Before the 2010 season, former Twins reliever LaTroy Hawkins signed a two year/$7.5 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He went on to post a 0-3 record with an 8.44 ERA in 16 innings. The poor season was due to early shoulder pain, Hawkins was shut down and went through shoulder surgery.
Last year he bounced back after his surgery and posted a 2.42 ERA in 48.1 innings. Hawkins strong season helped propel the Brewers to a Division Title and a trip to the NLCS. It is unlikely the Brewers bring Hawkins back this year, leaving him a top free agent reliever on the market. He is currently 38 and should command a 1-2 year deal.
Hawkins was drafted in the 7th round of the 1991 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins. He made his debut on April 29th, 1995. He was a starter for the Twins at the beginning of his career before moving to the bullpen as the team’s closer in the year 2000. He had a career high 28 saves for the Twins in 2001. He would collect only two saves after that (both in 2002) as he lost the closers role to Eddie Guardado.
Hawkins still went on to be a work horse for the Twins. In his last two years after losing the closers job, Hawkins pitched in 157.2 innings. His first year as a set up man (2002) he posted a 2.13 ERA and an even better ERA of 1.86 the next year.
In 2004, Hawkins would sign with the Chicago Cubs only to be traded to the SF Giants in 2005. He would spend time with Baltimore, Colorado, Houston and the Yankees before signing with the Brewers in 2010. To this point in his career, Hawkins has a 4.48 ERA and a 13.7 WAR (wins above replacement).
Hawkins proved last year that he has still got it even at age 38. He is an experience, veteran reliever who knows the Twin Cities and the Twins organization. There figures to be a lot of interest in Hawkins, recently the Rockies were linked to him. I think he would be a perfect fit for a bullpen that was a disaster last year. He would be a popular signing among his team mates and fans.
The only problem is he will not be cheap. Hawkins will most likely get a contract of $3.5 million-$4 million but it will be for two years at the max. More money than the Twins have shown they want to spend on a reliever, but it is not long term….possibly even a one year deal. It helps that he was brought up as a Twin and has had success under Gardenhire. I think it makes perfect sense for the Twins to bring back “The Hawk” and really hope Terry Ryan gives it his best shot.
Photo courtesy of www.bleacherreport.com
