Minnesota Twins: 5 Free Agent Pitchers to pursue
By Nate Palmer
Tyler Chatwood
Tyler Chatwood is another pitcher, like Cobb, whose career was put on hold because of Tommy John surgery. He also missed the 2016 season and returned in 2016 to pitch for the Colorado Rockies. In 2017, Chatwood missed some time with a calf injury but still was able to log 147.2 innings with a 4.69 ERA.
Chatwood’s numbers are far from Ace level, but that isn’t the goal of this signing. He would be a depth signing with hope for some upside as he leaves the confines of Coors Field as his home ballpark. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Chatwood will sign for 3 years and $20 million this offseason. Which for reference isn’t too far off of what the Twins could end up paying Kyle Gibson this year. While we saw an improved Gibson for the last part of the season, overall Chatwood would be an upgrade next to Gibson’s 5.07 ERA over 158 innings.
Chatwood saw an increase in his fastball velocity this season as it sat right around 95 mph and he began mixing in a curveball more regularly as well. The way he pitches has always resulted in plenty of ground balls. In both seasons post-Tommy John surgery he has settled in around 58% of balls put in play resulting in ground balls. Ground balls are an asset when facing some the home run happy lineups across the landscape of baseball today.