San Diego Padres: MIN Offers Lynn 2-Year, $20 Million; Pads Implications?

In a development that could have a domino effect on the rest of the free-agent market, the Twins have reportedly offered Lanc Lynn a two-year deal. Should the San Diego Padres get involved in talks with him or other FA hurlers?

According to multiple reports, the Minnesota Twins have offered free-agent pitcher, Lance Lynn, a two-year contract worth $20 million. If a pitcher of Lynn’s caliber can be had for that type of money, the San Diego Padres have to be willing to jump in on him or to go after another available starter.

If the Friars can fortify their rotation with an established pitcher like Lynn, or Jake Arrieta, or even Alex Cobb, it would improve their chances of success even more than their litany of offseason moves already have.

At $10 million per year or even a little higher for a guy like Arrieta, being able to plug any one of those above-average hurlers into a potentially decent Padres rotation would make a world of difference, in my opinion.

What adding a top-line SP could mean to the San Diego Padres

Clayton Richard would not need to be depended upon in such a huge way, and that would likely result in a more productive Richard. Decreasing pressure on any athlete, employee, or human being makes them that much more efficient and focused on whatever their task-at-hand may be.

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Younger Friars like Luis Perdomo and Dinelson Lamet could also benefit from the presence of another experienced veteran in the clubhouse.

While adding a front-line starter would shorten up the list of available Opening Day roster spots, in the case of this team, it would be totally worth it.

Maybe guys like Colin Rea or Robbie Erlin would have to start the year in Triple-A El Paso, or even take on a full-time role in the bullpen.

As much as it would likely sting them to be so potentially close to a roster spot just to end up not having a horse in the race, they would be taking on for the team in the truest sense of the phrase.

Next: Franchy's Success Might Not Be a Mirage

Of course, this is all hypothetical. But it can’t hurt to speculate, right? I’m sure Padres’ GM A.J. Preller has already explored all of his options. Maybe he’s still got a couple of rabbits in his hat.