5 Free Agent Starting Pitchers the Twins should target for 2014

As I promised, I dug a little deeper into my list of starting pitchers set to become Free Agents this offseason. I eliminated most pitchers with club options for 2014 (with the exception of Ubaldo Jiminez and a few others) as they will likely be exercised. This labels two of the most intriguing options here, James Shields and Jon Lester, as untouchable. Regardless, I was able to weed through plenty of others and was able to come up with a handful of great talent that could truly make the 2014 Twins pitching staff a horse of a different color. Here we go.

1.) Ervin Santana

His last name alone is intriguing to Twins fans! Can you imagine another Santana, sporting a mid 50s jersey number, dominating the rubber while fitted in Twins pinstripes?! Santana was obviously electrifying last season sporting a 3.24 ERA over 32 starts and 211 Innings Pitched. He had a WHIP of only 1.142, struck out 7 per 9 innings pitched, and walked only 2 also per 9 innings. The right-hander does show some small doubt and inconsistency over his career. In 8 mostly solid seasons with the Angels, Santana mixed in 3 rough years with an end of the season ERA greater than 5 (2007,2009, and 2012). The period of inconsistency in 2012, however, is an island among an ocean of success in recent years and was due mostly to an outlying amount of home runs allowed. I don't see a situation like this reoccurring in Santana's future (especially if he would be pitching half of his games at the pitcher friendly Target Field). Another factor that erases any sort of Santana "Red Flag" is his success pitching against AL Central Division opponents. His first season in Kansas City was his first away from LA and was statistically the most efficient of his career. In 10 starts against AL Central opponents in 2013 (including the Twins) Santana sported a 1.98 ERA, a 0.867 WHIP, held opponents to a batting average of .187 and struck out more than 8 per 9 innings. Ervin Santana will likely be looking for a more long-term deal this off-season and will come at a hefty price, but one the Twins could afford and could benefit greatly from.



2.) Matt Garza

Another sight for sore eyes, would be this guy back in a Twins jersey. In one of the worst trades the Twins have made in a long time, we sent this guy and Jason Bartlett to Tampa Bay for Brendan Harris and Delmon Young (neither of whom made a lasting impression in Minnesota). Since that trade Garza has posted an ERA lower than 3.98 and a WHIP lower than 1.262  in all six of his seasons with the Rays, Cubs, and Rangers. Garza has outstanding stuff and as excited as the Rangers were to have him last season, they aren't near as excited at the idea of retaining him next year after a few hiccups at the end of last season. This means Garza will be very available, but will draw tons of interest and will not be cheap. He's a low risk/high reward guy that would be well worth the investment for Minnesota, even a decently long term one.



3.) Dan Haren

This pick comes with a little bias. I've wanted to see Dan Haren as a Minnesota Twin since he made his first big splash in the Majors. And yes, some of that longing and Haren's early effectiveness makes this somewhat of a "homer pick." I really do, however, think that the more recent Dan Haren is still very valuable in a different skin, and should be a name the Twins take a serious look at this offseason. Haren cost a lot lost year, and a lot more before that, but after two mediocre to average seasons his stock is starting to fall, and potential suitors could see a few dollars knocked off his asking price. As a whole, Haren's stats last year don't look too sexy, but his progression throughout the year does. Haren steadily improved all season and actually showed more glimpses than not of his old self in the second half of 2013. In that second half Haren posted a 3.52 ERA, a 1.017 WHIP, and an opponents batting average of .226 in 13 starts. And even further, Haren posted a 2.89 ERA in his last 5 starts of 2013! He still carries some dominant stuff in his arsenal and does an excellent job locating every pitch (he has a career 1.9 BB/9 inn and 7.6 K/9 inn). If that isn't enough for you, Haren has had a healthy and consistent workload throwing 584 innings in the last 3 seasons and has posted a 2.93 ERA in 17 starts against AL Central opponents (NOT including the Twins) in that same time period.



4.) Phil Hughes

I do not think that Phil Hughes could or will be the ace of any pitching staff anytime soon. I do think he is a lot more talented than he has shown over the more recent part of his career. He is a good, young, middle-of-the-rotation type of pitcher stuck in an inopportune position. A predominantly fly-ball pitcher stuck in the confines of homer happy Yankee Stadium, Hughes posted a 6.32 ERA and allowed 17 Home Runs in 17 starts at Yankee Stadium last season. This opposed to a 3.88 ERA and 7 Homers allowed in 13 starts away from the park he called home in 2013. This holds true for his career as well. Hughes has allowed 76 career homers at Yankee Stadium in 95 starts, and only 36 homers away from it in 87 career starts. Hughes is only 28 years old and has a lot of career left. But, with his stock beginning to fall he could really use a change of scenery. The Minnesota Twins and pitcher friendly Target Field would gladly welcome him in 2014.



5.) Jeff Karstens

After missing the entire 2013 season and having surgery on his Rotator Cuff and Labrum, Jeff Karstens will be available for next to nothing this offseason, but could prove to be worth much more than that. Karstens was highly touted in the Pirates organization as early as three years ago. In 2011 Karstens had a 3.43 ERA, a 1.209 WHIP, and walked only 1.7 batters per 9 innings pitched in 26 starts. In 2012 he saw 15 starts and turned in a 3.89 ERA, a 1.176 WHIP, and improved his control even further walking only 1.6 per 9 innings. Shoulder surgery is difficult for a Major Leage pitcher to overcome. but Karstens is expected to be ready to go by Spring Training 2014. The competition for Karstens will not be thick, and a Minor League contract offer could be enough to bag a starter that has already proved to be worth much more than that in the past. A risk is obviously present, but at the specified price it's one worth taking for the Twins.



Dark Horses
Scott Kazmir: an experienced lefty that has shown greatness in the past, and effectiveness last season. He should come at a relatively cheap price and heck, if the Twins sign him just to keep him from pitching against them it might be worth it. In 5 starts against Minnesota last year Kazmir was 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA, recording 36 Strikeouts over 31 Innings!

Paul Maholm: the left-handed version of Kevin Correia