Risk vs. Reward: A Dozen Free Agent Pitching Options for the Twins

The Minnesota Twins came into this offseason with three major goals:

1) Sign Joe Mauer to an extension
2) Improve the infield
3) Add at least one veteran arm to the rotation

General manager Bill Smith got off to a quick start on his offseason “to do list” by acquiring shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday.

Talks with Mauer don’t figure to go anywhere until after the Twins have addressed the two other goals in full, essentially proving the club is committed to winning.

As such, today I’m going to take a look at some of the high-risk, high-reward free agent pitchers who could help the Twins in 2010 and beyond.

All of the pitchers featured here have the ability to contribute in a major way when healthy, but all come with their fair share of health hazards.

Given their spotty health histories, many—if not all—of these pitchers will probably be forced to settle for short-term, incentive-laden deals this winter.

It is entirely possible that whoever signs first will set the market for the rest of the crew.

As such, it may be late in the offseason before we see anyone from this bunch sign a deal, but it’s officially hot stove season, so let’s get the speculation started.

The list contains many of the usual suspects whom you’ll be hearing rumors about all winter long and some other names that are currently flying under the radar.

Without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the men who could be key members of the Twins’ 2010 starting rotation.

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