Who Stays and Who Goes?

[stringer bell]

According to Phil Miller, the Twins will add a bench player when they go on the road.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/264159531.html

 

A relief pitcher will be sent down and of the candidates only Thielbar has an option. Will they let someone go? This is particularly perplexing because Trevor Plouffe and Eduardo Nuñez are eligible to come off the in a week and at that point more transactions will occur.

[Thrylos]

I think that the Twins are shopping Guerrier, Burton and Deduno. If there are no bites, Thielbar might go down.

 

When Plouffe and Nunez (and Hicks) go off the DL, there will be other options to go down or out and Florimon and Parmelee and Santana will head that list.

[Joe A. Preusser]

I think that the Twins are shopping Guerrier, Burton and Deduno. If there are no bites, Thielbar might go down.

 

When Plouffe and Nunez (and Hicks) go off the DL, there will be other options to go down or out and Florimon and Parmelee and Santana will head that list.

 

Santana? I would think as long as he keeps hitting and playing a passable CF he will stay up?

[stringer bell]

Santana? I would think as long as he keeps hitting and playing a passable CF he will stay up?

Florimon, sure. He's not playing and he's not a utility guy. Parm--he's swinging fairly well right now. I expect he'll start at least one game in Anaheim. Santana--if the o-fers pile up. Arcia--He's below .200 and continues to be less than graceful in right field. He's my choice if both Nuñez and Plouffe return as early as July 1. I don't know which position player will be called up and frankly there is no one in the organization that really makes sense to me unless they create a spot on the 40-man roster.

[jokin]

Florimon, sure. He's not playing and he's not a utility guy. Parm--he's swinging fairly well right now. I expect he'll start at least one game in Anaheim. Santana--if the o-fers pile up. Arcia--He's below .200 and continues to be less than graceful in right field. He's my choice if both Nuñez and Plouffe return as early as July 1. I don't know which position player will be called up and

 

frankly there is no one in the organization that really makes sense to me unless they create a spot on the 40-man roster.

 

It's no secret that the bench without Plouffe and Nunez is horrendous right now. Doug Bernier went 4-5 today (.424/.487/.515/1.012 in his last 10 games and BA .307/OPS .812 on the season) and would offer a much better utility bench option than Florimon....plus, who would claim Bernier once he became expendable? Then, the Twins just have to find the guy off the 40-man to DFA, that either won't be claimed or determine that it's no loss, if claimed.

[Danchat]

I hope they give Parmelee some more chances. I think they should also give AAA 3B Romero

a chance in the majors. I also expect Thielbar to probably go down. I wonder if we'll ever see Ryan Pressly pitch.

[pierre75275]

doesnt swarsak still have sn option? Not saying that is probable

[curt1965]

The Twins need to be realistic, bite the bullet, and DFA Deduno. His stuff is electric, but IMO a major league team cannot afford to roster a guy who is that inconsistent. I doubt he is picked up, and I suppose that means the Twins would have to eat his salary. That also would leave only one long man in the bullpen (Swarzack). Why not put Pino there, and bring up May? That doesn't solve the bench problem, but makes the pitching staff much better.

[Gernzy]

The Twins need to be realistic, bite the bullet, and DFA Deduno. His stuff is electric, but IMO a major league team cannot afford to roster a guy who is that inconsistent. I doubt he is picked up, and I suppose that means the Twins would have to eat his salary. That also would leave only one long man in the bullpen (Swarzack). Why not put Pino there, and bring up May? That doesn't solve the bench problem, but makes the pitching staff much better.

 

Completely agree with this. I don't think he gets claimed either and we can hopefully get him to AAA.

[Mike Sixel]

How is losing Deduno a huge issue? They have 3-4 more guys in AAA about that good or better already, probably. This is the issue with having a bunch of guys over 30 on the roster, lack of options and flexibility. Veterans!

[ScottyB]

Before I just let Deduno go, I'd check with the Yankees. They are desperate for starters. They gave us Nunez for Sulbaran. Maybe we could get the rights to A-roid (LOL). They might have a useful piece in the minors for Deduno.

[nicksaviking]

I'm guessing the main hold up with cutting ties with Deduno (from a fans perspective) is the knowlege that he has such great stuff there will always be the possibilty the Pirates, Cardinals, A's or another team with a history of getting the best out of pitchers with huge question marks know exactly how to fix him and we miss out on the reward.

 

Still doesn't do the Twins any good to keep him if they can't figure out how to fix him.

[stringer bell]

If a pitcher is let go (in some form), I too think it should be Deduno. However, I really think they should just roll with 13 pitchers for another week, when Nunez and Plouffe are eligible to come off the DL. There is no one that can really help (RH hitting OF) at Rochester and trying to get someone on the 40-man might cost a future helpful player. A week from today--Plouffe and Nunez for Florimon and Deduno, that is unless injuries intervene.

[GCTF]

If a pitcher is let go (in some form), I too think it should be Deduno. However, I really think they should just roll with 13 pitchers for another week, when Nunez and Plouffe are eligible to come off the DL. There is no one that can really help (RH hitting OF) at Rochester and trying to get someone on the 40-man might cost a future helpful player. A week from today--Plouffe and Nunez for Florimon and Deduno, that is unless injuries intervene.

 

This is the correct answer and if someone claims Deduno, meh.

[Brandon]

I'm guessing the main hold up with cutting ties with Deduno (from a fans perspective) is the knowlege that he has such great stuff there will always be the possibilty the Pirates, Cardinals, A's or another team with a history of getting the best out of pitchers with huge question marks know exactly how to fix him and we miss out on the reward.

 

Still doesn't do the Twins any good to keep him if they can't figure out how to fix him.

 

He looked pretty fixed last year and wasn't horrible the year before. It really is only his last few starts. He was really good in the pen so I wouldn't be so hasty in getting rid of him.

 

We seem to want to rush out and get rid of our depth (Swarzak, Burton, Deduno, Corriea, Guerrier, and Deunsing and even Theilbar are names that get tossed around a lot lately) too hastily so we can get what we can out of the minor leagues and have no available depth down there should we need it later. I get wanting to get rid of Corriea or maybe Burton or Swarzak so we can bring up 1 pitcher but to get rid of all of these guys and bring up the AAA staff is insane.

[bwille]

No way does Santana get sent down. He has been the ignitor at the top of this lineup and has brought a lot of energy to the team. He may not be piling up the stats he was at the beginning, but he is still playing good ball. He is bound to go through some struggles eventually, why not let him work through it? I feel he has earned that right. Arcia needs to be given patience and cannot be sent down every time he struggles mightily. Eventually, if he is going to be a good MLB player, which I believe he will be, he is going to need to learn to work through these struggles at the big leagues. My vote is to DFA Deduno or try and move Burton for a bench bat. Maybe trade him to St. Louis for Jon Jay? I've heard he has fallen out of favor there. I have no problem sending Florimon back down since Escobar can play SS, but that'd mean you'd have to call up a 3B like Romero to play. I'd say trading a reliever or DFA Deduno is the most likely option.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Manager Ron Gardenhire said before today's game that the team is discussing reducing the bullpen to seven relievers, instead of the eight they are carrying now, in order to add another position player to the bench.

 

and what almost always fails to get mentioned in these articles is that a bullpen of seven relievers is the norm across the league, not the exception.

 

Here's the list of other AL teams carrying 13 pitchers, as of today:

 

- Cleveland.

 

Not saying 13 pitchers is wrong but it's amazing how much anguish Gardenhire goes through with bullpens and catchers!

[stringer bell]

and what almost always fails to get mentioned in these articles is that a bullpen of seven relievers is the norm across the league, not the exception.

 

Here's the list of other AL teams carrying 13 pitchers, as of today:

 

 

- Cleveland.

 

Not saying 13 pitchers is wrong but it's amazing how much anguish Gardenhire goes through with bullpens and catchers!

The Twins went with a 12-man pitching staff until Pino was recalled. In fact, IIRC, Deduno hasn't pitched since he was taken out of the rotation and yesterday was Swarzak's first work since that debacle in Detroit. I think 12 should be sufficient, it is just that there isn't anybody on the 40-man who is a position player and can help the team.

[Mike Sixel]

I agree, no need to make a change until the DL guys are ready, unless you are going to give a new player a shot.

[jokin]

I agree, no need to make a change until the DL guys are ready, unless you are going to give a new player a shot.

 

It sure would be nice if we have a better pinch-hitting option than Fuld hitting for Florimon with the game on the line.

[Mike Sixel]

It sure would be nice if we have a better pinch-hitting option than Fuld hitting for Florimon with the game on the line.

 

It would, but I don't know who that is, unless you are going to give Romero a shot or, um, there is no one really at AAA or AA, is there?

 

the Sano/Buxton injuries are hurting this squad for sure.

[howeda7]

I won't shed tears over Deduno, but he still has more upside than Swarzak, IMO. Neither is likely to be a Twin past the end of 2014 so I'm not sure it matters that much, but I'd rather start Deduno in a pinch and I don't really care who fulfills mop-up duty.

[curt1965]

and what almost always fails to get mentioned in these articles is that a bullpen of seven relievers is the norm across the league, not the exception.

 

Here's the list of other AL teams carrying 13 pitchers, as of today:

 

- Cleveland.

 

Not saying 13 pitchers is wrong but it's amazing how much anguish Gardenhire goes through with bullpens and catchers!

Great point! And the only reason Cleveland is carrying 13 pitchers is that they don't need a 5th starter for something like two weeks.

[stringer bell]

Jeremy noted in his minor league report for Monday that Chris Herrmann left the Rochester Red Wings game early for no apparent reason. It probably points to Herrmann being recalled again with a pitcher dispatched. Not a big fan of a move like this, but there aren't many choices on the 40-man roster.

[DocBauer]

I think a move might depend on Pino's next start.

 

If Plouffe and/or Nunez are ready after that takes place: Florimon goes down. That's one. Now the brass gets to decide between Pino, Deduno, and possibly Swarzak.

 

I just don't buy Thielbar unless the FO is too busy sitting on thumbs. He's a solid and occasionally excellent young LHRP. And you're going to send him down because you can't decide on the best 7th reliever on your team?

[Guest USAFChief]

Something needs to happen with Deduno and Florimon...as it is, the Twins are playing with a 23 man roster. Deduno last appeared in a game June 14th, and since his recall Florimon has appeared in 3 games (1 start) with all of two PAs.

 

Deduno for sure should be off the roster. If he gets claimed, big deal. And the Florimon situation is exactly as some of us said when he was recalled...what good does he do on the roster?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Maybe they were hanging on to Deduno as insurance in case Pino was terrible, but there's no point in carrying a player that is not going to play.

[stringer bell]

Maybe they were hanging on to Deduno as insurance in case Pino was terrible, but there's no point in carrying a player that is not going to play.

If Pino was terrible, there are four other guys starting for Rochester who deserve a shot. I will continue to say there just isn't anything to help the club, on the position player side, in Rochester.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Having both Plouffe and Nuñez out at the same time really limits the team's options in the infield. Florimon only playing SS (or, in this case, not playing SS) means the Twins are stuck with only one option at 3rd. Thankfully, Escobar has been great over there too. I wonder if they give Dozier a day off when Plouffe returns - at least one of Santana, Dozier, or Escobar should be getting some rest soon.

[DaveW]

Having both Plouffe and Nuñez out at the same time really limits the team's options in the infield. Florimon only playing SS (or, in this case, not playing SS) means the Twins are stuck with only one option at 3rd. Thankfully, Escobar has been great over there too. I wonder if they give Dozier a day off when Plouffe returns - at least one of Santana, Dozier, or Escobar should be getting some rest soon.

This team can't afford to have Dozier out of the lineup at this point, and he is about to get at least a few days off in a couple weeks.

 

Florimon honestly has no real business being on the major league roster. Both Santana/Escobar can handle SS just fine, and if absolutely need be Nunez can handle as well.