Giolito off the board-Red Sox

[tony&rodney]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/red-sox-in-agreement-with-lucas-giolito.html

A good contract for Giolito. 

[gunnarthor]

Yeah. I was surprised how much he struggled after he left the White Sox but he is still pretty young. Nice move by Boston.

[DJL44]

It shows how scarce starting pitchers are when a pitcher who was objectively bad in 2023 gets a free agent contract for $20M a season.

[JD-TWINS]

Giolito is signed, good.

I think Twins should offer Clevinger a two year deal with the same enticing 2nd year opt-out for the player! Player gets security of a 2 year deal at a slightly lower rate but can prove himself & re-negotiate with Twins or leave after year one. $13M/year.

He threw 131 innings & went 9-9 for the lowly White Sox in ‘23 with a 3.77 ERA. Don’t know why nobody is talking about him?

Pablo Lopez had a 3.66 ERA.

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Giolito is signed, good.

I think Twins should offer Clevinger a two year deal with the same enticing 2nd year opt-out for the player! Player gets security of a 2 year deal at a slightly lower rate but can prove himself & re-negotiate with Twins or leave after year one. $13M/year.

He threw 131 innings & went 9-9 for the lowly White Sox in ‘23 with a 3.77 ERA. Don’t know why nobody is talking about him?

Pablo Lopez had a 3.66 ERA.

We don't really know what are the limitations for the roster budget, but it would seem that a contract as you suggest for Clevinger could fit. It is also possible that Clevinger wants 2/$36M+ or 3/$45M+ too. If the Twins were going to sign a pitcher for "limited" dollars, the contract for Kenta Maeda was likely as good as it gets. From watching the offseason play out, it looks like the Twins are sitting out free agency. 

If the Twins are indeed hoping to realize a gain in quality through a trade or two, I would expect that pitchers such as Luis Castillo are not on their list due to his contract. Why trade useful players when a similar player could be gathered in free agency? The new year may bring some surprises but the deadlock right now is real. I'm not seeing too many trades for decent pitching that does not involve Lewis, Lee, or Julien in some form.

I thought Giolito might sign a one year deal and hope to cash in next year but his new contract with the Red Sox gives him opt-outs and a possible third year. Either way, Giolito did well for himself. These contracts, partnered with the chaos of the Twins media uncertainties, have left the Twins on the outside looking in. 

Clevinger is still there. I thought Gurriel Jr. was a potential addition and many have mentioned Rhys Hoskins. The Twins may have to go with the team they have and look for good health and further positive development from their younger players, especially the pitchers.