Ricky Nolasco signs four-year deal with Twins

Right-handed pitcher Ricky Nolasco has agreed to a contract with the Minnesota Twins, according to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish (via Twitter). Nolasco "confirmed" the contract himself, by changing his profile picture on Twitter to the Minnesota Twins logo. The deal is for four-years, $49 million and includes an club option for the 2018 season. The option can vest and become a player option if Nolasco reaches 175 innings in 2017. 

Nolasco has been a very reliable pitcher over the past few years. Ricky Nolasco, 31 in December, went 15-13 with a 3.70 ERA in the 2013 campaign. Upon being traded to the Dodgers, Nolasco went 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA with them. He was able to be a quality starter with Los Angeles, which definitely showed up in his contract with the Twins. Over his career, Nolasco delivers a quality start 55% of the time, being an effective pitcher and pitching very well. Teams have gone 110-102 when Nolasco has started. 

The Twins were in dying need of a starter to go into the 2014 campaign. They finished dead last in starter's ERA in 2013, with an ugly mark of 5.26. The signing of Nolasco should, at the very least, give them a guy that they have confidence in putting on the hill. That's what Nolasco provides. He'll join a Twins pitching staff that had the average age of 28 in 2013. He'll be the veteran pitcher to provide innings and leadership.