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  • Ranking the Top-5 Remaining Free Agent Starting Pitchers

    Cody Christie

    By Cody Christie

    There has been a flurry of free-agent signings with the looming lockout. Let’s revisit the top-five remaining free-agent starting pitcher options for the Twins.

    Image courtesy of David Banks, USA Today Sports

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    Minnesota’s current rotation is expected to include Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan. Other rotational options include Randy Dobnak, Griffin Jax, and Lewis Thorpe. Some of the team’s top prospects are also on the 40-man roster, including Jordan Balazovic, Cole Sands, Drew Strotman, Chis Vallimont, and Josh Winder. 

    Each of the players below is still available with the looming lockout on the horizon. Included with each player is his projected salary, according to the Twins Daily Offseason Handbook.

    5. RHP Michael Pineda
    TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $8 million/season
    Twins fans are well familiar with Pineda, and he likely won’t get the fanbase excited about what he can bring to the rotation. He seems like an excellent candidate to be the team’s number three starter, but that would mean the Twins need to acquire two other arms to put ahead of him in the rotation. Pineda is a known quantity, and he has been a strong veteran presence during his time in Minnesota. He can add rotational depth, but he can’t be the team’s only offseason move. 

    4. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
    TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $15 million/season
    Kikuchi was an All-Star last season, but he struggled mightily in the second half with an ERA close to 6.00. He surrendered the hardest average exit velocity in baseball last season because he leaves too many pitches over the middle of the plate. He will be a project for any team that signs him, but he’s left-handed and has a three-pitch mix, so that’s intriguing. 

    3. LHP Clayton Kershaw
    TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $18 million/season
    Kershaw is a future inner-circle Hall of Fame member, so it seems unlikely for him to sign with a Twins team coming off a last-place finish. In the twilight of his career, Kershaw can pick the right destination for him and his family. That destination won’t be in Minnesota. 

    2. LHP Carlos Rodon
    TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $18 million/season
    Earlier this week, KSTP reported that the Twins were taking a serious run at Carlos Rodon, an intriguing name. He was one of the American League’s best starters last season, but shoulder issues kept him out near the season’s end. Another item to consider is the White Sox didn’t make him a qualifying offer. Chicago knows Rodon’s health better than anyone, and they may believe his injury will continue to linger.  

    1. RHP Marcus Stroman
    TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $20 million/season
    Stroman is one of the last men standing out of the tier one starting pitchers. Twins fans may be suspicious of another pitch-to-contact arm at the top of the team’s rotation. He doesn’t have some of the injury question marks surrounding some of the other top names on this list. Also, his market is likely more extensive than the beginning of the offseason because the supply of top-tier pitchers is running low. Stroman seems like an excellent fit for the Twins, but will they outbid other teams to get an ace. 

    There isn’t much left on the shelf for the Twins to spend money on this winter. Likely, this points to the team needing to make multiple trades to fill numerous rotation spots. 

    Do you think the Twins will be able to add any of these starters? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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    Cody Christie is a Twins writer and content contributor. His writing can be found exclusively at Twins Daily and his voice can be heard on radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest. Outside of the Twins, he is a father, high school teacher, and avid runner.
    Follow Cody Christie on Twitter: nodaktwinsfan

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    DocBauer

    DocBauer 14,431

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    For a moment, forgetting my confusion and utter disappointment at what the FO has NOT DONE at this point, I see a semi-clear path as to their intentions.

    I can easily see the Twins offering Rodon a 1yr deal, and very easily a 1+1, for around $18M. Why? Because the talent is there, the upside is there, and there is "no such thing as a bad 1yr deal". And if they do a +1, the buyout would probably be small.

    Why wouldn't the Dirty Sox keep him? Don't they know him better than anyone? Yes. Great points! But as aggressive as they have been, they still have a payroll to consider as well. And they HAVE been VERY aggressive. Further, they may have some plans for promotion, etc.

    I'm not crazy about Rodon, but he seemed to be OK in his brief late appearances after coming off the IL. The Twins have been seemingly good about nurturing the IP by their SP the last few years. Do they trust their scouts and med profiles to take a shot for a 1yr with an option? I have no idea. But the reward could be great, even if he's only available for 22-25 GS. It's a gamble they just might take. The risk/reward might be worth it for 1yr while getting the prospects in the system a little more time to rise up.

    I, like most of us, feel Pineda is back. And I'm OK with that even though I don't expect 30 GS from him. It would be awesome if he could do so because he's experienced, solid, and proven when healthy. He's a great bridge to the prospects getting more time to come up.

    I DESPISE the idea of the Twins making more than ONE trade for a quality SP, thinking Oakland as an obvious partner. I say this because unless you get a steal or two, why would you decimate the ML roster or lose 4-6 top 20 prospects unless you got CONTOLLABLE pitchers for more than 2yrs?

    I've always thought the Twins would make at least one trade for a SP. Hopefully, it's a smart trade that won't hurt. But even then, they still need a Kikuchi or Pineda signing to just put a semi-decent rotation in place. 

     

     

     

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    LewFordLives

    LewFordLives 830

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    At this point, I don't see the Twins-Rodon as a good fit. If no one is willing to offer him a long term deal, he most likely will settle for a one year make-good deal so he can reenter free agency after the next season. From the Twins standpoint, a one year deal is pointless, since they won't be competitive this season. The Twins will want a team option for 2023.

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