The Minnesota Twins are taking steps to build a better roster for next year and ensuring they improve on a disappointing 2013 season that ended with a fourth-place finish in the AL Central.
That process continued on Wednesday when the team reportedly signed free-agent starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco to a four-year deal worth just less than $50 million. Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports also reports that an option for a fifth year is included in the contract.
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The 30-year-old veteran went 13-8 with a 3.71 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, 165 strikeouts and 46 walks in 33 starts between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins in 2013. He adds much-needed talent and depth to a Twins pitching staff that ranked 29th in ERA, 26th in wins, 30th in strikeouts and 30th in batting average against last season.
On a playoff contender, Nolasco is a third or fourth starter, but with Minnesota, he will likely serve as a top-of-the-rotation guy.
