The Minnesota Twins have already invited a former San Francisco Giants pitcher to spring training, so why not add another one? After all, few teams are as desperate for pitching as the Twins, who finished with the worst team earned run average in all of baseball last season.
Ryan Vogelsong is already set to appear in Spring Training, vying for what would likely be a spot in the bullpen. The 39 year old right hander spent much of his career with San Francisco, where he was a member of the Giants rotation for five seasons. Vogelsong was a key part of the staff that won two World Series championships, the first in 2012 and then again in 2014.
A fellow starter in that San Francisco rotation, not to mention a two time National League Cy Young Award winner, should also be asked to join the Twins for a try out in Ft. Myers this spring. Tim Lincecum has declared that he wants to make a comeback in 2017, after nearly a half dozen down seasons.
After being released from San Francisco, Lincecum last season pitched for the Los Angeles Angels. He really struggled, finishing winless with an ERA of over six under manager Mike Scioscia.
Lincecum does have some upside, in spite of the recent struggles. He is only 31 years old, and his surgery over the winter could help him regain his once dominant mound presence.
When you consider the current Minnesota rotation, it would definitely be worthwhile for manager Paul Molitor and the Twins to give him a shot this spring. Right now, the only proven starter on the staff is Ervin Santana, and he continues to be the subject of trade talks.
According to MLB.com, the Minnesota depth chart lists left hander Hector Santiago as the number two starter behind Santana. Santiago has just thirteen wins over his four year career in the Major Leagues, and his ERA was over five last season.
Kyle Gibson, who was a rookie in 2016, is projected as the number three starter. He lost twice as many games as he won, and his ERA was over five.
Top pitching prospect Jose Barrios, slated to be starter number four, was greeted with a rude welcome in his big league debut last year. He went just three and seven, finishing with a league worst 8.17 ERA.
The two guys who are vying for the last spot in the rotation are Tyler Duffey and Phil Hughes. Duffey went nine and twelve with a 6.43 ERA, and Hughes was one and seven with a 5.95 ERA.
The Twins were in the Wild Card race just one year ago, so there is no reason why they cannot overcome their last place finish and make another push toward contention. Taking a chance on a former Cy Young winner might end up being a great step on their way out of the cellar.
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