Twins Sign RHP Michael Pineda

Good. 

I like the move, don't see much downsize. I like the idea that he will "hopefully" be competing for a spot in the 19 rotation and at that price if isn't ready 8 million isn't a huge hit to take and if he does well 8 million will be a steal.

There is no downside to this move because it's only two years and very low money. This is a low risk high reward signing.

I liked the Cubs signing of Smyly but I like this better!

Great - hard to dislike this type of risk/rewards move. And in my opinion he offers more upside than Smyly on the same contract. I wonder if the incentives are similar to what Smyly received.

He could be a September addition to the bullpen when rosters expand. The bullpen might be the best spot for 2018 also.

good insurance if we dont pick up Santana's option next season. this gives us more payroll flexibility in that regard.

I like the move though the guy still needs to prove he's not dumb as rocks.

good insurance if we dont pick up Santana's option next season. this gives us more payroll flexibility in that regard.

I don't really see Ervin and Pineda related at all. Picking up Ervin's option will most likely be based on his 2018 performance. Pineda is there either way and provides good depth in the rotation that might actually be a strength in 2019. The Twins definitely need to make a big addition this offseason but combined with that mystery man, Berrios, Ervin?, Pineda and the hopeful emergence of a prospect the team might actually have a competitive rotation.

I continue to like the outside the box thinking that the FO has been doing. In other seasons we looked at other teams making these moves and thought good risk/reward but didn't see the same moves being made. 

His career k/9 (9.1) would rank #2 in Twins history. Even if he never pitches like we hope he can I like the thinking behind this move and the direction Falvine seems to be taking our pitching staff. 

I saw the Smyly move and thought "this is the type of move the Twins just don't have the dollars to make--only the biggest spenders do this."

Wrong.  Nice move for only $2 million on this year's payroll.

I like that this front office seems capable of making moves that serve different time scales. This is good.

Too bad they couldn't have snuck in an option year for 2020.  Basically we get him for one year because he's likely spending almost all of 2018 rehabbing.

Hopefully he can recover fully and contribute at some point.

Trevor May should be back sometime in May or early June.  Will it be as a starter or reliever?  Using a similar timeline, Pineda could be joining the team about three months later.  That would be as early as late July, but more likely late August/September.  

Both will fill in much like that big trade we always are looking for come mid-season.  Love this move.

So the 40-man roster now has 3 open spots!

Uggh, not a fan. A year after coming back from TJ is pretty risky. That's a lot of risk for $10 million that could be spent on something else next year.

My thoughts exactly.   Basically he rehabs in Minnesota in 2018 and rebuilds his value (potentially) in 2019 and then departs as a free agent for his next big contract that following off-season.  The long term benefit is not there.  I guess when you are absolutely desperate for pitching help and can't attract talent you have to resort to these kinds of measures. 

Perhaps the FO is seeing him as a stop gap measure.  By 2019 Thorpe and Romero should be joining the rotation (assuming they stay on track and aren't traded).  Hope this isn't the only move the Twins make.  Mlbtraderumos has stated that the Twins have been in contact with Colon's agent which is depressing if that's all they can muster.  

Trevor May should be back sometime in May or early June.  Will it be as a starter or reliever?  Using a similar timeline, Pineda could be joining the team about three months later.  That would be as early as late July, but more likely late August/September.  

 

Both will fill in much like that big trade we always are looking for come mid-season.  Love this move.

 

So the 40-man roster now has 3 open spots!

I would hope early to mid May.  He's had over a year rehabbing.   

I like the move, but these are very valid critiques. This signing is not low risk, $8mil next year is a good chunk of change! Pretty much pays for a year of the relievers that are going off the board right now. If Pineda never comes back, that money is squandered.

 

But I don't mind the aggression. I imagine he would go for 1/10 at least if he came back healthy next season. Lock it up now and let your doctors oversee the rehab.

I guess i should clarify.  I like the move sort of.  I just wish there was an option year included to benefit the Twins potentially.  Seems like the Twins are taking all the risk here.

Too bad they couldn't have snuck in an option year for 2020.  Basically we get him for one year because he's likely spending almost all of 2018 rehabbing.

Exactly what I was thinking.    Pretty sweet deal for him.   Has someone pay him 2mil just for working out and then giving him more than he has ever made for the following year with the risk of not coming back as strong and even if completely healthy will have missed over a year of baseball so still risky.    Club option of 8 mil for the 3rd year seems more than fair.

My favorite part of the move is it shows how forward thinking, how "outside the box" Falvine are thinking.  If things go according to plan, 2019-2020 is when this roster should be hitting it's peak.  This move could make them much better for that run.

Maybe he can return in September and be a solid bullpen arm and then make a push for the rotation in 2019.