Minnesota Twins: Taking an Early Look at the Rotation

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Nolasco

Ricky Nolasco’s trade value is destroyed and he is under contract for three more seasons, so yes, he will be back in the Twins rotation in 2015. The positive is it seems impossible that he can do worse than he did last year, and a simple regression to the mean would mean massive improvement.

On the other hand, he really was awful last season, finishing up 2014 with a 5.38 ERA in 27 starts. Both the fans and Nolasco himself were fed up at the end of the season. One Dodgers fan tweeted to him saying he wished Nolasco was still pitching for the Dodgers, and Ricky agreed. It definitely is possible that Nolasco will bounce back and we will eventually look at his Twins tenure in a positive light, but it could not have started much worse than it did. With the Twins cleaning house in the off-season, he will have an opportunity to work with a new pithing coach and a new manager. It is up to him to decide whether it is an opportunity he chooses to take advantage of.

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