Nash Walker

Twins pitching prospect Matt Canterino is looking forward to 2022 with a focus on improved health. The Oakland Athletics drafted Oklahoma outfielder Kyler Murray with the 9th pick in the 2018 Draft. One year and one round later, the Twins drafted Matt Canterino out of Rice. Murray wouldn’t join the A’s, instead opting to quarterback the Arizona Cardinals en route to NFL stardom. Canterino signed with the Twins for $1.1 million. While Murray and Canterino have taken different paths, the two crossed for a duel in Texas. Murray stepped into the box and came up empty against the right-hander. “I struck him out,” Canterino said. Striking hitters out has become a common occurrence for Canterino, who fanned 45 of the 84 batters he faced in a shortened 2021 season. Canterino suffered from elbow tendinitis, ending his dominant campaign prematurely. Canterino, 24, has pitched just 48 Minor League innings since he graduated with a 4.0 GPA in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University. In those 48 innings, he’s struck out 76 and allowed just six total runs for a 1.13 ERA. Rice has a history of pushing pitchers, and the Twins were uber-conservative with Canterino’s workload after the draft in 2019. Then COVID-19 canceled the 2020 Minor League season. Canterino eclipsed 94 or more innings in all three of his seasons in college, which he said shows an aptitude to handle a larger share. So far this offseason, so good. “I’m feeling very healthy and feeling very, very strong.” A herky-jerky, “hitch” delivery helps Canterino generate a fastball in the upper-90s. The 6-foot-2 Texan pairs that fastball, which contains excellent carry, with a sharp, biting slider and an improved changeup. He compared his delivery and mix to future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. Canterino’s changeup moves like a splitter, with enough depth to dart away from lefties and crowd righties who may be looking fastball or slider. That three-pitch combination held hitters to a minuscule .111/.186/.148 batting line in 2021. “I want to think that with success I had in limited reps this year, I want to think that I can sustain that over a full season.” Sustaining a 0.78 ERA and 54% strikeout rate over an entire season would propel Canterino to the top of prospect lists everywhere and likely to Minnesota. Anything close to those gaudy numbers will undoubtedly move Canterino into the Major League picture for late-2022 and early 2023. Canterino dominated High-A hitters in 2021 and could be slated for the Double-A Wichita rotation in 2022. No matter where he pitches next season, you can bet that Canterino will have a PEZ dispenser or two handy. Often greeting his 2019 teammates and coaches with a “howdy!” prompted a pitching coach to tag Canterino with the nickname Woody, referring to the famous cowboy from Toy Story. In response, Canterino bought a five-pound bag of PEZ candy and handed it out via a Woody-themed dispenser. He carried the tradition into 2021 and plans to run it back in 2022. Canterino said he recently added a Buzz Lightyear PEZ dispenser, Woody’s galactic best friend from the movies. “If you ever catch me on a day I’m not pitching, Woody will be in my left pocket, and Buzz will be in my right.” Canterino is gearing up with his PEZ dispensers for a January return to Fort Myers. “It’s all systems go for 2022.” MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Very few Twins pitching prospects have the stuff to match Matt Canterino’s. He pairs an upper-90s fastball with a sharp slider and depthy changeup. For those reasons, he’s a breakout candidate for 2022. View full video

José Miranda bullied minor league pitchers in 2021 to the tune of a .973 OPS and 30 homers in 127 games. Will he make the Opening Day roster for the Twins in 2022? To say Miranda’s breakout was a surprise is an understatement. The Twins left him off the 40-man roster last winter, and he went unpicked in the Rule 5 Draft. A solid but unspectacular hitter before 2021, Miranda adjusted his approach at the plate and unlocked tremendous power. Among 302 upper-minors hitters in 2021, Miranda led in average (.344) and hits (184). Miranda finished in the top 10 in homers (30), OPS (.973), wRC+ (158), and strikeout rate (12.5%). It was an impeccable season for the 23-year-old from Puerto Rico. Steamer by FanGraphs projects Miranda to hit .282/.329/.460 with 15 homers and 2.0 Wins Above Replacement for the Twins in 2022. That’s quite a statement for a player whom the Twins didn’t see fit to keep on the 40-man just 12 months ago. Similar to Alex Kirilloff last year, the Twins have a decision to make on Miranda. But unlike Kirilloff, who hadn’t appeared in a regular season game in over a year before struggling mightily in spring training, Miranda has checked every conceivable box to this point. He has nothing left to prove. The last-place Twins could’ve given Miranda a look last September but opted to keep Andrelton Simmons at short, blocking any path for Miranda to make his debut. The situation is the same this winter. Unless Jorge Polanco is moved back to shortstop (he won’t), there simply isn’t a starting spot for Miranda, who projects as a first, second, and third baseman in the majors. Luis Arraez and Josh Donaldson will likely split time at third base and DH, with Miguel Sanó spending time at first and presumably DH as well. With both Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers needing at-bats against lefties, both should DH throughout the season in their own right. The Twins’ 2021 MVP is entrenched at second (Polanco), with their $92 million man at third (Donaldson) and a former top-20 global prospect at first (Kirilloff), with Sanó also pushing for starts. Without an injury or trade, there aren’t any easy paths for Miranda to start on Opening Day against Lucas Giolito in Chicago. Miranda damaged right-handed pitching plenty in 2021, but his work against lefties points toward a potential platoon role to start his MLB career. He hit a remarkable .397/.450/.713 with 11 homers in 151 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching. It’s naive to think the Twins will be completely healthy come March 31st, especially when you’re talking about a group of players who have extensive injury histories. As it stands, though, almost every role is accounted for. Miranda could DH against lefties, but is that really the best thing for his development? If the Twins are set on limping through this offseason without any frontline additions, there’s no excuse to block Miranda. If the goal is to provide innings for their slew of pitching prospects, the same should be true with at-bats for Miranda. The Twins had a solid-ish argument to hold Kirilloff down last spring. They were competing for a division title and were willing to give Luis Arraez a look in left field. The former is no longer true, and shuttling Miranda back to St.Paul sends the wrong message and will once again raise questions about service-time manipulation. What do you think? Should José Miranda make the Opening Day roster? Will he? MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

After crushing the upper minors in 2021, José Miranda is firmly in the Twins' picture for 2022 and beyond. How should they approach his starting point on Opening Day? Will he make the team out of spring training? Should he? Comment below! View full video

José Miranda and Louie Varland both broke out in a massive way in 2021, paving their path to the majors. Who could follow their lead in 2022? 6-10: 10. LHP Jovani Morán 9. LHP Steve Hajjar 8. RHP Marco Raya 7. RHP Chris Vallimont 6. OF Kala’i Rosario 5. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson Predicting a breakout for a global top-100 prospect seems odd. For Woods Richardson, you could describe it as more of a bounce back. The Twins received the tall, well-regarded right-hander and Austin Martin in the blockbuster that sent José Berríos to Toronto last July. Woods Richardson had a forgettable season, posting a 5.91 ERA and 14% walk rate in just over 53 innings at Double-A. Even with those numbers, Woods Richardson used his (fluctuating) mid-90s fastball and sharp slider to strike out 77 of the 240 batters he faced. He just turned 21, and his future remains bright. 4. LF/OF Alerick Soularie The Twins picked Soularie in the 2nd round of the 2020 draft after he hit a remarkable .336/.448/.586 in 76 games at Tennessee. Soularie’s 1.068 OPS in 2019 was the third-highest mark in the SEC, behind only JJ Bleday (Marlins No. 5 prospect) and future teammate Austin Martin. Soularie’s future position is questionable, and he’ll likely fill multiple spots as he moves up the system. He was limited with a broken foot early in 2021 but returned to hit .240/.367/.360 in 34 games, mainly for Fort Myers. I’ll take the over on Soularie’s projected impact for 2022. 3. 1B Aaron Sabato It was a rough professional start for Sabato, whom the Twins selected with their first-round pick during the COVID-19 shutdown. The slugging Sabato hit just .189 for Fort Myers but buoyed it with a .365 On-Base Percentage, walking in nearly 20% of his plate appearances. The Twins promoted Sabato despite his shoddy numbers, and he responded hugely. The former North Carolina star hit .253/.402/.613 for an OPS over 1.000 in 97 plate appearances for the Kernels. He bashed eight homers in just 22 games, finally taking advantage of strikes he received for getting ahead in the count. He has a chance to move up quickly in 2022. 2. RHP Jhoan Duran Duran was undoubtedly on his way to Minnesota before an elbow injury derailed his season. Standing 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Duran is an imposing presence with the stuff to boot. He reaches 100 MPH with his fastball and pairs it with a devastating “splinker” hybrid, a pitch that should help him get both lefties and righties out in the majors. The Twins have a slew of potential threes or fours in their system. They only have a few who possess the repertoire to become a true No. 1 starter. Duran fits that bill, and it’s not out of the question that he could operate a spot in the Twins’ rotation as early as mid-2022. 1. OF Emmanuel Rodríguez It’s ill-advised to project teenagers as future stars, but if there’s one player in the Twins’ system who could warrant that excitement, it’s Rodríguez. Signed as an international free agent in 2019, Rodríguez quickly established himself during his first professional season. The 18-year-old left-handed swinger slugged .524 in 37 games for the FCL Twins. Rodríguez posted an .870 OPS despite striking out in nearly 40% of his plate appearances. More consistent contact and an adapted approach would turn Rodríguez, who plays a strong centerfield, into a true force. That could happen in 2022. Who are you most excited about? Comment below! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Jovani Morán’s MLB debut didn’t go swimmingly as he allowed seven runs in eight innings. His future remains bright, however, thanks to a truly elite changeup. View full video

José Miranda and Louie Varland both broke out in a massive way in 2021, paving their path to the majors. Who could follow their lead in 2022? 10. LHP Jovani Morán It’s fair to call Morán’s 2021 season a “breakout,” as he posted a 2.41 ERA and 42% strikeout rate for Wichita and St.Paul before debuting with the Twins. The bill on Morán is simple: mid-90s fastball and a genuinely outstanding changeup. It was a small sample, but Morán’s changeup passed flying colors against big league hitters. He threw it 76 times and produced a 51% whiff rate. Command is an issue for the lefty, but his upside is immense. Morán’s changeup is enough of a weapon to dream on a late-inning ceiling, and his role in the 2022 bullpen could be significant. Right-handed minor leaguers hit .141/.261/.254 in 165 plate appearances against Morán in 2021. 9. LHP Steve Hajjar The Twins selected Hajjar, a 6-foot-5 lefty from the University of Michigan, in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft. Hajjar spent two seasons as a Wolverine, posting a 3.01 ERA and 31% strikeout rate in just over 100 innings. Hajjar led the Big 10 with 110 strikeouts in 2021. Like Bailey Ober, Hajjar uses his length and extension to get on hitters. His fastball works in the low-to-mid 90s, but like Ober, it looks more challenging than the radar gun suggests. Hajjar’s changeup is a 60-grade, making it his best pitch. He’s polished, solid, and a good bet to pitch well in 2022. 8. RHP Marco Raya Raya spent 2021 at the complex but didn’t see game action. The Twins selected the righty over 18 months ago, and he has yet to throw a professional pitch. A prep pitcher from Texas, Raya works with a fastball that reaches 96. It isn’t his fastball that catches eyes, though; it’s his wipeout slider. He’ll tell you it’s his best pitch. Raya has a bulldog mentality, pointing to Marcus Stroman as his favorite pitcher and telling TwinsDaily last year that “everyone will know my name.” That mindset, plus an underrated array of weapons, points toward a potential explosion for Raya next summer. 7. RHP Chris Vallimont The Twins recently added Vallimont to the 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft after a rough season. Vallimont’s 6.13 ERA in 2021 doesn’t suggest he’s close, but a 32% strikeout rate and a sharp slider are enough to buy back in for 2022. By adding him to the 40-man, the Twins feel the same. Command and consistency are the barriers between Vallimont and the system's top prospects. He has the size, stuff, and ability to join Jordan Balazovic and Jhoan Duran among the best Twins pitching prospects. 6. OF Kala’i Rosario Rosario could soon become one of the most potent hitters in the system. Selected in the 5th round in 2020 out of Hawaii, Rosario had an excellent pro debut as a 19-year-old at the complex. He hit .277/.341/.452 with ten doubles, four triples, and five homers in 51 games. Rosario stands at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds and projects as a future corner outfielder. His raw power is remarkable, and he hit for a high enough average in 2021 to warrant excitement. He’s already big and strong, pointing to a potential exponential rise in 2022. Who excites you most on this list? Comment below! Prospects 1-5 coming soon! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

The free-agent frenzy before last week’s lockout left the Twins needing more. There remains plenty of work to do, with a finite number of options. Here are three: 1. SPREAD IT AROUND This is the most likely option. The Twins have averaged $127 million in payroll since 2018, per FanGraphs. They currently have a projected $91 million committed to the 2022 roster. That means there’s roughly $35 million to spend to return to a respectable level. At first glance, that seems like a lot, but of course, it depends on how you spend it. Signing Zack Greinke ($12M), Michael Pineda ($8M), Andrelton Simmons ($6M), and a couple of relievers for a combined $10 million gets you to that sweet spot. Would those signings instill any confidence that 2022 will be different? Probably not. This plan would likely accompany the idea that the Twins have many starting pitching prospects coming and want to give them a look early. Keeping Greinke and Pineda on one-year deals doesn’t retain any commitment if prospects upend them. Again, something like this feels likely. 2. INVEST IN WINNING Route one is an example of spending $35 million as boring as possible. Here’s a way to make it much more appealing. Start by getting serious about Carlos Rodón, the best remaining starter on the market and a high-risk, high-reward option. Let’s say he costs $16 million per season for however many years it takes to secure him. Then follow that with a trade for Oakland Athletics starter Frankie Montas, one of the most electric young pitchers in the game. Montas will earn a projected $5.2 million in 2022, his second year of arbitration. In another blockbuster, acquire Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds. Gray is under contract for $10.7 million in 2022 with a club option for 2023. After acquiring three legit frontline starters, a stopgap shortstop like José Iglesias makes sense on a one-year, $4 million deal. Finally, find a right-handed reliever with upside for $2-3 million. Now you’re looking at a rotation fronted by Rodón, Montas, Gray and rounded out with Dylan Bundy, Bailey Ober, and Joe Ryan. The final payroll in this scenario would remain under $140 million. Of course, the Twins would lose prospect capital but would undoubtedly be an absolute threat in 2022 and 2023. 3. BARE BONES There’s a chance the Twins are heading for a complete cost-saving slice in 2022. That would probably include trading Josh Donaldson, perhaps followed by Miguel Sanó. Third base would likely be taken over primarily by José Miranda, while Alex Kirilloff spends most of his time at first base with Trevor Larnach in the outfield. The rotation would front someone like Zach Davies on a one-year, $6.5 million deal. Looking for more bargains, the Twins could add former Cardinal Carlos Martínez for cheap and bring back Pineda as a steady presence. Shortstop would be handled for a year by Simmons, Iglesias, or Nick Ahmed in a trade. Needing relief help, the Twins may turn to Hansel Robles-like additions to fill out the bullpen. Payroll would probably reach the $105-110 range, depending on how much Donaldson’s (and Sanó’s) contracts remain. The Twins would be young, inexperienced, and likely poor. However, if this means payroll reaches $145-150 million when the Twins expect to be competitive again, is it worth playing the kids prematurely? What do you think is the most likely path? Which path would you like to see them take? Which direction will make them the most entertaining in 2022? Comment below! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Byron Buxton’s health will once again play a huge role for the Twins in 2022. Of equal importance, though, is whether it will matter if he does stay healthy. It has to count. Whenever a team signs a star in their prime, the pressure automatically mounts. Not just the stress of success, but the heat on how the team will build around that star. Will the Angels ever give Mike Trout enough pitching to win? Can the Phillies build enough strength around Bryce Harper? There’s a constant clock tick, tick, ticking. Trout, 30, has nine years remaining on his deal. How many more years can the Angels expect healthy, MVP-level production? Harper, 29, just won MVP for a Philadelphia team that missed the playoffs once again. $300+ million contracts considerably impact spending, even for teams like the Phillies, Angels, and Yankees. For one, that’s a lot of money on the books for a long time. Additionally, teams must supplement the stars they sign with other All-Star level players. For the Twins, a club that just handed out the second-largest contract in team history, the situation is the same. On a per-game basis, Byron Buxton is in the same tier as his $300 million counterparts. The only thing keeping him from that status is his injury history. Now that Minnesota decided Buxton is the building block, the front office must work to avoid wasting his prime. Buxton, 27, will never combine his elite speed and power more than now. In other words, this is likely the best version of Buxton we’ll ever see. Consider this scenario. The Twins continue to sit around in free agency and on the trade market and fail to muster enough pitching to compete in 2022. Let’s say, on top of that, Buxton plays 140 games and wins MVP. This situation is plausible. While Buxton is one of the most impactful players in MLB, he is only one player. See Harper, Bryce and Trout, Mike. By signing this deal, Buxton commits to a team coming off a last-place finish with an unknown road ahead. If he’s healthy, a gamble the Twins have already decided to make; they have to make it matter. Here’s how they can: 1. SIGN CARLOS RODÓN Rumored to be involved in his sweepstakes, the Twins have an opportunity to add an ace for a cheaper-than-usual price tag. Rodón’s injury history is enough to scare off even the riskiest of teams. He barely got through the 2021 season with dwindling velocity and more arm problems. The healthy version of Rodón was the best pitcher in the league, posting a 2.37 ERA and 35% strikeout rate in 132 2/3 innings. He’s the exact type of gamble a team like the Twins should make. 2. TRADE FOR CHRIS BASSITT Bassitt has the American League’s lowest ERA over the last two seasons (min. 200 innings) and is reportedly available. He works with a deep repertoire of pitches with clear room for improvement. He’d immediately join Rodón as a duo rivaling Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito as the best in the division. 3. RE-SIGN MICHAEL PINEDA Pineda had some hiccups over his three years with the Twins, but he was rock-solid and often gave them a chance to win. Pineda’s 3.80 ERA since 2019 is enough to run back for more. A top three of Rodón, Bassitt, and Pineda would enter the season as one of the best the Twins have ever had. (at least since the season they had Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios and Michael Pineda atop their rotation) What do you think? Does the Byron Buxton extension put more pressure on 2022? Do you like these moves? Comment below! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

The Oakland Athletics have three starters who’re reportedly available in trades. Does left-hander Sean Manaea offer the best value of the group? THE PLAYER The Royals picked Manaea out of Indiana State in the first round of the 2013 draft. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the 66th-best prospect in baseball following a solid 2014 season. Manaea, 29, is listed at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, an imposing presence on the mound. The Royals traded Manaea to Oakland midway through 2015 for eventual World Series Champion Ben Zobrist, who went 20-for-66 with eight doubles and two homers in the playoffs. It was a win-win trade. Manaea made an immediate impact upon his arrival to the majors in 2016. He’s been a regular mid-rotation starter for over 700 innings, posting a 3.86 ERA (107 ERA+) with a 21% strikeout rate. Manaea’s ERA+ of 113 since 2018 tops free agents Kevin Gausman (111), Robbie Ray (111), and Jon Gray (104). The lefty works with three pitches, a low-90s sinker, a plus changeup, and a slurvy curveball. Manaea’s changeup was a top-six changeup in baseball in 2021, per Statcast’s run value. Like potential pitch mix adjustments with Chris Bassitt and Frankie Montas, a bump on Manaea’s current 24% changeup usage could help him miss more bats and get more outs. THE COST Maybe the most appealing factor in a Manaea trade is the cost, at least compared to Bassitt and Montas. Manaea is a lesser pitcher and projects to make the most in arbitration ($10.2 million). He’s a free agent after 2022. He’s not a frontline starter, but Manaea would become the Twins’ best pitcher and provide stability at a reasonable price. MLB Trade Simulator curiously values Manaea over Bassitt, but it’s close enough. The tool says the Twins would need to send RHP Jhoan Duran, SS Keoni Cavaco, OF Misael Urbina, RHP Drew Strotman, or trade of similar value. There’s an argument to be made that the Twins should not be seeking one-year stopgaps at the expense of high-upside prospects. They don’t have a competitive roster, and keeping as much young talent as possible is vital. On the flip side, the Twins still have plenty of solid position players, and they should receive help from top pitching prospects in 2022. A deal for Manaea (and subsequent moves) would give them a fighting chance in 2022. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

Hey Tony&Rodney!! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here!! Your deal for Meyer and Cabrera is especially interesting. The Meyer connection is clear: he's a Minnesota kid and was rumored to be available at the deadline. I would be shocked if the Marlins traded Alcantara after the year he just had, but never say never. López seems like a viable target too. To me, though, Meyer is the guy. They have so much young pitching, Meyer dominated Double-A last year and isn't far off. I think he could be up in mid-2022. It's a great get for the future and for the fans whom value the Twins investing in MN players.

The Oakland Athletics are reportedly shopping their veteran starters. Is Frankie Montas a viable target for the Twins? No American League starter with at least 200 innings pitched over the last two seasons has a lower ERA than Chris Bassitt. Even then, the most intriguing starter for the Athletics is Frankie Montas. THE PLAYER Montas, 28, is coming off a terrific season where he posted a 3.37 ERA (121 ERA+) and 3.37 FIP in an AL-leading 32 starts. Montas bounced back from a forgettable 2020 to set career highs in innings (187), strikeouts (207), and Wins Above Replacement (3.7). Traded three times in as many years, Montas is no stranger to changing organizations. The Red Sox signed him as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic in 2009 and traded him to the White Sox in 2013. Chicago then moved him to the Dodgers in a three-team deal to acquire Todd Frazier in 2015. Finally, Montas settled in with Oakland after another deal just eight months later. Jharel Cotton, whom the Twins just claimed, was also a part of that deal. After a tumultuous start to his career, Montas finally hit his stride in 2019 with a terrific 2.70 ERA and 2.90 through his first 15 starts. Then, more adversity. MLB suspended Montas for 80 games after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He returned for one start in September but was ineligible for the postseason. Montas has a high-spin, upper 90s fastball that he could work up in the zone more. Like Bassitt, he overuses a mediocre-to-poor sinker. His splitter is terrific, with an expected batting average of .134 at a whiff rate over 50%. Montas’ splitter was the fourth-best in baseball in 2021 and produced the highest swing-and-miss rate among starters. Lefties destroyed his sinker, hinting that he needs to up the usage of that nasty split. He’s already excellent against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .295 On-Base Percentage and .660 OPS in 2021. There’s more to unlock here. THE COST Montas is under contract for two more seasons with an estimated salary of $5.2 million in his second year of arbitration. With a raise in 2023, Montas is probably holding a two-year, $13-15M price tag. Unlike Sean Manaea and Bassitt, who are free agents after 2022, Montas’ two remaining arbitration years theoretically double his value. If the Athletics are serious about resetting, it’s fair to assume they’d be looking for close-to-the-majors players in return. According to MLB Trade Simulators, an imperfect tool, the Twins would need to part with a value that equates to a package of Ryan Jeffers and Trevor Larnach. If Montas replicates his 2021 season for the next two years, that’s a fair price to pay. The enticing part of this deal is the upside. Montas, like Luis Castillo, is in his prime and harnesses some of the best stuff in the majors. With a few tweaks, the Twins could oversee a complete breakout from the promising right-hander. What do you think? Should the Twins pursue Frankie Montas? Comment below! FOR MORE TWINS CONTENT: — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

The Twins have an extreme need for starting pitching. Could they swing a deal for Athletics starter Chris Bassitt? THE PLAYER The White Sox drafted Bassitt, 32, in the 16th round of the 2011 Draft out of the University of Akron. In what turned out to be a lopsided trade, the White Sox moved Bassitt and Marcus Semien for Jeff Samardzija in December of 2014. Semien and Bassitt combined for 29.7 Wins Above Replacement and counting, while Samardzija barely eclipsed replacement level in his lone season for Chicago. Billy Beane won again. Bassitt has quietly pitched very well for the last four seasons. Among 74 starters who’ve thrown at least 400 innings over that span, Bassitt is tied for 13th in ERA+ (130) and ranks 14th in OPS against (.656). 49 starters have thrown at least 200 innings over the last two seasons. Just six have a lower ERA than Bassitt: Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler, Brandon Woodruff, Max Scherzer, Zack Wheeler, and Max Fried. Bassitt works with a deep arsenal of offerings and excels at missing barrels. He throws a sinker in the lower-to-mid 90s, an excellent four-seamer with similar velocity, a cutter, changeup, slider, and curveball. The lanky right-hander is an interesting case study. He’s already terrific, but there’s glaring room for improvement in his profile. Bassitt increased his slider usage from 0.1% in 2019 to 10.1% in 2021. My suggestion: bump that up even more. Bassitt’s slider grades as an excellent pitch, with an expected batting average of .127 and a 39% swing-and-miss rate in 2021. Perhaps fewer sinkers (.356 xWOBA) and cutters (.375), and more sliders would help Bassitt miss more bats. This change would significantly help against right-handed batters, who hit just .143 with a .209 wOBA against Bassitt’s slider in 2021. THE COST Bassitt is one year from free agency and will make about $9 million via arbitration in 2022. The Athletics aren’t afraid to trade away their expiring veterans, and there’ve been multiple reports indicating that Bassitt, Sean Manaea, Matt Chapman, and Matt Olson could all be available. According to MLB Trade Simulators, a deal for Bassitt would require quite a bit, but not nearly as much as Luis Castillo. If the Athletics wanted one young player in return, Trevor Larnach holds similar value, according to the simulator. If they seek a package, perhaps Alerick Soularie, Matt Wallner, Blayne Enlow and Drew Strotman could make sense. The Twins certainly value one-year commitments. Because Bassitt is making such a reasonable salary, it’s viable to trade for him and sign a high-priced free agent. The Twins have the depth to swing a deal like this. It’s possible they’d favor Manaea, the younger lefty who may require less in return. Manaea is objectively worse than Bassitt but throws an excellent changeup and costs a projected $10.2 million via arbitration in 2022. Frankie Montas, 28, could be the highest-upside target but also the most expensive with two years remaining on his contract. What do you think? Should the Twins trade for Chris Bassitt? FOR MORE TWINS CONTENT: — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article