Today from Buster Olney

 

"The agent for Kyle Lohse called the Yankees this week to ask if they'd have interest in the pitcher. They don't."

 

Can you envision any senario in which Lohse would end up with the Twins in 2013? I know the issues with how badly this relationship ended last time he was in Minnesota, but apparently we had trouble handing money over to starting pitchers. He is obviously not getting the dollars or the teams that are top on his list. He isn't going to sit out the season.

 

1% chance we land him? less than that?

I think his best bet is to sit tight and wait for an injury to occur on some contender. Someone will eventually be desperate enough to hand a bunch of money to Kyle Lohse.

Less.

 

He didn't sign till March when he signed with the Cards either. He'll wait, someone will go down, and he'll get a nice payday.

He still costs a draft pick, right? If so, that's a bigger issue than money or his history with the Twins. It's probably the primary issue with most clubs.

He'd cost the Twins their 2nd round pick, doesn't sound like much, but last year numerically, that pick was about where Berrios went. I wouldn't trade Berrios for what would likely be one cancerous year of Kyle Lohse on a still losing team.

I would bet Lohse and Gardenhire still aren't bitter after that incident years ago. The entire roster has turned over since Lohse was last here. That said I still think the odds are astronomical.

In my opinion Lohse should have taken the qualifying offer from the Cardinals. There is no way he' worth 13 million a year! He's old and he' not a strikeout pitcher. At the most he's worth 10 million year.

He still costs a draft pick, right? If so, that's a bigger issue than money or his history with the Twins. It's probably the primary issue with most clubs.

 

Can the Cards do a sign and trade? I've never heard of it in baseball.

I would offer him 1 year 10-12 million, if he takes it you can just trade him at the deadline for a prospect that is better then a 2nd round pick anyways. If the twins are competitive then you hold him and take the pick for the next team that signs him.

Can the Cards do a sign and trade? I've never heard of it in baseball.

 

I don't think so. I think there is a minimum amount of time before you're allowed to trade a player who you signed as a free agent.

 

It's a real pickle Lohse is in. I don't know how he gets out of it if he doesn't sign with the Cards. Is there a point at which he no longer costs the signing team a draft pick?

I don't think so. I think there is a minimum amount of time before you're allowed to trade a player who you signed as a free agent.

 

It's a real pickle Lohse is in. I don't know how he gets out of it if he doesn't sign with the Cards. Is there a point at which he no longer costs the signing team a draft pick?

 

I'm pretty sure that until the MLB draft, he costs a team their pick.

I seem to remember some day in May as being significant for free agents and their former team--but I don't know why, what or said ramifications.

He'd cost the Twins their 2nd round pick, doesn't sound like much, but last year numerically, that pick was about where Berrios went. I wouldn't trade Berrios for what would likely be one cancerous year of Kyle Lohse on a still losing team.

 

This... well, the draft pick part of this.

I think it is probably important to note that Lohse probably has some offers right now just not the money and/or years he wants. Twins won't get him for a huge discount.

I do not think he has any deals on the table right now. I would bet teams have checked in and said, "Listen, Kyle, my brother, we would like to sign you but the draft pick is killing us."

 

Question: If he doesn't sign, we have to think this is a plus for the Twins right, because they would end up moving up one pick in the second round in the draft. This pick is much higher than last years second round picks.

Is there a point at which he no longer costs the signing team a draft pick?

 

I'm taking a guess that when the next CBA negotiation occurs, or maybe even sooner, this topic will come up for some kind of modification, like a sliding scale for the draft-pick penalty as time marches toward opening day. It's not healthy for the sport if bigger-name players have to sit out until May or whenever.

I'm taking a guess that when the next CBA negotiation occurs, or maybe even sooner, this topic will come up for some kind of modification, like a sliding scale for the draft-pick penalty as time marches toward opening day. It's not healthy for the sport if bigger-name players have to sit out until May or whenever.

 

This. It's counter to what the compensation system is trying to accomplish and screams "change me!"

I read the Yankee tidbit and lol so hard I fell out of my chair.

This. It's counter to what the compensation system is trying to accomplish and screams "change me!"

 

I'm not sure it's quite as simple as that. From the owners' perspective, it may accomplish exactly what they hoped for, making an example of one or two players and curbing salary pressure a little (except for the very elite players). I expect the urgency for coming back to the bargaining table over this will come from the players' union side, but the owners will agree to modifications now that their "point" has been made this offseason.

No chance he signs with the Twins.

The Indians have their first draft pick protected and signed someone (??) so they lost their second round pick.

If they sign Lohse they have to surrender a draft pick, but it would be their third round pick.

 

I'd say the Indians are the most likely spot for him.

Of course, Boras may talk someone into throwing lots of money at him. He often does that.

I'm not sure it's quite as simple as that. From the owners' perspective, it may accomplish exactly what they hoped for, making an example of one or two players and curbing salary pressure a little (except for the very elite players). I expect the urgency for coming back to the bargaining table over this will come from the players' union side, but the owners will agree to modifications now that their "point" has been made this offseason.

 

I guess I question that because the current system basically only works for very elite players. I don't think the comp system changed Lohse's salary pressure, only his offers. You might argue that will drop his salary demands, but I find that hard to believe with the qualifying offer of 13M. What will likely happen next year for players like Lohse is that they'll take the qualifying offer and potentially make much more than they would have for that one season than they would have on the open market.

If you think your player is worth the qualifying offer for one year, you offer it. The club is ahead as there is only a one year commitment. For an older player like Lohse it protects the club. I could see the Twins doing that to Morneau if he has a good year.

Lohse is no cancer, he is a very good pitcher probably better than any that the Twins have, If I were the Twins I would sign him to a long-term deal.

Lohse is no cancer, he is a very good pitcher probably better than any that the Twins have, If I were the Twins I would sign him to a long-term deal.

 

You may be correct about the cancer characterization. I just don't know. But it seems to me that he is too old and too expensive for a team that is in rebuilding mode.

If the Gardenhire Twins sign Lohse, there should be a clause/restraining order in his contract: "Mr. Lohse is not allowed within 50 feet of the bat rack. Certain allowances will be allowed when playing interleague play, but only when Mr. Lohse is in the starting lineup."

Lohse's future in doubt after damaging door, self - MLB - ESPN

You might argue that will drop his salary demands, but I find that hard to believe with the qualifying offer of 13M.

 

Credit the owners for being a little less stupid and obvious than the time they got nailed for collusion.