According to Phil Hughes and to people with the Twins, Hughes was offered the chance to pitch this weekend in an attempt to get one out and trigger his $500,000 bonus. 

 

He respectfully declined. 

Very nice of the Twins to offer, and as far as Hughes goes, it certainly gives credence to the idea that he isn't much bothered.

 

Hey, maybe this time the Twins aren't a villain...

Good for him, and to a lesser extent, good for the Twins.  Still seems like a missed opportunity for some favorable media coverage for the Twins.  What changed since Gardenhire's ruling it out right after the game yesterday?  Had he already talked to Hughes and been told no?  Seems like the kind of thing you'd mention up front instead of having it come out after 24 hours of national media coverage.

 

Hey, maybe this time the Twins aren't a villain...

Someone will find a way ....

So the Twins, after Gardy had already said they wouldn’t use him that way, went to him and said “Hey, you know the historic season we’ve been touting you for having and all the good will you got by not complaining? Would you like to risk it all and show fans all you care about is money by coming in in a situation you’re not used to and on short rest? We’ll let you!” Great job team. Color me impressed! They never should’ve asked him and put him in that spot. Either pay him anyhow, or donate it to his charity. But it doesn't really matter now. A 1st class organization would've seen this possibility coming and would've had a plan, instead of making a 24 hour news cycle of how Hughes just missed getting a bonus when it should've been a 24 hours new cycle about the crazy year Hughes had. Way to be on top of this guys.

Someone will find a way ....

See comment at 5:22.

Makes me wonder why Hughes wanted the incentive placed in his contract?  If the money wasn't important enough to earn then why ask for it? 

Makes me wonder why Hughes wanted the incentive placed in his contract?  If the money wasn't important enough to earn then why ask for it? 

 

My guess - 

 

One single extra walk would put his ratio at 10.96:1, meaning that he's miss the record books by .04. Given that he's not used to pitching out of the bullpen and might not have his normal control, I doubt he'd like to risk it. Given the option of packing up shop for the season knowing that you're best there ever was, would you risk it for a half million bucks when you're already getting paid eight million on the season?

 

I'm not sure I would.

Edited September 25, 201412 yr by 70charger

So the Twins, after Gardy had already said they wouldn’t use him that way, went to him and said “Hey, you know the historic season we’ve been touting you for having and all the good will you got by not complaining? Would you like to risk it all and show fans all you care about is money by coming in in a situation you’re not used to and on short rest? We’ll let you!” Great job team. Color me impressed! They never should’ve asked him and put him in that spot. Either pay him anyhow, or donate it to his charity. But it doesn't really matter now. A 1st class organization would've seen this possibility coming and would've had a plan, instead of making a 24 hour news cycle of how Hughes just missed getting a bonus when it should've been a 24 hours new cycle about the crazy year Hughes had. Way to be on top of this guys.

Disagree 100%!

 

This proposed appearance is classy in the Twins part. The Twins are being the good guys by giving Hughes what should be a pretty easy shot at getting the one key, final out. Hughes gets his money, he earns it on the field, despite the obvious set-up, and nobody can say otherwise. Everyone wins, and you don't set some future precedent where just coming close gets you a reward.

 

I'm hoping for the charitable donation idea at this point. Honestly, I'd be surprised if something like that doesn't happen. As far as Hughes is concerned, I think he's simply saying he's had a great year, got well paid, earned additional bonuses, and doesn't want to earn it outside of the regular boundaries of being a starter. That's how I read it.

 

It can be argued the Twins have at times in their history been anywhere from downright cheap, to frugal, to financially smart. But I have NEVER heard of a player or another organization ever stating the Twins were classless.

So the Twins, after Gardy had already said they wouldn’t use him that way, went to him and said “Hey, you know the historic season we’ve been touting you for having and all the good will you got by not complaining? Would you like to risk it all and show fans all you care about is money by coming in in a situation you’re not used to and on short rest? We’ll let you!” Great job team. Color me impressed! They never should’ve asked him and put him in that spot. Either pay him anyhow, or donate it to his charity. But it doesn't really matter now. A 1st class organization would've seen this possibility coming and would've had a plan, instead of making a 24 hour news cycle of how Hughes just missed getting a bonus when it should've been a 24 hours new cycle about the crazy year Hughes had. Way to be on top of this guys.

Maybe they had already asked (and he had already declined) before Gardy said that?

I agree the cheap twins did this on purpose, if only they would have spent an extra $200 mil to build a retractable roof this would have never happened!!!!

Hughes is crazy to decline that much money. Seriously, 500,000 dollars for one out.... No way I'd decline that, no way any of you would either. It's not about greed, it's about 5 minutes making you a ton of money for a great season.

Love this stuff from Phil Hughes on FSN (and tweeted by Jamie Hersch): 

 

 

"I just didn't feel right about selfishly taking an inning from a bullpen guy trying to earn a spot on next yr's team. To do that just to make a little extra $ which is what some guys make all season wouldn't feel right to me.

Love this stuff from Phil Hughes on FSN (and tweeted by Jamie Hersch):

Class act all the way.

Good for Hughes....but I think he's doing alright for himself either way.

And I thought I had seen the height of laziness.