He hasn't pitched since April.  The starters are going deep enough into games so we don't need 13 pitchers.  The only pitchers not used since Stauffer came off the DL are Stauffer and Graham, and Molly has already said that Graham is going nowhere.  When Fien is ready to come back, we need to DFA Stauffer and Duensing to get back to a 12-man staff.

He's here because they can't keep him on the DL forever and they don't want to lose him for some unfathomable reason.

I think Stauffer is a placeholder for Fien.

When Pelfrey moved to the rotation I think they figured Stauffer would be the long man. That may still be the plan but because the starters have been on a roll that role has not been needed. I don't know for sure but I'd guess that Stauffer can refuse assignment and become a free agent. If that's the case they need to see what he can do before they consider a DFA. I think he's owed that opportunity. I'm surprised he didn't pitch the ninth on Sunday and/or Monday.

 

When Pelfrey moved to the rotation I think they figured Stauffer would be the long man. That may still be the plan but because the starters have been on a roll that role has not been needed. I don't know for sure but I'd guess that Stauffer can refuse assignment and become a free agent. If that's the case they need to see what he can do before they consider a DFA. I think he's owed that opportunity. I'm surprised he didn't pitch the ninth on Sunday and/or Monday.

 

Well, if you just look at the last 2 years, and this year, you see what he can do. I would hope he is DFA after Fien comes back. He's no more needed than Nunez is.

 

I think Stauffer is a placeholder for Fien.

I hope so.

I think everyone in the bullpen still has minor league options except for Stauffer - is that right? Maybe Duensing is out of options. Boyer?

 

The Twins have shown that they'd rather send someone like Tonkin to AAA than "lose" Tim Stauffer or Blaine Boyer. I would think Boyer would opt out if he has the chance to do so rather than pitch in AAA.

 

 

 

I think everyone in the bullpen still has minor league options except for Stauffer - is that right? Maybe Duensing is out of options. Boyer?

 

The Twins have shown that they'd rather send someone like Tonkin to AAA than "lose" Tim Stauffer or Blaine Boyer. I would think Boyer would opt out if he has the chance to do so rather than pitch in AAA.

 

They have, and it is, frankly, confounding. I don't understand the fear of losing mediocre/bad players. Especially I don't understand it now that they have legit options in AA and AAA......maybe this year will be different.

Stauffer had 2 strikeouts in 9.2 innings before going on DL.... Leading me to believe Tommy Milone deserves to take Stauffer's job in the bullpen.

If Molitor brought Stauffer into a game right now, into any kind of semi-meaningful spot, say a 4 run lead with 1 out and runners on first and second, the balloon under which this team has been floating for the past month would pop. A cloud of euphoric helium gas would escape and react with the influx of CO2 released by the collective groans of Twins players, coaches, and fans and float away on an Alberta clipper to Chicago where it would probably water the Cell grass and foul lines with clutch water and 2 out ralliness. Honestly Stauffer cannot be allowed into a game right now, can he?

The Stauffer thing is just the Twins reflexively deferring to veteran players - he's paid so little that I don't think the money really suffices as an explanation. And since his contract includes incentives, dumping him saves money at this point.

 

But since Molitor has shown zero interest in using him... it's a weird situation. Clearly he prefers Tonkin and Pressley. Would Ryan ignore Molitor and demote one of them instead of getting rid of Stauffer? It's kind of sad that's even possible.

I have no idea why Stauffer wasn't asked to pitch the 9th Monday with a five run lead. That would have seemed the type of situation to ease him back in. At the time, I questioned why Molitor brought in Boyer to pitch the ninth, seeing that he has become the most effective RH setup guy. Then, after pitching again on Tuesday, Boyer wasn't available for 8th inning Wednesday when the game was on the line. Fortunately, Pressley and then Tonkin came through.

I think the incentives are based on appearances, so keeping him on the active roster but not using him doesn't cost more than his base salary.

 

To me, it's a waste of a roster spot if he's not going to pitch. Molitor would rather put J.R. Graham out there, and he's basically admitted that Graham is only in the MLB bullpen because of the Rule V restrictions.  

 

If he's not going to pitch, bring up someone else to take his place. My best guess is that the Twins are waiting for Arcia and Fien to be ready and then Stauffer plus another player will be gone. If they moved Stauffer now and brought up a different player, they'd have to make an additional move or moves for Fien and Arcia.

Unwritten rule for a 13 man bullpen quota?

I think he's here because a couple of front office guys are having a bet to see how far they can alienate Lester Oliveros before he snaps.

I think everyone in the bullpen still has minor league options except for Stauffer - is that right? Maybe Duensing is out of options. Boyer?

 

The Twins have shown that they'd rather send someone like Tonkin to AAA than "lose" Tim Stauffer or Blaine Boyer. I would think Boyer would opt out if he has the chance to do so rather than pitch in AAA.

Duensing was out of options, but with his years of service, he can't be sent down (without his consent) anyway. The Twins signed Boyer to a minor league contract with an opt-out and then promoted him to the roster. I don't know if previous options apply in that situation.

 

If the Twins want to go back to two pitchers, I think they'll designate one of Stauffer/Duensing and option one (probably Pressly) to the minors, with Fien coming on board.

I think the most likely candidates are Stauffer, Pressly, and Michael Tonkin -  based on Molitor/Allen's usage of those guys and based on how long they've been up.

 

I have no idea why Stauffer wasn't asked to pitch the 9th Monday with a five run lead. That would have seemed the type of situation to ease him back in. At the time, I questioned why Molitor brought in Boyer to pitch the ninth, seeing that he has become the most effective RH setup guy. Then, after pitching again on Tuesday, Boyer wasn't available for 8th inning Wednesday when the game was on the line. Fortunately, Pressley and then Tonkin came through.

 

I suspect they brought Boyer in because they wanted to win the game and not mess around. I approve of that strategy.

 

I think everyone in the bullpen still has minor league options except for Stauffer - is that right? Maybe Duensing is out of options. Boyer?

Once you have 5 years MLB service time, you can't be optioned without your consent anyway.  So "options" effectively do not apply to Duensing, Boyer, and Stauffer.

 

Fien has an option year left if we wanted to use it.  Outside of Rule 5'er Graham, the remaining relievers currently on the 40-man roster have already been optioned this year and can thus be sent up and down freely for the remainder of the season.

 

According to the Twins Daily org chart, Oliveros would also have an option remaining if we wanted to add him to 40-man roster.

 

 

According to the Twins Daily org chart, Oliveros would also have an option remaining if we wanted to add him to 40-man roster.

 

Good luck with that.  He gave up a run in his 3 1/3 innings of work last tiime out, it's over for him.

 

Good luck with that.  He gave up a run in his 3 1/3 innings of work last tiime out, it's over for him.

That's the second time he's gone over 60 pitches in an outing this year.  Don't know what that means about their plan for him this year -- could he be an option in long relief?

 

Once you have 5 years MLB service time, you can't be optioned without your consent anyway.  So "options" effectively do not apply to Duensing, Boyer, and Stauffer.

 

Fien has an option year left if we wanted to use it.  Outside of Rule 5'er Graham, the remaining relievers currently on the 40-man roster have already been optioned this year and can thus be sent up and down freely for the remainder of the season.

 

According to the Twins Daily org chart, Oliveros would also have an option remaining if we wanted to add him to 40-man roster.

Right on - I wasn't sure if Boyer had 5 years yet or not, I know he's been around for awhile.

 

Based on that, I still think Stauffer, Tonkin, and Pressly are the most likely to move when Fien and/or Arcia come up.

 

Right on - I wasn't sure if Boyer had 5 years yet or not, I know he's been around for awhile.

 

Based on that, I still think Stauffer, Tonkin, and Pressly are the most likely to move when Fien and/or Arcia come up.

My guess is that Tonkin and Pressly are sent down when Fien and Vargas come up, which gets back to 12 pitchers. Might be a bit for Arcia.

How long can they keep a player down at AAA for rehab?? Why were they in such a hurry to bring Stauffer back, especailly if he wasn't pitching very well?

 

My guess is that Stauffer won't be cut loose until he actually has a few bad outings in the ML, it'll be one of the young guys sent down (don't shoot the messenger!!!).

Stauffer is being bundled with Livan Hernandez for a trade--that's  why he is still here, but not being used.

I believe rehab can go to 15 days.  I bet the Twins use most or all of it with Arcia.  He is o-fer in his first two games and I'm not sure if Molitor wants him back just yet.

What are the rules with someone like Arcia if they just continue to struggle during rehab?  Can they keep them down there but not for Rehab and use an option?  Basically what happens if they decide not to bring him back up?

I was hopeful that once Vargas' 10 day demotion clock was up, that he would be promoted, at the cost of one of the 8 relievers.

 

The 10 days are up.

 

 

 

If Molitor brought Stauffer into a game right now, into any kind of semi-meaningful spot, say a 4 run lead with 1 out and runners on first and second, the balloon under which this team has been floating for the past month would pop. A cloud of euphoric helium gas would escape and react with the influx of CO2 released by the collective groans of Twins players, coaches, and fans and float away on an Alberta clipper to Chicago where it would probably water the Cell grass and foul lines with clutch water and 2 out ralliness. Honestly Stauffer cannot be allowed into a game right now, can he?

Don't be shy, tell us how you really feel!

They have, and it is, frankly, confounding. I don't understand the fear of losing mediocre/bad players. Especially I don't understand it now that they have legit options in AA and AAA......maybe this year will be different.

I tried to make this point in another thread yesterday. It was not well received! Lol. This FO loves it's mediocre vets!