2014 Free Agent Power Rankings

[jay]

They don't, yet people continue to say the first (I don't like....) but then say "but maybe since he's from here....." and the implication is very clear. I don't deny his ties may help the Twins avoid wildly overspending to sign him. What I deny is that his ties here are going to make the contract he may command less risky. Maybe we get lucky and he gets the Marcum treatment and doesn't command a long-term contract.

 

Unfortunately, that scenario doesn't exactly encourage me from experience either. That's the real problem no matter what FAs we examine for being a good fit.

 

Those are fair points and you're absolutely correct that the track record doesn't encourage thinking much of an outlay will occur. I guess I retain hope that it'll happen while maybe some others don't with the current FO.

 

I'd love to see someone like Burnett, Feldman, Floyd, Haren, Hughes, Jimenez, Johnson, Lewis, Lincecum, Nolasco, (E) Santana, Vargas, or maybe even a few others come on board. I could likely rule a few of them out right now for various reasons, but there does seem to be a decent number of options in the that tier of respectable MLBers.

[Kwak]

The tone of this thread was made in the header--Basically "which of these misfits should the Twins sign"? There are no perfect players to sign, and all are gambles. True, the Twins can wait until they have a winning season and then search the FA market. But we have been down that road before and there weren't any major FAs signed. When this team turns it around I'm confident we'll read words like: "don't need him", "overpaying", "blocking so-and-so", usw. But back to "the list", as much as the Twins need starting pitching, they need hitting. It is clear that the reduction of a premier hitter to an ordinary one (Morneau) has really hurt. The hitting of the departed OFers (all of them) has not been replaced. A good hitter would definately help. You say "blocking"? This season's experience has shown that struggle should be expected in the rookie season and said rookie should be on a short leash.

[TheLeviathan]

I'd love to see someone like Burnett, Feldman, Floyd, Haren, Hughes, Jimenez, Johnson, Lewis, Lincecum, Nolasco, (E) Santana, Vargas, or maybe even a few others come on board. I could likely rule a few of them out right now for various reasons, but there does seem to be a decent number of options in the that tier of respectable MLBers.

 

Completely agree, there are some intriguing names on that list that might be able to put things back together. I'd probably be higher on Ubaldo Jimenez than many.

[Oxtung]

I look at the mlbtraderumors.com list and think, "Any one of those guys would be the Twins' second best player and in some cases the best." I'd be thrilled if any of these guys were signed.

[drjim]

I'd love to see someone like Burnett, Feldman, Floyd, Haren, Hughes, Jimenez, Johnson, Lewis, Lincecum, Nolasco, (E) Santana, Vargas, or maybe even a few others come on board. I could likely rule a few of them out right now for various reasons, but there does seem to be a decent number of options in the that tier of respectable MLBers.

 

I still think one of these guys have to be signed. I personally have given Ryan a pass for this past offseason but this tier is the group to strike.

 

Out of that list I would break it down as follows:

Burnett won't sign here - he'll go to a more competitive team

Lewis just missed the whole year, Floyd pretty close

Lincecum will be very overpaid, I don't want the Twins to get in on that

E Santana will be extremely overpaid, I wouldn't trust him - Jimenez might get there

Haren and Johnson are the obvious injury risks

 

Feldman, Hughes, Nolasco, Vargas seem to be in the sweat spot for the Twins. Do any of those four do anything for anyone? I would roll the dice with Hughes personally.

 

Lewis, Floyd, Haren, Johnson could be intriguing if the price is right

[Mike Sixel]

Hughes is intriguing to me for some unknowable reason.

[Thegrin]

All this discussion is premature. Albers threw a great game tonight. Who's to say he can't continue ? Diamond is trying to regain his form in AAA. Gibson is here and trying to find his way. Deduno seems to have found some control and looks like he could be an anchor for the next several years. But we won't be able to make a final determination until the season is over.

 

It seems like the Twins could add one quality pitcher through FA or trade, but none of the listed pitchers looks like an upgrade on what we have.

Garza ? We've had him. Would he come here if we offered him the most $$ ??? I doubt it. and why wouldn't Texas offer him the best deal ?

 

Kuroda ? He's 38 years old, for God's sake !!!

 

E Santana ? maybe... but KC should offer more $$ given the way he has pitched for them.

 

AJ Burnett ? PLEASE not him. Anybody but him.

 

Josh Johnson and Lincecum ??? Injuries !! Only if they would sign for the prices that Harden and Perez signed for.

 

Hughes ? maybe him. but if the Yankees won't pay the most, we shouldn't. They know him best.

 

I think the Twins in 2014 will have to trade for a quality pitcher. There is no way to predict who that would be and what the cost will be.

[ThePuck]

Hughes is intriguing to me for some unknowable reason.

 

Maybe cause some want to see what he does getting out of the AL East and out of that bandbox of a stadium?

[jay]

I still think one of these guys have to be signed. I personally have given Ryan a pass for this past offseason but this tier is the group to strike.

 

Out of that list I would break it down as follows:

Burnett won't sign here - he'll go to a more competitive team

Lewis just missed the whole year, Floyd pretty close

Lincecum will be very overpaid, I don't want the Twins to get in on that

E Santana will be extremely overpaid, I wouldn't trust him - Jimenez might get there

Haren and Johnson are the obvious injury risks

 

Feldman, Hughes, Nolasco, Vargas seem to be in the sweat spot for the Twins. Do any of those four do anything for anyone? I would roll the dice with Hughes personally.

 

Lewis, Floyd, Haren, Johnson could be intriguing if the price is right

 

I agree with all of that except I'd keep Jimenez in that targeted group. He's likely to be the most expensive of that group (or Nolasco), but we can dream. Hughes probably tops my list as both possible and reasonable.

[Mike Sixel]

Premature? They are the worst starting pitching in all of baseball, right? I don't see May or Meyer up here at all next year, certainly not in the beginning of the year. Diamond is a reliever.

[jay]

Yeah, the Twins have had dice rolls at starting pitcher for the last few years. If the rolls came out just right, we'd have a great staff. That hasn't happened.

 

In 2011, they all went snake eyes. 2012 wasn't much better outside of Diamond. 2013 has seen Deduno be the only high roll (so far). We could very well walk into 2014 with the same situation as the last 3 years, but it's a bit ridiculous to think we'll solve all 5 spots internally by next spring to the point where there isn't room for a decent, proven MLB starter in free agency. As has been illustrated, the choices aren't overwhelmingly impressive, but certainly better than what we're throwing out there today.

[cmb0252]

Hartman talked to Jim Pohlad and he had this to say about the Twins:

 

“We just have to keep working hard and try to develop the players and just be relentless looking for talent — whether it occurs during the offseason in the free-agency market or in the scouting world, we have to be relentless, because maybe we took our eye off the ball.”

 

While the policy of the Twins over the years has been to develop their own players and not go big in the free-agent market, Pohlad said: “That’s definitely something we’d like to pursue because we have to get better. There’s no way [of adding players] that is closed to us orTerry [Ryan, Twins general manager]. … I’m definitely optimistic. Terry is solid and we’re lucky to have him.”

 

Link:

StarTribune.com Mobile | News, weather, sports

 

[terencemann]

Hartman talked to Jim Pohlad and he had this to say about the Twins:

 

“We just have to keep working hard and try to develop the players and just be relentless looking for talent — whether it occurs during the offseason in the free-agency market or in the scouting world, we have to be relentless, because maybe we took our eye off the ball.”

 

While the policy of the Twins over the years has been to develop their own players and not go big in the free-agent market, Pohlad said: “That’s definitely something we’d like to pursue because we have to get better. There’s no way [of adding players] that is closed to us orTerry [Ryan, Twins general manager]. … I’m definitely optimistic. Terry is solid and we’re lucky to have him.”

 

Link:

StarTribune.com Mobile | News, weather, sports

 

My issue with what Pohlad said is, if they know they have to build for the future, why do they keep clinging to veterans who could bring back players who could help them in the future? I'm not suggesting they don't understand how dire the situation is, but I do think they aren't acting like it is dire.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'd be horrified if Ryan signed Santana. Thankfully, I don't think he'd do it.

 

A good way to get the absolute worst bang for your buck possible is to sign a guy with the following ERA+ over the past five seasons:

 

87, 102, 111, 74, 137

 

On the other hand, I'd love to see him pursue Johnson or Hughes (particularly Hughes).

[ThePuck]

I'd be horrified if Ryan signed Santana. Thankfully, I don't think he'd do it.

 

A good way to get the absolute worst bang for your buck possible is to sign a guy with the following ERA+ over the past five seasons:

 

87, 102, 111, 74, 137

 

 

or even worse, 73, 97, 68, 78, 89...

[Mike Sixel]

Reminds me of "we've never told Terry he can't spend money". Whatever. Over a decade of experience or words, which should I believe?

[DaveW]

My issue with what Pohlad said is, if they know they have to build for the future, why do they keep clinging to veterans who could bring back players who could help them in the future? I'm not suggesting they don't understand how dire the situation is, but I do think they aren't acting like it is dire.

 

What veterans are we talking about? Nobody offered anything of significance for Morneau and Willingham was injured at the time. Guys like Pelfrey, Carroll, etc would have only brought back PTNBL which aren't exactly helping the future.

[beckmt]

I would take on Johnson or even better Linecum. It will cost money, but Twins may be 3 to 4 years away to bring up developed starting pitching to fill out the rotation. If you figure that unless they resign Pelfrey cheap, next years rotation will look like much of this years. Gibson will be better and hopefully Deduno will be OK, but then you are expected some of Albers, Diamond, Worley, Corriea, Hendricks and others will turn things around. That is a lot to expect and little hope to improve to the top end of the pitching. Pitching wins, look no further than Tampa Bay or San Francisco to prove that. Twins need to sign probably 2 upper level FA pitchers to bridge the next 3-4 years until all the pitchers we can get from the minor leagues will be ready.

[Pius Jefferson]

Reminds me of "we've never told Terry he can't spend money". Whatever. Over a decade of experience or words, which should I believe?

 

 

Terry isn't comfortable spending money in free agency so they don't need to tell him not to spend money.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Well, you can take Chase Utley out of the top 10 with his new extension. Outside of Cano and Ellsbury (who I'd be shocked if they left they're respective homes), there is nothing good. Or nothing that will command the big offseason deals we're use to seeing every winter.

[drjim]

Well, you can take Chase Utley out of the top 10 with his new extension. Outside of Cano and Ellsbury (who I'd be shocked if they left they're respective homes), there is nothing good. Or nothing that will command the big offseason deals we're use to seeing every winter.

 

Just wait until Santana signs.

[Brock Beauchamp]

or even worse, 73, 97, 68, 78, 89...

 

I have no idea who that is.

[jorgenswest]

The market next winter will be hard to project. Teams will have an influx of TV money. I think some guys will be signed to some bad contracts that handicap teams in 2015-2017. The Twins can't afford that handicap.

 

The best case is to find a guy who had somewhat of a down season. Overpay him on a one year contract instead of a multiyear. The player might want the one year deal in order to get get back on track and seek a bigger multiyear after next year. Trade him at the deadline. If he doesn't pitch well, it is just a one year contract.

[snepp]

I have no idea who that is.

 

I wish I didn't know who it is.

[Guest USAFChief]

I often read how spending money potentially "handicaps" a team. I don't see how spending money handicaps a team more than not spending money.

 

I think what handicaps teams is having too few good players, and "not spending" seems a better way to have that problem than "spending."

[Willihammer]

My personal ranking: 1. Lincecum, 2. Kuroda, 3. Johnson, 4. Nolasco, 5. Santana, 6. Jimenez, 7. Haren. 3 or 4 of that group, at minimum.

 

Hughes would just be more of the same. OK fastball, and squat for 2ndary offerings.

[ThePuck]

I wish I didn't know who it is.

 

Me too :-)

[bird]

should have read "last year's of his first term".

 

How is it ridiculous, exactly? I can't wait for Ryan to get all the credit for Sano, Rosario, and Arcia.....

 

Actually, the thing that is ridiculous (once again) is assigning credit or blame to Smith and Ryan and ignoring the other five dozen employees who ARE in fact directly responsible for the drafting and development process. GM Ryan has never acted alone as a scout and GM Smith never acted alone as a contract negotiator, so we should quit with this totally bogus notion that Sano would be elsewhere in Smith's absence.

[bird]

Give Ryan credit, however, for improving the farm system via trades made and not made, in Meyer and May in particular. And Smith deserves criticism for doing exactly the opposite, especially by trading away Wilson Ramos and accepting garbage like Hoey and Jacobsen for Hardy.

[TheLeviathan]

Give Ryan credit, however, for improving the farm system via trades made and not made, in Meyer and May in particular. And Smith deserves criticism for doing exactly the opposite, especially by trading away Wilson Ramos and accepting garbage like Hoey and Jacobsen for Hardy.

 

Ryan could also get criticism for not moving any of the aging assets on the roster for young talent. The truth is, people cite Ryan because ultimately all decisions on him. If you want people to accurately cite all people that played a role in every decision, it's going to get really obnoxious really fast. Ryan gets the quick and dirty criticism because that comes with his position.

 

But, given what happened with a gentleman named Cabrera and Ryan's (so far) unwillingness to use his financial flexibility aggressively, I'm pretty much 99% sure Sano would be on his way through the Marlins system right now. Or some other team not named the Twins if he was in charge then. One thing I was consistent about with Smith was that I appreciated his aggressiveness - even in failure - because at least it showed a genuine drive to make the team better. He just wasn't very smart in the process.