Five free-agent pitchers the Twins could target
November 2, 2019 at 9:49PM
LHP Madison Bumgarner (above), San Francisco: The 30-year-old, a three-time World Series champion, could influence Twins pitchers the way Nelson Cruz influenced the hitters this season. Led the NL in starts this season.
RHP Zack Wheeler, N.Y. Mets: He pitched a career-high 195 innings in 2019, indicating the 29-year-old is all the way back following Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2015. Throws hard and avoids hard contact.
LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, L.A. Dodgers: He turns 33 in March, OK? But the crafty lefty is 21-8 with a 2.21 ERA in 44 starts over the past two seasons and threw 182⅔ innings in 2019. And he won't require a five-year deal.
RHP Jake Odorizzi, Twins: He picked the right time to hit free agency, as the 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, including an invitation to his first All-Star Game.
LHP Will Smith, San Francisco: Any free-agent dollars should be allocated on starters, but Smith, 30, would give the Twins another lefthander in the bullpen, and an elite one at that.
La VELLE E. NEAL III
about the writer
The team has agreed in principle to extending its lease through 2059 if the Legislature signs off on continuing the sales tax that built Target Field.
