The Minnesota Twins continue to make moves to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2022 regular season.
With Opening Day a little more than a week away, the Twins have signed right-handed starting pitcher Chris Archer to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million.
The deal also includes a mutual option for the 2023 season worth $10 million.
Minnesota’s rotation now features two solid veterans in Sonny Gray and Archer, depending of course on the latter’s health, as Archer has struggled with injuries the past few seasons and isn’t quite the ace he was with the Tampa Bay Rays, but one Twins writer offered a take on how he can help the Twins in 2022.
Sources: The #MNTwins have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with free agent RHP Chris Archer with a $10 million mutual option for 2023.
Veteran presence to fill the fifth rotation spot, which had been a big question mark until now.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 28, 2022
How This Move Could Work Out
Of course, depending on Archer’s health, this could be a great move.
As mentioned in the tweet, the Twins have had some uncertainty surrounding the fifth spot in their starting rotation, and a veteran presence like Archer could help them get a little more stability in that spot.
Archer appeared in just six games last season with the Rays, starting five of them.
He went 1-1 with an ERA of 4.66 in 2021.
But if Archer can stay healthy, he could potentially regain his form from earlier in his career and provide the Twins with some much-needed innings coverage.
For his career, the 33-year-old righty owns a 61-81 record and an ERA of 3.87.
Again, health is the key for Archer.
If he’s right, he could form a solid top three in the rotation with Gray and Dylan Bundy.
The Twins may not be done yet, as there is still a little over a week before Opening Day, but for now, this is a solid depth move for them.
We’ll see if they make any more moves.
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