Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account
  • 3 Buy-Low Starting Pitchers for the Twins to Consider


    Cody Christie

    Starting pitching is at the top of Minnesota’s off-season wish list, and there are plenty of arms to consider. Here are three buy-low candidates the Twins can consider for the rotation’s back end.

    Image courtesy of Paul Rutherford, USA TODAY Sports

    Twins Video

    Minnesota will have money to spend on the free-agent market, but that doesn’t mean the club has unlimited funds to spend. Finding value in the free-agent market is something successful organizations do well, and it is an area this front office needs to improve.  

    Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP
    Projected Cost: $12 million

    At 28-years old, Rodriguez is relatively young to be reaching free agency, and there are multiple factors to consider when looking at his recent seasons. He missed all of 2020 after contracting COVID and later being diagnosed with myocarditis. His 2021 season was underwhelming as he posted a 4.74 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP in 157 2/3 innings. Even with these poor numbers, there were some positive signs. 

    Rodriguez strikes out a ton of batters as he posted a career-high 10.6 SO/9 in 2021. Over the last four seasons, he has combined to post a 113 ERA+ with nearly 10 K/9. He has a 3.71 FIP compared to a 4.13 ERA, so there may be signs of some bad luck impacting his numbers. Getting out of the gauntlet that is the AL East can also help a pitcher to improve. 

    Michael Pineda, RHP
    Projected Cost: $8

    Twins fans are very familiar with Pineda after he has spent the last four seasons as a member of the organization. He isn’t someone to get overly excited about, but he is a constant veteran pitcher. During his Twins tenure, he posted a 3.80 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP in 282 innings. However, those numbers came with time missed due to injury and suspension. 

    Pineda may seem like he has been around forever, but he is still only 32-years-old. Minnesota will need rotational depth, and Pineda can help a young pitching staff adjust to the big-league level. That being said, fans may be significantly underwhelmed by bringing back Pineda if it hinders the team’s ability to sign more significant free-agent options. 

    Andrew Heaney, LHP
    Projected Cost: $5 million

    Heaney might be the lowest buy-low candidate as the Yankees designated him for assignment last year, and he went unclaimed. New York had acquired him from Los Angeles at the trade deadline for a pair of minor leaguers. His time in the Bronx was rough after he allowed 13 home runs in 12 appearances. His time with the Angels was slightly better as he posted a 5.27 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. 

    Like Rodriguez, Heaney has strong strikeout numbers even amid his 2021 struggles. Over the last four seasons, he has posted a 9.9 K/9 mark with a 1.25 WHIP, and his 4.81 ERA is nearly half a run higher than his FIP. His fastball spin and his chase rate both rank in the 90th percentile or higher. Heaney clearly isn’t a top of the rotation starter, but finding a new organization might help him refocus his career.

    To read more about this year’s crop of free-agent pitchers, make sure to order your copy of the 2022 Offseason Handbook. If you order today, it will be sent directly to your email. 

    Which pitcher do you think the Twins are most likely to target? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

     

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
    — Become a Twins Daily Caretaker

     Share


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Featured Comments

    2 hours ago, Brandon said:

    If the Twins offense us healthy, they won't need high end pitching to make the playoffs.  An Average or slightly betternthan average rotation will work.  With that offense and a slightly better than average pitching, the Twins should score in the + 120 - 160 rins range which is on the 90 + wins range.

    Counter-point: as we've seen since the 2019 HR barrage, you can't necessarily count on the offense clicking when you want it to.  Have the pitching on hand in case the offense clicks; have the offense on hand in case the pitching comes together.  A sequential build-up year after year depends on too many variables staying put.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 hours ago, ashbury said:

    Counter-point: as we've seen since the 2019 HR barrage, you can't necessarily count on the offense clicking when you want it to.  Have the pitching on hand in case the offense clicks; have the offense on hand in case the pitching comes together.  A sequential build-up year after year depends on too many variables staying put.

    I agree. I just think the Twins busget is more Pineda, Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, Matz, Hearney.... I don't see us getting a top tier arm unless there is a trade and even then pitching is horded more than other assets.  We do have a promising pipeline of starters on the way.  This tells me short term contracts of 2 years for the above type of pitchers makes sense.  With all of the prospects coming up, I feel like we will have a better cash flow as these starters come off the books and are replaced by minimum earning pitchers, Sano and Donaldson will also be off the books and we have the ability to sign an ace then.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...