The Minnesota Twins need more starting pitchers. Sure, once Connor Prielipp returns from the injured list (blister), Minnesota will have a full five-man rotation of Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews and Prielipp. However, there isn't much depth after that. Mike Paredes and Kendry Rojas can occasionally start, but they usually cannot pitch as much in an outing as the team's primary starters. Injuries are always inevitable, so it'd make sense if the Twins went out and added another starter to the mix.
One starter the Twins should consider acquiring is right-hander Aaron Civale, whom the Athletics designated for assignment on Wednesday. Civale, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Athletics in the offseason, has struggled immensely this season. In 74 2/3 innings with the Athletics, the right-hander has posted a 5.42 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP and 58 strikeouts.
Even though Civale has had a rough year, the Twins should consider acquiring him if they have the opportunity. Just three seasons ago, the right-hander posted a solid 3.46 ERA in 122 1/3 innings with the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays. And last season, the Chicago Cubs picked up the right-hander off waivers from the Chicago White Sox in late August, and he proceeded to post a strong 2.08 ERA over 13 innings for the club before hurling 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a postseason game.
Aaron Civale could help the Twins in multiple ways
Would Civale be the most exciting addition? No. But he could fit a need for Minnesota. One more starting pitching injury, and the team will be in trouble. The Twins could use him until Prielipp returns. When Prielipp is reinstated, Minnesota could operate with a six-man rotation, allowing Prielipp to receive more rest between starts. Prielipp is on pace to shatter his personal innings record after suffering numerous injuries throughout his career, so the more rest the Twins can give him, the better.
Civale also showed he can be an effective bullpen arm with the Cubs last year. It's no secret that the Twins' bullpen needs help, as Minnesota's relievers rank 29th in ERA at 5.19. So if the Twins don't want a six-man rotation, they could Civale him to the bullpen when Prielipp returns. Acquiring Civale could kill two birds with one stone: adding needed starting pitching depth and improving the bullpen. Essentially, there are multiple ways the Twins could use Civale to improve the club.
Hopefully, the Twins have the chance to acquire Civale. Given his experience, plenty of teams in need of pitching depth will likely be interested in his services.
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