With the 2014 baseball offseason now in it's home stretch leading up to Spring Training, the Twins have cast a wide net in search for a competent starting rotation.
So far, they have signed three big-league starting pitchers to long-term contracts: Ricky Nolasco, 31, (4-years, $49M), Phil Hughes, 27, (3-years, $24M) and Mike Pelfrey, 30, (2-year, $11M). With Kevin Correia, 33, signed for one more season at $5.5M, they have built a virtually full rotation of veterans whose contracts gradually peel away over the next four seasons.
It has been widely know that the Twins have been looking for any and all starting pitching over the past two seasons. All of the team's opening day starters faltered in 2012, and only newcomers, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey made over 25 starts in 2013. This lack of consistent innings meant that the team gave at least eight starts to Vance Worley (7.21 ERA, 48.2 IN), Liam Hendriks (6.85 ERA, 47.1 IN), Pedro Hernandez (6.83 ERA, 56.2 IN), Kyle Gibson (6.53 ERA, 51 IN), P.J. Walters (5.95 ERA, 39.1 IN), Scott Diamond (5.43 ERA, 131 IN) and Andrew Albers (4.05 ERA, 60 IN).
The 2013 Twins were made painfully aware that they cannot trust multiple rotation spots to pitchers without a proven big-league track record. Before the season, Worley, Diamond, Hendriks, Gibson and Cole DeVries all seemed like pitchers they were ready to claim rotation spots, while Hernandez and Walters seemed like amiable spot-starters. At the very least, it felt like the Twins finally had a comfortable amount of depth in the rotation.
But just like 2012, the quality of their depth was ripped open and over-exposed.
One huge difference this offseason, however, is that the Twins are finally turning over and improving that marginal depth. Before the 2013 season, the Twins were so desperate for pitching that they retained every able-bodied starting pitcher that finished out 2012 on the team.
Now, with the signings of Nolasco, Hughes, Pelfrey and trade for Kris Johnson, 29, (2.39 ERA, 135.2 IN at AAA), the Twins have had to let go a slew of their old mainstays, Liam Hendriks, P.J. Walters, Cole DeVries and Pedro Henandez. Twins fans should cheer knowing superior talent and experienced innings are replacing these roster spots.
At this time last year, Scott Diamond, 27, and Vance Worley, 26, were thought to be the Twins' top two starting pitchers, but now both are out of options and in danger of release, trade or move to the bullpen. With Sam Deduno, 30. (3.83 ERA, 108 IN) expected to claim the fifth spot in the rotation, Diamond and Worley now must have stellar spring trainings to remain in the organization.
Having Diamond/Worley as top "fringe" rotation candidates is a lot brighter situation than the days of Walters/Hernandez/DeVries & Co.
Liam Hendriks, 24, was a surprise release given his youth and potential, but had finally been pushed off the team's depth chart after a marginal season in the minors (4.67 ERA, 98.1 IN at AAA). Kyle Gibson (2.92 ERA, 101 IN at AAA) and Andrew Albers (2.86 ERA, 132.1 IN at AAA) and Kris Johnson (2.39 ERA, 135.2 IN at AAA) all had much superior seasons.
For the first time in years, the Twins could have several pitchers at AAA that have the talent to step in and provide quality innings at the big-league level. "Quality" as well as numbers.
So far, they have signed three big-league starting pitchers to long-term contracts: Ricky Nolasco, 31, (4-years, $49M), Phil Hughes, 27, (3-years, $24M) and Mike Pelfrey, 30, (2-year, $11M). With Kevin Correia, 33, signed for one more season at $5.5M, they have built a virtually full rotation of veterans whose contracts gradually peel away over the next four seasons.
It has been widely know that the Twins have been looking for any and all starting pitching over the past two seasons. All of the team's opening day starters faltered in 2012, and only newcomers, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey made over 25 starts in 2013. This lack of consistent innings meant that the team gave at least eight starts to Vance Worley (7.21 ERA, 48.2 IN), Liam Hendriks (6.85 ERA, 47.1 IN), Pedro Hernandez (6.83 ERA, 56.2 IN), Kyle Gibson (6.53 ERA, 51 IN), P.J. Walters (5.95 ERA, 39.1 IN), Scott Diamond (5.43 ERA, 131 IN) and Andrew Albers (4.05 ERA, 60 IN).
The 2013 Twins were made painfully aware that they cannot trust multiple rotation spots to pitchers without a proven big-league track record. Before the season, Worley, Diamond, Hendriks, Gibson and Cole DeVries all seemed like pitchers they were ready to claim rotation spots, while Hernandez and Walters seemed like amiable spot-starters. At the very least, it felt like the Twins finally had a comfortable amount of depth in the rotation.
But just like 2012, the quality of their depth was ripped open and over-exposed.
One huge difference this offseason, however, is that the Twins are finally turning over and improving that marginal depth. Before the 2013 season, the Twins were so desperate for pitching that they retained every able-bodied starting pitcher that finished out 2012 on the team.
Now, with the signings of Nolasco, Hughes, Pelfrey and trade for Kris Johnson, 29, (2.39 ERA, 135.2 IN at AAA), the Twins have had to let go a slew of their old mainstays, Liam Hendriks, P.J. Walters, Cole DeVries and Pedro Henandez. Twins fans should cheer knowing superior talent and experienced innings are replacing these roster spots.
At this time last year, Scott Diamond, 27, and Vance Worley, 26, were thought to be the Twins' top two starting pitchers, but now both are out of options and in danger of release, trade or move to the bullpen. With Sam Deduno, 30. (3.83 ERA, 108 IN) expected to claim the fifth spot in the rotation, Diamond and Worley now must have stellar spring trainings to remain in the organization.
Having Diamond/Worley as top "fringe" rotation candidates is a lot brighter situation than the days of Walters/Hernandez/DeVries & Co.
Liam Hendriks, 24, was a surprise release given his youth and potential, but had finally been pushed off the team's depth chart after a marginal season in the minors (4.67 ERA, 98.1 IN at AAA). Kyle Gibson (2.92 ERA, 101 IN at AAA) and Andrew Albers (2.86 ERA, 132.1 IN at AAA) and Kris Johnson (2.39 ERA, 135.2 IN at AAA) all had much superior seasons.
For the first time in years, the Twins could have several pitchers at AAA that have the talent to step in and provide quality innings at the big-league level. "Quality" as well as numbers.
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