Interesting article. McHugh has been good. However, he’s projected to be no better than Slegers this year. If the Twins acquire him, hopefully their revamped analytics department has a superior projection than what is publicly available and he’s not just another guy on the downside with only hope to recapture past performance.

 

I get what you are saying and I am not making excuses, but the bats didn't give us a chance either.  Johan needed to shut the Yankees out for us to win our last playoff game.  We only scored two runs that game.  As big an issue has been the pen, in my opinion.

 

I guess I REALLY want to see us raise our own pitchers for once. It has been frustrating watching the litany of starting pitcher FA signings we have made.  SOmeone like Cobb or Lynn would be a couple of clicks above the Ponsons, Marquis, Corrieas, etc.....etc....we have signed in the past.

No disagreement about the offense being a letdown in the postseason. I'm giving them a little more rope because it's typically more difficult for offenses to get the best of elite pitchers than vice vera but you're right those were poor team performances all around.

 

Their more recent signings (Ervin, Hughes before the extension) and possibly Cobb or Lynn are definitely a notch above. If we're choosing between a guys like that or a steady stream of 1 year lotto tickets for the next few seasons then I'm pulling the trigger on Cobb or Lynn. I just think the Twins can do better. 

If you can't afford the price for Archer (certainly take back Span and possibly even Brad Miller to fold in the savings of roster dollars into the trade price), just sign Garcia.  It adds another lefty to the rotation as well as adding value.  If a starter prospect blossoms by July, he will have value at the trade deadline.  Again, always good to have depth in the event of injuries or backsliding performances and Garcia could always slide into the role of spot starter/long relief/bullpen lefty.

 

I guess I REALLY want to see us raise our own pitchers for once.

I think everybody wants that but who this year is probably going to help us this year. (not who could if everything goes perfect)

Gonzo - not the prospect Berrios was only has 4 starts in AAA and has never started more than 24 games in a year.

Romero - Will be on a innings limit and has pitched 303 innings since 2012

Littell & Jorge - this year can you expect anything more than a spot start or two?

and the rest are probably a few years or more away - Lewis Thorpe, Blayne Enlow,Brusdar Graterol

I'm going to post this without reading the entire thread.  I've taken a couple of days off and am overwhelmed by the number of posts on multiple threads regarding the rotation.  I want to comment on a few things that stuck in my mind as I read through part of this thread. 

 

I am in agreement with many of the posts that I would like to see the Twins improve the top of the rotation.  I am very skeptical at this point that it will happen. As a result, I have to think they will do something to add to the middle of the rotation (better than or equal to Gibson's last half of 2017).  McHugh would do that, I believe.  I also think Cobb or Lynn could provide that.  I would be fine with any of these.

 

For those believing we can't compete without an ace, I ask you to look at the 2015 Royals and 2013 Red Sox.  Neither team had a pitcher outperform Santana's 2017.  It is possible to win with Santana/Berrios at the front of the rotation.  I'm not saying the percentages are high, but it can be done.  Removing the 9 starts by Gee, Tepesch, Wilk, Turley and Melville should help.  We also had 6 starts by Enns, Slegers and Jorge, but I can live with those.