Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

  • Three-Bagger: Heat, Holland & Handbook

    Nick Nelson

    By Nick Nelson

    In 1991, the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves battled to the bitter end in a World Series for the ages. Now, 25 years later, the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs are on their way to another epic Fall Classic, with Tuesday's Cubs victory sending this thrilling series to a decisive Game 7.

    While we wait for the offseason to officially get underway, here's a smattering of Twins notes.

    Image courtesy of Kevin Jairam, USA Today

    Twins Video

    * In his Q&A column at Baseball America on Tuesday, JJ Cooper was asked about mino leaguers capable of hitting triple digits on the radar gun. His lengthy list includes two Twins. The first is Pat Light, whose powerful yet erratic fastball was on display in Minnesota this year after he was acquired from the Red Sox in the Fernando Abad deadline deal. The second is Fernando Romero. That name might not be too familiar to casual fans, but it will be soon.

    When Seth released his season-ending Top 50 Twins prospects list a month ago, Romero ranked second, ahead of such vaunted talents as Alex Kirilloff, Nick Gordon and Tyler Jay. This may seem stunning given that Romero was nowhere to be found on our preseason Top 20 list.

    But the hard-throwing righty has quickly placed himself squarely back on the radar after being AWOL for a lengthy stretch. Signed out of the Dominican Republic as a teenager back in 2011, he opened some eyes with his rookie ball performances before missing most of 2014 and all of 2015 due to elbow and knee surgeries. This year he returned with a sparkling 1.89 ERA and 90-to-15 K/BB ratio in 16 starts between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers.

    While he has touched 100 MPH, Romero typically works in the mid-90s as a starter, with quality secondary offerings to boot. He might be the only pitcher in the system right now boasting true "ace" potential.

    * When I wrote a few weeks ago that the Twins need to get creative in their pursuit of pitching help this offseason, one of my suggestions was to target a buy-low free agent starter like Derek Holland. I figured there was a good chance that the veteran lefty, who has made only 35 starts for Texas over the past three years due to injuries, would have his $11 million team option for 2017 bought out.

    The Rangers may still do that, but it looks like they'll see if they can find a trade partner first. This is noteworthy of course because the club's assistant GM, Thad Levine, is reportedly heading to Minnesota to assume general manager duties.

    Holland lacks enough upside to generate much excitement, but he was a solid young pitcher for the Rangers before running into his extended injury woes. Texas wouldn't be able to command much of anything in exchange for him, but therein lies the appeal. This will be a situation worth keeping an eye on.

    * Late last week we teased our newest Offseason Handbook, noting that it will be officially released at the conclusion of the World Series, per usual.

    The fact that this series has been pushed to seven games means that the Handbook's release has been delayed, but with things ready to wrap up in Cleveland, the Handbook will definitely be out by night's end. As we explained in our teaser post, this year's version will feature a dynamic pricing structure, enabling you to get it for free if you so please.

    Make sure to check in tonight after the game or first thing tomorrow morning to grab your copy!

    Nick is a co-founder of Twins Daily who's been writing about the team for more than 15 years.
    Follow Nick Nelson on Twitter: NickNelsonMN

    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
     Share
    Go to articles

    Community Blogs

    • How many games will the Minnesota Twins win in 2023?
    • Gopher Preview (Week 3)

    Forum Topics

    • PVTEST
    • Hey, look here
    • This is an exceptionally long title to test how various points look on a phone and smaller devices

    Twins Top Prospects

    Jose Rodriguez

    GCL Twins - Rookie, OF
    Jose Rodriguez was the Twins Daily short-season minor-league hitter of the year. He is at the Dominican facilities for spring training now but will likely join Extended Spring Training in Fort Myers.
    View All Top Prospects
    The Ultimate Fan Guide to Target Field

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Featured Comments

    mikelink45

    mikelink45 10,958

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Not excited by Holland.  If we are going to put a no upside starter in the rotation lets roll with a young guy already in the system or many of them.  With Holland in the rotation we would still have a good shot at 90 losses.  If we do not get a true 1 or 2 don't bother.  

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Vanimal46

    Vanimal46 28,724

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted (edited)

    FWIW, this was on the MLBTradeRumors chat:

    Adam

    3:11 Who do you see the Rangers trading Holland for?

     

    Steve Adams
    3:12 No one that great. Someone will pick up the tab on him and either send back a reliever with a not-insignificant price tag or some borderline prospects. Holland is a decent upside play because of the 2018 option, but with all of the shoulder injuries and knee problems over the past three years, his contract doesn't have much in the way of surplus value for 2017. I think exercising it (or trading him to a team that will) is the right call though.

    Edited by Vanimal46
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Cory Engelhardt

    Cory Engelhardt 1,005

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I'd absolutely trade for him and let him make 15-20 starts (if healthy) and then the Twins can absolutely net something better for him at the deadline than they would be trading for him this offseason. That would be the reason to pick him up.

    Course, if he isn't healthy, it's a wash. That's the worst that can happen.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Vanimal46

    Vanimal46 28,724

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

      On 11/2/2016 at 3:23 PM, Tom Froemming said:

    Looks like Holland's option is $11 million. So compared to Hector Santiago he's more expensive, older and has a worse career ERA+. Pitching staff needs to improve, but I'm not so sure Holland's the guy I'd be after.

    Understandable. My thought process is acquiring someone like Holland gives the Twins more flexibility to shop Santana and not rely on Mejia/Gonsalves to come in right away. For the price of a borderline prospect such as ABW, there's not a lot of risk to acquire Holland. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    markos

    markos 2,012

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

      On 11/2/2016 at 3:32 PM, Vanimal46 said:

    Understandable. My thought process is acquiring someone like Holland gives the Twins more flexibility to shop Santana and not rely on Mejia/Gonsalves to come in right away. For the price of a borderline prospect such as ABW, there's not a lot of risk to acquire Holland. 

    That makes sense to me. A lot depends on the direction the team goes. As you said, if they decide on a tear down and Santana is traded, they still need innings. Holland is a pretty decent lottery ticket. A decent 3-4 months and they could easily get more value back at the deadline. But if they decide to try to get better this year, I don't think he makes as much sense.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    GP830

    GP830 785

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

      On 11/2/2016 at 1:53 PM, Monkeypaws said:

    I was wondering why the Twins would want to sign the singer from the Offspring for their pitching staff, then I realized it was Derek Holland, not Dexter.

    Their names are close, which is why you've gotta keep 'em separated.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    DocBauer

    DocBauer 14,431

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

      On 11/2/2016 at 3:23 PM, Tom Froemming said:
    Looks like Holland's option is $11 million. So compared to Hector Santiago he's more expensive, older and has a worse career ERA+. Pitching staff needs to improve, but I'm not so sure Holland's the guy I'd be after.

     

    Beat me to it.

     

    Holland is 30, Santiago is 28. Holland does have more total wins, while Santiago has the better ERA and they have almost identical WHIPs. Santiago, of course, is cheaper and doesn't necessitate a trade. (I know some prefer advanced stats, I'm just covering the basics here).

     

    I understand the arguement for someone like Holland to help "cover" ourselves for a potential Santana trade. And I can see that point. But assuming we get a ML ready SP for Dozier, we'd also have Gibson, Santiago, May and Berrios with Wheeler a possible, Mejia and Gonsalves in the wings, Duffey still a candidate, and Hughes as a possible candidate at some point. (Though I'm not holding my breath on Hughes).

     

    I think I'd pass, even if we do move Santana. And, as I've stated previously, I'm not opposed to keeping Santana, even if it's until the deadline.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    jimmer

    jimmer 9,961

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

    Holland's FIP is like a half run lower than Santiago's

     

    Santiago has been helped by pitching in a a better park for pitchers.  Holland has pitched in Ranger's park, an offensive haven.

     

    Not that I suggest having Holland, but he's probably a better pitcher than Santiago regardless of ERA.

    Edited by jimmer
    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.

    ×

×
×
  • Create New...