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  • The Darvish Contingency Plan

    Cody Christie

    By Cody Christie

    Twins fans might not want to hear it but Yu Darvish is heading to the Chicago Cubs on a six-year deal that could be worth up to $150 million. Minnesota had made a formal offer to the top free agent pitcher but Darvish’s camp wanted clubs to stretch the deal to six years. The Cubs were willing to make that jump.

    Now that Darvish picked another club, Minnesota’s front office is going to have to act fast. There will likely be a domino effect with the first big name comimg off the board. That being said, there are a couple of different paths the Twins could take to solidify their rotation.

    Image courtesy of Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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    Other Free Agent Options

    The second tier options for free agency include names like Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn. National baseball writer Jon Heyman reported that “Alex Cobb is believed to be [the Twins] fallback choice for the rotation” after Darvish passes. Minnesota is reluctant to go past four or five years for any free agent pitcher so that also changes their approach with other free agent arms.

    Minnesota has been in contact with the other free agent pitchers but MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger says “their interest in Cobb has been a bit overstated.” Plenty of other teams have expressed interest in signing Lynn but most clubs believe his asking price is too high at this point.

    There may be some other options to add depth to the back-end of Minnesota’s starting rotation. Chris Tillman is coming off of shoulder surgery and could be a strong bounce-back candidate. Another option would be reuniting with Jaime Garcia, who made one start for the Twins last season before being dealt to the Yankees.

    Searching The Trade Market

    The Twins are considering a variety of options with Darvish off the market. 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson gave fans an update on the Darvish situation. In his podcast, he mentions the Twins are “maintaining regular trade talk” with the Rays. Tampa Bay has multiple pitchers who could be dealt and each one is going to come at a different cost.

    Chris Archer is the most coveted Rays pitcher. The former All-Star is signed to a team-friendly deal through 2019 with team options for 2020-21. He won’t turn 30 until next September so Tampa isn’t exactly in a hurry to have him pack his bags. Minnesota might have to deal multiple top prospects and maybe some young major league assets to acquire Archer.

    Another option could be Tampa’s Jake Odorizzi who has compiled a 3.71 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over the last three seasons. He is in his second year of arbitration eligibility so that means he won’t be a free agent until 2020. According to Wolfson, the Rays have a lot of interest in outfielder Max Kepler. Kepler turned 25 this weekend and he could be poised for a breakout season in 2018.

    With Darvish heading to Chicago, what’s the team’s next best option? Another free agent pitcher? Making a trade with Tampa Bay? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

    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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    Twinfan & Dad

    Twinfan & Dad 290

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    I guess time will tell whether we missed out on Darvich or not. Just my opinion but I think we'll be glad we didnt pay him. Yes he would of provided us a true #1 when not on the DL but this also allows us to usher in our young pitchers and get the ball to May when he is ready. Santana will only miss a handful of starts so our rotation of Berrios Gibson Meija Gonsalves? Duffey? Or new signing??? vs. 2017 of Santana Santiago Hughes Meija Gibson (Berrios was called up in May) looks in as good as shape to me to start the year. Keep the faith Twins fans all is not lost! Gonsalves and Romero have a lot of UNPROVEN talent so add them to Berrios and we will see the makings of a young core that we can grow with hopefully sometime in 2018.

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    pierre75275

    pierre75275 296

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    The Twins are a big loser in this missed opportunity to sign Darvish. With 3 teams rebuilding next year Darvish would have given the Twins the opportunity to go deep into the playoffs. The Twins could have taken a huge step to control their own destiny, instead they decided to lay up and hope for the best. Lynn, Cobb and especially Arrieta are not going to be worth anywhere near what they will get.

     

    The Twins only chance is to now trade for Archer and the only way to do that will decimate the farm system.

     

    Words can not describe the disappoint that the Twins front office has decided to let this opportunity pass them by.

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    bustedstuff88

    bustedstuff88 118

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I said it in another thread and ill say it again now: this is not the fault of the FO. 

     

    YU DARVISH DID NOT WANT TO PLAY HERE.

     

    Im sorry folks, thats the reality. All we can do now is re-group, go get the next in line and then hope come October we are facing Darvish in the WS and he implodes like he did in 2017.

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    HitInAPinch

    HitInAPinch 4,518

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    No idea if it is reasonable... But the D-Backs are my first phone call. Greinke for Hughes deal could free up enough money for them to sign JD Martinez. 

     

    Unless the D-Backs try to tornado through our farm system in the process. 

    I like the idea.  But I think the Twins would have to try and get Greinke's contract re-negotiated.  If I'm reading this correctly, $138.5M over 4 yrs. is still due to Greinke.  $34.5M per year, I guess.  

     

    I think the D-Backs would listen.

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    FlauerPauer

    FlauerPauer 1,917

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    I said it in another thread and ill say it again now: this is not the fault of the FO. 

     

    YU DARVISH DID NOT WANT TO PLAY HERE.

     

     

    I think this is ultimately what it comes down to. We don't know what the terms of the contract were and probably will never know. At the end of the day, Darvish is a human being and can decide to do what he wants. Maybe Minnesota isn't his cup of tea? Maybe he doesn't actually have a good relationship with Lavine or Falvey? Maybe he thinks he has two or three years of competitive baseball left in his arm and wants what he thinks is the best chance for him to win a title. Lots of factors going on here than simply money. The Cubs have shown the initiative to go out and make deals at the deadline to put their team over the edge; the Twins have not. The Cubs have the history on their side; the Twins do not. The Cubs have Wrigley Field; the Twins do not. I think he simply did not want to come here. Let's at least look at the fact that the Twins actually made an offer to the considered top player on the FA market which is something they have not done in the last 20 years. Let the boys regroup and let's see what happens. I, for one, am glad that Darvish didn't sign. Really have never been impressed with him as a pitcher.

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    tvagle

    tvagle 2,431

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    No idea if it is reasonable... But the D-Backs are my first phone call. Greinke for Hughes deal could free up enough money for them to sign JD Martinez. 

     

    Unless the D-Backs try to tornado through our farm system in the process. 

     

    Was thinking this as well...might even keep Hughes on board if the prospect ransom wasn't too large

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    DaveW

    DaveW 9,037

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    We literally have no idea what anyone offered, other than the Cubs.

    It was reported the Twins offered 5 years and a little over $100 million fwiw

     

    But still didn’t match the cubs or really come that close.

     

    Just a token effort to say “hey we tried! Ps enjoy the new 3 bars at target field and increased ticket prices to boot!”

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    JaleelWhite FanClub

    JaleelWhite FanClub 468

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    The Twins need an ace!!!!

     

    Another #3 or #4 guy won't help the current club. To max out the prime years of Buxton, Sano, and company, the front office needs to step up and go get one. That's why I was so excited about potentially landing Darvish. He's the kind of arm that means World Series contender, not wild card game fodder typical of this franchise.

     

    Now that Darvish is gone. the only ace left out there within the trade realm is Archer. Cobb and Odorizzi and Lynn wouldn't push the Twins over the top. Go get Archer!

     

    I wouldn't mind a Kepler, Romero, Gordon package. The Twins farm system would have replacements ready to fill their voids within the next couple of years while the parent club remains almost entirely intact (losing Kepler would be tough, but figure the Twins could find a decent fill-in on the FA market yet this year to help supplement a Grossman-Granite tandem. Lamonte Wade and Brent Rooker are also fast approaching callups that could fill the position long-term).

     

    I feel like this could be a franchise-deciding move. If KC could leverage the farm for Shields and then Cueto and get their club a ring, why can't Minnesota.

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    NewClearHarley

    NewClearHarley 93

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Darn. Could we get Arrieta on a 3-year deal or something? We aren't we talking about him? Lynn and Cobb are more likely I reckon. And I'd take them in a heartbeat.

     

    I'm more in favor of signing a free agent, rather than trading away the farm for Archer. Don't get me wrong I love Archer as a pitcher but the asking price seems to high.

     

    Here's hoping the Twins are ready to open up their wallet. The dominoes are going to fall fast.

    no one is talking arrieta because most think he is on the rapid decline. I'd only give him a deal like 1-year prove it or 1-year with a LARGE 2nd year team option. If I'm going to sign one of these big four on a 3+ yuear deal it is Cobb and Cobb alone.

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    NewClearHarley

    NewClearHarley 93

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    now if we could get Arrieta on 1-year 20 w/team option for 2019 and 4-60 for Cobb  I'd be cool with that but nevertheless dealing for Odorizzi or Archer seem like the smarter option. Or maybe reconsider a deal for Teheran or a cheap deal for Collin McHugh or Brad Peacock from Houston.

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    jimmer

    jimmer 9,961

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    now if we could get Arrieta on 1-year 20 w/team option for 2019 and 4-60 for Cobb  I'd be cool with that but nevertheless dealing for Odorizzi or Archer seem like the smarter option. Or maybe reconsider a deal for Teheran or a cheap deal for Collin McHugh or Brad Peacock from Houston.

    Dealing for Odorizzi wouldn't be smart.  Unless we gave up Gibson...by himself.

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    NewClearHarley

    NewClearHarley 93

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Honestly, I'm just glad it's over so we can stop hearing about it.

     

    Now we just need them to not settle for someone like Tillman or Garcia on the FA or offer up someone like Kepler for someone like Odorizzi.

     

    I'll  take Tillman or Garcia for 1-9 / 2-18 prove-it deals to be back of the rotation (roster fill in) types but not as the ace.

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    NewClearHarley

    NewClearHarley 93

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Dealing for Odorizzi wouldn't be smart.  Unless we gave up Gibson...by himself.

    I don't think Gibby would be dealt - TB wants Kepler (with their large quotient of LHB I don't know why) - for him - Kepler is the key piece.

     

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    Danchat

    Danchat 11,131

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    It was reported the Twins offered 5 years and a little over $100 million fwiw

    But still didn’t match the cubs or really come that close.

    Just a token effort to say “hey we tried! Ps enjoy the new 3 bars at target field and increased ticket prices to boot!”

    I recall the report was "over" $100M. 

     

     

    Their offer to Darvish was for at least five years and $100MM, according to Heyman.

     

    You may assume it was a "little" over $100M but we don't have any way of confirming it. It could have been in the $120M range just as much as around $102M.

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    Twodogs

    Twodogs 1,311

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I saw the Darvish deal was 6 for 126 on the MLB channel. I think the twins missed an opportunity, they should have gone for it. Hey he held out and got what he wanted. Yeah I guess the twins didn't blink, but they are also left empty handed.

     

    I'd prefer not to trade for anyone, I'd like to see the twins hang on to their prospects so they can possibly use them at the trade deadline. Go get Lynn, Cobb, Garcia, someone to stick in the rotation that will make them aveage and hope that these young pitchers develop and can become a factor next year. Until then we need to sit around and hope they can get in to the wild card game that they can lose, but hopefully at that point we are talking about these young guys and how they will be ready for 2019??

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    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

    Lots of factors going on here than simply money. The Cubs have shown the initiative to go out and make deals at the deadline to put their team over the edge; the Twins have not.

    This is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, no? I'd guess Darvish would have had more respect for our commitment to winning if we actually bothered to offer him a market rate contract in the first place.

     

    Heck, maybe if we demonstrate the ability to land a Darvish, the next Verlander type trade candidate might be more willing to waive their no-trade clause to come here.

     

    If we want to overcome the perception that we're not committed to winning, we actually have to commit to winning, more than we've done to date.

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

    https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/10/whats-next-for-twins-after-falling-short-in-yu-darvish-derby/

     

    Berardino's piece regarding missing on Darvish. The quote that I don't like:

     

    “By definition doesn’t a player stay with you if he’s performing at a value less than what you’re paying him and he’ll walk if he’s performing at a value above it?” Levine said. “So I don’t know where the benefit is to the club. It seems to me very, very advantageous to the player and would have to take something unique in a negotiation to feel like that’s the right move.”

     

    The benefit to the club is that you got the player you wanted. I was really hoping with the new regime we were over the idea that the team had to "win" every trade and free agent signing.

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