock is a question mark after missing a whole season.   There's no guarantees he will be able to come back.  He may and I hope so but the Twins FO relies on hope and what is way too much.  Let Mahle walk.  Realize you made a bad trade and just move on.  Don't ever deal with the Reds again.  Lol

[Fatbat]

@DocBauer Great insight as per usual! I got no issues with paying Mahle $3M to rehab but I doubt they will do that. I’m probably wrong about that tho. I just hope they get 5 strong starters with viable options for 6-8 when injuries happen.

[wabene]

People were saying Buxton wouldn't sign here, didn't want to be here. The rationale was that he was upset over service time manipulation. Again, apparently sensitive people projecting their own reactions onto a situation they have no involvement in or any real knowledge of. Ditto for Gray. If the Twins pony up the best deal in FA, Gray will lunge for the pen, sign and hug Rocco, lol. 

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Dobnak is your number five next year.... I'd bring back Maeda and QO Gray. If they can sign the tip arm next year, I would, but I think they're outbid.

I have no confidence anyone in the minors other than dobnak and Varland will be ready next year, and they're both number four, five, types.

If Dobnak is in the opening day rotation it's a rebuilding year.

[HoskenPowell]

20 hours ago, Brandon said:

2024 Rotation:

Lopez

Ober

Ryan

Mead

Paddack

Varland

Dobnak

rehabbing Mahle 

whoever wants to be the 8th starter

where does Keuchel fit in all of this?

Keuchel???????     now THATS hilarious.

[DJL44]

4 hours ago, Tiantwindup said:

if it’s something along the lines of the Pineda and Paddock deals. 

I don't know if this strategy has really paid off for the Twins. Pineda wasn't much better than any other random $10M starting pitcher. We'll see if Paddack produces more than an innings eater after his surgery. There is limited upside and plenty of downside signing Mahle.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, TL said:

I could see Maeda end up playing on the QO. He's pitched well and there are "no bad 1 year deals" so the Twins may extend it to him and be happy with that as opposed to risking the open market. For him, one more year sets him up to prove his health and get another 2-3 year deal next year. And $20mm on the QO is not a bad consolation prize.

I think I would rather have Maeda for one season $20M than two seasons $30M. He will be 37 in 2025.

[joefish]

If Dobnak and Keuchel are in the rotation next year it will be a long season. Upgrade.

[Brandon]

4 hours ago, HoskenPowell said:

Keuchel???????     now THATS hilarious.

I was being sarcastic.  

[TNtwins85]

On 8/12/2023 at 1:00 PM, Brandon said:

2024 Rotation:

Lopez

Ober

Ryan

Mead

Paddack

Varland

Dobnak

rehabbing Mahle 

whoever wants to be the 8th starter

where does Keuchel fit in all of this?

Is Dobnak still in Baseball? Or is he coaching little league and Uber driving again?

[Brandon]

9 minutes ago, TNtwins85 said:

Is Dobnak still in Baseball? Or is he coaching little league and Uber driving again?

He has been solid in AAA and starting to pitch like he deserves a promotion back up to replace Keuchel for a start or two before Ryan comes back.

next season he can be a long man or 7th starter.  If he cracks the top 5 good for him especially if we pile on more depth.  That should mean he earns it.

[TNtwins85]

Lopez

Ryan

Ober

Maeda- 2 year deal 

Paddack

Varland, SWR, Raya, Festa depth in AAA

Mahle if you can get him on a good 1 year deal. 
Gray gets a QO. He rejects it for the big contract. That’s perfectly fine.

 

[Brandon]

I’m totally fine with resigning Gray to a 3 year 70 million contract.  I think he likes being competitive and close to Tennessee but probably hates the cold.  

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

If Dobnak is in the opening day rotation it's a rebuilding year.

As a number five? Nah. He has options....

[TNtwins85]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

He has been solid in AAA and starting to pitch like he deserves a promotion back up to replace Keuchel for a start or two before Ryan comes back.

next season he can be a long man or 7th starter.  If he cracks the top 5 good for him especially if we pile on more depth.  That should mean he earns it.

I was joking. If he makes it good for him but if he’s not the next coming of Pablo then Dobnak in the rotation means the entire rotation got injured. He’s gotta be like what the 10th best option? Not joking there. There’s so many other guys to log innings before Randy Dobnak.

[TwinsDr2021]

On 8/12/2023 at 10:07 PM, Mike Sixel said:

I have no confidence anyone in the minors other than dobnak and Varland will be ready next year, and they're both number four, five, types.

agree - and not sure what SWR ends up as, but it doesn't seem to be a starter.

top pitching prospects and innings so far

Festa - 75

Raya - 46

Prielipp - 6

and IMO Henrquez and Headrick are only spot starters or relief pitchers.

 

[Major League Ready]

Why limit the choices to current SPs?  How about a lefty starter like Jordan Montgomery.  Blake Snell is having a great year too.  I have not been on the Snell bandwagon, but he has been very good this year.  

[laloesch]

On 8/12/2023 at 10:51 AM, dxpavelka said:

MAYBE 2024 is the year SWR brings a return on the Berrios deal.  OR maybe we move ANOTHER asset to replace Berrios again....

I don't understand the fascination with SWR.  His 2023 minor league numbers have been atrocious.  

[laloesch]

On 8/13/2023 at 2:56 PM, Brandon said:

I’m totally fine with resigning Gray to a 3 year 70 million contract.  I think he likes being competitive and close to Tennessee but probably hates the cold.  

I'd be okay with the Twins giving him a 3 year deal.  He's certainly better than anything they have ready to come out of the minors.  Varland may get there eventually, but that's still an IF.

[Mike Sixel]

24 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Why limit the choices to current SPs?  How about a lefty starter like Jordan Montgomery.  Blake Snell is having a great year too.  I have not been on the Snell bandwagon, but he has been very good this year.  

Would be great to sign a veteran... They'll have the money

[USAFChief]

On 8/13/2023 at 3:29 AM, old nurse said:

Not true on offer the most money. Dervish is the local example that comes to mind, Wheeler wanted to stay on the west coast. A player or two have expressed a desire to be in Texas

Who is this local example Dervish?

Which Wheeler wanted to stay on the west coast? The one in Philly?

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, USAFChief said:

Who is this local example Dervish?

Which Wheeler wanted to stay on the west coast?

 

 

People post the outliers all the time, as if that proves something.... It's just human nature for some reason. 

[USAFChief]

On 8/13/2023 at 12:43 PM, Mike Sixel said:

As a number five? Nah. He has options....

If Randy Dobnak comes anywhere near the Twins rotation, either many things have gone wrong or Falvine have given up.