MLB Trade Rumors 2014: Minnesota Twins Willing To Sign Matt Garza To Lucrative Contract
The Minnesota Twins have reportedly revived talks with free agent hurler Matt Garza despite already committing around $84 million to a number of starting pitchers this winter, a source close to situation reported on Friday.
According to ESPN MLB insider Darren Wolfson, the Twins are again 'kicking tires' on possibly signing Garza to a lucrative but shorter contract.
"Word from MLB contact: #MNTwins again kicking tires on Garza. Willing to pay high $. But same concern as before: don't want to do big years," Wolfson tweeted.
Their pursuit of Garza came in following reports of the Twins' interest in bidding for Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka and on free-agent hurler Bronson Arroyo.
The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and now the Twins have all expressed their intention in getting the hottest pitcher on the market. Tanaka posted a 24-0 record with a 1.27 ERA in his final season with the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Meanwhile, Arroyo went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA and 124 strikeouts with the Cincinnati Reds last season. Arroyo has reportedly narrowed his suitors to four teams with the Reds and Twins emerging as the frontrunners.
"As much as it can be considered a "sweepstakes", the chase for Bronson Arroyo[1] is down to four teams[2] including the Cincinnati Reds[3] and Minnesota Twins[4], per CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. The Reds' offer is for one year[5],[6] according to ESPN's Buster Olney," Sports Topix reported.
Garza with the Twins?
The Twins have already brought in a handful of above-average hurlers this offseason, including starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (four-year, $49 million deal with $13 million club option for 2018). Phil Hughes (three-year, $22 million) and Mike Pelfrey (two-year, $11 million).
However, the inclusion of Garza will make the Twins' starting rotation much more formidable this upcoming season. Garza split the 2013 season with the Chicago Cubs and the Texas Rangers, going 10-6 with a 3.82 ERA and 136 strikeouts.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Twins are ready to sign Garza to a lucrative deal but they have remained iffy on committing to a longterm contract.
"Wolfson reported that the Twins "know the price" for Garza. But if Garza has made his terms clear, so too have the Twins. Minnesota's position seems to remain the same, according to Wolfson: the club will put a lot of money on the table, but still will not commit to a lengthy term," via MLB Trade Rumors.