With their projected 2023 rotation depth, how far should the Twins go when seeking rotation help this offseason?

All in? Do the Twins need to add a starting pitcher with skill, such as Pablo Lopez or better, or a burgeoning talent like Edward Cabrera? This is something Falvey is reckoning with right now. I would say, yes, the Twins need someone to put at the top of their rotation. A guy on the top moves everyone else down, protects against one injury, and makes the young guns earn their position. Of course, nothing is guaranteed with pitching but there is a reason that deGrom received such a humongous contract despite missing so much time. Pitching still matters.

Do they need to go all in? No, because they get to play 162 games even if they lose 85-100 contests next year. If the goal is to reach the 85-95 wins level, then yes, the Twins need help.

Which Free Agent Starting Pitchers (or trade candidates) would jump to the top spot in the Twins rotation? Which would be right there with Gray and healthy Mahle and Maeda? 

4 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Which Free Agent Starting Pitchers (or trade candidates) would jump to the top spot in the Twins rotation? Which would be right there with Gray and healthy Mahle and Maeda? 

Yes and no.

8 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Which Free Agent Starting Pitchers (or trade candidates) would jump to the top spot in the Twins rotation? Which would be right there with Gray and healthy Mahle and Maeda? 

I think Maeda will be in pen. 

15 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Which Free Agent Starting Pitchers (or trade candidates) would jump to the top spot in the Twins rotation? Which would be right there with Gray and healthy Mahle and Maeda? 

We don't know who is available or the price but Woodruff and Lopez are two that come to mind as pitchers who jump to the front of the line in my opinion, although many surely may disagree with me. Rodon is the free agent available but we are not privy to the finances available to sign him much less the interest.

18 minutes ago, Paul Walerius said:

I think Maeda will be in pen. 

Agree.

1 hour ago, Paul Walerius said:

I think Maeda will be in pen. 

Disagree.

That's a ncie grouping of 8 pitchers with a couple more in the minors. Two who started well all season, four coming of i njuries that limited their work, and two rookies.

 

2022 the Twins had Ryan, Ober, Paddack, Gray, Bundy, Archer and no room for Winder, who started in the pen.

How quickly things changed as Smeltzer, Sands, Gonzalez, Sanchez and Rodriguez all got brief glimpses of starts, with Smeltzer being the lone lefty (right).

Mahle was added to the mix and became an immediate casuality.

Varland and Woods Richardson got a looksee. Henriquez good a looksee as a reliever.

15 starters, and not one was named Dobnak. Not sure those eight pictured above are enough for 2023.

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Disagree.

He was very good for Dodgers coming out of pen.   Plus coming off TJ, I just think they will be careful with him.   If starter gets hurt, he probably is first one up.