What's Left in Pitching Free Agency for the Twins?

Sanchez, Happ or Shoemaker aren't available?

I see a lot of people disparaging Clevinger as a "bad clubhouse fit" with no explanation which is a pretty bad way to smear someone's character without any evidence.

If they actually have a strong clubhouse then it can survive one person with a prickly personality. If they can't survive that, then they have a fragile, weak clubhouse culture.

It's likely that the teams who eventually sign Montgomery and Snell will need to open up payroll room by trading away one of their current starters. The Twins should be calling to check the prices.

Varland didn't have any experience until last year. SWR & Headricks have gotten their feet wet. Festa & Canterino are soon ready, I'm a strong believer in giving our promising SPs who have graduated from AAA a role in long relief to gather MLB experience. I agree with Cory & Brian we need a frontline SP. Yet, I'm not against signing anyone desperate, to a minor league contract

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'm not against signing anyone desperate, to a minor league contract

I am against that. The Twins have plenty of minor league depth in AAA. Varland, Woods-Richardson, Headrick, Canterino, Festa, Dobnak is a full rotation. They need upside, not a warm body.

edited: Forgot SWR and he might be the best of the bunch. There are already too many pitchers for St. Paul's rotation. Someone is going to be stuck in Double-A.

33 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I see a lot of people disparaging Clevinger as a "bad clubhouse fit" with no explanation which is a pretty bad way to smear someone's character without any evidence.

If they actually have a strong clubhouse then it can survive one person with a prickly personality. If they can't survive that, then they have a fragile, weak clubhouse culture.

Clevinger was being investigated due allegations of domestic abuse a year or two ago. Regardless of the claim's veracity, that's not someone the Twins are interested in bringing into the clubhouse, and I don't blame them.

30 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Falvey certainly knows of his potential character fit, no? 

Good to know you will approve of his signing if Falvey okays it.

Pitching is a commodity a team cannot do without.  And the economic fact of life in MLB is that the better the pitching, the more the cost; it is in direct correlation.  If the team does not want to spend more money, then it will have to roll the dice with what they have right now.

They appear to be willing to go into the season with reduced spending, as this division will not take much to win.  October, on the other hand?  We will see when the trade deadline comes, it looks like, as to how serious they are.  As for now, it looks like we dance with the date we brought, which is our in home depth.  Here is hoping they come through.    

3 minutes ago, AlGoreRythm said:

Clevinger was being investigated due allegations of domestic abuse a year or two ago. Regardless of the claim's veracity, that's not someone the Twins are interested in bringing into the clubhouse, and I don't blame them.

Still waiting for the team to throw Kirby Puckett out of their Hall of Fame. I'll be patient.

4 minutes ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

Read up on Clevinger's baby momma. That's likely the reason the Twins won't sign him. 

The Twins haven't spent money on ANY starting pitchers this offseason. That's likely the reason the Twins won't sign him - he would cost money.

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

I never said that. But Falvey certainly knows him from his time in Cleveland. You don’t think Falvey (and others) have the entire book on player personality fits?

You were the one who appealed to Falvey's authority. If you're going to outsource your opinion to not sign him to Falvey then you should approve if Falvey eventually does sign him.

3 hours ago, AlGoreRythm said:

Clevinger was being investigated due allegations of domestic abuse a year or two ago. Regardless of the claim's veracity, that's not someone the Twins are interested in bringing into the clubhouse, and I don't blame them.

We should ignore if the allegations had any veracity?  Really, we should ignore the facts if he was falsely accused?  

Usually where there is smoke there is fire.  He is not worth the disruption if there are character issues but to banish him based on accusation without even considering the merit of the allegations is just not right.

Just now, USAFChief said:

This makes zero sense. Any team adding Snell or Montgomery would be removing their worst starter from their rotation. How does that pitcher help the Twins? 

Or, if said team is shedding salary, we know the Twins are out.

This is not necessarily true. If the Red Sox sign Montgomery then they might be interested in moving Nick Pivetta, who only has 1 year and $7.5M left on his contract. The Angels have 3 lefties in their rotation already and would probably move one of them if they signed Montgomery or Snell. Neither team is expected to contend in 2024 but they might want to do some bargain shopping as two of the few remaining teams with payroll flexibility and room under the luxury tax. They would be looking for prospects, not immediate help, in any trade.

I doubt they sign any of them to MLB contract, but if any will take a minor league deal with opt outs Twins may go with that. They have options that may have more upside than any of the names on the list.  Signing any to MLB deal will take someone off the 40 man roster.  So do not expect anyone to sign until 60 day DL moves get made, if any, unless again they are on minor league deals. They have a few guys in AAA that could come up and be just as good as any on the list, if not better. Why block them? 

Our staff is fine... the # 5 spot "should be" the spot we use a Varland or other prospects to see what they have. If it is a shuttle to see who can handle it so be it. 

Would be fine with another Vet but likely would have to be a minor league deal which the "better" of the ones mentioned likely would not want and are looking for a major league deal. 

If Thor would take a minor league deal that is the direction I would go. He clearly is not himself but this coaching staff seems to get the best out of guys most of the time and at only 31 may have a few years left. Minor league deal that if turns into a major league deal gets him say 3-5 mil? 

2 minutes ago, Trov said:

I doubt they sign any of them to MLB contract, but if any will take a minor league deal with opt outs Twins may go with that. They have options that may have more upside than any of the names on the list.  Signing any to MLB deal will take someone off the 40 man roster.  So do not expect anyone to sign until 60 day DL moves get made, if any, unless again they are on minor league deals. They have a few guys in AAA that could come up and be just as good as any on the list, if not better. Why block them? 

I have no idea if any of our AAA guys are better, necessarily, than some of the names mentioned, but I concur 100% that if we sign someone to a major league contract someone has to go from the 40.  And that would be a decision we might not want to make (I sure don't) at this point in time.  Not for the caliber we are looking at from the outside.  

Syndergaard is interesting. I think he still has the stuff to extend his career as a reliever. The only problem with that plan is he's the worst pitcher in the major leagues at holding runners.

Many of the starting pitcher candidates listed above should be trying to find a spot in the bullpen, not in a big-league rotation.

37 minutes ago, Mark G said:

We will see when the trade deadline comes, it looks like, as to how serious they are

I agree. It depends how things play out in the first half, and for other teams as well. Dylan Cease, anyone?

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

Neither team is expected to contend in 2024, but they're signing Snell or Montgomery

Both would be long-term acquisitions, not just for 2024. Snell and Montgomery haven't signed yet because there are no contenders left with room in the budget to pay them. They may have to settle for a non-contender with room in the budget to pay them.

10 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

As for Nick Pivetta...as I said, how does that help the Twins?

If you don't think Pivetta's a better pitcher then DeSclafani, then I guess I can't convince you. It seems pretty obvious to me. He's consistently produced 2.5 WAR per season over the last 3 seasons.