Article: Report: Darvish Decision Expected This Week, Twins In Consideration

[Cody Christie]

Free agency has been slow moving this off-season. Few of the top free agents have signed and there has even been talk about collusion among MLB’s teams. Realistically, teams are smarter about the way they spend money and this year’s crop of free agents has plenty of flaws.

 

The Twins have been tied to Yu Darvish from the beginning. Minnesota’s front office hasn’t been shy about mentioned their intentions of trying the hook the biggest fish on the free agent market. A thrilling conclusion could be coming and Twins’ fans could have an answer as early as this week.Darvish Decision Looming

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports and MLB Network is reporting that Darvish is expected to make his decision this week. He also adds that the Twins are one of the teams still in discussion with the star pitcher.

It is interesting that his only note about a current team is the Twins. However, there have been plenty of other teams connected to Darvish in recent weeks. The list of teams includes the Twins, Cubs, Rangers, Dodgers and Brewers.

 

Gimenez Signing

Former Twins catcher Chris Gimenez signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs this week. Sporting News compared this move to when the Cubs brought in David Ross to be paired with Jon Lester in 2015. Gimenez worked with Darvish in Texas and helped the pitcher on his way back from Tommy John surgery. Darvish has also called Gimenez his “all-time favorite catcher.”

Five-Year Offer

Darvish will turn 32 next August and he has only pitched one season of more than 200 innings. This might make it tough for team’s swallow a long-term deal. With many big free agent signings, there is some “dead” money at the end of the deal where the player isn’t playing at the same level as prior to his contract signing.

 

According to reports, Darvish has at least one five-year offer on the table. There are still multiple teams in the mix for Darvish’s services but it sounds like his decision will be made by the end of the week.

What are your thoughts on the latest Darvish news? Will he be in a Twins uniform by the end of the week? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[mazeville]

Probably not. But man the Darvish-to-Twins thing just won't go away.

 

My hopes are not remotely up. But given the Vikings performance on Sunday it would be nice to get some news like that this week.

[Squirrel]

I'll just be glad when this is done. I mean ... could we have had any more 'roller coastering' Darvish threads and discussions this off season? Heh ... it's worse than the 'Dozier to the Dodgers - book it!' threads from last year.

 

Let's get on with it!

[MN_ExPat]

Very true. 

 

[Dman]

I've got to believe the Cubs essentially have him already.  The announcement is just a formality.  I don't see why the Cubs would want or need Giminez except to pair him with Darvish.

[Mike Sixel]

Why do people keep talking about 200 innings? Almost no one pitches 200 innings anymore. 15 pitchers hit that mark last year. 

 

Darvish pitched the 24th most innings of all starters last year. That's not good enough?

[nicksaviking]

 

Why do people keep talking about 200 innings? Almost no one pitches 200 innings anymore. 15 pitchers hit that mark last year. 

 

Darvish pitched the 24th most innings of all starters last year. That's not good enough?

 

Right now all I really care about are the 9 innings that the team will need to fill for game 163.

[Trautmann13]

I am so ready to be disappointed! If you can get him at 5/135 (give or take ~10m) I would be 100% alright with the contract. The team is entering their window, which will likely (hopefully) be open for the next 4-6 years. Adding Darvish should take the aspirations from wildcard contender to world series contender. The 6th year scares me a lot if I'm being honest, which might make me want to turn to Cobb. This is the time to go for it and get those big pieces at the cost it takes. 

[Twins33]

He'll be wearing a Cubs uniform. That's what I've thought for a month now. I'll be happy if I'm wrong and he's a Twin instead.

[Dman]

 

I am so ready to be disappointed! If you can get him at 5/135 (give or take ~10m) I would be 100% alright with the contract. The team is entering their window, which will likely (hopefully) be open for the next 4-6 years. Adding Darvish should take the aspirations from wildcard contender to world series contender. The 6th year scares me a lot if I'm being honest, which might make me want to turn to Cobb. This is the time to go for it and get those big pieces at the cost it takes. 

Yeah if the Twins are balking at moving up to 150 to get him I gotta believe Chicago is willing to outbid teams at this point.  They are in the middle of their window as well so if want another ring or two they need to solidify their rotation.  Looks like the price is set and the Twins would likely need to go much higher than the competition to get him.  I just don't see it happening.  

[laloesch]

 

Yeah if the Twins are balking at moving up to 150 to get him I gotta believe Chicago is willing to outbid teams at this point.  They are in the middle of their window as well so if want another ring or two they need to solidify their rotation.  Looks like the price is set and the Twins would likely need to go much higher than the competition to get him.  I just don't see it happening.  

 

My thoughts as well.  If they aren't willing to go up to 150/160 they aren't going to get him and he ends up in Chicago.

[PseudoSABR]

 

it's worse than the 'Dozier to the Dodgers - book it!' threads from last year.

I wouldn't go that far.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here are Darvish's IP ranks for his final 5 seasons in Japan: 5, 3, 16, 5, 1

 

Also, there are some extenuating circumstances from his MLB career. The Rangers skipped him three times in 2012, probably with an eye toward keeping him strong through his MLB debut season and postseason (it's a longer season than Japan, correct?). He finished that year with 191 IP plus 6 more in the wild card game, then threw 209 the following season.

 

And while elbow injury / TJ surgery is always worthy of concern, it was largely a fluke of timing (or even a team consideration, delaying the surgery?) that it wound up affecting 3 seasons (2014-2016), despite a normal recovery period.  Presumably the signing team will take out some insurance on the contract in case of catastrophic injury.

 

The Rangers skipped him again in 2017 as they were out of the race and preparing to trade him, and the Dodgers were so far ahead when they acquired him they were able to skip him too with an eye toward the postseason.  (He did ultimately top 200 innings in 2017, combined regular season and postseason.)

 

I don't see much to suggest that his past IP totals should be of particular concern.

[Doomtints]

 

I've got to believe the Cubs essentially have him already.  The announcement is just a formality.  I don't see why the Cubs would want or need Giminez except to pair him with Darvish.

 

Gimenez is on a minor league deal. Plus, remember the Cubs cut a catcher last year after he said some critical things. They need depth.

Edited January 24, 2018 by Doomtints

[Deduno Abides]

I wonder if the Twins have checked in on the price for Zach Greinke. D-Backs have some payroll limits but want to resign JD Kong.

[Riverbrian]

 

I've got to believe the Cubs essentially have him already.  The announcement is just a formality.  I don't see why the Cubs would want or need Giminez except to pair him with Darvish.

 

Could be

 

Or...

 

Maybe they are be preemptive. Putting potential roadblocks in the way for other potential suitors. In case all things are equal.  

 

It's just a minor league deal for Gimenez. The Cubs can still go out and sign Avila and leave Gimenez in Iowa.

 

Maybe they are thinking... Darvish likes Gimenez... let's grab him before Texas, Minnesota or Milwaukee does and see if it increases our chances and decreases the chances of the competition in case all things are equal or close to equal.  

 

I imagine the contract discussions are being held with the Agent and not Darvish directly. It's hard to believe that the Agent while trying to negotiate the deal of Yu's lifetime is saying "Yeah it's 150 Million plus Gimenez has to be on the 25 man or no deal". 

 

I can't imagine the agent saying it's 120 Million in Minnesota.... 100 Million in Chicago but the Cubs have Gimenez. To which Darvish replies "It only costs me 20 million to play Gimenez again?". Where do I sign.     

 

I think it is quite possible that Chicago needs a cheap catcher for depth and if it Darvish likes it... Bonus. 

[Riverbrian]

 

Yeah if the Twins are balking at moving up to 150 to get him I gotta believe Chicago is willing to outbid teams at this point.  They are in the middle of their window as well so if want another ring or two they need to solidify their rotation.  Looks like the price is set and the Twins would likely need to go much higher than the competition to get him.  I just don't see it happening.  

 

I agree... The Cubs are scary with that payroll and swagger and Darvish just might end up in Chicago... But I still can't shake the obvious sign that seem to be pinching pennies. 

 

These are the Cubs not the Rays. 

 

They let Davis go and decided to sign 3 relievers for 10 million less. 

 

They Signed Gimenez with Avila still on the table. 

 

They reportedly low balled Cobb trying to get him for Chatwood Money. (may not be true)

 

And where are they with Arrieta. Offer him a contract.. he won a World Series and Cy Young with your team. You know Him... Why is there any kind of dance going on whatsoever unless you are trying to pinch those pennies. 

 

These are the Cubs... Does any of this sound like the Cubs? Maybe all of this has been done to collect a few extra dollars to sign the big prize Darvish... I don't know... But... The Cubs can walk in the room and meet the price of any player they'd like to have. 

 

 

No matter the rumors I'm hearing... The Cubs actions thus far in free agency sure smell like a team under a budget. 

 

[Doomtints]

Interesting that the Twins are "in consideration" yet there has been no news of a contract being offered or even of them ever speaking. Meaningless words.

 

This is getting ridiculous. Screw it. Wake me when it's over.

[Greg Logan]

 

I wonder if the Twins have checked in on the price for Zach Greinke. D-Backs have some payroll limits but want to resign JD Kong.

 

I've been wondering about this too. Greinke's remaining deal will seriously limit the prospect asking price. The AAV is daunting, but it's been pretty well covered that the Twins have almost no salary obligations after 2018.

[MN_ExPat]

Harrumph!! Harrumph!! 

 

You there!! I said give the Govna' a Harrumph!!

[Thrylos]

 

Five-Year Offer

Darvish will turn 32 next August and he has only pitched one season of more than 200 innings. This might make it tough for team’s swallow a long-term deal.

 

The fact that he struck out more than 209 hitters for 3 seasons, might make it a bit easier to swallow

 

 

BTW, he was hurt for 2 seasons and part of a third, so the 200 IP/season a pretty bad measuring stick.

 

IP/season matter less than IP/start and his career average is 6.53 IP/S so when given as many starts as Ervin Santana last season, this averages to 209-2/3 innings per season.

 

So that's that.

Edited January 24, 2018 by Thrylos

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Fascinating the Twins are the only team specified in the tweet - text limits or something more?

[Greg Logan]

 

Fascinating the Twins are the only team specified in the tweet - text limits or something more?

 

Cotillo and others have been suggesting it's Cubs vs. Brewers (possibly because of yesterday's rumors that Twins might be backing off due to price tag), so maybe Morosi was just reiterating that the Twins were still in it too?

[Dman]

 

Could be

 

Or...

 

Maybe they are be preemptive. Putting potential roadblocks in the way for other potential suitors. In case all things are equal.  

 

It's just a minor league deal for Gimenez. The Cubs can still go out and sign Avila and leave Gimenez in Iowa.

 

Maybe they are thinking... Darvish likes Gimenez... let's grab him before Texas, Minnesota or Milwaukee does and see if it increases our chances and decreases the chances of the competition in case all things are equal or close to equal.  

 

I imagine the contract discussions are being held with the Agent and not Darvish directly. It's hard to believe that the Agent while trying to negotiate the deal of Yu's lifetime is saying "Yeah it's 150 Million plus Gimenez has to be on the 25 man or no deal". 

 

I can't imagine the agent saying it's 120 Million in Minnesota.... 100 Million in Chicago but the Cubs have Gimenez. To which Darvish replies "It only costs me 20 million to play Gimenez again?". Where do I sign.     

 

I think it is quite possible that Chicago needs a cheap catcher for depth and if it Darvish likes it... Bonus. 

I will silently eat my plate of crow if the Twins get him.     The signs just don't look promising to me.  FWIW I hope I am wrong.

[laloesch]

i though he (Yu) wasn't in a hurry to sign anything anytime soon and was enjoying the process?

[dgwills]

At least the Twins are in it. It's better than we usually get. I've honestly been pretty happy with the new management. They seem to have similar beliefs to me. We need a top of the rotation pitcher, but if you have to overpay it's just not worth it. Even if you pay market value it may not end up being worth it. You have to mitigate risk.

[beckmt]

Our window is now open, if we have to overpay, hope the attendance goes up to cover it  

Sign Darvish now or move on.  Do not limit yourself until it is too late for all options that are good.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

i though he (Yu) wasn't in a hurry to sign anything anytime soon and was enjoying the process?

could be his compatriots in the players union might be giving him a little more urging to make a decision in order to take some leverage away from the teams for the other starters on the market.

[Deduno Abides]

Could be

 

Or...

 

Maybe they are be preemptive. Putting potential roadblocks in the way for other potential suitors. In case all things are equal.  

 

It's just a minor league deal for Gimenez. The Cubs can still go out and sign Avila and leave Gimenez in Iowa.

 

Maybe they are thinking... Darvish likes Gimenez... let's grab him before Texas, Minnesota or Milwaukee does and see if it increases our chances and decreases the chances of the competition in case all things are equal or close to equal.  

 

I imagine the contract discussions are being held with the Agent and not Darvish directly. It's hard to believe that the Agent while trying to negotiate the deal of Yu's lifetime is saying "Yeah it's 150 Million plus Gimenez has to be on the 25 man or no deal". 

 

I can't imagine the agent saying it's 120 Million in Minnesota.... 100 Million in Chicago but the Cubs have Gimenez. To which Darvish replies "It only costs me 20 million to play Gimenez again?". Where do I sign.     

 

I think it is quite possible that Chicago needs a cheap catcher for depth and if it Darvish likes it... Bonus.

 

Easy enough for you to say. When Andy Benes met Giminez, he didn’t understand the big deal about him, so he directly asked him, “Who do you think you are?”

 

Giminez answered with a smirk, “I’m Chris Giminez!”

[Mike Sixel]

 

At least the Twins are in it. It's better than we usually get. I've honestly been pretty happy with the new management. They seem to have similar beliefs to me. We need a top of the rotation pitcher, but if you have to overpay it's just not worth it. Even if you pay market value it may not end up being worth it. You have to mitigate risk.

 

Meh....we were told for years they were in on Cubans. Being "in on" a FA means little, imo.