(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Twins invested important assets to get Pablo Lopez from the Miami Marlins in the late portion of the offseason.
They sent AL batting champion Luis Arraez to Miami to get their man.
Lopez, 27, had been performing as a reliable number two or three starter for the Marlins for years.
In Minnesota, however, he took the leap and has reached ace status.
According to MLB insider Craig Mish, who has deep ties with the Marlins organization (Lopez’s former employer), the Twins are about to extend the pitcher.
“The Minnesota Twins and Pitcher Pablo López are closing in on a 4 year $73.5 million dollar contract extension per sources. Agreement expected to be finalized soon,” Mish tweeted.
The Minnesota Twins and Pitcher Pablo López are closing in on a 4 year $73.5 million dollar contract extension per sources. Agreement expected to be finalized soon.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) April 17, 2023
The fact he published terms gives the story credibility and tells us that they are, indeed, at the finish line.
Lopez is a career 3.83 ERA pitcher who also happens to have a nice 1.17 WHIP.
However, and considering recent developments, those $73.5 million feel like an underpay.
Granted, he still had two seasons of salary arbitration until hitting free agency – which lowers the total money amount in the contract – but the feeling is he could have made way more, both in an extension and if he waited to hit the market.
Still, it’s perfectly understandable for young athletes, particularly pitchers, to “secure their bag” when they can and not look back.
Lopez worked hard in the offseason on his mechanics and added 1.5 mph of velocity to his fastball, which is now sitting at around 95 mph.
He also introduced a new pitch to his repertoire, a sweeper that is already getting excellent results.
That has resulted in a nice 1.73 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 26 innings.
It’s a good day for the Twins organization, fans, and Lopez.
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