3 pitchers who can replace Anthony DeSclafani as Twins fifth starter

Michael Lorenzen

Reading the tea leaves -- and comments made by the guys who sign everyone's checks -- it would seem that the Twins will look internally to replace DeSclafani. Varland and Festa are solid options, as are fringe candidates like Simeon Woods Richardson and Brent Headrick, but it's not impossible that the team takes one last look at free agency to see what's out there.

Blake Snell, who was always a pipe dream, is no longer available. Jordan Montgomery is the top remaining starter on the market but it's unlikely the Twins spend top dollar when it can simply look internally for a much cheaper solution. That'll be the catch when it comes to free agent help as Minnesota won't want to break the bank if it signs outside help.

Michael Lorenzen might fit the bill.

The Twins were attached to him earlier in the offseason when the team was still looking for a fifth starter to replace Kenta Maeda. Nothing ever came of the rumors and things died down once DeSclafani was acquired from Seattle. Now that he's potentially out for the season, Minnesota might want to circle back and kick the tires again.

He's a classic Twins target too, as Lorenzen is both a former All-Star but one who has struggled as of late. He represented the Tigers as an All-Star last season before being traded to the Phillies where threw a no-hitter against the Nationals. That was the peak of his season, as Lorenzen proceeded to post a 5.51 ERA in 11 games and didn't really factor much into the Phillies' postseason run.

Minnesota's pitching depth is already being tested, with both Jhoan Duran and Caleb Thielbar hitting the IL in addition to DeSclafani. That's were signing Lorenzen makes some sense, as even if Varland lands the fifth starter role out of the gate the Twins will have some insurance behind him.

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