This season, we think the Minnesota Twins have a solid starting rotation, and the first turn through that group shouldn’t deter that notion.

Time will tell us, at the end of the day, exactly what we have in the 2025 Twins rotation.

Over the years, former president of baseball operations, now team president Derek Falvey and his front office have had mixed results brining in veteran pitchers, both in the bullpen and on the starting staff. Some have been more expensive than others, too.

One of the most notorious free agent signings the MN Twins have made during the Falvey tenure came relatively early, in 2018.

That’s when the Twins swung big on a hefty right-handed starter named Lance Lynn. After he rejected a deal in early March of 2018, for two years, $20 million, Lynn wound up signing a one-year deal worth $12 million, just days later.

In 2025, that price tag seems like pennies on the dollar for a productive proven productive 30-year-old pitcher. It’d be the equivalent of paying a starter in the range of $20 million per season, today.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Lance Lynn retires

After begrudgingly signing with the MN Twins in 2018, Lynn lasted just 20 starts, posting a 5.10 ERA.

Minnesota then sent him to the New York Yankees, where he pitched for six more seasons. But on Tuesday, the one time Twin revealed on his wife’s podcast that his Major League Baseball career is over.

“Baseball season is upon us, and I’m right here on the couch, and that is where I’m going to stay. So, there’s the update. I am officially retiring from baseball right here, right now. There might be something a little fun around the corner, in the upcoming weekend. But for Major League Baseball, I am done pitching.”

Lance Lynn – Dymin in the Rough

Lance Lynn went on to suggest that there was interest in his services during free agency, but not at the money he was looking for. Being home was something that was comfortable to him and he felt happy leaving his MLB career, as is.

The 13-year big league veteran — who last pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024 — was drafted 39th overall by that same team in 2008.

Lynn made his MLB debut with the Cards in 2011, and left the game wearing that same uniform.

Lynn struggled with the Twins big time

When Minnesota signed Lynn ahead of the 2018 season they were hoping that a guy who had been a key cog in the Cardinals rotation for six seasons would be able to help get their rotation over the top.

He was supposed to pair with Ervin Santana (who started that season injured), Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson and Jose Berrios in an attempt to win an AL Central Division title.

Unfortunately Lynn posted a lackluster 5.10 ERA across 20 starts, the worst ERA of his career, up until 2023. He walked 62 batters in 102 1/3 innings, and often looked fatigued. His weight was always a talking point, while he was in Minnesota.

But once the Twins sent him to New York at the trade deadline — in exchange for Luis Rijo and Tyler Austin — he produced a 2.17 ERA in 54.1 regular season innings in the Bronx, before he imploded in the playoffs that fall.

The Minnesota Twins finished 2018 with a 78-84 record, before firing manager Paul Molitor.

After his brief tenure with the Yankees, Lynn played for both the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox. He posted a much better 3.42 ERA in 95 starts from 2019-2022.

As was the case before his time with the Twins, he was once again a solid starter.

It wasn’t until the final year with Chicago that he really blew up (6.47 ERA).

Lynn owned a a 4.36 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out 2023, and pitched 23 games for the Cardinals last year with a 3.84 ERA.

He leaves the game as a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with St. Louis during his rookie season.

He was never a true ace, but constantly a key cog in multiple rotations. Lynn made just over $95 million during his big league career and can now enjoy life on the couch with his family