Berríos reunion is DEFINITELY not happening

Berríos re-signs with the Blue Jays for 7 years/$131 Million

If it wasn’t already official, it is now, my friends. Jośe Berríos is not coming back to Minnesota. So to those 6 people who genuinely thought there was a chance Berrios was coming back; I’m sorry. Just be happy that your boy got paid.

Right-hander José Berríos and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a seven-year, $131 million contract extension, sources confirm to ESPN. The deal includes an opt-out clause after the fifth season and limited no-trade protection as well. @deplaymaker was on top of it.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 16, 2021

Berríos and the Toronto Blue Jays reached an agreement on a 7 year, $131 Million deal on Tuesday. He is slated to make $11 million during arbitration this winter, so it basically becomes a 6 year, $120 million deal. He will average $18.31 million over the next 7 years, which is about market value.

Drafted by the Twins in 2012, Berríos made his Major League debut in 2016. He was then traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal for 2 of Toronto’s top prospects during deadline earlier this year.

I would have liked to see him stay, as he is just entering the prime of his career at age 27. But the Twins surely know what their doing, right? Sending off an All-Star player has NEVER backfired for the Twins before, right? …right?

Agreement could not be reached

Back in the early months of the 2021 season when Berrios was still with the Twins, contract negotiations finally began. In typical Minnesota fashion, negotiations stalled. Neither side could come to an agreement, thus causing the Twins to trade for prospects, another Minnesota tradition.

José Berríos: "The Twins can do whatever they want. If they come to us and make an offer, we'll see what the future has in store. But we waited a long time, worked very hard, to get to this position."

Via @MillerStrib: https://t.co/Ngc2GoaU7X

— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) July 19, 2021

With Berríos now locked in with the Blue Jays for the better part of the next decade and at this price, it leaves us questioning the Twins.

What did the Twins offer? How come the Twins couldn’t match that?

I’m sure the Twins could have offered this to Berríos, but this team’s front office seems to avoid giving long term deals to pitchers. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, that is the case.

What MN was willing to do was far from this. Have yet to hear of this regime willing to give any arm 7-yrs. What makes this a fascinating case is this: He's only 27, has been durable, keeps himself in great shape. Suppose easier to do when you gave up 2 solid prospects for him.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) November 16, 2021

Berríos wanted a long term deal (6 to 7 years), while the Twins were only comfortable giving him 2-4 years. Pitchers play a vital role in how a team performs. If a solid pitcher goes down, it can ruin an entire season. That’s what is preventing the Twins from investing long term in pitchers. The fear of injuries.

6 years into his career, Berríos’ greatest ability has been staying healthy. He has been a workhorse. Ultimately, that could very well be his downfall. He has logged a lot of innings since his debut. Since 2017, he ranks in the top 10 of innings pitched. That is definitely a lot of innings for someone of his age.

I can’t fault the Twins for not giving Berríos that kind of money, but at some point we need to make a move for a true #1 starting pitcher. Starting pitchers are attracted to 2 things: Length and Average Annual Value.

Let’s make a fucking move, Twins.