12/11/17

Twins off-season thoughts: Another trade and not only for starting pitching

So far, I have proposed that the Twins sign three free agent relievers, and trade for front line pitching with the Mets.  Unfortunately Brandon Morrow and Yusmeiro Petit have already signed elsewhere, and close for what I thought they will sign.  There is still room for improvement and the Twins go for it in Pittsburgh.

The Twins get:

RHSP Gerrit Cole (2 years of service left, second arbitration season),  OF Andrew McCutchen ( 1 yr $14.5M left), and closer Felipe Rivero (3 years of arbitration left.)

The Pirates get:

OF Max Kepler, OF Alex Kirilloff, LHSP Stephen Gonsalves, RHRP Nick Burdi, RHSP Kohl Stewart.

In other words, the Twins solidify their rotation, get a young closer, and a premiere RH OF bat and glove that will be a huge improvement over Kepler.   They can extend a qualifying offer to McCutchen after the season.

The Pirates save about $20-22 million dollars for 2018, a season they will not compete, get a whole bunch of prospects, including their home grown former first round pick Kirilloff, three arms with some potential that their history with pitchers might help, and an MLB-ready OF.

I think that this is a win-win trade.

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