Well, the lockout is almost underway, and the Minnesota Twins have only made one major move this offseason, bringing back franchise player Byron Buxton on a seven-year, $100 million deal. It’s the deal we all wanted, and it’s the deal the team got done.
The team then proceeded to sit back and watch most of the big market names sign deals, with the Twins only deals coming via tendering contracts, bringing in Curtis Terry, and signing Dylan Bundy. Terry is a good MiLB signing, and Bundy is a good lottery ticket, but by no means should they be the only moves the team makes.
After Jake Cave was outrighted to Triple-AAA Saint Paul, the team’s 40-Man roster now sits at 38. Conveniently, the team only has four big needs to fill: three (two if you’re sure on Bundy, Bailey Ober, and Joe Ryan) starting pitchers and a starting shortstop.
The Twins weren’t likely to land many of the big names in free agency given the front office (not Jim Pohlad) and their wariness of lengthy deals, but now that most of the top names are gone, the team can start looking at high-quality players for bargain prices.
One name that has been discussed is Carlos Rodón. Rodón, the soon to be 29-year-old pitcher is coming off a career best season, where he put up a very impressive statline:
- 24 GS, 132.2 IP, 13-5, 2.37 ERA (2.65 FIP), 185-36 K-BB ratio
He made the All-Star team and finished fifth in Cy Young voting and was a big reason the White Sox rotation was so good despite a truly awful year from Dallas Keuchel. The White Sox didn’t do enough to bring him back giving the Minnesota Twins the perfect opportunity to bring him in. Let’s break down why he would be a good fit here.
Reason No. 1: The Minnesota Twins need Starters
Let’s start the with the obvious: the Twins’ rotation needs help. With Dylan Bundy now in the rotation, the Twins have three arms that are extremely unproven, as Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan have under 25 career starts and Bundy has only had one really good season his entire career.
Rodón might fix that need. Yes, he doesn’t have as proven of a history as Zack Greinke or Clayton Kershaw, but he’s far younger and his analytics prove this can be sustainable. Even if he takes a step back to closer to his career average, the Twins are getting a starter with a 3.79 ERA, 1.295 WHIP, and 9.5 K/9 starter. That’s what the team needs.
Reason No. 2: Signing Rodón would hurt the Twin’s main rival
The American League Central currently runs through Chicago. The White Sox put together their most wins in a season since 2005 last year and won the division by a commanding thirteen games. The Royals are stuck in neutral and the Guardians are only going to get worse. The Tigers are almost to contending and the Twins have a lot to prove, so Chicago is the team to beat.
Stealing one of the White Sox’ top pitchers from 2021 would be a great way to close the gap. The White Sox lineup is lethal, and with everyone back and their young studs developing further, their rotation is their weak spot.
Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, and Lucas Giolito are still an imposing trio, but with Dallas Keuchel struggling and Rodón gone, they’d have a big hole to fill and the Twins would improve. That’s one hell of a move.
Reason No. 3: Rodón adds a possible ace to the Rotation
If Rodón plays up to the same level that he did in 2021, the Twins will have the long-awaited ace that the team has been searching for since Johan Santana was traded in 2008. Rodon was elite last year and looked like the kind of pitcher you trust twice in a playoff series.
No one is saying that’s for sure who he’d be again, but if he signs here, there’s a good chance the Minnesota Twins are landing a rotation mainstay for the next several years. That’s a worthy next target.