Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account
  • Twins Considered Favorites To Sign Lance Lynn


    Tom Froemming

    The calendar has turned over to March, yet here we are, still waiting to see where Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb end up playing in 2018. What are their odds of signing with the Minnesota Twins? Well, here are the current betting odds on where those three will sign, as well as the odds on who will win the World Series and individual awards.

    Image courtesy of Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

    Twins Video

    The folks at My Top Sportsbooks have tabbed the Twins as the favorites to sign Lynn. They put 5/4 odds on a Lynn/Twins union. For Cobb, the Twins are set at 6/1 odds, which trails the Orioles (2/1), Rangers (7/2) and Brewers (4/1). Minnesota was not listed among the most likely landing spots for Arrieta.

    Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press recently reported that a rival scout said the Twins were “still looking for another starter.” In that same article, he noted that the Twins offered Lynn a two-year, $20 million deal, which was quickly declined.

    Lynn rejected a qualifying offer from the Cardinals, worth $17.4 million, so it’s not surprising he turned down the lowball offer from the Twins. Prior to the start of the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors projected that he’d sign for four years, $56 million. A lot has changed since then.

    With Ervin Santana out, the Opening Day rotation figures to be Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson and some combination of Adalberto Mejia, Phil Hughes, Anibal Sanchez and Aaron Slegers. Paul Molitor is considering starting the year with a four-man rotation, but that’s not set in stone. While there are no shortage of options to fill out the rotation, that’s not a projected staff that will inspire World Series aspirations. Speaking of which …

    World Series Odds

    The Twins still only have 40/1 odds at winning the World Series, per the same article mentioned above. There are 15 other teams listed ahead of the Twins, with the Cubs, Astros, Dodgers and Yankees all tied for the best odds of winning the Fall Classic at 7/1. On the other end of the spectrum, there are seven teams who have 200/1 odds or worse, three of whom are in the AL Central (I think you can guess which ones).

    The Twins projected Opening Day rotation doesn’t stack up against the other top teams in the league, but here are a few things to consider …

    -They could still sign Lynn or one of the other free agents.

    -You never know, Berrios could ascend into true ace status this season.

    -The Twins could make a massive trade at the deadline to add a significant piece. They certainly have the prospects to do so.

    -There are reinforcements coming. Santana is expected back maybe as early as late April, and Trevor May could return in June. One of the guys on the farm like Stephen Gonsalves or Fernando Romero could be ready to make an impact, as well.

    If the Royals, White Sox and Tigers are going to be as bad as everyone projects, the Twins have a huge advantage in the wild card race. Cleveland is still clearly the team to beat in the AL Central, but a lot can change over the course of a season.

    To me, the Twins are an interesting World Series dark horse pick. Not because of who they are today, but because of who they could become by the time October rolls around.

    RELATED

    Do You Need An Ace To Win The World Series?

    Twins Pitching For More Pitching

    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

     

    The Cards gave him a qualifying offer so if they thought he was actually bad then they should have been nervous he would accept it.    1.4 WAR?    That's not so bad is it?   Wouldn't a league average pitcher be an asset right now?    I think I would feel a little better having him so this is a rare thing for me to be ok with a signing the rest of the board doesn't want.    My preference has always been Cobb though.

     

    Cobb or bust.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    And, to touch on nicksavikings' main talking point, his sinker percentage has risen exponentially over the last couple of years per Fangraphs:

    Sinker percentage:

    2012: 21%
    2013: 20.5%
    2014: 25.8%
    2015: 27.5%
    2017: 42.2%

     

    Just say no to Lance Lynn. 

     

    Just to further your excellent point:

     

    Lance Lynn HR/FB% 2012-15- 7.7%

    Lance Lynn HR/FB% 2017---- 14.2%

     

    The trend is not LL's friend. No No No!

     

    Don't believe the risk involved in this trend? How about these "much-maligned for gopher ball tendencies", current Twins starters over their time here? Veritable pikers next to LL 2017. 

     

    Phil Hughes HR/FB%- 10.4%

    Kyle Gibson HR/FB%- 12.8%

    Edited by jokin
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Just to further your excellent point:

     

    Lance Lynn HR/FB% 2012-15- 7.7%

    Lance Lynn HR/FB% 2017---- 14.2%

     

    The trend is not LL's friend. No No No!

     

    Two points aren't a trend. This is the definition of a something that you would expect to revert back to his previously established baseline.

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Two points aren't a trend. This is the definition of a something that you would expect to revert back to his previously established baseline.

     

     

    4 years of 7% followed by 1 year of14%. It’s more than 2 data points... however 2017 could be an outlier. Why I’m absolutely in favor of a 2 year deal on Lynn.
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Smoke and mirrors for 4-5 years? That is one good act or there are flaws in metrics

    Or he'll never be the same post TJ surgery as he was pre surgery.

    Not saying he can't get back to what he was, but that's an option too.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Two points aren't a trend. This is the definition of a something that you would expect to revert back to his previously established baseline.

     

     

    Two points? The first stat is FOUR seasons (or points) of similarly typical production levels....

     

    A stat which he (alarmingly) doubled in 2017 (playing in the same park/division). Coincurrently, Lynn's reliance on the Sinker approximately doubled in 2017 vs. the previous seasons from around 22.5% to 42%.

     

    Seems to be the definition of the level of gopher ball production from a failing sinker (and lack of an alternative "go-to" pitch) to me. 

     

    Can he improve over 2017? Sure. But if you're going to spend money in FA, Alex Cobb is the better bet.

    Edited by jokin
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    2/20 seems like a rather non-serious offer IMO.

     

    Not that they have to sign him or anything, but I guess I don't see the point in even offering that.

    When you go to buy a used car you don't offer your best offer right up front. You put in your low offer and go up. Lynn is just like a used car with salvage value (arm surgery). Runs pretty good but does have some mileage on it. Don't pay for  what the  car was years ago you pay for what  it will be for  the next few years. Am good with the offer. When the dealer (agent) sees that the market is not there - there will be a counter offer...... I would do a 2 year deal for 25 million with an two way option year for year 3 at the same amount.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    4 years of 7% followed by 1 year of14%. It’s more than 2 data points... however 2017 could be an outlier. Why I’m absolutely in favor of a 2 year deal on Lynn.

    4 years of 7% is a trend. 1 year of something different is not a trend.

     

    A trend would be several years of increasing numbers. For example - 7% to 9% to 11% to 14%

    There are plenty of issues with Lynn and ultimately they are reasons why he didn't get a 4 year contract at 15M/yr. His HR rate last is worth nothing as a concern (did something change or was he unlucky one year) but it isn't a trend.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    4 years of 7% is a trend. 1 year of something different is not a trend.

    From a statistical point of view I'm sure you are correct. Call it a Worrisome Development, then. :)

     

    One year removed from TJS doesn't allow teams the luxury of waiting for a trend to develop before deciding. Their forecasting techniques need to be derived from other pitchers' experience instead, to give guidance. Let's hope they are right about Lynn - and as always, a one-year contract has a difficult time being truly bad. This signing has a chance to be really good, or it could be Jason Marquis-like.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    4 years of 7% is a trend. 1 year of something different is not a trend.

     

    A trend would be several years of increasing numbers. For example - 7% to 9% to 11% to 14%

    There are plenty of issues with Lynn and ultimately they are reasons why he didn't get a 4 year contract at 15M/yr. His HR rate last is worth nothing as a concern (did something change or was he unlucky one year) but it isn't a trend.

    Indeed it could be an outlier, but we don’t know. A thousand mile journey begins with one step.post-2738-0-66601900-1520731162_thumb.jpeg
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    From a statistical point of view I'm sure you are correct. Call it a Worrisome Development, then. :)

     

    One year removed from TJS doesn't allow teams the luxury of waiting for a trend to develop before deciding. Their forecasting techniques need to be derived from other pitchers' experience instead, to give guidance. Let's hope they are right about Lynn - and as always, a one-year contract has a difficult time being truly bad. This signing has a chance to be really good, or it could be Jason Marquis-like.

    There is absolutely reason for concern but it isn't about a stat like HR/FB%. The concern should be that he had a 4.75 xFIP which removes HR rate from the equation. In 2017 Lynn was very lucky in BAPIP and unlucky in HR/FB%. Both of these stats commonly show a lot of single season variation and a single season of either shouldn't be used in a predictive element. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Indeed it could be an outlier, but we don’t know. A thousand mile journey begins with one step.attachicon.gif40EF5D98-31B0-43CB-A9A5-7A47E225B19E.jpeg

    Will you embrace his outlier BAPIP stat just as much as his outlier HR/FB% stat? Most people would expect both of these to revert back to a more normal level.

    And if you just want to be snarky then I will consider that you don't have anything meaningful to add to the discussion.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Will you embrace his outlier BAPIP stat just as much as his outlier HR/FB% stat? Most people would expect both of these to revert back to a more normal level.

     

    And if you just want to be snarky then I will consider that you don't have anything meaningful to add to the discussion.

    ive been in favor signing him, I think last year was a bounce back from TJ year and 2018 on he’ll go back to a more normal year more or less.

     

    I do understand the doubters. Not everyone recovers from major surgery the same way.

     

    Yes, I expect his BABIP to climb and his k rate to climb with it. He relied heavily on his sinker last year more than other years. It’s not a good pitch for him, but with health he shouldn’t have to rely on it. Less sinker means better ability to pitch up in the zone, out of the wheelhouse of the uppercut swing types

    Edited by Sconnie
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    ive been in favor signing him, I think last year was a bounce back from TJ year and 2018 on he’ll go back to a more normal year more or less.

    I do understand the doubters. Not everyone recovers from major surgery the same way.

    Yes, I expect his BABIP to climb and his k rate to climb with it. He relied heavily on his sinker last year more than other years. It’s not a good pitch for him, but with health he shouldn’t have to rely on it. Less sinker means better ability to pitch up in the zone, out of the wheelhouse of the uppercut swing types

    This is an actual good analysis since it doesn't flag things that are prone to one year SSS.

    I absolutely have concerns about Lynn (and Odorizzi). One of them could be a lemon this year but those concerns are what made me dislike the idea of signing Lynn (or Cobb) to a 4-5 year contract. They have limited the damage financially if their FIP catches up to them.

    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...