Free agency finally begins

[Jester1534]

Well it's that time of year and obviously we all know the Twins need pitching. So who do you guys want them to go after?

Btw reports today the twins have interest in

Ubaldo Jimenz
Ricky Nolasco
Phil Hughes
The Korean Guy I don't know his name

I believe the Twins need to sign an Ace type level pitcher and one second tier pitcher. Which I see the those two guys and I believe Gibson can be a three being better because he'll be fully recovered from his TJ surgery. With Deduno and Correia rounding out the rotation. This would not be to bad of a rotation then.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I've seen that that the Twins have a lot of interest in E.Santana and Phil Hughes. I could see us getting one of those guys and I'd be happy with either. Think we had interest in Santana last year and I know the organization was interested in Hughes when we were looking to deal J.Santana a while back. Another guy I'd like to take a chance on is Josh Johnson. Yes, he hasn't pitched too well the last couple of seasons, but he's been an ace in this league. He wouldn't command ace type money and he's from Minnesota so he could want to come back here. We need power arms. If he could regain even just 80% of his form, we'd have our ace.

If we could sign Johnson and Hughes, I'd be thrilled with this offseason.

-Johnson
-Hughes (Target Field is perfect for him)
-Correa
-Deduno
-Gibson

I'd feel really good about that coming into next year, honestly.

[Jester1534]

I've seen that that the Twins have a lot of interest in E.Santana and Phil Hughes. I could see us getting one of those guys and I'd be happy with either. Think we had interest in Santana last year and I know the organization was interested in Hughes when we were looking to deal J.Santana a while back. Another guy I'd like to take a chance on is Josh Johnson. Yes, he hasn't pitched too well the last couple of seasons, but he's been an ace in this league. He wouldn't command ace type money and he's from Minnesota so he could want to come back here. We need power arms. If he could regain even just 80% of his form, we'd have our ace.

If we could sign Johnson and Hughes, I'd be thrilled with this offseason.

-Johnson
-Hughes (Target Field is perfect for him)
-Correa
-Deduno
-Gibson

I'd feel really good about that coming into next year, honestly.

Actually didn't know Josh was a free agent, I would love for them to go that route, I was always high on him when he was with the Marlins. I just hope they don't give Ubaldo the 15 million he's asking for I think last year was a fluke for him he doesn't have a fastball anymore.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Jester and Cam, I cant get excited about Hughes or Johnson. When I look at potential free agent pitchers, I look first at their most recent year, and then their total body of work. Hughes has a very poor resume, really only one effective season. And Johnson's 2013 was so consistently terrible that I have to believe there is something wrong with him physically.

On the other hand, Jimenez and Nolasco are coming off of very strong seasons, and I'm thrilled that the Twins are at least saying that they have them on their radar. I have always liked Nolasco, and think that he may have finally figured out how to harness his incredible stuff. Unfortunately, I can't see us beating out the Dodgers in a bidding war. I'm a little concerned about Jimenez 2011 and 2012 seasons, but he was the mirror image of Johnson last year...consistently excellent last year. I just feel that Johnson and Jimenez are going in opposite directions.

I hope that the Twins are serious about being active in free agency. Like everyone, I'm excited about the position players that are almost ready to contribute, and it would be wonderful to pair them with 1-2 veteran top of the line starting pitchers.

[Jester1534]

Long I disagree with you on Hughes because I think he's a product of Yankee stadium.

Since 2010, Phil Hughes has the second highest fly ball rate (47.6%) and the fourth highest HR/9 (1.42) in the league. He's a fly ball pitcher who needs a big ball park to help him out, which target field is.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Long I disagree with you on Hughes because I think he's a product of Yankee stadium.

Since 2010, Phil Hughes has the second highest fly ball rate (47.6%) and the fourth highest HR/9 (1.42) in the league. He's a fly ball pitcher who needs a big ball park to help him out, which target field is.

Very good point, jester. We all know that Hughes has a big league arm, so I've always been puzzled by his lack of results. You may be right that he would be more effective at Target. Despite their poor 2013 seasons, Hughes and Johnson may fit into the Pohlad financial plans more than the 2 guys I favor (Jimenez and Nolasco).

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

"Twins making strong push for Ricky Nolasco."

Oh my. I would love that! I didn't think we'd want to throw around that much money for a guy. Let's sign Phil Hughes right after and call it done with for starting pitchers.

These are for you LST. I'm hoping to sell you on Hughes.

"Away from the Bronx, Hughes pitched to a 3.88 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, allowing seven home runs in just over 67 innings of work."

"At home [Yankee Stadium], Hughes pitched to a 6.32 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, allowing 17 bombs over 78.1 innings."

"Hughes owns a career 2.53 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 21.1 innings at Target Field."

[Jester1534]

You don't know how happy that would make me Camden. Hughes is perfect pitcher for target field 2nd highest flyball rate in baseball. Nolasco is just a stud. Maybe bring Johan in on a zumayesque deal.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

You don't know how happy that would make me Camden. Hughes is perfect pitcher for target field 2nd highest flyball rate in baseball. Nolasco is just a stud. Maybe bring Johan in on a zumayesque deal.

I'm right there with you jester. Bring in Johan on an incentive-laden deal. Maybe he finally stayts healthy and contributes. Big boost to the fan base I'm sure. I never wanted him to go, but understood that he had to. It all worked out fine, other than us getting practically nothing for him. Nolasco, Hughes (could swap with Correa), Correa, Deduno, Gibson. I'd be more than happy if that was our ro' on opening day.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Apparently we're pretty interested in bringing Garza back too.