Scott Baker will hit free agency following a season spent recovering from Tommy John surgery. As expected, the Twins declined their $9.25MM option for the right-hander, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
Baker will be free to sign with any team starting Saturday morning. However, Twins GM Terry Ryan has said the Twins would like to re-sign the 31-year old. Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN reported last week that Baker remains a "high priority" for the Twins. Baker's agent has been in regular communication with the Twins about a deal, perhaps a one or two-year contract with incentives.
Kinda wish Texas would go after him, but they have such a poor track record in recent years of picking recently injured pitchers – well, I guess Nathan was a good sign. I’m thinking Webb in particular.
Texas pursued Sheets but never signed him.
Extreme flyball pitcher + Rust from Tommy John + Rangers Ballpark = Uh-oh
Yeah, Baker’s a good pitcher (if healthy) but probably not a great fit for that park. Resigning with the Twins or another pitcher’s park (Oak, SD) would make more sense for him to reestablish his value.
Was expecting this. Seriously, Scott Baker needs to be signed to a team friendly deal in any way, shape or form. This wasn’t it.
Twins should probably make other guys a “high priority” over Baker…
He would seem to be a guy the Brewers might take a look at until you see he’s allowed 8 HR in 38 career IP in Miller Park.
The twins really can’t afford to lose this guy after the season they just had.