Twins, Chac¨Ēn agree to Minors deal
Do-Hyoung Park
@dohyoungparkMINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins made an experienced addition to their rotation competition with right-hander Jhoulys Chacín agreeing to a Minor League deal.
The club announced the signing on Monday after sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Saturday.
Despite struggling to a 6.01 ERA last season with the Brewers and Red Sox, Chac¨Ēn should factor into the competition for the two temporary openings in the Twins' rotation that should exist until Michael Pineda (suspension) and Rich Hill (left elbow surgery) are available to return during the season.
Randy Dobnak, Devin Smeltzer and Lewis Thorpe will also be involved in that competition, and Sean Poppen could also be a factor after missing the end of last season as a precaution for a right elbow injury. Chac¨Ēn should bring a veteran presence to that collection of rookies as they seek to join José Berríos, Jake Odorizzi and Homer Bailey in the Opening Day starting rotation.
Chac¨Ēn, 32, saw a significant spike in his rates of hits and homers allowed in 103 1/3 innings last season, but he was effective as recently as 2018, when he posted a 3.50 ERA in 35 starts for Milwaukee and allowed only two earned runs in 12 1/3 innings (a 1.46 ERA) over three playoff starts in the National League Division Series and Championship Series.
If Chac¨Ēn makes the Major League roster, the Twins would be his eighth team in a solid career during which he has amassed a 4.03 ERA in 11 seasons -- made more impressive by the fact that he called the hitter-happy Coors Field home for six of those years with the Rockies.
The right-hander represents a low-risk addition with solid possible upside based on his track record in both the regular season and playoffs, and at minimum gives the Twins another option among their unproven starting depth.
The Twins have not yet announced their full list of non-roster invitees to Major League Spring Training. Though the club's 40-man roster is currently full, there could be space for one non-roster invitee to make the club because Hill will begin the season on the 60-day injured list.