2023-04-22 09:04:02
In the midst of a great start with his new team, Venezuelan Pablo López has signed a four-year contract extension with the Twins. The deal is worth $73.5 million, a source told MLB.com.
Acquired by Minnesota this winter in a trade that sent 2022 AL batting champion Luis Arráez to the Marlins, Lopez is 1-1 with a 1.73 ERA in four starts this season. In 26 innings, the right-hander has struck out a major league-leading 33 batters and walked just six.
Lopez would have been eligible for free agency following 2024.
The deal represents the largest financial commitment to a pitcher in team history, surpassing the $55 million, four-year contract the Twins gave Ervin Santana before the start of the 2015 season.
Lopez has had a history of injury problems and it was important to the 27-year-old that he might finally stay healthy for 32 full starts in 2022 following finding a better preparation routine. He will only be 31 years old at the end of this extension.
And he’s not the same Lopez who has posted a 3.83 career ERA in 98 starts in six seasons with Miami and Minnesota; there are underlying reasons to believe that he is only scratching the surface of his potential.
His average fastball speed — 95.4 mph — is up nearly two mph from last season and 1.5 mph from his previous career peak. He also added a new slider that moves more horizontally and slowly (sweeper). He has had great results on that delivery, with a 50% hit-and-hit rate. He is the second pitch he uses the most.
And that’s not to mention the best delivery in his arsenal, a changeup he can adjust and attack hitters with in a variety of ways.
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