The "New" Twins Bullpen?

[Linus]

I am intrigued that Molly has used Perk in a non-closer role a couple of times recently.  Then he made comments alluding to the luxury of mixing and matching three effective guys at the end of the game (Perkins, Jepsen, May).

 

Could our guy Molly be the first to abandon this strict closer role non-sense?

 

No matter what, that's the beginning of a pretty nice pen to roll out there the last few innings.  I've been in the camp of wanting May in the rotation but this setup could be the basis for a really nice bullpen in 2016.

[jokin]

 

I am intrigued that Molly has used Perk in a non-closer role a couple of times recently.  Then he made comments alluding to the luxury of mixing and matching three effective guys at the end of the game (Perkins, Jepsen, May).

 

Could our guy Molly be the first to abandon this strict closer role non-sense?

 

No matter what, that's the beginning of a pretty nice pen to roll out there the last few innings.  I've been in the camp of wanting May in the rotation but this setup could be the basis for a really nice bullpen in 2016.

 

It does help to have 3 guys who don't appear to have an ego-conflict about the "closer" title.   Speaking of roles: 

 

1)May has been nothing but a "good soldier" about his move to the pen, despite having had to defer to a multitude of higher-paid, but less-effective fellow starters.

 

2) Jepsen  seems happy just to have been wanted by someone seeking a high leverage situation pitcher, and more than willing to make changes in his approach that have proven to be successful vs. his control struggles at Tampa Bay- as suggested by Neal Allen .

 

3) Perkins hasn't said one negative thing about how the Twins have handled his situation since he started struggling and hasn't made any public claim on what he might perceive to be "his" rightful role.

[rghrbek]

I absolutely do not think Molly is strategically using those 3 based on match ups and high leverage situations (which would amount to using our 3 best relievers in any high leverage situations). 

 

I think Perk is not closing, because he is still not back to his dominant self.   Once he is, he will probably get back his role of coming into a game, in the last inning, with nobody on base, in medium to low leverage situations, per the MLB norm.

 

I think Perk or May get the 7th or 8th, depending on who pitched last, and Jepsen gets the ninth.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Yeah, I get the impression that this a temporary thing due to Perkins' health.  Late in the season enough that "temporary" probably means rest of the season, though (and hopefully postseason!).

 

If it was April through July, I expect we'd see Perkins back in the closer role already, as we probably will in April 2016.

[Linus]

 

Yeah, I get the impression that this a temporary thing due to Perkins' health.  Late in the season enough that "temporary" probably means rest of the season, though (and hopefully postseason!).

 

If it was April through July, I expect we'd see Perkins back in the closer role already, as we probably will in April 2016.

Probably right but I'm going to hold out hope.  Could also be the best way to use Perk as he gets older - he would be really tough in a high leverage lefty on lefty role, whether it was the 7th, 8th or 9th.

 

No matter what, its fun to see three good arms at the end of the game, no matter how they use them.

[DocBauer]

Were Perkins healthy, he'd be the guy with Jepsen as setup and the occasional closer when Perk needed a day off.

 

But since you brought it up...I know there have been others but can't pull them up from memory in detail at the moment...I recall the Reds back in the day of the "Nasty Boys" where Randy Meyers, Norm Charlton and Rob Dibble took turns closing or setting up depending on matchups and availability.

[Thrylos]

 

But since you brought it up...I know there have been others but can't pull them up from memory in detail at the moment...I recall the Reds back in the day of the "Nasty Boys" where Randy Meyers, Norm Charlton and Rob Dibble took turns closing or setting up depending on matchups and availability.

 

FWIW:  The 3 of them were called that in the 1990 World Champion team.   But Myers was the primary closer and when there was an opportunity or a righty loaded inning, Dibble closed.   Charlton started the season in the rotation and as a lefty, he ended up as the primary set up man.  Ended the season with 2 saves, half as many as Rich Mahler in that team.  Dibble had 11 and Myers 31.   Myers and Dibble switched roles in 1991 and Dibble was the closer.  As a matter of fact Myers (and Charlton who was mainly a middle inning reliever then) spent a good portion of 1991 in the Reds' rotation.

 

I think what is happening with the Twins is the realization that Perkins has issues with declining health and velocity and advancing age.  I hope that the get a lights out closer in 2016 (and they may have one in their rotation - check Hughes' numbers as a reliever when with the Yankees.)

[Blackjack]

I really like your idea of keeping May in the pen and combining him with Jepson and Perkins for a stellar back end of the bullpen IN 2016!!! But I'm sure you'll get plenty of squaking here THAT MAY SHOULD BE IN THE STARTING ROTATION.

 

Getting Jepson at the trade deadline was definately worth a couple of prospects that never may make it to the the majors.

[HitInAPinch]

Both Jepsen and Perkins are at the age where you begin to wonder how much is left in the tank.  Both have had back injuries this year, I believe Jepsen has had some health issues in the past [someone correct me].  We know Perkins has been burning out over the past couple years.  Co-closers make sense until one of the relievers in MiLB step up. 

 

What I find more interesting is how several playoff-hopeful teams are running their games like NL teams.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

I think Perkins is healthy, otherwise he wouldn't be pitching.  I think the main reason for keeping Jepsen in the closer role is mostly "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  With the exception of the Detroit game and a high wire act in Houston, Jepsen has been stellar.   I think the velocity he brings is a major game changer in the closer role.

 

[jokin]

 

I think Perkins is healthy, otherwise he wouldn't be pitching.  I think the main reason for keeping Jepsen in the closer role is mostly "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  With the exception of the Detroit game and a high wire act in Houston, Jepsen has been stellar.   I think the velocity he brings is a major game changer in the closer role.

 

Yep, and apparently he's also greatly benefited  by Allen tweaking his pitch selection (Jepsen has dumped the 2-seam FB, decreased his CB% and of course, increased his CH%), as his control was horrible at Tampa Bay, not only has he had dramatic improvement with control, he's actually also increased his K/9 by nearly 1 full strikeout per 9.

[Linus]

 

I think Perkins is healthy, otherwise he wouldn't be pitching.  I think the main reason for keeping Jepsen in the closer role is mostly "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  With the exception of the Detroit game and a high wire act in Houston, Jepsen has been stellar.   I think the velocity he brings is a major game changer in the closer role.

Perk said as much; that he feels better than he has all year.

[jokin]

 

I think Perkins is healthy, otherwise he wouldn't be pitching.  I think the main reason for keeping Jepsen in the closer role is mostly "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  With the exception of the Detroit game and a high wire act in Houston, Jepsen has been stellar.   I think the velocity he brings is a major game changer in the closer role.

 

I also think Jepsen has been kept aloft by a few luck bubbles, as well.  His hard hit rate is the highest of his career. Normalized  HR/9, BABIP and LOB% will eventually bring down to Earth his current stellar numbers.

[dbminn]

Plenty of closers have been rock solid into their mid-30s.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Perk said as much; that he feels better than he has all year.

I wouldn't doubt he said that, but it really makes no sense. He was on fire the first half.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I've been in the camp of wanting May in the rotation but this setup could be the basis for a really nice bullpen in 2016.

Also, welcome to our small little Maybe May belongs in the Bullpen club. There are only a few of us even entertaining the idea but we welcome any who are curious.

 

There's a Twins Daily poster who goes by the name 'USAFChief' who is our lead advocate

[stringer bell]

 

 

Also, welcome to our small little Maybe May belongs in the Bullpen club. There are only a few of us even entertaining the idea but we welcome any who are curious.

There's a Twins Daily poster who goes by the name 'USAChief' who is our lead advocate

Count me in, as well. If all three are healthy, May, Jepsen, and Perkins can be a pretty good end of the bullpen.

[NoCal]

Dare I say that the front office and manager have done a pretty good job of building a bullpen on the fly. Again, the first third of the season is for seeing what you have; the second third is for fixing what is most egregiously wrong; and the last third is do whatever works. Every night a high wire act.

[jorgenswest]

I really like your idea of keeping May in the pen and combining him with Jepson and Perkins for a stellar back end of the bullpen IN 2016!!! But I'm sure you'll get plenty of squaking here THAT MAY SHOULD BE IN THE STARTING ROTATION.

 

Getting Jepson at the trade deadline was definately worth a couple of prospects that never may make it to the the majors.

Can May stay healthy in the pen? Has he had any health troubles in his career before this year's move to the pen?

[stringer bell]

 

Can May stay healthy in the pen? Has he had any health troubles in his career before this year's move to the pen?

I believe May missed time last year with a calf issue. As far as I can remember, he hasn't had arm issues.