The Twins Should Bring Michael Pineda Back for 2020

Yes, best pitcher the Twins had after the all-star game. So far they have made 2 good moves with the rotation. 1)a QO to Odorizzi and 2)letting Gibson go. Now make it 3 and resign BIG Mike. Then do #4 and #5 and get 2 more front line starters to join them. Surprise the fans, and go all in and sign Cole. There won't be an empty seat in Target Field all year if they make that kind of splash. If not, it'll be another woulda coulda shoulda season.

Yes, best pitcher the Twins had after the all-star game. So far they have made 2 good moves with the rotation. 1)a QO to Odorizzi and 2)letting Gibson go. Now make it 3 and resign BIG Mike. Then do #4 and #5 and get 2 more front line starters to join them. Surprise the fans, and go all in and sign Cole. There won't be an empty seat in Target Field all year if they make that kind of splash. If not, it'll be another woulda coulda shoulda season.

Winning fills the stands. There has been countless examples of teams with superstars that don't win and don't fill the stands. I recall similar statements being made about Cueto a few years ago, Darvish two years ago, and blanket statements about going all-in for the big RPs on the market last year. Blind faith has it's charms but I don't want our team run with it.

We should also ask if spending $35M+ on one player is the best way to build a winner outside of a top revenue market. Why haven't GMs of other mid or small revenue teams have ever made a similar signing with the exception of Arizona when they had just signed a billion dollar TV contract?

Are these big names FAs just not inclined in general to sign with a small/mid market team.

Have the dozens of GMs that have been in this position all incompetent?

Why doesn't it happen. Arizona got Greinke but that was a very abnormal set of circumstances. Washington signed Scherzer but their incremental revenue more than pays for Scherzer so while Washington is a closer comparison than the Yankees or Dodgers, their revenue has been substantially higher than the Twins or other teams below the twins in terms of revenue.

I would be quite happy with Wheeler and Pineda.

I pretty much agree with you. My opinion is, because I do think he should be seen more like a fifth starter, that the Twins can wait as long as they need to before offering him that 1 year deal. Right before camp if necessary.

IDK … There is always a demand for SPs but it seems like there is as much demand as ever this year. Given the way Pineda was pitching before the suspension, I would think there will be a fair amount of interest in him. MLB Rumors had him 17trh overall, two spots ahead of Gibson.  They had Gibson predicted for 2/18 and of course he got 3/30. I just don’t see Pineda still looking for a job when spring training starts. 2/20 with a 3rd year option sounds pretty good to me.

A couple of thoughts that I haven't seen addressed:

1.  I haven't seen any comments that imply that Big Mike doesn't have ability, especially with his performance prior to the suspension.  Whether you consider him in the #2-#5 slots, he proved he can wing it effectively.

2.  Pineda stated that he was trying to lose weight (he is an enormous man) and there was a comment that referred to his prior knee injury.  Signing him early could possibly get him into a conditioning program under team supervision similar to Sano last year, who came to ST in much better shape.  Leaving him on his own, unsigned, until near or during ST seems to be a significant disadvantage if the front office wants him.

3.  Even while under suspension, I believe that he is still eligible for spring training (correct me if I'm wrong).  If so, getting him in early to ST for conditioning purposes and to regain his pitching motion with coaching would seem to be important elements.

4.  A comment mentioned that he can continue workouts in Ft. Meyers after ST, which could include pitching in intra-squad games, which benefits both his pitching and also batters eventually headed to minor league or short season teams.

All of that argues to me that a relatively early signing (of whatever amount, years or terms) would be a good call.

I support bringing him back. Absolutely.

Winning fills the stands. There has been countless examples of teams with superstars that don't win and don't fill the stands. I recall similar statements being made about Cueto a few years ago, Darvish two years ago, and blanket statements about going all-in for the big RPs on the market last year. Blind faith has it's charms but I don't want our team run with it.

 

We should also ask if spending $35M+ on one player is the best way to build a winner outside of a top revenue market. Why haven't GMs of other mid or small revenue teams have ever made a similar signing with the exception of Arizona when they had just signed a billion dollar TV contract?

 

Are these big names FAs just not inclined in general to sign with a small/mid market team.

 

Have the dozens of GMs that have been in this position all incompetent?

 

Why doesn't it happen. Arizona got Greinke but that was a very abnormal set of circumstances. Washington signed Scherzer but their incremental revenue more than pays for Scherzer so while Washington is a closer comparison than the Yankees or Dodgers, their revenue has been substantially higher than the Twins or other teams below the twins in terms of revenue.

 

I would be quite happy with Wheeler and Pineda.

Always settling for 2nd best will not win you Championships. Sometimes you have to get the best to be the best. Right now Cole is the best. I'll start him against your Wheeler and he'll beat him more often than not. Yankees are going to go after Cole. If they get him and the Twins face 'em in the playoffs who you gonna put your money on? I'd rather have him pitching for me, not against me. Twins have the money. Don't kid yourself.  

Pineda was using a banned substance last year. I’m willing to believe that banned substance played a part in his success. Therefore, thanks but no thanks.

The substance he was caught using was a known masking agent. However, his suspension was reduced after it was found that he was indeed NOT using the substance to mask anything. This appears to be one of those cases where the guy just wasn't paying attention. I'd liken it to a player who got caught with THC in his system after taking some over-the-counter hemp supplements. Was it stupid? Yeah. Did it have any affect on his pitching? Nope.

I think it would be great to have Pineada back.  I thought the qualifying offer was a bad idea for him was a bad idea and I’m glad the Twins felt the same.  1/10 would make sense to me but I don’t know anything about baseball.