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Craig Kimbrel Alternatives for the Minnesota Twins

By Michael Crow

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after retiring the side in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after retiring the side in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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It’s time to discuss the Craig Kimbrel Alternatives for the Minnesota Twins.

Craig Kimbrel Alternatives

It was reported back in March that the Twins offered Kimbrel a similar deal. Given the previous offer, the deal Kimbrel received from the Cubs wouldn’t have been more than the Twins were willing to offer unless they had a change of heart or the previous report was false.

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There are a few reasons the Twins may have simply passed at this time. First, the Twins bullpen has been better than expected which may mean they are no longer willing to spend $45 million over three years on it.  Second, Craig Kimbrel will likely require a month or more in the minors to get ready to pitch with the long layoff.  Third, there may be players they covet more in the trade market that could come in at a lower salary and only cost the Twins a top 25 or so prospect.

Here are a few names to watch for in the trade market to bolster the Twins bullpen:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – MAY 01: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on May 1, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 2-1. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – MAY 01: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on May 1, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 2-1. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

All three of these guys are potentially better players than Craig Kimbrel if the trends continue with all four players. All three of the players listed about would come in at less than half the price that Kimbrel will be paid for the remaining portion of 2019. They also are all on the last year of their contracts so the Twins could work a deal to extend the contract and still come in at a lower price.

The significant cost with these trades is that all three will demand a top 15 prospect from the Twins minor league system. Statistically, Smith and Giles at this time appear to be better players than Kimbrel was the last time we saw him. It will be interesting to see if the Twins are in on the trade frenzy that is coming soon since they may also be looking to add to the starting rotation.

dark. Next. Minnesota Twins Starting Pitcher Trades

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