Brad Hand Would Love to Play for the Twins

Does Hand have a son named Armand?

How much better is Hand than Mordicai Brown?

The fact that he, and many top FA have not signed yet, show players and teams are most likely far apart.  I many players will sign late because both sides are holding out.  One the teams need to know the chance they have butts in the seats, and players want to get their fair pay.  

I believe right now teams are getting feelers for what players want and who else may be bidding for services.  I think many players are trying to hold out and force bigger deals and not take pennies on the dollar deal for a single season.  However, I think eventually the players will take the pennies on the dollar deal, unless they really want to stand on principle and make no money.  

The owners have most of the power.  They can fill the rosters with cheap talent, or they can go out and spend on FA.  This year though teams will not want to spend so much on a FA, for a couple of reasons.  Lack of other teams willing to, and lack of own funds.  Some teams will be keeping payroll as low as possible.  So they will not go out and spend 10 mil on a single season for a guy, even if he is "worth it" in a normal year.  If no one is bidding on a players services, why should they bid against themselves?  The alternative is someone else, and the player sits out the year.  Some players will choose to hold out, like they have in the past, and maybe this will be good year to do it.  However, some will say well a few million for 1 year is better than no money at all.  

Right now I think teams and players are playing the game of chicken and we will see who will swerve first closer to training camps. 

If Hand is so wanting to pitch here, he should be able to be signed for a bargain- say 2 years at 12 million tops. I had read reports that he was slowing down a bit but he has been a top reliever and would be a boost to the pen. The problem is when will he slow down. Relievers tend to go 4-5 solid years then suddenly stop being effective. Also, signing both Hand and Hendricks makes no sense as both are closers and may not want to pitch in any other role. We also need a starter or two. Why not Paxton if he's healthy? We also have prospects to trade to get a starter or two like Castillo. Other teams have good, young strong pitchers for middle relief. How about us? Alcala? He looks ready since we were stupid to release Wisler.