The Twins have checked in on free agent right-hander Chris Tillman this offseason, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link). They’re on a shortlist of teams that have shown reported interest in the soon-to-be 30-year-old Tillman, who has also been on the radar of the Orioles (his organization from 2008-17) and Tigers.
Free agency came at an inopportune time for Tillman, who, despite a generally successful career, saw his stock take a serious hit during a nightmarish 2017. Thanks to shoulder troubles, Tillman didn’t take the mound for the Orioles until mid-May, and when he was able to pitch, he posted a 7.84 ERA/6.93 FIP across 93 innings (21 appearances, 16 starts). Along the way, Tillman experienced a drop in velocity and managed just 6.1 K/9 against 4.94 BB/9, with unappealing groundball and home run-to-fly ball rates of 39.5 percent and 20 percent, respectively. He was also among the majors’ absolute worst hurlers by expected weighted on-base average against (.398), per Statcast, which suggests his actual wOBA allowed (.419) was largely deserved.
On the heels of last season’s woeful showing, Tillman has reportedly been seeking a one-year deal with the hope of rebuilding his stock and faring better on the market next winter. The Twins, meanwhile, have been looking for answers for a rotation that lacks appealing options behind Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios. Fresh off their first playoff season since 2010, the Twins have generally aimed high in their search for starters, having shown interest in the likes of Yu Darvish, Chris Archer, Gerrit Cole and Jake Odorizzi. Darvish seems to be No. 1 on Minnesota’s wish list, and Wolfson tweets that the team’s still waiting for a resolution on his situation before it potentially moves to add other starters.
At this point, Tillman is obviously a far less exciting possibility than Darvish or any of the other aforementioned names. However, in the event Tillman bounces back to something resembling his pre-2017 level, his presence would benefit the Twins. Tillman’s not far removed from a four-year stretch (2013-16) in which he exceeded the 170-inning mark in each season and combined for a 3.91 ERA/4.27 FIP with 6.99 K/9 against 3.13 BB/9 over 758 2/3 frames.
Yankeepatriot
The last thing the twins need is a soft tossing mediocre starter as they have had a abundance of those over the last 16+Years.
bigcubsfan
Why do we have so many posts [MLB team] interested in [MLB player]. I think every MLB team would have interest in a decent MLB player if they were playing for cracker jacks (1 year $1 million to $5 million). We know the Twins are interested in Tillman, but how interested? If Tillman wanted 5 years $85 million their GM would hang up the phone. Hey, I would give Tillman 20 bucks to pitch for my cousin’s little league team, can I get an article “Baseball Fan interested in Tillman”?
ducksnort69
Cut the people working the rumor mill some slack. The front offices are giving them nothing to post, hence the many “interested in X player” ones. So slow it’s moving backwards.
jd396
How’s your first year of following baseball going?
cman
Exactly. If the Twins sign this guy i think i’ll puke.
GoGreen_GoSoylentGreen
Pelfrey 2.0
simschifan
White Sox , see if he rebounds and trade him if he’s good.
holecamels35
I feel like last season there were so many pitchers who just had terrible seasons. Tillman, Tyson Ross, Glasnow, Ubaldo, Harvey, Colon, Holland, etc.
I’ve never seen so many pitchers with an ERA over 6 given such a long leash. If I sign this guy, 5M with incentives and cut bait quickly if he doesn’t have it.
soggycereal
i wouldn’t even guarantee anything, i’d give him a MiL contract with a ST invite
Benklasner
Glasnow gets a pass though, right?
wild05fan
This would be that typical Twins signing.
cman
yep!
gorav114
Would be a good pickup for the Twins on a 1/6 type of deal. Tillman has to know Baltimore is not place for a pillow contract if you are a pitcher
dimitriinla
Maybe Bmore IS good for him by way of it being a place where there’s been C.K. fort and prior to last year ample success.
dimitriinla
*comfort
Kayrall
The twins need to be aiming higher. I get checking in on Tillman for depth reasons but not as a penciled in starter.
Pablo
Yup, I don’t know why Twins fans get fooled by this every year. They say they are working on big names, and then sign someone at the bottom of the barrel. They then say they tried.
The Pohlads aren’t the worst owners in baseball, but I would love for them to just be honest and say they don’t want to compete with the high spending teams. They’ll be cheap, but you never know when you’ll get lucky.
jd396
I don’t know where anyone would think for two seconds that the Twins are ever going to generate the revenue to compete with the high spending teams.
phantomofdb
That’s just not how baseball really works. Baseball has good championship parity for a good little while now, and pretty much any team can make a run at it when built properly. Twins have a good core, and current financial flexibility. They have as good a shot as pretty much anyone to bring home a title sometime in the next few years.
Nuke LaLoosh
Like the guy earlier said, minor contract + incentives, spring training invite. Slowey/Blackburn 2.0.
Benklasner
He has a better track record than them and im sure can get a majors deal somewhere like texas. Twins could use a top end starter but also need depth and if guaranteing tillman a ML contract gets him to sign with you, do it. It wont be for much or for long and they have a lot of payroll space. Twins should still be acting like a rebuilder even if they are the second best team in the division (debateable)
gorav114
He won’t take that. He’s gonna get a major league deal
joefriday1948
Their connections are outstanding
wrigleywannabe
Lord, can people stop saying “pillow contract”.
Ever since it was mentioned in an article it’s been over used.
At least, use it correctly.
Tillman won’t get any where neat a multi year deal. He is hoping for a deal, period.
jd396
Pillow contract
stymeedone
Teams willing to take a chance on him are going to want something back. I see a 1 year with a team option for a 2nd, if things go well.
outinleftfield
PLEASE Twins. Sign Tillman so the Orioles don’t.
Solaris601
That exactly what I’m thinking. As the winter drags on, and BAL still has not signed or traded for one SP when they need three, the likelihood of them bringing back one or more of Tillman/Jimenez/Miley/Hellickson by default increases. That’s definitely not good news for any Orioles fan no matter how you spin it.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
I’d take him if we had noon tenderd Gibson but I’d hope for something more as it is right now
stymeedone
I would like to see the Tigers take the chance. Its the type of thing they never do. Pelfrey was a never was. Tillman has been productive but had a terrible year. Let’s find out if our new coach, Bosio, can revive a career.