Article: Give Alex Meyer A Chance To Start

[cjj td]

Either use him or get his butt back to AAA to continue working on his craft.  Sitting on the bench behind all the current "shut down" relievers we are employing is making me question Molitor's sanity.  

 

Starting or relieving.... let him do something!!!

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Twins Daily is going to get whiplash if people keep jumping on and off the Meyer bandwagon with such vigor.

 

But I agree that he should get another chance to start. I don't really understand anything that's happening this season. It all seems so haphazard.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Twins Daily is going to get whiplash if people keep jumping on and off the Meyer bandwagon with such vigor.

 

But I agree that he should get another chance to start. I don't really understand anything that's happening this season. It all seems so haphazard.

 

almost like there isn't a plan......

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

almost like there isn't a plan......

Or maybe it's Drunken Kung-Fu, lulling opponents into a false sense of security and/or confusion.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

**I know that's not the literal worst thing that could happen. 

What about spiders? Like, giant spiders. What's our play? 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

What about spiders? Like, giant spiders. What's our play? 

Pinch-hit Kurt Suzuki.

[jokin]

 

Twins Daily is going to get whiplash if people keep jumping on and off the Meyer bandwagon with such vigor.

 

But I agree that he should get another chance to start. I don't really understand anything that's happening this season. It all seems so haphazard.

 

I for one of many out here, haven't jumped off of that bandwagon.

 

But it is quite concerning how many decisions of late are of the knee-jerk variety---

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I for one of many out here, haven't jumped off of that bandwagon.

 

But it is quite concerning how many decisions of late are of the knee-jerk variety---

Lots of knee-jerk stuff happening over the past few months, hard to argue with that...

 

But overall, I haven't had a big problem with how the Twins handled Meyer. He was flat-out awful last year and going to the pen was probably the right call, as was putting him back in the rotation to start the season.

 

As for the current situation, I'll give it a week or two before drawing a conclusion. If the Twins let Meyer rot on the bench, that's... just illogical. If they give him a significant bullpen role, I won't like it much but I'll understand the thinking behind it. If they find a way to get him into the rotation, I'll be a big fan of the move.

[Vanimal46]

 

Twins Daily is going to get whiplash if people keep jumping on and off the Meyer bandwagon with such vigor.

 

But I agree that he should get another chance to start. I don't really understand anything that's happening this season. It all seems so haphazard.

The bandwagon was gaining speed downhill when I jumped off.... But I found the next pickup spot to hop back on! 

 

http://thumb101.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/65241/313081373/stock-photo-man-with-leg-in-neck-brace-knee-cages-and-crutches-for-stabilization-and-support-resting-on-a-sofa-313081373.jpg

[jokin]

 

Lots of knee-jerk stuff happening over the past few months, hard to argue with that...

 

But overall, I haven't had a big problem with how the Twins handled Meyer. He was flat-out awful last year and going to the pen was probably the right call, as was putting him back in the rotation to start the season.

 

As for the current situation, I'll give it a week or two before drawing a conclusion. If the Twins let Meyer rot on the bench, that's... just illogical. If they give him a significant bullpen role, I won't like it much but I'll understand the thinking behind it. If they find a way to get him into the rotation, I'll be a big fan of the move.

 

In truth, I was pleased with how Meyer was handled last season and thus far this year- before the call-up- not having him pitch in relief of Milone on Monday was strange- he needed to pitch that night, just to keep him on potential regular schedule in a starting role.

 

But going back to how he was handled before this current major league limbo role, there was too much "holding him back" in 2014, a lost year for Gardy's last team, with nothing to lose in giving him a major league trial when things were really clicking for him in AAA.

[SheboyganBrats]

The use of Meyer, or I should say the lack of use, is another reason I have begun to question Molitor's ability as manager.  Given Meyer's struggles last year, and his hot start this year, I would think they would want him to continue on his roll.  To interrupt his progress and let him go stale on the bench, IMHO.  He should either be in the starting rotation or getting regular work from the pen.  Meyer is still a very valuable commodity.  If they wanted someone to sit around and do nothing, they could have called up Dean

[scottz]

 

What about spiders? Like, giant spiders. What's our play? 

Put them in the bullpen.

[rochester]

 

Decisions should be made with an eye on the next playoff team. So of course Meyer should start.

We should also stop messing with these guys. Meyer was on a roll after a terrible 2015 in which he was moved to the pen. Then he starts the year with three dominant starts and we promote him to the big league pen, where it looks like we are afraid to use him. Baffling is literally the only word I can use.

I absolutely agree!  I think they ARE messing with these guys heads.  Why call up Meyer - 3 days ago - and then let his sit and 'rot' in the bullpen.  They've taken him off of his rotation schedule and now he has just sat.  Definitely thought since he arrived in Minnesota early Monday that he would have at least had a chance to go in.  Thought we would have see him definitely last night but when that failed to happen...I am really wondering what is going on with the way the Twins are thinking.  Glad for Berrios, but if they knew they were going to start him tonight, why didn't they send him up right away and let Meyer stay in Rochester where he would have pitched Monday night to stay on rotation??  Now it has been a week since he's thrown any innings!  I do hope that when (or if) he does go in, he is successful.

[jokin]

 

...I am really wondering what is going on with the way the Twins are thinking.  Glad for Berrios, but if they knew they were going to start him tonight, why didn't they send him up right away and let Meyer stay in Rochester where he would have pitched Monday night to stay on rotation??  Now it has been a week since he's thrown any innings!  I do hope that when (or if) he does go in, he is successful.

 

It's like they're setting him up for failure... and the guy already has a problem with maintaining consistent mechanics...

 

"consistency"...

 

one of their top criteria in evaluating chances for major league success...

 

I don't get it.

[Steve Lein]

So much this...

[goulik]

To me, that looks like a seriously weakened bullpen.

 

I was being a little snarky and sarcastic this morning. I do not think a lot of people have realistic expectations on how to run the team. Way too many knee jerk reactions around here this year...

[d-mac]

 

I for one of many out here, haven't jumped off of that bandwagon.

 

But it is quite concerning how many decisions of late are of the knee-jerk variety---

 

The majority of Ryan's decisions are of the knee-jerk variety. 

[d-mac]

 

Put them in the bullpen.

Can't be worse than Jepsen.

[Twodogs]

I just don't get why they would pull him out of the rotation in Rochester and not pitch him with Minnesota.  I think Meyer should go back down and pitch every 5 days until they need him to start.  JMO

[d-mac]

 

It's like they're setting him up for failure... and the guy already has a problem with maintaining consistent mechanics...

 

"consistency"...

 

one of their top criteria in evaluating chances for major league success...

 

I don't get it.

 

That's really been the the theme with this "rebuild," hasn't it? Setting up young players for failure. Rushing Hicks to the majors twice, before he was ready. Not learning the key lesson from that mistake they rushed Buxton to the majors twice, before he was ready. They've been jerking around May, Meyer, and Duffey for the past 10 calendar months. Then they move Sano to a position he has never played on the fly while he is still trying to establish himself at the major league level. Not to mention calling up Kepler and Polanco (multiple times) to sit on the bench. 

[d-mac]

 

I think we're blaming the wrong guy by directing all of this ire towards the FO. Molitor makes the on field decisions and sets the starting rotation.  I agree that Meyer should start over Milone and now is the time to make the switch. Molitor is the guy that has to pull the trigger to make that happen.

 

Not sure why your post is scored out. But Ryan is still his boss. He can tell Molitor "use the players I give you in the way I have intended or take a hike". 

[tobi0040]

I would let Meyer develop into a late inning Bullpen weapon. Given his pitch mix and tendency to lose his delivery over time, I think that's his best use. I think the Twins see it that way too, and had him start in Rochester simply to get some innings in.

 

When Santana returns, he can take the place of any starter, including Milone. Same for Gibson. The bigger need is dominant relief. I vote trying to get Meyer successfully into that role.

I want to see our best arms fail as starters before preemptively moving them to the pen.

[SweetOne69]

Meyer was brought up to fill a need for fresh arms in the bullpen due to the 16 inning game on Sunday.

 

While I agree that he should've been the first call on Monday when Milone again faltered in the 5th inning.  That was really the only opportunity to put him in since he has been called up.

 

If Berrios is too amped up tonight and can't find the strike zone and has an early exit, I expect Meyer to be the first guy called in from the BP.

[tobi0040]

Meyer was brought up to fill a need for fresh arms in the bullpen due to the 16 inning game on Sunday.

 

While I agree that he should've been the first call on Monday when Milone again faltered in the 5th inning. That was really the only opportunity to put him in since he has been called up.

 

If Berrios is too amped up tonight and can't find the strike zone and has an early exit, I expect Meyer to be the first guy called in from the BP.

He will only get in games that are out of hand or where we have no option

[zchrz]

I think Meyer is going to end up being the next closer.  Berrios and Duffey are pretty easily ahead of him in the starter pecking order and the team is still saddled with 4/5 rotation spots spoken for by contracts and Gibson.  He has the stuff and relieving should allow him to not only maximize it but minimize his control issues that plagued him as a starter. 

[Danchat]

Meyer has thrown 2 good starts in Rochester, and now everyone here demands he starts in the majors. Has everyone forgotten that Meyer was so bad in the AAA rotation last year that he was demoted to the bullpen? He's not ready to be a major league starter yet.

 

I would like the Twins to decide if he's going to be a starter or a reliever. Either would be fine, but if he's gonna be a starter, give him some more starts at AAA.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Meyer has thrown 2 good starts in Rochester, and now everyone here demands he starts in the majors. Has everyone forgotten that Meyer was so bad in the AAA rotation last year that he was demoted to the bullpen? He's not ready to be a major league starter yet.

 

I would like the Twins to decide if he's going to be a starter or a reliever. Either would be fine, but if he's gonna be a starter, give him some more starts at AAA.

No, I don't think anyone forgot his struggles last season but many of us remember how he flat-out dominated AAA the year before.

 

For whatever reason, he stumbled last season. Well, he hasn't stumbled this season... And given how he has logged ~240 innings in Rochester and is 26 years old, it's not the worst idea in the world to give him a shot and see what happens.

 

After all, the Twins are currently 7-14. If they want to compete this season, they're going to need something more than mediocrity... And Meyer, while a bit of an enigma, is certainly capable of "more than mediocrity". Inversely, he's also capable of being absolutely terrible.

 

But that's a roll of the dice I'm willing to take. Meyer could be worth 2-3 wins more than Milone all by himself.

[laloesch]

what was Meyer's pitch makeup his first two starts?  Was it mostly fastballs?  Did he mix in any sliders or changeups.  Part of his problem last season was that he was throwing so many fastballs 75+%.  

Edited April 27, 2016 by laloesch

[Mike Sixel]

I don't think anyone has forgotten last year.

 

Some of us just want them to play for the huge upside with the young pitchers......just like they have mostly tried with the hitters. This pitching staff is not a WS pitching staff, imo. When you are 7 games under in April.......and your team has been pretty bad for some time......that's a good time to see what the young starters can do as starters, imo. 

[tobi0040]

 

I think Meyer is going to end up being the next closer. 

 

If I had to bet what WILL happen, I would guess he is more likely the closer than in the rotation.

 

So basically the same thing we did with May.   I have to say, taking your biggest upside arms and move them to the pen because of need is certainly an, um, interesting way to run a franchise.  We have basically filled our rotation with #4-#5 starters and shelled out a ton of money for them ($28M this year for Nolasco, Ervin, and Milone).   Then moved the good pitchers to the pen and cut their innings by 70% or so.