Winter Confidential
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Early offseason projections had some free-agent relievers receiving $10 million-$11 million a season. Relievers have become more valuable in recent seasons, but those projections seemed high. We needed some signings to put them to the test.
On Sunday, reports surfaced that Brandon Morrow was signing with the Cubs for two years and at least $20 million to replace Wade Davis as closer. That should help set the market; next is to watch how salaries for good setup men fall in line.
The Twins don't have a closer for 2018, although they have a couple of young relievers who could grow into the role. Luke Gregerson signed with St. Louis for two years and $11 million. This is an example of what it's going to cost the Twins.
Some other tidbits gathered in the lobby of the Swan and Dolphin Resort:
• The Twins are expected to meet with the agent for righthander Juan Nicasio this week. Nicasio (average fastball 95.4 mph, according to fangraphs) went 5-5 with a 2.61 ERA in 76 games for three teams last season.
• Reliever Brandon Kintzler, dealt to Washington in July when the Twins switched from being buyers to sellers, could be an option. The Twins remain in contact with Kintzler's agents. He could end up with a deal similar to Gregerson's.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
