The Minnesota Twins will likely look at free agent pitcher Phil Hughes after shoring up their rotation by signing Ricky Nolasco on Wednesday.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Twins will “turn their attention” to the former New York Yankees pitcher. Hughes went 4-14 with a 5.19 ERA last season, but he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 2012 and 18-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 2010.
Hughes would likely benefit from a move away from Yankee Stadium and the AL East to the AL Central and the spacious Target Field. The Miami Marlins, New York Mets and Kansas City Royals are also said to have interest in him.
The Twins have very little pitching depth in their starting rotation and have very few payroll commitments after trading Justin Morneau. They committed $49 million to Nolasco over four years and should have plenty left over for other pitchers like Hughes.
Coming off a 66-96 season, signing Nolasco and Hughes would likely give a boost to the rotation and give the Twins more of a chance to compete.
