December 8, 20196 yr Uh-oh.LENIII has a "Twins pitching plan A might have to change" article up in the STrib.Someone's laying some groundwork for the big disappointment? Quite possibly, but there are other reasons for this messaging to get pushed out there. After all, a LENIII column isn't going to do much to deflect fan disappointment (to the extent that exists across the bulk of the fanbase after a 101-win season). "Plan B" with respect to pitching should be to make a trade. It's generally not helpful if other clubs think a team is desperate to make a move - in that case, a logical course is to hold out for an unfair price on the chance the seeking club gives in to it. I mean, the 2nd tier of FA starting pitchers was fairly small to begin with. The Twins were undoubtedly aware of the facts that (1) many other clubs would be shopping in that tier and (2) guys like Ryu and Bumgarner in particular might prefer to stay on the west coast. If the target set was limited to a few hard-to-get free agents, it would have been misleading at best (and seemingly counterproductive) to say that the club would seriously target "impact" pitching.
December 8, 20196 yr If Bumgarner is as washed up as you and others are saying his is, then there’s no need to worry about any of this. He’ll be happy to accept what he’s offered.I don't think he's washed. Guy's a competitor. He's a lefty. He may never be again what he was, but there's reason to hope. I believe he'll be good for most of the next 4 years and useable for all of it. There's risk involved. There's risks in NOT signing him as well. I also wonder if we communicated our current offer during trade discussions last season if we might have had him for the playoffs.
December 8, 20196 yr Since these contracts appear to be pricing us out (and not that we can't afford it, more that the dollars exceeds their value too significantly), I'm hoping for two of these four options: 1. Sign Dallas Keuchel2. Sign Hyun-Jin Ryu3. Trade Trevor Larnach and Zach Littell for Robbie Ray4. Trade Jordan Balazovic and Nick Gordon for Jon Gray
December 8, 20196 yr The team is chasing Bumgarner and should absolutely be chasing Cole and Strasburg precisely because these pitchers push already signed pitchers down a notch. The Twins don't need any more number 3, 4, or 5 pitchers. I am not opposed to adding another pitcher or two/ three like Teheran, Wood or Treinen but Plan A is to "chase" higher. The payroll sits around $100M right now and there should easily be another $40M to spend for the 2020 team. Every conceivable effort should be expended now to attempt to add Cole, Strasburg, or Bumgarner. If none of these players wants to pitch for the Twins or the bidding pushes the budget well beyond $140M, then turns the eyes elsewhere.
December 9, 20196 yr Do we stand a chance if we offered 6/210?Apparently the answer was no, not that we made the offer. 7 for $245 wins the Strasburg prize. A little shocking at his age, but not terribly. Makes me think Cole is going for 7/280 or 8/300.
December 9, 20196 yr “If the Twins don’t land Bumgarner, the next group includes Homer Bailey, Tanner Roark, Wade Miley, Brett Anderson........” Impact arms.................from the ball's vantage point.
December 9, 20196 yr Apparently the answer was no, not that we made the offer. 7 for $245 wins the Strasburg prize. A little shocking at his age, but not terribly. Makes me think Cole is going for 7/280 or 8/300. Reports are already coming out that Cole (and Boras) is now looking for a 9 or 10 year deal after seeing what Strasburg got.
December 9, 20196 yr Since these contracts appear to be pricing us out (and not that we can't afford it, more that the dollars exceeds their value too significantly), I'm hoping for two of these four options: 1. Sign Dallas Keuchel2. Sign Hyun-Jin Ryu3. Trade Trevor Larnach and Zach Littell for Robbie Ray4. Trade Jordan Balazovic and Nick Gordon for Jon GrayI like ideas 3 and 4...but you're going to have to combine all prospects into one trade and choose one!
December 10, 20196 yr I like ideas 3 and 4...but you're going to have to combine all prospects into one trade and choose one! For one year of Ray? I doubt they get that.
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