Twins confirm interest in signing pitchers Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel

[bighat]

Per LENIII of the Strib:

 

http://www.startribune.com/twins-confirm-interest-in-signing-pitchers-dallas-keuchel-craig-kimbrel/510740322/

[MNT1996]

I'd put money on Twins signing Kimbrel just after midnight tonight.

[Otwins]

We shall find out tommorrow if the interest is reciprical. Have to think they will be taking in quite a bit more money the rest of the season as attendance has to be better than last year the second half of the season.

[crapforks]

I don’t read much LENIII, so I don’t have the BS filter many here might. If the team is serious about Keuchel, a move I don’t find very inspiring, I would rather see a 6-man rotation from the point he’s ready onward. That of course assumes everyone is healthy.

Also, I didn’t realize Kimbrel had such a rough 2nd half.

[darin617]

Pineda to the pen in due time.

[Roaddog]

I think Kimbrell would be the best choice.

[akmanak]

Many of have been fans on here for a long time and have never seen the Twins dominate like this. The same should go for the managment and this is exactly why management needs to make a move, to make this team have the ability to go deep into the playoffs. Give that man his money.

[laloesch]

I wouldn't be opposed to offering Keuchel to a one year deal. I mean he did win the CY-young in 2015. Signing Kimbrel would be my preference though.

[diehardtwinsfan]

they need Kimbrel more than Keuchel... that's for sure. I wouldn't complian about Kuechel, but he's going to have to displace someone, and right now, the starters are firing on all cylinders, and I'm not sure he'd upgrade anyone but Pineda (who pitched decent last month). I'd rather trade for a clear ace next month if they want a starter.

[h2oface]

 

they need Kimbrel more than Keuchel... that's for sure. I wouldn't complian about Kuechel, but he's going to have to displace someone, and right now, the starters are firing on all cylinders, and I'm not sure he'd upgrade anyone but Pineda (who pitched decent last month). I'd rather trade for a clear ace next month if they want a starter.

 

I agree whole heartedly. I hope for Kimbrel the most, and he fills the most glaring need this team has to facilitate a path through the postseason. 

 

Look. Wes Johnson is here, and Kimbrel and Keuchel are bound to have a chip on their shoulder, even if it is outwardly subtle. Keuchel could be as succesful and responsive to details and suggestions, and acheive even better results, than Perez has. However, Houston's brain trust did see fit to not keep him in the fold. I have found that curious since the beginning. Kimbrel wants a return to the postseason to prove himself. They both want to win, and they now see a path for that in Minnesota. The fact that they both had disappointing years by their own standards and expectations, coupled with an infectious buying in that they would be surrounded with, should be the best environment for them. Kimbrel fills a role that we really really need, and........... I bet he could be cajoled to be the "closer" in any inning that presents itself as he fits in and feels the juice, especially as the dog days settle in and we are still ripping. Kimbrel has been there. He knows what it feels like, and he has to want more. To assume they would have a problem or be a problem, and not fit in...... and not be an asset.... just seems ridiculous to me.

 

I am just giddy at the thought of them both joining the Twins. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, Kimbrell fills a need right now. Keuchel might fill a need, but personally, I'd rather trade prospects for a more certain outcome in a month than roll the dice there. As it is, even if they get Kimbrell, I still think they should be trying to get another reliever come July. The pen still scares me. Yesterday is a good example of that. 

[laloesch]

 

I agree whole heartedly. I hope for Kimbrel the most, and he fills the most glaring need this team has to facilitate a path through the postseason. 

 

Look. Wes Johnson is here, and Kimbrel and Keuchel are bound to have a chip on their shoulder, even if it is outwardly subtle. Keuchel could be as succesful and responsive to details and suggestions, and acheive even better results than Perez has. Kimbrel wants a return to the postseason to prove himself. They both want to win, and they now see a path for that in Minnesota. The fact that they both had disappointing years by their own standards and expectations, coupled with an infectious buying in that they would be surrounded with, should be the best environment for them. Kimbrel fills a role that we really really need, and........... I bet he could be cajoled to be the "closer" in any inning that presents itself as he fits in and feels the juice. He has been there. He knows what it feels like, and he has to want more. To assume they would be a problem and not an asset just seems ridiculous to me.

 

I am just giddy at the thought of them both joining the Twins. 

 

The fact that the Twins are leading the American League in wins this far into the season has to be a major attraction. If all they will take is one year deals that's fine by me.

[bighat]

 

Pineda to the pen in due time.

 

I wonder about this...can he be effective in one inning, late in a ball game? He seems to spend a lot of time warming up and kind of working out the kinks. Most of the damage he's suffered seems to be early, then he settles in. I'm not against the move, just wonder if it's more complicated that we think it might be.

[wabene]

Kimbrel really feel apart last year. Maybe the time off will help him but nobody knows. That's why a one year deal for him works for me. I would also like to see another BP arm via trade. Keuchel could be good with the rest and Wes and I like getting a starter to add depth and cover for Pineda late season. Of course somehow landing a top starter via trade, now who wouldn't like that. These guys will need time to get up to speed but it's early so that works too.

[Riverbrian]

I told myself I’m not going to concern myself with specific players this year when it comes to roster additions.

 

However when it comes to need... both of them fill a need for depth on the pitching staff.

 

The team perhaps needs a starter more because of the amount of quality innings that a starter can throw. After our first five it gets a little dicey and the team needs to plan for injury or unexpected struggles.

 

I do agree with Diehard. It’s a 2 birds one stone opportunity in the rotation. Contracts are up at the end of this year. Trading for a starter under control next year makes perfect sense for this year and next.

 

Anyway... I’m not worried about the names but I do expect the front office to deepen in some form. A couple of choices available right now that won’t cost prospects.

[Puckett34]

I'd like Kimbrel in a less "concrete" role. IE, not the be all end all closer. Would like him more in a role of knocking the Parker, Harper, May down a notch to strengthen the middle/bottom of the bullpen. Then sharing the 8th/9th with Rogers based on matchups. If that's not what he's interested in, that's fine, would still want him signed. Let Kimbrel get the 9th, Rogers be your fireman. I just like fluidity in the bullpen.

 

Keuchel is a little different for me. In other threads, its been said that they wouldn't disagree with signing him, but wouldn't advocate for it either. Kinda where I am with him.

[USAFChief]

 

Kimbrel really feel apart last year. Maybe the time off will help him but nobody knows. That's why a one year deal for him works for me. I would also like to see another BP arm via trade. Keuchel could be good with the rest and Wes and I like getting a starter to add depth and cover for Pineda late season. Of course somehow landing a top starter via trade, now who wouldn't like that. These guys will need time to get up to speed but it's early so that works too.

He really didn't.

 

Go look at his second half game logs: 

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=kimbrcr01&t=p&year=2018

 

Synopsis: 22 of 28 appearances from July through the end of the season were scoreless. He gave up more than 1 run in only 2 appearances, a July blown save against the Twins, of all teams, where he gave up 2 runs on one hit, and an appearance against Baltimore in late September where he gave up four runs (and he came back and struck out the side against the Yankees in his next game. 

 

His ERA went from 2.16 on July 1st to 2.74 for the season. 47 K's from Jul-Sep. Only 2 appearances in the second half without at least one K.

 

62.1 IP, 31 Hits allowed, 96 K on the year.

 

Don't let a couple games and the post season fool you. He was a dominant reliever last year.

[RatherBeGolfing]

"Twins are interested in signing them"

 

Let's see how interested. Prove it to me, front office

[rdehring]

Don't know if it makes sense to sign either.  Both have lots of questions following last year.  Guess it depends on length of contract, perhaps more so than dollars.  Then there always is the effect either will have on the clubhouse which is in a very good place right now.

 

Guess we will see what happens in the coming hours.

[DiscGolfer]

I'm more interested in kimbrel as long as he's willing to adapt to baldelli's bullpen philosophy. The twins don't need a true closer, especially with the leads that they get, but a guy who can come in at any point and get out of jams.

[nokomismod]

I'm holding out hope that Fernando Romero starts putting it together and he is called up to be the Twins version of KRod. Young arm that throws very hard and we saw he had swing and miss stuff during his first few starts last year.

I think both Kimbrell and Keuchel could be on the decline and might disrupt chemistry.

[Mike Sixel]

Why do people think adding a veteran, who had been great, think it will disrupt chemistry?

 

I'd rather have Keuchel,I think.

[Cap'n Piranha]

In other news, the Twins confirmed their interest in trading for Cody Bellinger and Mike Trout.

 

In all seriousness though, if we're going to upgrade the rotation, let's actually upgrade the rotation.  Hat tip to Chief, who was the first I saw suggesting this; go get Scherzer.  The Nats probably need to blow it up, and getting out from under Scherzer's salary would help.  Be bold, take all the salary, and either save prospects to use to get Smith or Giles, or go really bold, and get Rendon in the deal as well.

[Mike Sixel]

In other news, the Twins confirmed their interest in trading for Cody Bellinger and Mike Trout.

 

In all seriousness though, if we're going to upgrade the rotation, let's actually upgrade the rotation. Hat tip to Chief, who was the first I saw suggesting this; go get Scherzer. The Nats probably need to blow it up, and getting out from under Scherzer's salary would help. Be bold, take all the salary, and either save prospects to use to get Smith or Giles, or go really bold, and get Rendon in the deal as well.

The Nats have no reason to blow it up, but sure, if he's available, get him.

[USAFChief]

 

The Nats have no reason to blow it up, but sure, if he's available, get him.

The Nats have no reason to blow it up?

[TheLeviathan]

 

The Nats have no reason to blow it up?

 

Given their young talent and moves they've made, it would be a significant reversal for them to start selling off pieces.

 

Not out of the question, but I think it's far more likely they sell on the fringes rather than on core pieces.

 

(I'm still calling about Scherzer.  I just know what answer is most likely)

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

The Nats have no reason to blow it up, but sure, if he's available, get him.

 

Rendon is gone (or at least he's UFA) after this year, and he is by far their best offensive player.  In fact, they only have 5 players above a 100 wRC+, and two of them are Howie Kendrick and Kurt Suzuki--not exactly great building blocks.  A third is Gerardo Parra, who is 32, and has only been a 3 WAR player once in his career, and that was 6 years ago.  4 of their top 8 prospects are pitchers (2 at AA, one at A+, and the other in rookie ball--HS pick last year).

 

I think if I'm the Nats, I have to decide if I want to keep trying to compete with the Phillies and Braves with a team that seems to be declining, or pull a 2016 Yankees, and sell off valuable pieces in return for hauls and avoid a potential rebuild altogether.

[USAFChief]

 

Rendon is gone (or at least he's UFA) after this year, and he is by far their best offensive player.  In fact, they only have 5 players above a 100 wRC+, and two of them are Howie Kendrick and Kurt Suzuki--not exactly great building blocks.  A third is Gerardo Parra, who is 32, and has only been a 3 WAR player once in his career, and that was 6 years ago.  4 of their top 8 prospects are pitchers (2 at AA, one at A+, and the other in rookie ball--HS pick last year).

 

I think if I'm the Nats, I have to decide if I want to keep trying to compete with the Phillies and Braves with a team that seems to be declining, or pull a 2016 Yankees, and sell off valuable pieces in return for hauls and avoid a potential rebuild altogether.

In addition, Adam Eaton, of the .373 SLG, is the starting RFer and leads the team in PAs. Brian Dozier is putting up a .697 OPS. The bullpen sucks. 

 

This is a bad team. 

[USAFChief]

 

Given their young talent and moves they've made, it would be a significant reversal for them to start selling off pieces.

 

Not out of the question, but I think it's far more likely they sell on the fringes rather than on core pieces.

 

(I'm still calling about Scherzer.  I just know what answer is most likely)

Robles and Soto. Kieboom, maybe someday.

 

Who else?

[TheLeviathan]

 

Robles and Soto. Kieboom, maybe someday.

 

Who else?

 

Corbin.  Turner.  Strasburg.  

 

There are talents on this team and a ton of financial flexibility.  (27M coming off the books and what looks to be close to another 50M in club options they'll pass on)  They aren't likely to sell on core players at this point and if they do, it'll likely be during the offseason.