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Minnesota Twins Free Agent Profile: Could Zack Wheeler be the ace the Twins need?

By Chris Schad

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets poses for a photo on Photo Day at First Data Field on February 21, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets poses for a photo on Photo Day at First Data Field on February 21, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 15: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout during the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on September 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 15: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout during the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on September 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

How can the Twins land Wheeler?

It’s no secret that the Twins are going to try to be big spenders in free agency. With their preliminary talks with Wheeler, it’s at least a positive sign that they’re already in his ear, but they’re not alone. The Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and the Chicago White Sox are in on the 29-year old according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) also mentioned the Cincinnati Reds were expected to ramp up their offer.

Stirring the pot even more, KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson reported that the Twins could sign Wheeler right now for a five-year deal worth $84 million.

As much as Twins fans would love to see them go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money to sign Strasburg and Cole, the odds are slim that either of them will make their way to Minnesota. That means the Twins will have to live in the second tier and with Odorizzi already back in the mix, they’ll need to find a couple of ways to differentiate from last year’s rotation.

Next. Projecting the Twins' 2020 opening day lineup. dark

Wheeler would be a great start to a rotation overhaul as he has the stuff to be a number two starter with Berrios at the top of the Twins rotation. While he doesn’t have the stuff to be an ace, he’s a pitcher that the Twins staff can try to tweak and with a previous track record of success, he could be a not-so-sneaky good signing that can make Minnesota a better team than it was a year ago.

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