mlbtraderumors has a write up on Masterson - http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/10/free-agent-profile-justin-masterson.html

 

He wasn't very good last year but 2013 he looked really good.  Battled a bunch of injuries last year and eventually got moved to the pen this year.  But he's a big groundball pitcher with solid strike out numbers.  If healthy, he could be a steal on a Hughes like deal (if he'd take it).  The article suggests he'd want a make good, one year deal instead.  But they said that last year about Hughes, too.  He's a bit older than Hughes so a 3 year deal would make him a FA after his age 32 season, so he might not want to do that.  Not sure.  But he seems the type of pitcher the Twins would target, they certainly know a lot about him from his time in Cleveland and he seems like a nice person - he is going to Africa to help build orphanages in the offseason. 

Between the shoulder and the velo dip - pass.

I read somewhere the velocity drop was attributed to being unable to push off because of a bad knee.  Don't remember where I read it, or if I totally believe it.  Masterson is much like Hughes in that he's been pretty good and very bad alternately.  Depending on his price, I would certainly take a look.

I would have no problem with a one year make good deal for multiple reasons. One, if there's something else going on here physically, you obviously have no long term risk. Two, his contract and Pelfrey's would both run out simultaneously, allowing for a Masterson re-sign, a Hughes re-sign, or an entirely different FA signing. And thirdly, in strong theory, May, Meyer and Berrios should all be ready, and indeed, all three should probably have at least a little ML time under their belt

I'd rather see how the existing Twins pitchers will do without the magic touch of Andy, before they go out and get another bunch of starters on top of the 8 or so they already have under contract for 2015

Edited October 6, 201412 yr by Thrylos

The article points out that Masterson had a 8.1 K/9 rate last year. That would have (barely) led the Twins' starters. He's absolutely worth a look, and if he's open to a one year deal, the Twins would be smart to offer it.

 

He's definitely better than Nolasco; supposedly both Masterson and Nolasco will be healthy at the start of Spring Training. Why not bring a guy in to compete with Ricky for a rotation spot?

 

I think the rotation could be greatly improved if a pitcher of Masterson's caliber is added to it.