Twins court cheap pitching

Talk about it

The Minnesota Twins are desperate for starting pitcher, but don’t appear willing to spend much money on it.

Numerous media reports have the pitching-needy Twins interested in lower-tier, or cheaper, pitching alternatives despite coming off back-to-back last-place finishes in the American League Central division.

The Twins currently have just one starting pitcher set for next season in left-hander Scott Diamond.

In recent days, the Twins have been rumored to be interested in, or have made offers to the likes of left-handers Joe Saunders of the Baltimore Orioles, former Washington National John Lannan and even Francisco Liriano, who the Twins traded to the White Sox last season.

Other pitchers linked to the Twins include former White Sox reliever Brett Myers, who was a starter earlier in his career for the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies; Shaun Marcum, who is a free agent after an injury-plagued season with the Milwaukee Brewers and Kevin Correia, formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Anibal Sanchez of the Detroit Tigers, the Oakland Athletics’ Brandon McCarthy and Ryan Dempster, who was traded from the Cubs to the Texas Rangers last season, are the top available starters after Zach Greinke, who most believe is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a mega contract. The Twins aren’t believed to be willing to commit the money or years on a contract it would take to sign Sanchez, McCarthy or Dempster. Sanchez was dealt from the Miami Marlins to the Tigers last season.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, twins, mlb