Twins extension candidates, part 2: For your consideration...

This is the second of a four-part series highlighting Minnesota Twins players that could be deserving of a contract extension. In part one, we looked at two players that the team should extend. Today, we’ll look at candidates that should at least be considered for a contract extension.

We’ve discussed extending two pillars of the Minnesota Twins - a starting pitcher in Jose Berrios and a Gold Glove outfielder in Byron Buxton. Minnesota has already extended a young outfielder and two infielders. Could it pay off to extend another outfielder and some couple bullpen arms?

Eddie Rosario

Max Kepler received an extension and if Buxton were to sign one as well, it would leave Rosario as the only main outfielder that is left without a long-term contract. Rosie is receiving $7.75 million in 2020, his second year of arbitration, and would hit the free agent market in 2022.

One question to ask is this: Is Rosario in the future plans of the Twins? Although he had a down year in 2019, he did produce by providing 32 bombas and 109 RBI, the latter being the most on the team, just one ahead of Nelson Cruz. He has stayed very healthy throughout his career so far, seeing the injured list only twice. His 2016 was cut short due to a left thumb fraction in late September and in this last season, he had his ankle issues, which seemed to linger throughout the season.

Although Rosario has stayed healthy, there’s certainly a logjam on the horizon for positions to patrol the grasses at Target Field. LaMonte Wade Jr, Brent Rooker, Alex Kirilloff, and Trevor Larnach are all starting to knock at the door. Kepler’s extension is pretty team-friendly, so he could possibly be traded. Buxton was also among trade rumors this season. But if Rosario signed an extension as well (4 years, $34 million), would we still be hearing his name chanted at Target Field come August?

Trevor May

After Tommy John surgery, May has been a great addition to the Twins’ bullpen. Between a truncated 2018 and a full plate of games in 2019, he’s put up a 3.01 ERA (150 ERA+) and 3.54 FIP in 89.2 innings of work across 89 games. Supplementing that is a 11.5 K/9, but it is a bit off-set by a 3.1 BB/9. Especially considering his 2019 season, May has been a reliable arm for Rocco Baldelli to call upon in times of need.

Minnesota does not seem to have a bevy of bullpen prospects waiting to come up from the minors and with his improvement since surgery, May would be a good candidate to extend a contract to beyond 2020. He would be hitting free agency next year, so the front office would need to consider an extension before the next winter gets into full swing.

Taylor Rogers

Minnesota’s “Closer by committee” essentially became “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” - with a few exceptions - by the end of 2019. Rogers racked up 30 out of the team’s 50 saves once the books were closed on the season (and remember that the remaining 20 saves were spread amongst eight other relievers!), while blowing six save opportunities.

He really stepped up for the team last season, and his numbers show it. He bumped up his K/9 rate to 11.7 (compared to 9.9 in 2018) and lowered his BB/9 rate from 2.1 in 2018 to 1.4 in 2019, effectively raising his K/BB ratio from 4.69 to 8.18. In 69 innings of work, he posted a 2.61 ERA (176 ERA+) and 2.85 FIP during 60 outings. If the Twins have their closer of the future, it’s Taylor Rogers. Rogers is a super-two, has two years of arbitration remaining, and will be entering his age 29 season.