Minnesota Twins: 3 Low Risk, High Reward Signings the Twins could Make
Minnesota Twins Low-Risk Target No. 1: Chris Archer, RHP
2017 feels like forever ago, but I bet it feels like even longer for Chris Archer. That’s the last time the former Rays ace was an All-Star before he was traded away to the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star. Archer was shipped away for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Shane Baz in one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory.
Archer was an absolute disaster in Pittsburgh, going 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA over 172 innings. To top it all off injuries were a major issue to match with the ineffectiveness, as he struggled to stay healthy throughout his time there and missed all of 2020 to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
While this doesn’t sound like a pitcher you’d want on your team, it’s hard not to think about the upside. Archer is still just 32, which is right in his prime as a pitcher, and he would be very cheap (somewhere in the $7-$12 million dollar range). If the Twins can get even half of his Tampa Bay production, that’s a HUGE steal.
He put up very good strikeout numbers in Pittsburgh, even with the injuries, and some of his underlying metrics suggest he’s not that bad. In addition, leaving Pittsburgh, which is trying to rebuild its clubhouse and organization would be very helpful for Archer, a pitcher who hasn’t gotten the opportunity to play for a division winner yet.
Finally, Archer has always had a lot of talent, and if there is anyone who can unlock that ability, it’s Wes Johnson. We’ve talked a lot about Johnson’s work with pitchers, but we’ve never seen what he can do with someone who used to be an ace. There’s a lot of possible reward for someone the Twins could get for a low price and commitment.
We know the Twins have had interest in Archer in the past, as they tried to trade for him when the Rays made him available, so it would make sense for them to make a move for him now. Don’t be surprised if the Twins nab him on a one year deal and add a talented, high upside arm to their rotation.
Minnesota Twins Low-Risk Target No. 2: Jake Odorizzi, RHP
I’ve talked about this a lot, and almost everyone in Minnesota wants Jake Odorizzi back in 2021. Why? It just makes too much sense. Odorizzi is a good fit for the Twins and the Twins are an even better fit for Odorizzi.
Just 30 years old, Jake Odorizzi is the second former Rays pitcher on this list, but the first that the Twins successfully traded for. Since he’s come over to Minnesota, Odorizzi’s numbers have been overall solid, including an All-Star season in 2019.
Unfortunately for Odorizzi, his 2020 season went nowhere near as well as the year before. Odorizzi only was able to make four starts in the COVID shortened year, allowing an awful 6.59 ERA and being ravaged by injuries.
While it was easy to see his struggles, once again, it’s important to remember that in his last full season, he was an excellent starter, helping the Twins win over 100 games for the first time in 55 years. He’s clearly talented.
With the market for one-year deals for starters set after the Drew Smyly and Charlie Morton signings, it’s clear that a starter with smaller issues will be anywhere from $9-$15 million. If the Twins can get Odorizzi for that price, they’re getting a cheap starter on a one year deal with All-Star upside. That’s what you’re looking for.
Minnesota Twins Low-Risk Target No. 3: Dee Strange-Gordon
This is a name that you won’t really see anywhere else. Dee Strange-Gordon (formerly Gordon) was one of the fastest players in baseball just a few years back, and he would bring something sorely needed by the Minnesota Twins: speed.
Strange-Gordon is the MLB’s active steals leader with 133, and despite having a slower season in 2020, he still stole 22 bases just the season before. For the team that ranked dead-last in steals in the MLB and is likely losing the player with the second-most on the team (Eddie Rosario).
Strange-Gordon fixes this. Despite having a bad year in the speed category last year, bringing him on to work as a situational base runner and utility fielder would improve the team’s speed and serve as an upgrade over Ehire Adrianza.
Strange-Gordon also can play second base, shortstop, and most importantly center field. Byron Buxton’s inability to stay healthy causes the team a lot of problems, but being able to put Gordon out there in a pinch would be helpful. He’s not quite the player that he used to be, but he’s still got enough in the tank to be a nice low-risk buy.
Next. Minnesota Twins: The Top 8 Greatest Left-Handed Hitters in Twins History. dark