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Free Agency Rumors: Edinson Volquez To Minnesota?

By Ted Schwerzler |

The Twins appear to be targeting a couple of former Pittsburgh Pirates starters. With Francisco Liriano a free agent, one other name has emerged for the Twins. Former Cincinnati Reds and Pirates starter Edinson Volquez also appears to be a free-agent option.

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Unlike Liriano, Volquez has posted higher ERA over the course of his career. After finishing 4th in the Rookie of the year voting with the Reds in 2008 and posting a 3.21 ERA, Volquez failed to record an ERA in the 3’s until last season with the Pirates.

At 30 years old, he actually had his best season in the major leagues. 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson is reporting that the Twins are in on the veteran hurler. He writes:

Volquez, 31, led the Pirates in innings and starts this past season. He finished with a 3.04 ERA, relying on his ability to induce a lot of ground balls and leaning on Pittsburgh’s strong defense.Volquez will not require draft pick compensation.

With Volquez not requiring draft pick compensation, he may appear to be a more enticing option for the Twins than Francisco Liriano. However, it stands to argue that he also isn’t in the same talent pool.

Aside from 2014, the body of work the Edinson Volquez has posted thus far in his career has been rather underwhelming. He was always a big name in the Reds rotation, but one that never seemed to live up to expectations. On top of that, a move from the National League to the American League could provide similar results to those that Twins fans witnessed with Ricky Nolasco.

Although he could prove to be an ok option, the Twins should likely be aiming higher if they are looking to add quality starting arms rather than that of more quantity. Unless they can get Volquez in a very team friendly deal, paying him off of one strong season in the latter half of his career would be a mistake.

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