3 Intriguing Pitchers the Twins Could Sign to Minor-League Deals

[Cody Schoenmann]

Due to self-imposed payroll cuts, the Twins are unlikely to sign a noteworthy free-agent pitcher. Though that has dampened the excitement for this offseason, the front office will sign arms to fortify themselves. Would it make sense for the team to sign one of these three veteran hurlers as depth arms?

Image courtesy of Raj Mehta - USA TODAY Sports

Since the Twins signed reliever Josh Staumont to a one-year, $950,000 contract on December 27, the Atlanta Braves traded Vaughn Grissom to the Boston Red Sox for Chris Sale; the Seattle Mariners traded Robbie Ray to the San Francisco Giants for Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani; 10-foot-tall aliens were "discovered" in Miami, and, since the Twins (or "cheap pohlad") have yet to acquire a starting pitcher, Greggory Masterson has been forced to post 12 different versions of Shotgun Mario on Twitter. The world and (more relevantly) Twins Territory is in shambles, and nothing can cure our collective boredom but a significant transaction. Any worthwhile transaction will suffice, Derek Falvey. Please.

Jokes aside, after the significant payroll cuts the Twins are willingly imposing due to uncertainty surrounding their television deal, the second-most plausible reason why the Twins have done essentially nothing is that, as Jim Bowden noted in his most recent piece at The Athletic, "(the Twins) don't really have a lot of needs, thanks to a roster filled with young players and a strong farm system." Bowden continued, "The Twins could use more starting pitching depth and a center fielder to complement Byron Buxton but they have time to fill both needs between now and the start of spring training." 

Though often misguided in his takes and insight, Bowden makes a valid point here that is important for Twins fans to remember during this moment of torpor: The Twins' 2024 roster is almost entirely set, and there's not much more they need to do. Trading for a frontline starting pitcher like Jesús Luzardo, Logan Gilbert, or Mitch Keller would be the ideal way to address the biggest remaining need, but consummating a trade of that magnitude would require the Twins to part with a significant prospect hau. A pitching market with inflationary price tags could cause them to err on the side of caution.

With this being the state the Twins find themselves in, the most likely transactions for them are small ones that fortify their starting rotation and bullpen depth. Examples of such transactions include signing Staumont and A.J. Alexy, and claiming Ryan Jensen off waivers from the Miami Marlins. Although knowing whom the team will sign, trade for, or claim is nearly impossible due to the huge number of easily obtainable replacement-level pitchers, some candidates are more enticing than others. Here are three intriguing pitchers the Twins should consider signing to minor-league deals.

Drew Pomeranz

Pomeranz, a 35-year-old left-handed reliever, has missed the last two regular seasons due to various forearm and elbow injuries in his throwing arm. Though it would be understandable if, having finished a four-year, $34-million contract he signed with the San Diego Padres in 2020, he elected to ride off into the sunset, it appears the former All-Star has no plans to retire and wants to continue pitching in 2024.

Soon-to-be 37-year-old Caleb Thielbar is the top left-handed reliever on the Twins' 26-man roster. Although the Minnesota native will retain that status at the beginning of the 2024 season, the combination of a nagging oblique injury and steady decline in performance in the latter half of last season has led the confidence of those who follow the team to wane. Twenty-six-year-old left-handed reliever Kody Funderburk will play a prominent role in the team's bullpen plans in 2024 as well, but with Brent Headrick being the third left-handed relief pitcher on the organization's depth chart, Pomeranz becomes an attractive option on a minor-league deal. 

Signing Pomeranz (without tying up a 40-man roster spot or guaranteeing him money that might encroach on spending in other areas) would give the Twins a potential low-cost, high-leverage left-handed relief arm. They could always cut bait with him if injuries keep him unable to perform at the level needed to pitch in MLB.

Brad Keller
Formerly an Opening Day starter for the Kansas City Royals, Keller is a pitcher Twins fans are exceedingly familiar with. Over the past five seasons, Keller has made 13 starts against the Twins, generating a 3.74 ERA, striking out 70 and walking 35 over 74 2/3 IP and 327 total batters faced. Though Keller used to be an integral part of the Royals rotation, the combination of a sharp decline in performance in 2023 (1.92 WHIP in 45 1/3 innings pitched) and his former team adding talented veterans in Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo to their starting rotation has left him without a home for 2024.

Keller, 28, is a quality veteran depth piece who could get a big-league contract team with a team like the Washington Nationals or Oakland Athletics—who would look to flip him for prospects if he shows signs of success early in the season. Though this is a plausible outcome for Keller during free agency, there is a chance he could elect to sign a minor-league deal with a contender in hopes of being their sixth starter—the first depth option in case of injury or poor performance from one of their starters. If Keller goes this route, it would make sense for the Twins to make the former Royal a priority depth signing.

Jake Odorizzi
The final pitcher the Twins should consider signing to a minor-league deal is a familiar face. Odorizzi, 33, spent parts of three seasons with the Twins before signing a three-year, $23.5-million contract with the Houston Astros before the 2021 season. Odorizzi, the Twins' Opening Day starting pitcher in 2018, was a fan favorite, and fans would welcome a return to Twins Territory with open arms. Interestingly, Odorizzi would, too, as during a recent episode of Gleeman and the Geek, Dan Hayes of The Athletic said that Odorizzi's camp would be interested in a reunion with the franchise.

Odorizzi is nearing the end of his MLB career, but still presents value as a sixth or seventh starter who can occasionally be a short-term injury replacement or make a spot start. Due to his extensive injury history and a recent drop-off in performance when healthy, Odorizzi shouldn't be relied on as an integral part of any club's five-pitcher rotation, let alone a team that intends on contending in 2024. Signing Odorizzi to a non-guaranteed contract and having him compete with young starting pitchers like Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa, and Headrick as one of the team's primary depth starters could make sense for the World Series-hopeful Twins.

Though making a trade for a frontline starting pitcher like Luzardo, Gilbert, or Keller is the transaction those who follow the Twins want to occur, the franchise is more likely to fortify their already formidable rotation and bullpen with depth signings on minor-league deals. Do any of these three pitchers intrigue you? Would you welcome a reunion between the Twins and Odorizzi? Join the discussion and comment below.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Yes to any of them. Depth is a good thing. 

[Craig Arko]

Hard to go wrong with a milb deal for any of these guys.

[farmerguychris]

Don't know  much about the other guys  here, but if Odorizzi would be willing to accept a minor league deal - its a no brainer.

[big dog]

How on earth is Odorizzi only 33 years old??

[David HK]

3 hours ago, big dog said:

How on earth is Odorizzi only 33 years old??

😂 True.  He's like one of those 6th-year-seniors!

[DocBauer]

While I still believe we are going to see the FO make a trade for a SP that might hurt in what we give up, these are EXACTLY the kind of moves they should be looking to make.

I've never been sold on SWR, but made excuses for how he's been promoted, and began to buy in following 2022. But his 2023 was just awful with a mediocre ending. Festa is super talented, but I doubt he's ready. Honestly, it's possible Ohl is ready before him. They need some additional depth, especially if Varland is on the parent club.

Pomeranz, if he wants to keep playing, should JUMP at a milb deal with the Twins. They are a playoff, contending team with a good reputation for working with arms. And there's an opportunity here for him to make some $ and continue his career.

Career wise, Odorizzi is the better option even though Keller is the younger arm. But we're talking about health at this point, IMO. Whoever is the more healthy of the two, grab them, work with them, give them a shot as the 6th-7th option. Kind of hoping it's Oddo.

[old nurse]

Odorizzi spent last year on the dl after shoulder debridement. A signing of him would probably mean a start on the minor league dl as he builds back up. Is the team magnanimous enough for his short term of service to pay him to rehab at minor league pay, with an opt out?

Brad Keller. Ground ball pitcher. Not the usual Falvey pitcher. He has quite a few years in a row as a back end starter. His ceiling is back end starter. Surely if your hope to resurrect someone’s career, let it at least be someone with a higher ceiling 

Pomeranz by all means sign him he was effective when healthy. Last healthy was 6 years ago. Players bounce back all the time.  Look at Buxton 

[Paul D]

I'm more interested in a depth starter and I'm not sure Pomeranz fits that profile.  I would like to see a left hander in the rotation, but not one of the soft tossing guys.  Same with a soft tossing lefty in the bullpen.

I'm more inclined on a Keller signing, but I'm not jumping for joy in anticipation of it.

I have no confidence in SWR unless he begins the season with much more success than 2023. He seems to be a AA 1/2 pitcher rather than a AAAA guy.

If I was to put together my list of minor league signings with invites to spring training it would be:  Michael Lorenzen, Mike Clevinger (but I would refuse to watch a game where he is on the mound - makes me a nervous wreck), Carlos Carrasco or Hyun Jin Ryu, but I think most of them may require a major league contract. 

[JD-TWINS]

Clevinger for $14M - 2 years with player option for 2nd year……….131 innings in ‘23 & 3.77 ERA.

Trade 3-4 pieces to Milwaukee for Devin Williams. 2 years of control at &6.25M this year.

6 deep with starters & an elite bullpen. $20M total cost. Trade Polanco to help defray the costs. Done!

Odorizzi and various other scrap heap pitcher's with great upside & low costs can’t be the only plan!

[Blyleven2011]

Minor league contracts , sign the veterans  with an opt out and if they haven't made the club by June 1st they can opt out and become free agents ...

Pomerantz  and odorizze  , not sure on Keller maybe  a new voice can tap back into what he once was  ...

 

[Coach Wheels]

Hate the idea of signing guys to minor league deals when this team has tradeable parts that get real major league talent. Also, hate lowering salary when we all know this team does lack money. Our ownership has deep pockets and crocodile arms.

[twinsfan02]

Does nobody remember the Dylan Bundy, Homer Bailey, and J.A. Happ deals? All these twins daily writers try to make these stupid reclamation project deals that never work. These guys are available for a reason... because they are washed up! The twins aren't winning another playoff series with 35 year old Drew Pomeranz in the rotation. They won't even make the playoffs with that rotation. These idiotic deals never work. Stop suggesting them.

[Minny505]

47 minutes ago, twinsfan02 said:

Does nobody remember the Dylan Bundy, Homer Bailey, and J.A. Happ deals? All these twins daily writers try to make these stupid reclamation project deals that never work. These guys are available for a reason... because they are washed up! The twins aren't winning another playoff series with 35 year old Drew Pomeranz in the rotation. They won't even make the playoffs with that rotation. These idiotic deals never work. Stop suggesting them.

Those were all MLB deals. The deals referenced here are MiLB contracts only. That means they play at AAA, not MLB. Teams need 20+ pitchers to get thru most seasons. These guys would be option 15-20.

[Minny505]

2 hours ago, Coach Wheels said:

Hate the idea of signing guys to minor league deals when this team has tradeable parts that get real major league talent. Also, hate lowering salary when we all know this team does lack money. Our ownership has deep pockets and crocodile arms.

The best and highest payroll teams in MLB sign 10ish guys to MiLB deals every offseason. It's necessary to stock the farm system with reliable veterans.

[SteveLV]

Just a thought:  Could Keller be moved to the bullpen? Many guys see a velo spike when called on to pitch relief instead of starting. 

[HoskenPowell]

Minor League contracts are no lose deals.   Strike gold on 1 and other 4/5 are easily let go without much investment at all.  Every team signs a few long shots hoping to hit gold.  It's a long season and there rarely are too many arms available.

[twinsfan02]

33 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

The best and highest payroll teams in MLB sign 10ish guys to MiLB deals every offseason. It's necessary to stock the farm system with reliable veterans.

The twins currently do not have a full rotation so any one of these guys would be needed to pitch on the MLB roster if signed.

[Cody Schoenmann]

41 minutes ago, twinsfan02 said:

The twins currently do not have a full rotation so any one of these guys would be needed to pitch on the MLB roster if signed.

Louie Varland would be the 5th starter over Odorizzi or Keller, and Pomeranz is a reliever.

[Bamboo Bat]

Yes to Pomeranz. Seems like a worthy bullpen gamble. 

No from me to Odo & Keller. Odo hasn't had an ERA under 4.00 since 2019 & Keller has a WHIP north of 1.50 the past three years running. Laying aside the bad recent history, they'd be displacing a kid (theoretically) who could benefit from time in AAA & it would be one more washed-up veteran keeping a young guy from taking his shot at the MLB level. No thank you. 

[Beast]

Signing washed up pitchers to minor league deals is the opposite of intriguing.

[old nurse]

5 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Just a thought:  Could Keller be moved to the bullpen? Many guys see a velo spike when called on to pitch relief instead of starting. 

A faster mediocre fastball is still mediocre

[old nurse]

5 hours ago, Bamboo Bat said:

Yes to Pomeranz. Seems like a worthy bullpen gamble. 

No from me to Odo & Keller. Odo hasn't had an ERA under 4.00 since 2019 & Keller has a WHIP north of 1.50 the past three years running. Laying aside the bad recent history, they'd be displacing a kid (theoretically) who could benefit from time in AAA & it would be one more washed-up veteran keeping a young guy from taking his shot at the MLB level. No thank you. 

In theory you need a 6/7/8 starter in AAA for the major league team. There also needs to be a AAAA disaster starter. That leaves 2 development slots open  Festa and SWR would be 6/7 . Dobnak is the AAAA stater. Ohl might be your development starter. They really don’t have anyone else. That leaves 2 holes

[KBJ1]

The Twins have to do something. 

And MLB has to come up with a more balanced revenue plan like the NFL.

The league will not survive if a half dozen teams spend 3x more than everyone  else. Would also reduce the ridiculous $$ contracts.

No more deferment of salary in the extreme either. 

The players union leadership may not like it, but the average player should.

Would raise salaries for 60-80% of players, while reigning in Superstar contracts.

You want a comparison? 

Stagnant wages for 40 years and CEO salaries up 1000%. Capitalism eating itself alive is not sustainable. 

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, KBJ1 said:

The Twins have to do something. 

And MLB has to come up with a more balanced revenue plan like the NFL.

The league will not survive if a half dozen teams spend 3x more than everyone  else. Would also reduce the ridiculous $$ contracts.

No more deferment of salary in the extreme either. 

The players union leadership may not like it, but the average player should.

Would raise salaries for 60-80% of players, while reigning in Superstar contracts.

You want a comparison? 

Stagnant wages for 40 years and CEO salaries up 1000%. Capitalism eating itself alive is not sustainable. 

The revenue disparity has existed for a very long time.  It exists because putting the star players in big markets and having big market teams dominate maximizes revenue.  Ownership and players both like it as is..  The players were pushing to cut revenue sharing during the last CBA.

The owners did try to hold the disparity in check during the last CBA but the players pushed very hard to elevate the luxury tax threshold.  This most recent increase has widened the gap and the dodgers drove as bus full of money right through that gap,

[twinsfan02]

On 1/9/2024 at 11:06 AM, Cody Schoenmann said:

Louie Varland would be the 5th starter over Odorizzi or Keller, and Pomeranz is a reliever.

Varland Belongs in the bullpen. He doesn't have what it takes to be a starter in this league.