bphat1

I could not agree more. The Twins have no chance, and my guess is they have no interest because they know they have no chance. It's fun to talk about unless you actually think about it. Cause when you think about it, you realize quickly how unrealistic Tanaka to the Twins really is.

I don't think any 3 year deal is a mistake. It's the 5,6,7 year deals that kill teams. The Twins generally don't do that unless it's for an MVP. I'm in the "Salty makes us better so sign him" camp. I also don't think he keeps us from grabbing two pitchers who can make us better.

SpiritofVodkaDave, I think that's the case if overpaying ANY player would get them to come to Minnesota, but I guess my argument is that is not the case. I think when the Twins were winning the AL Central most years in the '00's, it was an easier sell. Now it appears we're going to HAVE to overpay for average guys to come here. At least that is the way it's been presented around here and in other media outlets. I also don't think Arroyo for 12M for the first 2 years is an overpay at all. As you say, the 3rd year is the killer, but that's the likely overpay the Twins will have to throw out there. If you were Arroyo would you take a 2yr deal with an option for a 3rd from the Twins, or take the exact same contract from any other team except the Astros? If I'm almost 40 years old and winning is important to me, I'm going elsewhere unless you guarentee me that last year...

If Arroyo can keep his ERA somewhere in the 4.25 neighborhood and have a .500 record in that 3rd year, I would take that. I don't see any reason he would decline that much at age 40 given how he pitches now.

People seem to be lumping a lot of pitchers into a couple of categories. Just because Vargas and Arroyo both soft toss does NOT mean they are the same pitcher. I'd MUCH rather have Arroyo at 3yrs for more money than Vargas for any amount of time at any amount of money. 3/$36M would be a steal for the Twins, consideriing it does not appear pitchers are lining up to come here. Now, this assumes we're still in on Nolasco, Kazmir (preferrably) and others. If we pick up Arroyo and then fill out the rest of the rotation with Diamond, Pelfrey et al I will be mighty disappointed. I wish those that are commenting negatively about Arroyo would actually watch him pitch. He would also be a great leader and teacher for our young pitcher(s) coming up...

Arroyo wants a 3 year deal. He said on MLB network that his durability and consistant numbers should prove he's not aging like other pitchers do. And he's got a point. He doesn't throw hard and hasn't had any serious injury concerns that I can see. If we could give him 3 years with a front-loaded contract, making the 3rd year the lowest salaried year or based on incentives, I would do that in a heartbeat. Nolasco getting 5/$75M is pure insanity. He is NOT A. Sanchez. Doesn't have the same stuff or same track record. Due to the lack of good pitchers on the market, I'm sure he'll get something like 4/$50M or even possibly 4/$60M if someone is desparate (like the Twins?) but if he were a FA last year he would be looking at something like the 3/$33M Lohse got. He had a good year at the right time and is in the FA market at just the right time as well. I say stay away unless we can't get anyone else to come here.

I'd prefer Suzuki. He brings a little more offensive punch, though he is also a right-handed batter (I think it makes some sense to sign a lefty opposite Pinto). The only positive about Molina is his language. Otherwise, if we wanted a defensive specialist who couldn't hit, we should have just kept Butera for the league minimum. People seem to be forgetting how awful this team is offensively. Yes, we absolutely need starting pitching and that is where the bulk of our FA dollars should go, but the lineup thrown out above by another poster is just atrocious. I realize it will be better if/when Sano/Rosario and Buxton get here, but why not try to upgrade the positions those guys don't play? Or sign a better stopgap than Florimon, Plouffe, Willingham (I think he's toast, though I hope I'm wrong) and whoever is gonna play CF? Personally, I'd love to see them go after someone like Rashied Davis (I think I'm getting the name right) from Toronto. I have no idea if he's a FA or not, which is why I say "someone like." He's speedy, has some power for a little guy and would be a good fit for 4th outfielder/pinch runner when Buxton gets here. He shouldn't cost too much either. I'm not looking for them to break the bank on any offensive positions, but we need help there too. Any other positions players people here have ideas about? I haven't even looked at the FA list in months.

I could not agree more! These are the two guys that I not only want, but think is most realistic for our Twin. Why are people not including Deduno in their "rotation I'd like to see for next year?" I love Deduno as a #5 starter. Personally, I'd love to see the following: Arroyo Kazmir Gibson Correia Deduno With Meyer coming up maybe late in the year to take the place of whoever is doing the worst of Gibson/Correia. I'm not sold on Gibson after watching him last year but am hoping the "2nd year after TJ surgery" success some guys have had applies to him. What I'm worried about seeing from the Twins is the following. Arroyo Pelfrey Gibson Correia Diamond/Deduno This would make me cry. Literally. And I'm seriously concerned about this being a real possibility.

While I love the enthusiasm, I can't tell you how many projected lineups and rotations I've seen over the years that seemed like they were a year or two away, only to end up with with a lineup or rotation with only 2-4 of those guys actually in it. That's also an incredibly young lineup.

Nick, I'm wondering what you think the market would be for Marcum? Could we get him for, say 3/35M or is it looking more like a longer/more lucrative deal will be out there for him? And why are we not reading about the Twins making him an offer?