Report: Pablo López, Twins closing in on a four-year extension

Report: Pablo López, Twins closing in on a four-year extension

The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Pablo López are “close” to an agreement for a contract extension for four years, $73.5 million, according to MLB Network’s Craig Mish.

The deal would have no options and would buy out three years of free agency for the Venezuelan right-hander, according to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman.

The Minnesota Twins and Pitcher Pablo López are closing in on a 4 year $73.5 million dollar contract extension per sources. Agreement expected to be finalized soon.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) April 17, 2023

The Lopez contract would be straight four years (no options) and buy out 3 free agent seasons. #Twins https://t.co/UvrrpfYQMF

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 17, 2023

López, 27, has helped the Twins to a 10-6 record thanks to his four dominant starts. However, if the contract is truly four (years) for $73.5 million, López would be supplanted as the 24th-highest pitcher in MLB by average annual value, sandwiched between Lance Lynn and Taijuan Walker, per Spotrac.

He joins Logan Webb for pitchers who have received big early-season contract extensions with their club. Similarly, Webb signed with the Giants for five years on Friday.

Logan Webb, Giants Agree to Five-Year Extension

López has been excellent for the Twins this season, his first in Minnesota. The right-hander was dealt from the Marlins to the Twins this offseason for infielder Luis Arraez. That deal seems to be working out for both sides. In four starts, López has posted a 1.73 ERA and leads MLB in strikeouts with 33. While still early in the season, his ERA+ sits at an absurd 254.

One of López’s new wrinkles for hitters to whiff at this season has been his sweeper. It’s a pitch he just started throwing in Minnesota, and, surprisingly enough, it may now be his primary strikeout pitch. The weapon is a hybrid slider, with more downward action to get the hitter to swing over it. Whatever you want to call the pitch, it’s working really well for López, who has thrown the sweeper more than any other pitch outside of his four-seam fastball.

López looks to continue his stretch of dominance for the Twins. He’ll look to help Minnesota secure their first AL Central championship since 2020.

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