Even as they continue to press for rotation improvements, the Twins are exploring options at the top of the market for relief pitching. It seems the team is casting an exceptionally wide net, per reports from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter) and Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News (Twitter link).
To this point, the Twins have already been rumored to be pursuing a reunion with sturdy veteran Sergio Romo — albeit perhaps not quite as enthusiastically as some other teams — while also joining a crowded group with interest in bounceback target Blake Treinen. Other candidates of each ilk have now been identified.
The Minnesota organization has looked into free agents Daniel Hudson, Steve Cishek, and Will Harris, according to Wolfson. That trio landed in our ranking of the top 50 free agents, with each prognosticated to secure a two-year pact with a guarantee of $10MM or more. They’re arguably a tier up from Romo on the market, though all of essentially the same subclass — veteran righty relievers with ample late-inning experience coming off of productive seasons.
Treinen is a much higher-variance hurler. When he was non-tendered, he joined a bounceback market led by Dellin Betances, who is hoping to return to form after an injury-ruined 2019 season. The Twins are at least giving internal consideration to pursuing Betances. It’s a bit of a dice roll since we don’t yet know whether he’ll be at peak physical form, but a single-season gamble on the high-octane hurler would seem to suit the Twins rather well.
Trade for Giles?
How can the Twins sign a “Top Free Agent Reliever” when Will Smith, Drew Pomeranz and Chris Martin have already been signed. It was a week free agent relief class to begin with even before Aroldis Chapman decided to stay with the Yanks. Who are the “Top Free Agent Relievers” left?
Starting pitching! Starting pitching!
Take Shane Greene. Braves may not be able to afford him once Donaldson signs.
Braves get Marwin Gonzalez and Eddie Rosario
Twins get Shane Green, Austin Riley, Bryse Wilson, and Adam Duvall.
Would this work?
I don’t see it working, when they can just sign one of these FA relievers
They don’t NEED to trade Rosario, are only shopping him for rotation help.
And probably have little to no interest in moving Marwin, unless it helps them get a true ace
How would Marwin help them land a true ace? Marwin is not exactly a valuable piece.
Wrong. average bat sure but there is a lot of value in a guy who can play well everywhere besides pitching and catching. He’s no superstar but I’m sure happy to have him up here in MN. Gives darn near every position player a day off without sacrificing too much. That said, the Twins aren’t trading him. Rosario on the other hand should be gone before January. I love the guy but the team needs a lot more in other areas. I’m going to be a broken record on these threads today but Twins, go get Hader.
Just saying I don’t see the Twins including Marwin in a deal with Rosario UNLESS it helps them get an ace.
They are definitely NOT including Marwin with Rosario to get THAT package from the Braves.
Way too much to give up on the Braves part
Go get Josh Hader. Forget free agency for RP. Rosario, Gordon and a prospect. Done.
I’m hearing its more likely they to use Rosario for rotation help, and address the bullpen need via free agency.
Hader would cost you a couple of your top 5 prospects plus more. Gordon has little value.
Good, get rid of this “precious” Royce Lewis for starters, I’m sick of hearing about a guy we’ll never need at SS. Polanco for 4 more years is just fine. Trade some prospects already, I wanna win now, not 5 years from now!!!
They sure “look” a lot. Just pull the trigger already! Your window is already closing.
With Lewis, Kirilloff, Graterol, Balazovic, Larnach among others… Their window isn’t even close to closing.
Jeez, I’m a Tribe fan and even I know better than to assert the Twins are wasting time. Good grief, they have a monster lineup for the foreseeable future. Minnesota is going to be formidable for years, just like Cleveland. The rivalry continues!
That may be true and as a Twins fan I do like the rivalry. But if the ball isn’t as juicy as last year as many are saying, the Twins lineup probably will not be as formidable offensively.
But that is true with every team, not just the Twins.
I would look at Givens in Bmore. He didn’t have a great season last season but the peripheral numbers r still there and he’s been very good plus he’s still in arbitration. It may take a good prospect but from the lower ranks where there is more risk the prospect ever develops anyhow.
When it comes to signing former elite closers, I wonder if the Twins would consider giving Cody Allen another chance.
In addition, the Twins also could really use another lefty in the bullpen besides Rogers. Perhaps Hader? Although, I’m also onboard with bringing Perez back as a reliever as well.
They might look at him, but with their window open they need to make solid investments instead of reclamation projects. Giles, Hader, Harris, Hudson and probably Romo seem like targets. Maybe Betances or Treinen.
Betances would be a strong pickup for Minnesota. Mets too, but with their payroll restrictions, who knows..
Rosario for Folty
Heck no. Why give a mid rotation arm with number 2 upside for empty power?
Empty power? You obviously have never watched Eddie play
I like Rosario but he is a career 10 war player. Lots of pop, very low obp. Rates poor defensively. Outside of some homers there is nothing special about him. Not going to get you all that much in return.
Again, I’m guessing you’ve never watched the guy play
A;’s working on bring Treinen back. Blake knows Oakland has a real chance to get to the WS this coming season…
I’d look at Kela from Pittsburgh. He’d be cheaper both in terms of prospects and salary. IIRC he has 2 years of control as well.
With the pirates looking at a rebuild he’s very expendable.
Definitely a good back end RP. Pretty consistent as far as RP’s go. Does have a bit of an attitude though, at least that’s the rumors.
As for prospects, who knows, but it certainly wouldn’t be anyone from the top five. Probably someone 6 to 15 and a lotto ticket
Bit of an attitude LOL?
Well since I don’t have first hand knowledge I can’t say for sure what his attitude is. All I know is it’s been tossed around that he has one.
Craig Stammen is out there and getting no love. It’s not an upside play by any means, but he doesnt totally suck.
Better trade nobody is signing there
What?
I guess a prime quality of life for family with multiple major sports franchises supported by great fans, an arts, medical and technology base, 100+ wins, record setting offense and the manager of the year must not be appealing enough to attract anyone to MN…
In general people prefer the coastal states. That’s where most of the real population centers are.
Yeah cuz who doesn’t love traffic and high crime and more vagrants??
Twinks will always need to overpay for FA’s. Zach Wheeler said thanks but eff the cold and keep me in a real city.
Philly is not exactly paradise.
Mariners should sign Betances, get it done Jerry
The Twins have made ALL the moves they are going to this season. We brought back an average pitcher (but that’s okay, because we overpaid him!) Then we brought back another pitcher that could not help us down the stretch because he over eats and apparently doesn’t pay attention to what he consumes [suspension]. Then, we signed a catcher that hasn’t been able to hit since his dad traded him away from the Tigers. We’re set!
We will be linked to EVERYONE, at least until they sign with teams that truly want to win. Eventually we will be linked as a team that will make deadline trades! But, as was the case just last year, the execs will say they won’t give away any of their talent since we apparently are promised a World Series in 2024. It won’t matter how good or bad the Twins are at the deadline, we will not make any deal to benefit this team. Remember last season? We landed us a pitcher that pitched crappy for what little he actually played for us and now will probably NEVER play baseball again and another pitcher that was serviceable, but was just a rental since he doesn’t want to play in Minnesota.
NOTE TO TWINS BRASS: You will have to PAY (and possibly over pay) to get someone to come here. Deal with it. Or, make a trade for a quality player with team control; but be prepared the other team will not want your used box of paper clips. They are going to want real players and one’s they feel are legit.
Twins have always played conservative and it seems like they never “go for it”. Even OAK and MIL has made big moves when they feel they have a chance to compete for a WS title. MIN should open the wallet and pickup MadBum, Donaldson and Betances. No prospects lost to trade and they bring in quality, veteran players to take the AL Central maybe an AL pennant at the least.