September 23, 201412 yr On inside twins this morning, TR said only Hughes is a lock for the rotation next year. I got the distinct feeling he is not happy with the whole lot of them. My guess is that any role is going to be earned in spring trainingThis aligns with one of his recent statements: when asked what he needed to accomplish this off-season, the first thing he mentioned was "rotation depth".
September 23, 201412 yr It is really hard to like anything about this. I have been adamant for two years about this. At this point, giving him a relief role is fine since the Twins are paying him anyway. Ideally, the Twins could trade him while paying 80-90% of that salary in exchange for some player of C-level caliber right now (but hopefully under 22).
September 23, 201412 yr This aligns with one of his recent statements: when asked what he needed to accomplish this off-season, the first thing he mentioned was "rotation depth".I would prefer he work on rotation "topth" rather than depth. I don't think improving the options for fifth starter will have the impact that improving the options for opening day starter would. Although I do agree it's rather disheartening to see Swarzak getting more than one September start.
September 23, 201412 yr I would prefer he work on rotation "topth" rather than depth. I don't think improving the options for fifth starter will have the impact that improving the options for opening day starter would. Although I do agree it's rather disheartening to see Swarzak getting more than one September start. Yeah, can we sub "talent" for "depth". I am not sure what type of depth the Tigers have. But it doesn't matter. Edited September 23, 201412 yr by tobi0040
September 23, 201412 yr How can a team with this many 4/5 types have Swarzak starting multiple times in September after rosters expand? Mind. Boggling.
September 23, 201412 yr How can a team with this many 4/5 types have Swarzak starting multiple times in September after rosters expand? Mind. Boggling.I can give them a pass on the first, as if I remember correctly they had 2 doubleheader in two days. The second one not so much.
September 23, 201412 yr Which guy would have been better? Logan Darnell I think is the only other guy on the roster that isn't injured or already in the rotation.
September 23, 201412 yr It raises the question, to me, how can you have expanded rosters, have a lot of SP options, and have to start your long term reliever? How can a team that has traded for SP, signed 3 FA starters, "developed" SP, signed minor league AAA SP, graduated the only guy they've drafted and developed into a full time starter......how can that team be stuck starting a career middle reliever? Years into a rebuild, where you've traded two starting OF, drafted numerous pitchers, signed FAs, signed minor league FAs, and you still have a terrible SP ERA, and can't even find 5 starters........
September 23, 201412 yr Maybe the training / medical staff is still terrible? Pelfrey - out for the seasonNolasco - injured most of the yearPerkins - shut down, out for the seasonPino - out for the seasonMilone - shut down, out for the seasonMeyer - shut down, out for the season (not on the 40-Man anyway)
September 23, 201412 yr It raises the question, to me, how can you have expanded rosters, have a lot of SP options, and have to start your long term reliever? How can a team that has traded for SP, signed 3 FA starters, "developed" SP, signed minor league AAA SP, graduated the only guy they've drafted and developed into a full time starter......how can that team be stuck starting a career middle reliever? Years into a rebuild, where you've traded two starting OF, drafted numerous pitchers, signed FAs, signed minor league FAs, and you still have a terrible SP ERA, and can't even find 5 starters........An indication that the problems are systemic rather that caused by one guy (Bill Smith) or two (pitching coach).
September 23, 201412 yr What really is the point in rehashing all that has been wrong with the various Twins starters this season? With the exception of Hughes they have all led to the highest starters ERA in all of MLB. No point in bringing back any of them as that will result in the highest starters ERA in 2015 too. No thanks to that in my mind, it is time to bring up the kids full scale, they can easily do just as poorly, can they not and also they will work cheap which is how the Pohlads want the organization to operated anyway, is it not?
September 23, 201412 yr Yeah, can we sub "talent" for "depth". I am not sure what type of depth the Tigers have. But it doesn't matter. Glad you asked. The Twins could have drafted Kyle Lobstein in the 2012 Rule 5 draft (or traded for him like Detroit did the same day of the draft from the Mets, the Twins chose yet another reliever in Ryan Pressly, instead, but they could have also contacted someone to draft Lobstein for them in a pre-arranged trade, as the Tigers did***). The Twins had not one, but two chances (in February and again in March of 2013) to claim Todd Redmond, for free. Both of these two aren't super-talented, but would have looked pretty good as candidates for 5th/Spot Starter status (there were some of us that said so at the time of their availability, I never understand why the Twins don't look to bolster their depth options with more of these no-risk moves. Clearly, what they're doing now isn't working, throwing Swarzak out there is an embarrassment). *** The Tigers have pretty good prospect pitching depth, three guys who they might not be able to protect in the Rule 5 are young, hard-throwing RPs, Jose Valdes, Melvin Mercedes and Angel Nesbitt. Edited September 23, 201412 yr by jokin
September 23, 201412 yr Late to the discussion - but I'll agree with the notion that Pelfrey isn't a viable starter any longer. I do think that he can provide value in a bullpen role. Either as a longman (Swarzak) or even a set up guy (Burton). Out of the pen, he may be able to add 1 to 2 MPH to his fastball and still be a viable arm for the Twins. I'm not ready to cut free of Pelfrey just yet. However, if he comes out of spring training looking every bit as hittable, then the Twins should knock him off the 40 man and cut their losses.
September 29, 201412 yr Not to resurrect an old thread, but I just saw this nugget in today's Gardy article: Gardenhire was raised in Okmulgee, Okla., population 17,000, a place he called “a good ‘ol boy town.’’ Gardenhire took on Minnesota ties long before joining the Twins organization. Playing semipro ball in Wichita, Kan. during his college years, he met his future wife, Carol Kissling, who was from White Bear Lake. The two were ecstatic when the Twins traded for Gardenhire before the 1987 season, his wife seeing a chance to return home. That makes at least two connections between Pelf and Gardy (not to mention both had fathers in the air force, although Pelfrey was separated from his father at a young age).
September 29, 201412 yr That is interesting - maybe with a different manager, Pelfrey gets the same opportunity, but perhaps will have to be better than he was in the spring of 2014 to make the rotation in 2015. A new manager and new pitching coach just makes Pelfrey's future murkier.
September 30, 201412 yr Pelfrey is under contract and relatively has zero value in the trade market. Thus trading him is probably impossible at this point. There is no harm in bringing him into camp and attempt to use him as a reliever. If he looks good, cool, throw him in the pen and he could be a trade deadline piece. If he struggles or is simply beat out, then DFA/waive him. Makes no sense to cut bait now.
September 30, 201412 yr Pelfrey will definitely will be getting a chance to be on the team in 2015. Whether it is starting or in the bullpen will depend on who the manager / coaching staff is.
December 5, 201411 yr 2015HughesNoloscoGibsonMayMeyer Sorry Pelfrey, no room Agreed. Will someone please tell Ryan this? Forget all the fringe #5 junkballers on the market. Just let May and Meyer start for goodness sake. Either way you look at it the Twins are going to have to go through the transition anyways. Just get it over with. Both these youngsters are already 24/25.
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