Lance Lynn signs with the Twins

According to the MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Lance Lynn has signed with the Minnesota Twins. The one-year deal worth $12 million, but could improve to $14 with performance-related bonuses.

Lynn compiled an 11-8 record and a 3.43 ERA in 2017. Lynn apparently turned down more money from other teams because of his belief in the Twins and in their ability to win now.

Lynn is the latest in a busy offseason for the Twins. Zach Duke, Fernando Rodney, Addison Reed, Michael Pineda, Anibal Sanchez, Logan Morrison, and Jake Odorizzi are also new faces in Minnesota. It would appear that the Twins are serious about 2018.

Lynn’s K/9 fell to 7.39 last year (career 8.46) and his BB/9 spiked to 3.77/9 (career 3.40). Still, Lynn is a 30-year-old innings-eater who has shown an ability to strike people out during his career. Because of the walks, you’ll want to ding him a little on draft day. But he still slots in as the second-best option for Minnesota behind Jose Berrios, and he should be a safe bet for 180+ innings with slightly above-average strikeouts in 2018.

Steamer projects: 152.0 IP, 4.67 ERA, 128 SO, 1.42 WHIP.

That’s a bearish outlook, even for a guy with an ADP of 230. I mean, even Ervin Santana has an ADP of 225, and he’s slated to miss the first month of the season. I’d expect Lynn’s ADP to rise a little now that he has some certainty. Lynn is currently the 59th-ranked starter over at FantasyPros, but I’d prefer him over a guy like Cole Hamels who is ranked a few slots ahead. Remember, last year was Lynn’s first season back from Tommy John surgery...there’s reason to believe his strikeout and walk rates will improve in 2018.

I’d be okay with Lynn around pick 200 if I was looking for some volume and floor for my pitching staff.