Insider Names Three Available Starters for Minnesota Twins

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Yusei Kikuchi
Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins are in the thick of an AL Central race with less than half of the season remaining. As the trade deadline approaches, it makes sense to bolster their 26-man roster. Minnesota’s biggest need is on the mound, and former MLB GM Jim Bowden has some ideas.

Insider names a trio of starters for Minnesota Twins

If Rocco Baldelli’s team is going to win the division, and make noise in the postseason, then they’ll need a jolt in the pitching department. Depth in the starting rotation was questionable coming into the season.

That hasn’t changed. With Chris Paddack going back on the injured list, the group needs some help. Former general manager Jim Bowden fielded a question about Minnesota’s pitching at The Athletic, and he came with specifics.

The Twins have always been willing to trade from their strong farm system and I could see them acquiring a starting pitcher like Yusei Kikuchi of the Blue Jays, Austin Gomber of the Rockies or Tyler Anderson of the Angels.

Jim Bowden – The Athletic

Yusei Kikuchi is a name that has been connected to Minnesota multiple times. The other two names are newer links, but both certainly hold some intrigue.

Austin Gomber (30 y/o) – Colorado Rockies

Austin Gomber playing on a $3.15 million contract for the Rockies this season. Although he is under team control through next year, he could be a non-tender candidate. With a 4.70 ERA and 4.87 FIP, Gomber is a relatively unexciting option.

He doesn’t strike many batters out (just 72 in 105.1 IP), and he doesn’t have a great track record. Despite pitching in elevation at Coors Field, he also has a worse (5.61 ERA) at home than on the road (3.83).

Tyler Anderson (34 y/o) – Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Anderson would be an odd fit in that he is playing on a $13 million salary this year, and is owed the same amount in 2025. Minnesota hasn’t been keen on adding payroll, and it doesn’t seem like that will change any time soon.

Related: Minnesota Twins Linked to Blue Jays Starting Pitcher

He’s also a prime candidate for regression. Despite owning a 2.91 ERA, Anderson owns a 4.44 FIP. He has owned a FIP below 4.00 just twice during his nine year career, and the low strikeout numbers don’t match up with the Twins typical process.

Related: Passan: Money Issues Continue to Hinder Twins in Trade Talks

Yusei Kikuchi (33 y/o) – Toronto Blue Jays

Among the names Bowden mentions, it’s Kikuchi that remains the most logical and straightforward fit. He is in the final year of his deal and is having one of the better seasons of his career.

Kikuchi’s 3.58 FIP is a career best, and he’s striking out double-digit batters per nine. The Blue Jays should have plenty of suitors for his services, but the Toronto starter would be a great addition for Minnesota.

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