Tonight the Minnesota Twins signed one of the top free agent pitchers available and for 4 years 49 million with an option for a 5th year that would make the total contract worth 61 million dollars. They signed starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco this evening, and gave him the biggest contract in team history to a free agent who they were not resigning or extending. All of a sudden there is optimism amongst Twins fans.
The moment this news broke on Twitter it's amazing how many Twins fans who are so used to the Twins not making any moves in free agency were suddenly optimistic about the fact that the Twins are actually trying to improve their roster. Too many times the Twins have made it seem like they are not even trying to win now and just plan for the future and it was starting to create a rift between the front office and the fan base. And that rift is suddenly smaller and fans are now optimistic we can add even another arm.
The moment this news broke on Twitter it's amazing how many Twins fans who are so used to the Twins not making any moves in free agency were suddenly optimistic about the fact that the Twins are actually trying to improve their roster. Too many times the Twins have made it seem like they are not even trying to win now and just plan for the future and it was starting to create a rift between the front office and the fan base. And that rift is suddenly smaller and fans are now optimistic we can add even another arm.
Source close to a couple other FA pitchers, including Garza, doesn't think the Nolasco move eliminates them w/ the #MNTwins. They do have $.
— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) November 27, 2013
Nolasco has struck out more batters in every season of his career other than his rookie season than any other Twins starting pitcher last season. So he is a huge upgrade from what we had last season, but he fits more of a good number 3 or 4 in a very good rotation and as of now he'll be our number 1 guy. Top prospect Meyer could be up this season and eventually take over as the staff ace, but the Twins still need to add at least one more arm.
The first choice to add should be Phil Hughes. He is 28 and a fly ball pitcher which will play very well in the cold dense air at Target Field. He strikes out 7.6 batters per 9 innings which is almost double what our starting staff did last season. Since he is just 28 the Twins could go 4 or 5 years on his deal to get him here. Next I would look at former Twin Matt Garza and former Indian Scott Kazmir. Both strikeout guys at a good rate, Kazmir is more likely than Garza because he will be cheaper and not need as many years as Garza. They could also look at the trade market and add a Homer Bailey, Jeff Samardzija, or Jeremy Hellickson. Twins still could look at adding a significant position player as well.
If the Twins can add one to two more arms to pair with Nolasco and Correia, we could have a solid rotation here and actually be a mediocre team next season that takes a step forward and with all our prospects coming would help get us back to winning quicker than expected.
Don't get me wrong, I am grateful the Twins finally made somewhat of a splash on the free agent market, I am just now able to talk about their next move that could ACTUALLY happen, rather then speculating knowing a move wont be made. This move has brought life back into this fan base and hope that we can add even more pitching and maybe a position player as well.
All in all, it's great to finally be excited about a move the Twins have made that can actually help us immediately, rather than the future for a change. I hope there is more to come so that Target Field can be a place to catch a good baseball team once again.
Be on the lookout for my top pitching prospects in the farm system and top overall prospects coming out shortly, until then you can settle on the top prospects I have already written about!
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987
The first choice to add should be Phil Hughes. He is 28 and a fly ball pitcher which will play very well in the cold dense air at Target Field. He strikes out 7.6 batters per 9 innings which is almost double what our starting staff did last season. Since he is just 28 the Twins could go 4 or 5 years on his deal to get him here. Next I would look at former Twin Matt Garza and former Indian Scott Kazmir. Both strikeout guys at a good rate, Kazmir is more likely than Garza because he will be cheaper and not need as many years as Garza. They could also look at the trade market and add a Homer Bailey, Jeff Samardzija, or Jeremy Hellickson. Twins still could look at adding a significant position player as well.
If the Twins can add one to two more arms to pair with Nolasco and Correia, we could have a solid rotation here and actually be a mediocre team next season that takes a step forward and with all our prospects coming would help get us back to winning quicker than expected.
Don't get me wrong, I am grateful the Twins finally made somewhat of a splash on the free agent market, I am just now able to talk about their next move that could ACTUALLY happen, rather then speculating knowing a move wont be made. This move has brought life back into this fan base and hope that we can add even more pitching and maybe a position player as well.
All in all, it's great to finally be excited about a move the Twins have made that can actually help us immediately, rather than the future for a change. I hope there is more to come so that Target Field can be a place to catch a good baseball team once again.
Be on the lookout for my top pitching prospects in the farm system and top overall prospects coming out shortly, until then you can settle on the top prospects I have already written about!
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987