KEY POINTS

  • Rich Hill signed for one-year in an incentive-heavy contract worth $9.5m
  • Homer Bailey signed for one-year and $7m with fewer incentives
  • Twins still left with enough money to try and land Josh Donaldson

The Minnesota Twins went a long way to settling their starting rotation just before the new year by signing both Rich Hill and Homer Bailey but still have enough money to at least try to land the best remaining free agent on the market, Josh Donaldson.

Both pitchers secured one-year deals to call Target Field home in 2020. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that Hill’s contract is worth $3 million plus a possible $9.5 million in incentives which kick in at 15 starts and/or 75 innings pitched while Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reports that Bailey’s deal is worth at least $7 million with incentives starting at 180 innings pitched.

Rich Hill and Homer Bailey will compliment a Twins rotation which already boasts Jake Odorizzi and Michael Pineda. Due to failing a drug test last season, Pineda will start the season on the suspension list while Hill is recovering from an elbow surgery.

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Homer Bailey is tied for 28th with a $21,000,000 base salary for the 2018 MLB season. Joe Robbins/Getty Images

In addition to adding depth in the rotation, Minnesota has also done well to save enough money to make a play for Josh Donaldson. The Athletic’s Dan Hayes first reported that fact but openly questioned whether or not the former Atlanta Brave would want to sign for the Twins.

Minnesota did capture the AL Central title last season but weren’t able to make a playoff run, being swept by the New York Yankees in the ALDS. However, with the Chicago White Sox spending big in free agency and the Cleveland Indians seemingly willing not to trade away Francisco Lindor, the Twins will face stiff competition from their divisional rivals in 2020.

Adding Donaldson, however unlikely that is, would send Minnesota over the top in their bid for a second division crown in as many seasons. The one-time Oakland Athletic is still expected to sign with the Washington Nationals, although the Atlanta Braves are hopeful as well.

Even if they can’t land the big bat of Donaldson, adding both Rich Hill and Homer Bailey has set up the organization nicely as far as pitching goes, their biggest area of need entering this off-season.

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