MLB insider thinks Twins are a potential fit for two top free agent pitchers

Now that the offseason is officially upon is, the Minnesota Twins have some important questions to ask themselves. First and foremost, will the team be willing to spend any money to add players in free agency, or will ownership once again smother out any momentum that might be building?

That's what happened last year, with the Twins squandering both good vibes and peak fan interest by slashing the payroll by $30 million. Further reductions aren't expected, but lowering the payroll any further would border on malpractice given how it would hamper a team just a few pieces away from being a World Series contender.

While fans remain justifiably pessimistic about the prospect of the team spending, others around the league aren't yet writing them off. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is one of those people, as he has Minnesota listed twice on his ranking of the Top 25 free agents set to hit the market this winter.

Twins named a potential fit for pair of top free agent starting pitchers

Both names will be familiar to Twins fans keeping an ear to the ground hoping to hear any rumors pop up. Minnesota was listed as a potential fit for starting pitchers Luis Severino and Yusei Kikuchi, players who have been linked to the team in the past.

Kikuchi was on the Twins' radar at the trade deadline and a deal might have gotten done had it not been for Houston swooping in with a Godfather offer for Toronto. Many saw the trade package as an overpay, and the gamble didn't pay off as the Astros were eliminated in the Wild Card round by Detroit.

Severino was a name tossed around last winter, but there was never any traction to the idea of him coming to Minnesota. A lack of willingness to spend was the nonstarter, and that could end up being the case again. Severino was extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer, which means if he doesn't accept that he'll be looking for more than that on a multi-year deal.

No such offer was extended to Kikuchi, but his 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with Houston suggests he'll go for more than the $12 million he made last season on the final year of his contract.

Minnesota could use some starting pitching help, but all signs point to frugalness forcing the team to look for internal options. Last year David Festa and Zebby Matthews were promoted ahead of schedule to help fill in for injuries and the same logic will likely apply again.

It would be nice if the Twins dove into the market like some of these rumors suggest, but fans in Minnesota can't be blamed for not wanting to hold their breath.

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