The Twins added veteran starter Jhoulys Chacin on a minor league deal over the weekend but might not be through adding experienced arms to their spring rotation mix. Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the club could yet add right-hander Taijuan Walker to the fray; Miller’s colleague, La Velle E. Neal III, also mentioned Minnesota’s interest in the righty in a previous notebook column.
Walker, 27, once rated as one of the game’s 15 best overall prospects and looked to be putting things together following a trade from Seattle to Arizona. In 2017, his age-24 campaign, Walker tossed 157 1/3 frames of 3.49 ERA ball in Arizona, averaging 8.4 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 0.97 HR/9 and a 48.9 percent ground-ball rate.
However, the former No. 43 overall draft pick (Mariners, 2010) wound up undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018, and a sprained shoulder capsule the following May prolonged his absence while creating additional health concerns. Walker was only able to make it back to a big league mound for one inning in 2019, when he served as an opener in the Diamondbacks’ final game of the year. Arizona non-tendered him in December rather than pay a third-time arbitration salary that would’ve likely matched last year’s $5.025MM rate.
In all, Walker has totaled just 14 innings over the past two seasons thanks to that torn elbow ligament and sprained shoulder capsule, which have understandably combined to limit his earning power. Neal implied that the Twins have hoped to land Walker on a non-roster deal, though the lack of an agreement suggests that he’s perhaps holding out for a guaranteed contract.
It’s easy enough to see Walker’s appeal for the Twins, whose 2020 rotation is currently the weakest area on the club. Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi will be back to lead the staff, and Minnesota added right-hander Homer Bailey on the heels of his healthiest season since 2013. Michael Pineda, too, will return in 2020 — but not until he finishes up a reduced 60-game suspension for taking a banned substance. That punishment will keep him shelved until mid-May. Lefty Rich Hill, signed the same day as Bailey, will be out until at least June after undergoing primary repair surgery on his left elbow this winter.
The Twins currently appear likely to rely on right-hander Randy Dobnak (1.59 ERA, 23-to-5 K/BB ratio in 28 1/3 innings in 2019) and left-hander Devin Smeltzer (3.86 ERA, 38-to-12 K/BB in 49 innings) to round out their rotation early in the season. The weekend addition of Chacin gives them another option, should he look more like his 2018 self than his 2019 self this spring. Aussie southpaw Lewis Thorpe and top prospect Brusdar Graterol could also be in the mix.
Walker, though, would add an intriguing wild card to that rotation competition if the two sides are ultimately able to strike up a deal. He has five-plus year of service time under his belt, meaning there are no future arbitration years of which to gain control, but he’s looked like one of the market’s more intriguing short-term dice rolls since the day he was non-tendered two months ago.
Finlander
There it is.
jessecc08
it’s been widely reported that Graterol is going to start the season in the bullpen although I hope his future is as a starter.
DarkSide830
i wouldnt doubt they still are looking at hin as a starter with most of their guys on 1 year deals. Graterol probably was never starting the season in the Major League rotation anyway given he has yet to start at AAA.
jakec77
On a minor league deal, there isn’t a team in baseball that shouldn’t be interested.
But, even assuming he is healthy and productive, I’d think he’d be on a pretty strict inning limit for this season.
DarkSide830
The Twins have enough SP depth that they have the luxury of starting Walker in the pen and then moving him to the rotation later if a spot opens up. They’re a good destination for that reason.
Revbdubs
The Twins have SP depth! Preposterous statement winner for 2020
christianponder
They have depth, it’s just whether or not that depth can hold up. A lot of unproven guys, but plenty of starting pitching options nonetheless. Not a preposterous statement.
Revbdubs
To say the Twins have depth is to say all teams have depth. The Twins starting pitching is a mess, in the majors and the minors.
Revbdubs
To say the Twins have depth is to say all teams have depth. The Twins starting pitching is a mess, in the majors and the minors.
christianponder
False, if they were a mess they would have been a bottom of the pack staff, which they were not. They also have plenty of solid pitching prospects. Maybe change the word “mess” to “average” just know the difference
Good Guys
The Twins had a very good pitching staff from top to bottom last season. They stayed relatively healthy and had no glaring weaknesses. Unfortunately 3/5 of that staff are gone to start the 2020 season. Perez and Gibson to free agency and Pineda to suspension. The Twins did sign Homer Bailey this offseason but will have have two open positions in their starting rotation to fill before opening day. To say this situation is a mess is a strong statement but it’s also not that far off from the truth for a team looking to contend in 2020.
Good Guys
Do the Twins have 5 starters to begin the season with?
DarkSide830
Berrios, Odo, Bailey, Dobnak, and Smeltzer should be a good enough rotation, and there’s guys like Graterol, Thorpe, and others on the 40 that could also start. Blaine Hardy is also in camp.
Good Guys
Having only three guys that have made more than a handful of starts at the major league level is risky for a team looking to contend in 2020.
its_happening
Absolutely worth a minor league deal. Go get.
keysox
Twins all over the place with pitching.
thegmen
The Twins may be all over the place but so have the Brewers since like 2016 and it’s worked well for them.
DarkSide830
i dont buy he only gets a minors deal unless he turns down a larger deal with a rebuilding club.
jaysfansince1977
If he was seeking anything but a guaranteed ML contract he would have signed already
macstruts
Jaysfan, you are absolutely right. Who wouldn’t sign him to a minor league contract?
I wish the Angels would go after him.
Shawn McLaughlin 2
Please don’t. I want him back with the Mariners who are also pursuing him. 🙂
christianponder
LOVE THIS!!!
TJECK109
Not sure why the Pirates haven’t been in on him. I guess he wants more than a minor league contract
bapthemailman
I was wondering the same thing
scottaz
I hope Taijuan Walker signs with the Twins and has a good comeback-from-injuries year. He seems like a nice guy. BUT, it will be a huge surprise if he passes a physical and a minor miracle if he ever pitches in the majors again. His arm/shoulder didn’t heal from TJS and shoulder surgery properly, and certainly to the extent he could again pitch in the extremely demanding rigors of MLB.
Think about it. Read the article above. He has the track record and pedigree of a mid-rotation starter. His projected arb salary was about $4.5M! That’s dirt cheap for a mid-rotation pitcher in today’s market. Yet the Dbacks cut him loose. Why? They had access to his medical records. They had given him a courtesy, last career start for 1 inning at the end of last year. He barely survived that inning, with hitters blasting the ball all over the park, though fortunately 2 of those blasts were hit directly at fielders. The Mariners were reportedly interested in Taijuan a month ago, but then complete silence. Why? They saw his medical records and decided against signing him, but out of courtesy to him did the same thing the Dbacks did—they kept silent about his medicals. I like the guy, but I doubt he’ll ever pitch again.
DockEllisDee
I was wondering if this guy was going to chime in
toycannon
What are you waiting for Dipoto?
heater
This is somewhat old news already. Was reported a week ago in MN. Which leads me to believe there’s at least some traction towards a signing. I think there’s enough upside potential that 30 teams would want him in the fold as a rebound/project.
Rich Hill’s Elbow
I don’t even care if it’s a major league deal, just get it done.
JRamHOF
I bet the Tribe is absolutely shaking right now over this
Moneyballer
They’re not shaking over this but make no mistake they’re DEFINITELY shaking. Twins > Indians
JRamHOF
Offensively
MarlinsFanBase
I’m not sure why the Marlins aren’t in on Walker. He’d be a good low-risk/high-reward option for a team with many other young arms they are looking at.
Moneyballer
They probably are but ask yourself…if its a choice between the marlins or the twins which one do you think Walker is going to choose? Marlins are interested in everybody because that team is awful.
MoRivera 1999
Well, everybody they could potentially get cheaply.
MarlinsFanBase
If I’m Walker, Twins of course. However, I’d have to hear what are the Twins long term plans for me. With the Marlins, with this new regime building forward, he could get more opportunity and be a part of the foundation if he works out in combination with their many other young arms.
Now I know many may be quick to say, long term may favor the Twins if he is healthy and lives up to his potential, but the reality is that if he lives up to his potential, he may be priced out of both markets – with Miami actually may have the better chance if the new ownership maximizes what they are instead of being what Loria’s regime was.
In short, if I’m Walker, I choose the Twins, but my main thoughts would be long term plans for me and opportunities.
christianponder
It’s only a short term plan right now. Work your way back up the list and get that long term contract everybody plays for. That’s really his only option.
CaptainHooks
If Walker can pitch, he would want to STAY with the Twins. Odorizzi, Bailey and over the Hill are all on 1 year contract. Pineda on a 2 year. If Walker can prove he is healthy and can pitch again, his agent should be asking for an extension about May or June. If he isn’t healthy, at least he had a shot on a team that can support him with runs.
CaptainHooks
If Walker can pitch, he would want to STAY with the Twins. Odorizzi, Bailey and over the Hill are all on 1 year contract. Pineda on a 2 year. If Walker can prove he is healthy and can pitch again, his agent should be asking for an extension about May or June. If he isn’t healthy, at least he had a shot on a team that can support him with runs.
DirtyWater04
I don’t get why the Red Sox aren’t all over this. These are the kinds of risks you should be taking in an offseason with limited financial flexibility and a roster that is still built to compete now.
Comment Section Mod
Bringing him back to Seattle, everybody settle down
HalosHeavenJJ
I’m pretty sure he has plenty of minor league offers and is trying to get a major league one.
If that doesn’t materialize, he’ll find a spot where he feels he can win a roster spot. Lots of unproven arms in Minnesota.
rangers13
Rangers need to sign him at 3/18. They can put him on a similar program they did Minor and then in 2 yrs if he regains form around age 29 season you have a potential starting five of Palumbo, Allard, Hearn, Walker and Gibson. Or Winn or Crouse if they are ready.
zcubs82
The Cubs are a team that should be all over this
Rich Hill’s Elbow
In addition to Walker, I wonder if the Twins FO would be willing to give Cody Allen a second chance.
bigdonkey44adam_dunn
it is time to call Big Sexy
to the Show!
richt
I don’t understand why people write stuff like “Michael Pineda, too, will return” instead of just “Michael Pineda will also return.” Using too like that is so awkward and unnecessary.
MoRivera 1999
I have a different take on that. On a baseball site, I really don’t care much about grammar, sentence structure or even spelling so long as the language is coherent. I’m here for the content and community.
MarlinsFanBase
Agreed. As long as the message is coherent, I don’t care how the writer wrote it or the poster posted it. He/she can post in any linguistic form.
“Holla at yo boy for gittin his dollahz from x-team fo’ the next 10 years…yo!”
“Tis bringeths a smile upon Mount Olympus for thee to hear thine sweet melodies of cherubs thine song to celebrate the morn of the treasures bestowed upon the great warrior with the thunderous lumber.”
“Addition, good it is. A powerful team, they will become.”
“‘oH QaQ mech, team. chaH ghaH contender because of ‘oH.”
driftcat28 2
Every team should be in on Walker
Finlander
Walker’s elbow injury was serious enough, but there are plenty of cases of good outcomes from TJ surgery. The big concern is probably the shoulder capsule. This is a more difficult issue to recover from. I could see the Twins handling him similarly to how they successfully rehabbed Pineda. That may have been a selling point to Walker. Maybe the Twins offer a modest guarantee this year with a larger option for next year.
CaptainHooks
If Walker can pitch, he would want to STAY with the Twins. Odorizzi, Bailey and over the Hill are all on 1 year contract. Pineda on a 2 year. If Walker can prove he is healthy and can pitch again, his agent should be asking for an extension about May or June. If he isn’t healthy, at least he had a shot on a team that can support him with runs.
CaptainHooks
Collin McHugh might also be a minor league contract with spring training invite, still being unsigned this late in the season. McHugh would be another option to make the Twins starting rotation out of spring training camp.