Article: Twins making a "strong push" for Nolasco

[Parker Hageman]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2479-Twins-making-a-strong-push-for-Nolasco

[Seth Stohs]

Likewise, effectiveness wanes noticeably too as well as starting pitchers begin approach their mid-life crisis.

 

Obviously Parker backed up this statement, but it's another factor in showing that Terry Ryan isn't wrong in thinking that free agency is not the best way to build a team. You're paying (more than any other team is willing to) for what the pitcher did before he became a free agent at 30-32 years old, but in most cases, you won't get the same caliber of pitcher.

 

Obviously the fact that Nolasco has managed to stay healthy this long is great! In my cynical mind, it also increases the likelihood that sometime during his 4-5 year contract, he's going to miss a year or more to go along with not pitching as well.

 

It's a scary proposition when $60-100 million is on the line.

 

That said, I'd be happy if the Twins signed Nolasco and Kazmir!!

[drivlikejehu]

The problem with focusing on risk in free agent contracts is that the price already reflects the level of risk. In other words, if someone like Nolasco was risk-free, he would be massively more expensive. The most extreme examples are short term deals for guys like Josh Johnson, but the principle impacts all player contracts.

 

The Twins' risk is also mitigated by the fact that they are so far below their self-imposed budget constraints. They can sign multiple guys and still have plenty of space.

[Thrylos]

Obviously Parker backed up this statement, but it's another factor in showing that Terry Ryan isn't wrong in thinking that free agency is not the best way to build a team.

 

Well... Yes. But, if you don't do that (and some teams have proven that you can build World Champions via free agency) you got to follow the Cardinals' and Tigers' model and play young players. Look at Wacha this season. Verlander was in the majors the year after he was drafted. In those teams Gibson and Meyer (and not the likes of Hernandez, Albers et al) would have started for the Twins last season in the majors. I'd give you the injury concerns. But this season, Meyer is healthy. He should be in the starting 5. But the Twins do not do that either.

 

Cannot have it both ways, otherwise you do not build winners.

[Winston Smith]

If you're looking for the perfect player at the perfect price that is certain to perform above his pay grade for the entire contract you'll be losing 96 games every year waiting.

 

They have the money, get us some better players so this team is at least watchable next year.

 

Please!!

[jay]

Well... Yes. But, if you don't do that (and some teams have proven that you can build World Champions via free agency) you got to follow the Cardinals' and Tigers' model and play young players. Look at Wacha this season. Verlander was in the majors the year after he was drafted. In those teams Gibson and Meyer (and not the likes of Hernandez, Albers et al) would have started for the Twins last season in the majors. I'd give you the injury concerns. But this season, Meyer is healthy. He should be in the starting 5. But the Twins do not do that either.

 

Cannot have it both ways, otherwise you do not build winners.

 

That's a pretty nice false dichotomy. This idea that the Twins don't promote guys is silly. Look at Buxton, look at Arcia, look at Mauer. Also, look at what Wacha and Verlander did in their short time in the minors. None of our guys have done that. Those teams don't have some set perogative that any pitcher they draft will be in the majors the next year. It is very much the exception to every team's rule.

[Otto von Ballpark]

MLB Trade Rumors had Nolasco and Jimenez in the same ballpark for expected contract (Nolasco 3/36, Jimenez 3/39 or 4/52).

 

If you have to go 4/52 for Nolasco (which recent rumors are suggesting), how does that compare to 5/75 for Ervin Santana? Since 2008, Santana's got a 104 ERA+ to Nolasco's 95, with an added 10-20 IP per year to boot. Gives you a little more workhorse/ace potential.

[DeepFriedTwinkie]

The problem with focusing on risk in free agent contracts is that the price already reflects the level of risk. In other words, if someone like Nolasco was risk-free, he would be massively more expensive. The most extreme examples are short term deals for guys like Josh Johnson, but the principle impacts all player contracts.

 

The Twins' risk is also mitigated by the fact that they are so far below their self-imposed budget constraints. They can sign multiple guys and still have plenty of space.

 

I really like this comment, and I think that it's a point that is often missed. The "price" that a GM pays for a free agent is already adjusted for the perceived risk of that player geting injured or underperforming. It is also adjusted for the perceived "risk" that the player outperforms.

 

Unfortunately, I think that in many cases the team that ends up signing a free agent is often the team that most severely underestimates the risk associated with the contract.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Obviously Parker backed up this statement, but it's another factor in showing that Terry Ryan isn't wrong in thinking that free agency is not the best way to build a team.

 

Has anybody ever disputed this? Obviously it is preferable to draft cheap good pitchers, but when you fail at that for a number of years, "overpaying" for a free agent or two is much preferred to punting multiple seasons, especially when you have so few financial commitments over the next 4-5 seasons.

[nicksaviking]

MLB Trade Rumors had Nolasco and Jimenez in the same ballpark for expected contract (Nolasco 3/36, Jimenez 3/39 or 4/52).

 

If you have to go 4/52 for Nolasco (which recent rumors are suggesting), how does that compare to 5/75 for Ervin Santana? Since 2008, Santana's got a 104 ERA+ to Nolasco's 95, with an added 10-20 IP per year to boot. Gives you a little more workhorse/ace potential.

 

I wonder if Santana's partially torn UCL is a factor in the Twins interest. He's pitched with it for several years and has been durable, but it's a red flag and you'd have to think a guy with a partially torn UCL may not be the pitcher you want to give a four year contract out to despite his track record. It just seems like a time-bomb.

[BigTrane]

Ok, fine- if Twins sign oldish Arroyo and youngish Nolasco, then I can see stability to the SR, & added credibility for FA signings going forward, without breaking the budget.

 

Question is: what are his contract terms, and why would he leave '14 faves LAD for MIN?

[zchrz]

Yes free agency is a big gamble, I would like to see them bet on a player with a little more risk and a higher upside. Nolasco has consitency on his side, but his consitency is more of a solid 3rd or 4th starter. The risk is low that he flames out or struggles too much but its also a low probabilty he puts up better numbers and becomes a 2. Ubaldo on the other hand should cost in the same neighborhood of years and money, comes with more risk but could be a solid number 2 even possible ace. I think consistency can be had for cheaper than dominance if they are going to spend big on someone take the risk and the upside.

[kab21]

I am deadset against Nolasco if the contract is for 5 years (or even 4). that's just silly money for someone that has had ERA's of 4.48+ for 4 out of the last 5 years. I would strongly prefer a contract extension to Correia and that shouldn't be viewed as an endorsement.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Yes free agency is a big gamble, I would like to see them bet on a player with a little more risk and a higher upside. Nolasco has consitency on his side, but his consitency is more of a solid 3rd or 4th starter. The risk is low that he flames out or struggles too much but its also a low probabilty he puts up better numbers and becomes a 2. Ubaldo on the other hand should cost in the same neighborhood of years and money, comes with more risk but could be a solid number 2 even possible ace. I think consistency can be had for cheaper than dominance if they are going to spend big on someone take the risk and the upside.

 

There's upside with Nolasco too. He gets Ks quite well and his peripherals scream number 2. Results on the other hand have said otherwise. I'm not sure the advanced metrics are right in calling this bad luck, but I do think that he's maybe one or to "ah ha" moments from suddenly meeting that potential.

[Otto von Ballpark]

There's upside with Nolasco too

 

Upside? 101 ERA+ last year, four straight years prior below league average (less than 95 ERA+).

 

If a guy's upside is "unrealized potential" you should be getting a discount or shorter term on him, like the Hughes 1-2 year suggestions, not the rumored 4/52 for Nolasco.

[Riverbrian]

What happens in Rice Lake Wisconsin.

 

1. When 30 people walk into the only liquor store at the same time.

2. There are only 20 cases of beer left in the entire store.

3. All the top brands of beer are gone

4. Half of the cases left are "Natural Light" "Milwaukee's Best" and "Michelob Ultra".

5. It's A Friday Night.

 

AND... All 30 people got an extra 25 million dollars from a Rice Lake TV deal.

 

I'm worried it might have an effect on the price of beer.

[JB_Iowa]

What happens in Rice Lake Wisconsin.

 

1. When 30 people walk into the only liquor store at the same time.

2. There are only 20 cases of beer left in the entire store.

3. All the top brands of beer are gone

4. Half of the cases left are "Natural Light" "Milwaukee's Best" and "Michelob Ultra".

5. It's A Friday Night.

 

AND... All 30 people got an extra 25 million dollars from a Rice Lake TV deal.

 

I'm worried it might have an effect on the price of beer.

 

LIKE.

 

But does it mean you don't buy the beer? And doesn't this happen every Friday night?

[Riverbrian]

LIKE.

 

But does it mean you don't buy the beer? And doesn't this happen every Friday night?

 

I don't know but that TV deal could make this Friday night different than the others.

[howieramone1406390264]

I don't know but that TV deal could make this Friday night different than the others.

 

RB, when you ran over the Business Manager carrying her coffee, did you get one of those sticky things for your helmet?

[Shane Wahl]

Upside? 101 ERA+ last year, four straight years prior below league average (less than 95 ERA+).

 

If a guy's upside is "unrealized potential" you should be getting a discount or shorter term on him, like the Hughes 1-2 year suggestions, not the rumored 4/52 for Nolasco.

 

Precisely this. I am very confused by the Nolasco situation. Anyway, it would seem like the Twins could get any two of Kazmir, Hughes, Haren, Arroyo, Johnson, and the like for roughly $50 million over less than 4 years.

[Riverbrian]

RB, when you ran over the Business Manager carrying her coffee, did you get one of those sticky things for your helmet?

 

Yes I did

 

BTW... Any resemblance between my helmet and an Ohio State helmet is purely coincidental.

[jmlease1]

I think I'm more interested in getting Kazmir & Hughes than Nolasco and whomever (Arroyo?). Last season was a bounce-back year for Nolasco after a couple years in a row where he gave up a TON of hits and the K rate kept going down. He's also pitched his entire career in the NL.

 

Kazmir has red flags too: injuries and ineffectiveness nearly ended his career. But his peak was higher, he did it in the AL, his K rate is higher, he's younger, and he's likely to be a) cheaper, and not insistent on a 5 year deal.

 

Hughes has been up & down over his career, but a move to Target field should help him, and he's still on the good side of 30.

 

I'm not opposed to Arroyo per se, but I'd like the Twins to be a little more aggressive than that. Again, Nolasco's not terrible or anything, but I have trouble with the idea of giving a 4-5 year deal to a guy who has hit 30 and posted an above average ERA+ exactly twice. (and was convincingly below average 4 of the past 5 years)

[jcphitman]

It was a very good article! A nice breakdown of Nolasco.

 

It sounds like from what MLBTR said, we aren't as far as people thought we were here on Nolasco, but it is encouraging to see our name in these rumors as what appears to be a serious suitor.

 

As for Nolasco and even a 4 (or worse 5) year contract, I still don't get it. I read the article, but looking at his career stats doesn't help me understand. Why? He's never been an amazing pitcher. He's pitched in the NL his entire career. It kind of makes me think Kevin Correia is a poor man's Nolasco in all honesty. Nolasco is better and younger, but not by huge margins IMO to deserve 4 or 5 years. He's on the wrong side of 30 and breakdown is much more possible now than before.

 

I see why the Twins are in on Garza. He's on the right side of 30 and has what we need in a pitcher. Plus we developed him and have an idea of what we'd be getting back. I see why we'd go after Hughes. He's not as good as Garza, but being in a pitcher's park and on the right side of 30 helps his cause. I could see Garza getting 5 years from us and I could even see Hughes getting 3-4 years.

 

Nolsaso though? Someone help me here. Even Arroyo ... he's 37 and durable, but 3 years? Maybe 2 years, but not 3.

 

What am I missing here? Help...

[Rosterman]

I think I'm more interested in getting Kazmir & Hughes than Nolasco and whomever (Arroyo?). Last season was a bounce-back year for Nolasco after a couple years in a row where he gave up a TON of hits and the K rate kept going down. He's also pitched his entire career in the NL.

 

Kazmir has red flags too: injuries and ineffectiveness nearly ended his career. But his peak was higher, he did it in the AL, his K rate is higher, he's younger, and he's likely to be a) cheaper, and not insistent on a 5 year deal.

 

Hughes has been up & down over his career, but a move to Target field should help him, and he's still on the good side of 30.

 

I'm not opposed to Arroyo per se, but I'd like the Twins to be a little more aggressive than that. Again, Nolasco's not terrible or anything, but I have trouble with the idea of giving a 4-5 year deal to a guy who has hit 30 and posted an above average ERA+ exactly twice. (and was convincingly below average 4 of the past 5 years)

 

 

We all would love to have certain pitchers. But the reality is that the Twins front office have to deal with agents who realistically WANT to place their clients with a team like Minnesota, as well as players THAT WANT to play for a team like Minnesota. If a player and/or agent suggests that a Minnesota tie-in would be explorable, then you pounce on it. You can't wait for a Hughes to say "maybe I will play in Minnesota" if he is avoiding making a discussion commitment or has expressed salary demands above-and-beyond (see Santana) your team is capable of giving, or that a pitcher truly wants to play only for a "winner."

 

The only way we (the Twins) can possibly get around something like that is to totally throw an unbelievable contrat at the player -- "Hey, Hughes...we want you. How does $20 mill a year sound, you tell us 3 or 4 years...your choice."

 

Otherwise, you go after "friendly" players and make a serious offer "Hey, Ricky, right now, today...we will give you $14 mil for 4 with a $4 million buyout or $15 mill option for year 5. If we don;t hear back from you by tonight, we are moving on tomorrow." A fair offer. If you don't hear back...you got $60 million to easily spend elsewhere.

[howieramone1406390264]

We all would love to have certain pitchers. But the reality is that the Twins front office have to deal with agents who realistically WANT to place their clients with a team like Minnesota, as well as players THAT WANT to play for a team like Minnesota. If a player and/or agent suggests that a Minnesota tie-in would be explorable, then you pounce on it. You can't wait for a Hughes to say "maybe I will play in Minnesota" if he is avoiding making a discussion commitment or has expressed salary demands above-and-beyond (see Santana) your team is capable of giving, or that a pitcher truly wants to play only for a "winner."

 

The only way we (the Twins) can possibly get around something like that is to totally throw an unbelievable contrat at the player -- "Hey, Hughes...we want you. How does $20 mill a year sound, you tell us 3 or 4 years...your choice."

 

Otherwise, you go after "friendly" players and make a serious offer "Hey, Ricky, right now, today...we will give you $14 mil for 4 with a $4 million buyout or $15 mill option for year 5. If we don;t hear back from you by tonight, we are moving on tomorrow." A fair offer. If you don't hear back...you got $60 million to easily spend elsewhere.

 

The way to get around it is with our 5-15 prospects. Every deal has a walk away price and the night is still young. Let's see how this plays out.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I am deadset against Nolasco if the contract is for 5 years (or even 4). that's just silly money for someone that has had ERA's of 4.48+ for 4 out of the last 5 years. I would strongly prefer a contract extension to Correia and that shouldn't be viewed as an endorsement.

 

I am dead set against giving any of these guys 4 (or god forbid) 5 year deals. They are not that good. I would go for 3 years (max) for younger guys (Hughes, Johnson maybe, Garza). Correia has one spot, Gibson has one spot. Hopefully Meyer claims a spot next year--Diamond/Deduno gets a spot. In 2016 (hopefully) the young guys in A or lower will start coming up (Stewart, Gonsalves, Thorpe, etc etc) We don't need 34 or 35 year old pitchers hanging on then.

[kab21]

I am dead set against giving any of these guys 4 (or god forbid) 5 year deals. They are not that good. I would go for 3 years (max) for younger guys (Hughes, Johnson maybe, Garza). Correia has one spot, Gibson has one spot. Hopefully Meyer claims a spot next year--Diamond/Deduno gets a spot. In 2016 (hopefully) the young guys in A or lower will start coming up (Stewart, Gonsalves, Thorpe, etc etc) We don't need 34 or 35 year old pitchers hanging on then.

 

Guys that can toss <4.00 ERA's are that good.

 

You also greatly overestimate the Twins rotation both next year and down the road.

[TwinsAce]

Nolasco isn't my favorite pitcher out there, but to give him a 4-5 year deal isn't the end of the world. When people say they don't want to block our young pitchers, they forget that the Twins would always have the option of trading away the older pitcher. As long as Nolasco stays similar to his career marks, he would still have a trade market in year 3 of the deal. And that's only if the Twins have a glut of pitching, something we have no idea will happen for sure.

[Shane Wahl]

Some interesting things being said. I agree with those who question the wisdom of signing Nolasco to a 4-year deal and over $40 million. It is *clearly* absurd to do that. The consideration of doing this blows my mind more than the Eric Fryer love and that is bizarre. Those two things, together, however, with this team run by these people . . . perfect sense.

Nolasco is Correia+. Do people deny this? I am asking. Christ, ARROYO is Correia+. And Arroyo is a 50/50 chance to actually be better over the next two years. Seriously.

 

Let me frame this another way: I also think that Trevor May is a 50/50 chance at being better than Nolasco over the next four years. And at a very low fraction of the cost.

 

Think about that.

 

Signing 4th starters for tens of millions of bucks over several years is going to damage FA signings by this team in the next 3 years.

[Shane Wahl]

Nolasco isn't my favorite pitcher out there, but to give him a 4-5 year deal isn't the end of the world. When people say they don't want to block our young pitchers, they forget that the Twins would always have the option of trading away the older pitcher. As long as Nolasco stays similar to his career marks, he would still have a trade market in year 3 of the deal. And that's only if the Twins have a glut of pitching, something we have no idea will happen for sure.

 

Another reason not to sign a slightly above average (in his good years!) pitcher to a 4 or 5 (!) year deal: NO ONE trading for him until year 3, 4, or 5. Nolasco wouldn't be traded in 2014 or 2015. No team is dumb enough to do that.