Right-hander John Gant has opted to become a free agent after clearing outright waivers, according to MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park (Twitter link). Because Gant has over three years of MLB service time, he had the right to choose free agency rather than accept the outright assignment off the Twins’ 40-man roster.
The outright essentially serves as an early non-tender for the Twins, as Gant was projected to earn $3.7MM in his third and final trip through the arbitration process. While not a huge sum for a useful swingman, the Twins didn’t see a role (at least at that price point) for Gant on their 2022 squad, despite Minnesota’s needs in the rotation and bullpen.
Acquired from the Cardinals as part of the J.A. Happ deadline trade, Gant posted a 5.61 ERA over his 33 2/3 innings in Minnesota, starting seven of his 14 appearances. Compared to his 76 1/3 frames with St. Louis earlier in the season, Gant improved his strikeout and walk rates while with the Twins, but his homer rate and strand rate both shot upward.
The result was a 4.09 ERA over 110 total innings in 2021 and a pretty dismal set of Statcast metrics for the 29-year-old Gant. Walks continued to be a major problem for the righty, and the increase in missed bats he exhibited over 15 innings in 2020 didn’t carry over to more consistent work last season.
It should be noted that the Cardinals used Gant exclusively as a reliever in 2019-20, and the results were impressive. Gant’s control didn’t get much better, though his strikeout numbers improved and his fastball gained some velocity (up to a 95.9mph average) with the more limited usage, as Gant posted a 3.43 ERA over his 81 1/3 relief innings. While other teams might still take advantage of Gant’s durability by using him as a swingman, he might ultimately be best served working out of a bullpen.
exceedingly poor decision by the Twins here.
I completely agree, some team is going to be getting a very solid, versatile, ajd reliable pitcher in Gant.
Personally, I could easily see the Rays picking up Gant, but I really hope it is the Braves that ultimately get to sign Gant.
I really liked getting him from the Mets, and strongly disliked trading him away to the Cardinals. Hopefully, he will find his way back to Atlanta, and they’ll be able to use him like they used Chavez this year, but more frequently and in some higher level spots.
I used to watch Ron Gant on PBS as a kid.
Great player
TBS⚾️
The Angels traded Jim Edmonds for Ken Bottenfield and turn around and traded bottenfield for an half season of an aging Gant. The more useless information you know.
“While not a huge sum for a useful swingman.” Wait, were you confusing Gant with someone else that is a useful swingman? Cause Gant sucks.
You HAVE TO be a Twins fan, because anyone else that’s watched Gant pitch regularly knows he is a quality ML arm.
Gant just never seemed to be able to get comfortable while he was on the Twins ajd it really showed on the mound.
Hes had some trouble with walks previously, but when he’s able to let loose out of the pen, it allows his FB velo to play up, and that makes his Vulcan change-up just even that much more nasty!!
Like I said, he will walk a few batters here and there, but he will also induce weak contact and strike some guys out when he really needs to.
A smart and savvy team like the Rays, Giants, or possibly even PM of the Angels will likely scoop up Gant, but again, I really hope it is the Braves that’ll be able to get him.
I will agree with both you and jkoch717. If Gant can ever figure it out he has potential to be good. That said, he was quite erratic with the Twins. Just not a fit for MN at this time. But the way they operate you could see him back next year.
At the deadline everyone decried Gant for Happ. Gant ran out of smoke and mirrors and was getting mouthy about his rotation spot being in jeopardy. Happ wasn’t dominating but he did his job and didn’t make waves. Cards prob would have had a couple losses in their streak if not for that deal.
Looks so much like Cole Hamels in that photo
John Mozeliak masterclass
Hopefully they go after some good FA pitchers with that money.
It frees up a roster spot and I believe $2 million.
Marcus Strohman and Jon Gray and would be a nice add. Go get them.
“Who is John Gant?”