Minnesota Twins: How the winter so far could affect Twins

Starting pitcher deals

While the top 4 starters available are all on the market, there has been some movement in the starting pitcher market.

The Cubs have spent the heaviest, giving Drew Smyly and Tyler Chatwood a combined $48 million in total contract value. Chatwood is really the one guy who was in the next tier below the top four starters that has signed so far, and he received just short of $13 million annually over 3 seasons in spite of a fairly spotty track record.

The other team to make multiple dips into the free agent starter pool has been the Milwaukee Brewers, though they’ve spent much more reasonably, getting Jhoulys Chacin for 2 years and $15.5 million and Yovani Gallardo for one year and $2 million.

The only other starting pitcher to receive multiple seasons is Miles Mikolas, who is coming back to MLB from overseas and received a modest 2 years and $15.5 million.

The one-year deals signed include CC Sabathia returning to the Yankees for $10 million, Mike Fiers going to the Detroit Tigers for $6 million, and Doug Fister to the Texas Rangers for $4 million.

The remaining starters on the market include the top four starters, Darvish, Arrieta, Lynn, and Cobb. Beyond that, the next tier below that remaining is somewhat less than desirable or has some significant red flags – Andrew Cashner, Trevor Cahill, Jaime Garcia, Jeremy Hellickson, John Lackey, Wade Miley, Tyson Ross, Francisco Liriano, Jeff Locke, Chris Tillman, Jason Vargas, and Travis Wood.

Next: Bullpen deals