I REALLY don't want a bunch of bickering about what the Twins have done.....we all know that......

 

but, I'm curious...what would you do with May now?

 

Me?

 

I'd stretch him out in Rochester, and let him start the rest of the year in MN. This seems like a good year to see what they have. I would not pull him for any reason other than injury, and would let him play it out.

He closed out the game for Rochester last night and was pretty impressive in that role.

 

Here's the Minor League Report: http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins-minor-leagues/twins-minor-league-report-628-berrios-nearly-no-nos-r4860

The rehab stint is a perfect opportunity to stretch him back out and get him back in the rotation.  I've always hated the move to the pen, even though I fully understand the why.  Even so, it's always felt like a shortsighted move in my opinion.

 

Short story long, stretch him out and get him back in the rotation.  This team has needs in both areas, but starters are much more difficult to come by.

Yeah, I'd stretch him out and let him give starting another shot.  No harm in that.

I would do the same. He seems to have recovery issues leading to injuries when pitching every day or two, and I don't think a career in the bullpen seems sustainable if that point is true.

 

3 weeks or so stretching him out? 4-5 starts? Then in the rotation for the rest of the season, regardless of performance, as long as he is physically able to perform.

I put him in position to be my closer in 2017. He could be lights out there and he's too old to take the time and risk to stretch him back out.

I am buoyed by what we saw from Duffy, Gibson and Berrios these past few days.  With the typical TD caveats about sample size put aside, it is easy to see a future rotation with these three and May.   

 

I would be in favor of giving these four getting the bulk of the starts in August and September.   I also am getting more enthusiastic about a bullpen featuring Kintzler, Rogers and Pressley.  I see great potential for them to be the anchors for the 7th, 8th and 9th.  

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the comments so far! Nicely done not going back and forth on the past!

 

I forgot to add, I think he has talked about his inability to stay completely healthy as a RP as one reason I'd move him back.

 

I put him in position to be my closer in 2017. He could be lights out there and he's too old to take the time and risk to stretch him back out.

Interesting take. 

 

Not the closer part, that I can get behind if his health holds up.  The age thing.  He's only 26.

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by wsnydes

Especially if the Twins are fortunate enough to move Santana, I would be a strong proponent of stretching May out for a starting role.   It's probably time to ride out this season with young players and give them a chance to work through those growing pains in a lost season.....

Stretch him out.  Hughes can't be counted on next year, Milone won't be around, Santana is potential trade bait.  There is no risk in giving him an opportunity to start again.  

 

Bring up Chargois

Release Neil Ramirez

 

Bring up Berrios

Release Boshers

Make Milone the long man

 

Find a taker in the next 2-3 weeks for Nolasco (I know this may take eating 80% of the salary, but fine)

Start May

 

 

Thanks for the comments so far! Nicely done not going back and forth on the past!

 

I forgot to add, I think he has talked about his inability to stay completely healthy as a RP as one reason I'd move him back.

After his lower back problems last year, May speculated it was caused by the extra stress of being a reliever.  I believe him.  As a starter last year, I believe his fastball was typically in the 94mph range.  As a reliever, he was really juicing it up; 95 +

 

I can understand the Twins concerns if there was a lack of RP candidates in the MiLB.  That doesn't really seem to be the case now.  May need another AAAA-type rental, IDK.

 

When he's healthy again, I'd probably start stretching May out in a middle/long relief roll with an eye towards starting role next year.

 

If he were a guaranteed stud in the pen I'd leave him, but I'm not sure that's the case.    Stretch him out and see what he can do starting

 

I put him in position to be my closer in 2017. He could be lights out there and he's too old to take the time and risk to stretch him back out.

The time is only three months in a lost season.  I don't see the risk, especially in a lost season.

 

I agree he can be a lights out closer.  I think he could be solid #3 starter with upside, which would make him one of the 2 or 3 best starters on the team.  #3 starter > elite closer

 

Give him a solid shot at starting before converting him.

I was fine with the move of May to the bullpen this spring, visions of what KC did with their shutdown bullpen, and now what the NYY are doing come to mind, but we've seen the trickle down affect of short starts by the Twins starters, the bullpen gets overused, wears down, and is less effective. Stretch him out and start him the rest of 2016. Thats what the Twins need at this point, starting pitching.

 

The question I have is, what does he have to do, how well does he have to perform to stay as a starter in 2017?

They only moved him to the pen because the rotation had a space crunch and every statement from the manager and GM after the move seemed to imply that he may still be considered for a starting gig at some later date.

 

Well there's no rotation roster crunch now.

Has May ever hinted as to what he would prefer to do? 

 

Has May ever hinted as to what he would prefer to do? 

 

I think he's been pretty clear he wants to be a starter, but I could just be reading things wrongly....

Near unanimity! I backed the club's move to put May in the 'pen believing a)May would be a lights-out setup man and b)that the Twins had a chance to contend. It is time to give May another chance in the rotation.

Gotta say; I'd love seeing him in the rotation again.

 

I think he's been pretty clear he wants to be a starter, but I could just be reading things wrongly....

 

So then...

 

1.    He wants to start

 

2.    He's done nothing to make him deserving of not getting to start

 

3.    He's more valuable to the Twins if he pitches well as a starter

 

4.    There's room in the rotation

 

Yeah... he should probably start

Same thing I would've done circa November: start him.  

 

There have been whispers that relieving has been the cause of his injuries.  Do right by the kid and let him be a starter.  It also happens to be best for the team.

I think it is pretty clear by referendum that May should be allowed to leave the Bullopean Union. #Mexit

With as bad as this rotation has been this season why wouldn't they shift him back to a starting role (something he was beginning to master last year before the BP demotion)? 

 

Hughes is out.  Santana has been mediocre at best this year.  Gibson was downright horrible up until his last two starts.  Nolasco stinks,  Duffey has had more bad starts then good starts and only features two pitches, Milone is a soft tossing (mid to upper 80's) lefty, 4-5th starter on a winning team at best. 

 

Why not give the kid a shot.  He has 4 pitches, 8.5-9 K/9 strikeout stats as starter, mid 90's velocity on his fastball, etc.

 

Makes more than enough sense if you ask me.....which is why the Twins won't do it.

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by laloesch

 

I think it is pretty clear by referendum that May should be allowed to leave the Bullopean Union. #Mexit

If only this would force TR to resign...

 

I REALLY don't want a bunch of bickering about what the Twins have done.....we all know that......

 

but, I'm curious...what would you do with May now?

 

Me?

 

I'd stretch him out in Rochester, and let him start the rest of the year in MN. This seems like a good year to see what they have. I would not pull him for any reason other than injury, and would let him play it out.

 

You pretty much hit the nail on the head.  I'd give him his shot.  He deserves it. 

I wouldn't mind having May in the rotation. Except who gets left out of May is in? Jose Berrios? Honestly Berrios has more upside, better strike out potential, less walks than May, plus more above average pitches at his disposal.Tyler Duffey? Not likely as last year gave him an inside track at a rotation spot with slack if he fails a bit (plus his 8 inning 2 hit masterpiece probably secured his rotation spot this year). Kyle Gibson? Not likely as he still has little trade value right now. But this is just my opinion. If we had enough spots open I would be fine seeing if May can or cannot start.

 

I wouldn't mind having May in the rotation. Except who gets left out of May is in? Jose Berrios? Honestly Berrios has more upside, better strike out potential, less walks than May, plus more above average pitches at his disposal.Tyler Duffey? Not likely as last year gave him an inside track at a rotation spot with slack if he fails a bit (plus his 8 inning 2 hit masterpiece probably secured his rotation spot this year). Kyle Gibson? Not likely as he still has little trade value right now. But this is just my opinion. If we had enough spots open I would be fine seeing if May can or cannot start.

With arguably the worst rotation in the AL (and perhaps all of baseball), wouldn't be hard to find a person May could replace.

that's a fair question:

 

May

Berrios

Gibson

Nolasco

Duffey

 

Anyone I missed?

 

I wouldn't mind having May in the rotation. Except who gets left out of May is in? Jose Berrios? Honestly Berrios has more upside, better strike out potential, less walks than May, plus more above average pitches at his disposal.Tyler Duffey? Not likely as last year gave him an inside track at a rotation spot with slack if he fails a bit (plus his 8 inning 2 hit masterpiece probably secured his rotation spot this year). Kyle Gibson? Not likely as he still has little trade value right now. But this is just my opinion. If we had enough spots open I would be fine seeing if May can or cannot start.

 

You listed 3 pitchers you want in the rotation instead of May and concluded that there wasn't room for him.  One of which has a 5.59 ERA, which includes his 8 inning masterpiece.  

 

The rotation consists of 5 pitchers.