MLB news roundup: Bronson Arroyo, Twins, David Wright recruiting free agents
Arroyo does not yet have a contract offer while the Twins are expected to go hard for two starting pitchers.
USA TODAY Sports
Free agent starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo has not yet received a contract offer, though his agent has been contacted by the Giants, Phillies and Twins, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
While not flashy, Arroyo has been one of the steadiest pitchers in the MLB the past few years. He has had an ERA between 3.74 and 3.88 for four of the last five seasons and has a career 1.30 WHIP. Arroyo has spent the last eight seasons with the Reds, but the two sides appear ready to move on.
All three named teams need a starting pitcher. The Giants declined Barry Zito’s option and will likely proceed without him in their plans while the back end of the Twins and Phillies rotations are both unsettled.
Arroyo has made it known that he hopes to earn a three-year contract this offseason.
Twins want two starting pitchers
The Twins have said they will be “relentless” in a search for two new starting pitchers this offseason, according to Cafardo.
It's possible Minnesota could open up the checkbook a little bit for one of those starters as Matt Garza and Ervin Santana could both be targets along with Arroyo and Ricky Nolasco. The Twins would prefer to pick up a pitcher with few question marks who would stick with the team for several years.
Minnesota had 11 players start for them in 2013, though Kevin Correia was the only player in his 30s to do so. The Twins are not necessarily lacking for pitchers who can start so much as they are for consistency in the rotation. Sam Deduno was the only starter last year to maintain an ERA under 4.00.
David Wright helping to recruit free agents
New York Mets star third baseman David Wright is helping the team recruit free agents, reports the New York Post.
Wright says that the players he talks to are most concerned about the Mets’ chances of winning and the injury to ace Matt Harvey’s elbow that will keep him out for all of 2014.
"Guys ask about what the injury means, but they also want to know about Zack Wheeler," Wright told the Post. "And I tell them about guys like Noah Syndergaard and all of our young pitching that could either help us soon or be used in a trade. A lot of them don’t know about anyone besides Wheeler and Harvey."
Still, Wright says his conversations with players will not be the key element in attracting free agents.
“We need to start making an impact and show we’re a contender,” Wright said. “That would be better than anything I could tell them.”
More from SB Nation MLB:
See More:
