Twins pitching: a name surfaces this weekend

Aug 16, 2012; Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

For Minnesota Twins fans hoping that Terry Ryan will, indeed, acquire starting pitching this offseason, it’s not uncommon to see expressions of frustration like:

So far, pitching moves have generally been minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.  The minor moves and the lack of commentary other than “we’re talking with everyone” definitely have not inspired any hope in the team’s ability or motivation to acquire quality starters.

At this point, Twins fans may well be starting to wonder if the Twins are just receiving a bunch of “no thank you” responses from free agent starers.  Hearing confirmation that someone, anyone, is positively responding to Twins’ inquiries is at least a step in the right direction.

Over the weekend, Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune wrote that Brett Myers‘ agent, Craig Landis, confirmed that they’ve had contact with the Twins; Landis says the team is “perhaps even very interested” in Myers.  Myers didn’t start a game during the 2012 season, but he’d like to rejoin a starting rotation, which was his main role during his first decade in the big leagues.  In 11 seasons, Myers has a 4.20 ERA and a .511 W-L%.  While he has far more experience under his belt than the pitchers who were starting the final games of the 2012 season, he doesn’t exactly scream major upgrade:

• Liam Hendriks – 5.71 ERA, .091 W-L%
• Esmerling Vasquez – 4.86 ERA, .294 W-L%
• Samuel Deduno – 4.36 ERA, .545 W-L%
• Scott Diamond – 3.82 ERA, .481 W-L%
• P.J. Walters – 6.39 ERA, .444 W-L%
• Anthony Swarzak – 5.03 ERA, .333 W-L%

If this is the Twins’ plan to “improve” the rotation, or if players of Myers’ caliber are the only ones who will reciprocate the Twins’ interest, 2013 will be another long season.