Report: Twins have had discussions with Keuchel, Kimbrel
The Minnesota Twins have stunned just about everybody by jumping out to the best record in the American League. Now they want some reinforcements.
Minnesota is showing interest in free agents Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel and has already had discussions with both pitchers' representatives, multiple sources confirmed to La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune.
It's believed the Twins have more interest in Kimbrel than Keuchel at this point, Neal reports.
Neither All-Star hurler has found work so far this season as both have draft-pick compensation attached to them after rejecting qualifying offers this past winter. But that compensation expired as of 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, a fact that could finally spur their respective markets, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Keuchel's camp has told teams he won't sign immediately despite being free of draft-pick compensation, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported shortly after midnight Monday. Kimbrel's plans are unclear.
The Twins' rotation has been a major reason for their rise to the top of the league. But while Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi have been brilliant, Michael Pineda's injury has exposed a depth issue behind them; Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young winner, would immediately boost the staff heading into the midseason.
Kimbrel, meanwhile, would make an already lethal Twins bullpen even more dangerous. The back-end duo of Blake Parker and Taylor Rogers has been outstanding for manager Rocco Baldelli, and both could be used as set-up options for Kimbrel should he land in Minnesota.
Aside from the Twins, the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays, among others, are all reportedly pursuing Keuchel. His agent, Scott Boras, said this week that the 31-year-old has been throwing simulated games and could be ready to pitch within a week of signing.
The Yankees are apparently the favorites to land Keuchel, but the sides are far apart regarding financial terms, Heyman reported Sunday.
Kimbrel, 31, has reportedly drawn recent interest from the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. The Rays and Braves also have some interest, according to Neal.