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Michael Pineda Hopes To Stay With Twins

By Connor Byrne | September 11, 2019 at 8:41pm CDT

Even though the AL Central-leading Twins are well on their way to a playoff berth, the 2019 season is already in the rearview mirror for one of their top starters, Michael Pineda. Major League Baseball hit the right-hander with a 60-game suspension last weekend after he tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, which is on its list of banned substances. It’s a costly ban for Pineda, writes the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller, who explains that the 30-year-old will surrender a substantial amount of money. He’s out the rest of his $8MM salary this season ($984K), could lose as much as $1.5MM in bonuses and won’t collect any of his salary during the rest of his suspension in 2020 (39 games).

The question now is where Pineda, a pending free agent, will pitch next season. The former Mariner and Yankee joined the Twins on a two-year, $10MM contract in December 2017, at which point he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Pineda didn’t pitch in the majors at all last year as a result, but he made an impressive return this season before his misdeed sent him to the shelf. He concluded his campaign with 146 innings of 4.01 ERA/4.02 FIP pitching and 8.63 K/9 against 1.73 BB/9.

If not for his ban, Pineda would have been a strong bet to land a quality payday on the open market during the upcoming winter. It’s conceivable he’ll still get one, but regardless, Pineda’s hopeful he’ll stay in Minnesota, according to Miller. While Pineda wants to re-sign with the Twins, he noted he doesn’t “have control over that. We’ll let time decide that.”

For now, Pineda – who expressed contrition over his suspension – will continue to hang around the team as it tries to win its first World Series title since 1991. It’s going to be all the more difficult to accomplish that feat without Pineda, though, and it’s possible his ill-timed suspension will turn the Twins’ hierarchy off of the concept of re-signing him. On the other hand, however, starting pitching’s going to be an obvious need for the Twins in the offseason, which could steer them toward a Pineda reunion.

The lone full-time starter on the Twins who’s set to return next year is their No. 1 option, Jose Berrios. Pineda, Kyle Gibson and Jake Odorizzi – who have each been effective over a combined 81 starts – are all slated to reach free agency. Martin Perez could join them, though the Twins will first have to decide whether to exercise his $7.5MM club option or buy him out for $500K.

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Minnesota Twins Michael Pineda

The Least Valuable Sluggers Of 2019
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Angels Notes: Bedrosian, Upton
View Comments (12)
Post a Comment

12 Comments

  1. nick effing punto

    6 years ago

    1 year at 10 mil with a team option for 10 who says no?

    Reply
    • bravesiowafan

      6 years ago

      So a 7.5 million salary next year (taking 40 games worth of salary off) and an option 10 million year?

      Reply
      • seth3120

        6 years ago

        Nobody says no is my guess

        Reply
        • seth3120

          6 years ago

          As for Pineda he probably does say no

          Reply
  2. Lucky-Arm28

    6 years ago

    LMAO, the Twins might lose all four with the Rays, Angels, Reds, Yankees, Red Sox Rangers, Brewers and others all looking for starters,

    Reply
  3. jessecc08

    6 years ago

    that’s weird he doesn’t have control where he signs. I wonder who does.

    Reply
    • heater

      6 years ago

      He doesn’t have control of the Twins making him an offer….

      Reply
  4. crazylarry

    6 years ago

    Belicheat and the Pats have him penciled in already for next year. He cheats and they can’t help themselves.

    Reply
    • jorge78

      6 years ago

      A happy ending for everyone! Just like
      the Pat’s owner!

      1
      Reply
    • youngTank15

      6 years ago

      They ruled the diuretic wasn’t used as a masking agent.

      Reply
  5. Rich Hill’s Elbow

    6 years ago

    I’d rather bring back Odorizzi.

    Reply
  6. Eightball611

    6 years ago

    He only wants to stay because its the only team willing to pay 4 him.

    Reply

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