The Minnesota Twins have expressed interest in two more free agent starting pitchers, Chris Capuano and Gavin Floyd, reports Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
MLB free agency: Twins interested in Chris Capuano, Gavin Floyd
The Twins historically inept pitching staff has the team searching for multiple starters during the offseason.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor
Capuano made 24 appearances, including 20 starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013. The southpaw went 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA. The veteran starter has undergone Tommy John surgery twice in his career, but has made at least 20 starts each of the past three seasons.
More Twins: International Signings Boost Farm System
Floyd underwent Tommy John surgery on May 7, missing most of the 2013 season. The right-hander owns a career 4.48 ERA over 187 starts, but had been a workhorse for the Chicago White Sox from 2008-2012. Floyd's agent, Mike Moye, told Berardino that the starter is progressing well in his rehab:
“Gavin says he’s just felt great. We’re expecting a great doctor’s report and hope to start a mound progression shortly thereafter.”
The Twins have also been linked to Ricky Nolasco and Bronson Arroyo and seem likely to sign multiple starting pitchers this offseason. Their pitching staff has been historically inept at striking out opponents the past two seasons; only the 1911 St. Louis Browns had a lower team strikeout rate compared to the league's strikeout rate than then 2012 and 2013 Twins.
| TEAM | YEAR | TEAM M K/9 | LEAGUE K/9 | DIFF |
| Browns | 1911 | 2.57 | 4.2 | -1.63 |
| Twins | 2013 | 6.11 | 7.65 | -1.54 |
| Twins | 2012 | 5.9 | 7.41 | -1.52 |
| Rockies | 1997 | 5.47 | 6.89 | -1.42 |
| Yankees | 1972 | 4.1 | 5.5 | -1.4 |
| Nationals | 2009 | 5.76 | 7.09 | -1.34 |
| Tigers | 2003 | 4.78 | 6.11 | -1.33 |
| Cardinals | 1986 | 4.67 | 6 | -1.33 |
| Orioles | 1989 | 4.2 | 5.48 | -1.28 |
| Pirates | 2009 | 5.83 | 7.09 | -1.26 |
Minnesota hopes that pitching prospect Alex Meyer will also help improve the pitching rotation, but are clearly in need of some outside help.
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