Twins outright Blackburn, Nishioka

[Thrylos]

Otherwise, Rochester will have a $8.5 M investment in 2013.

 

The Twins will pay that. $8.5 M would cover Rochester's payroll for twenty years.

 

The Twins pay all players salaries in the minors. The local clubs just pay for facility-related things.

[Cody Christie]

When I saw this in one of my blog feeds, I thought it was just speculation. Turns out it's true!! Guess it caught me a little off guard. I thought that the Twins would stick with Blackburn because he is owed so much next season. Glad that they made the right moves with both of these players at this point in their careers.

[BeefMaster]

I'd guess either of those reasons is behind it. Generally, if a player doesn't have enough seniority to decline a minor league assignment (which neither Nishi or Blackburn do), teams will go ahead and use them as AAA roster filler. You may as well get SOME value out of that sunk cost, and if nothing else they can buy when the team goes out to dinner. The Twins are generally good about granting a guy his release if he could get a shot with another team, but I'm reasonably certain neither of these guys are getting major league offers anytime soon.

 

The fact they have been outrighted means they must have cleared waivers, so you're probably right.

 

That doesn't necessarily mean no one wants them - it means no one wants them at their current salary. If someone wanted to sign Blackburn to a minor league deal (or, less likely, a major league contract for the minimum salary) in the offseason, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Twins would grant him his release to pursue that.

[Matt VS]

I think it would be a smart idea to call up Vasquez to take his spot in the rotation. Why not give the guy you haven't seen yet this year a couple starts before Sep. 1st? Let Walters go another rehab start and Hendricks continue to work at a level where he's gaining confidence. What difference would it make to see Hendricks or Walters for 1-2 additional starts when we have a pretty good idea what they offer at the MLB level?

 

Now I'm waiting for the Gray/Slama flip...

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd have to think that Hendricks gets teh call here. They need to see if the things he's worked on have helped a bit.

 

The Twins are still forced to pay for both Nishi and Blackburn, but at least now they aren't on the 40 man.

[Thrylos]

I'd have to think that Hendricks gets teh call here. They need to see if the things he's worked on have helped a bit.

 

The Twins are still forced to pay for both Nishi and Blackburn, but at least now they aren't on the 40 man.

 

Vasquez is starting for Rochester tonight. I think that either Hendriks or Swarzak is making the start in Blackburn's position.

[drivlikejehu]

I've been pushing to DFA Blackburn for over a year, and finally, it's happened. I thought I'd be happier.

 

Blackburn made far more money than most players who reach the Majors. It's not exactly a sob story. The guy can't pitch, so he was dropped off the 40-man. Pretty straightforward situation that happens all the time. His contract just delayed the inevitable.

[DaveW]

Though I think this signifies the end of Blackburn for the Twins, I hope he is able to rebound in the future, perhaps if he gets it back together he can be a #5 type guy in the NL.

 

He obviously lacked the high end talent we would prefer, but when he was effective the guy always went out and gave us quite a few good performances while keeping his mouth shut unlike some of the other #5 pitchers we have had in the past. Plus, his game 163 will be remembered as a hell of a performance, and he seemed to be the one pitcher who wouldn't **** all over himself when they played in Yankee stadium. I still think he can figure out a way to get back to a 4.50 ERA type guy, that place probably isn't on the Twins though.

[lecroy24fan]

I would like to see Vazquez/Hendriks replace Duensing in the rotation. Put him back in the bullpen please.

[Rosterman]

Ah...Carlos Silva revisited.

[snepp]

If I didn't know better I'd think that today was my birthday.

[jokin]

I think it would be a smart idea to call up Vasquez to take his spot in the rotation. Why not give the guy you haven't seen yet this year a couple starts before Sep. 1st? Let Walters go another rehab start and Hendricks continue to work at a level where he's gaining confidence. What difference would it make to see Hendricks or Walters for 1-2 additional starts when we have a pretty good idea what they offer at the MLB level?

 

Now I'm waiting for the Gray/Slama flip...

 

When asked about AAA RP options for call-up on Sunday, Rantz was spoke loudly in his silence, concerning Slama. Caleb Thielbar was the guy he went out of his way to heap praise upon, he has made a metoriic rise through the org. and it's not beyond the realm of possibility that he gets the flip, instead.

[Top Gun]

It's about time, Gray should be next, a few wins can't hold him much longer.

[Seth Stohs]

When asked about AAA RP options for call-up on Sunday, Rantz was spoke loudly in his silence, concerning Slama. Caleb Thielbar was the guy he went out of his way to heap praise upon, he has made a metoriic rise through the org. and it's not beyond the realm of possibility that he gets the flip, instead.

 

I'd have no problem with Thielbar getting called up. The question Rantz was asked was about which players have surprised in how well they've played this year, and he started with Thielbar.

[Craig Arko]

I'll just say they both had their chances to succeed, and didn't get it done. And yes, Gray should probably be next.

 

Looking at Vasquez makes sense, although I think it's a good bet Hendriks makes next year's opening rotation.

 

As an aside, I really like what Florimon has done with his chance so far. Pretty much the exact opposite of Nishioka.

[PseudoSABR]

One would think that Nishi will want to go back to Japan next year, rather than waste away in the minors. So the Twins will probably save that money.

[Jack Torse]

Shame on the Twins for letting this guy get his tits lit up for 4 months. He should have been protected better by this orginization. The wheels seem to come off a bit more every day for the Twins. Hopefully they wont let another decade go by to worry about winning again.

[beckmt]

TR was on ESPN in the 6:00 PM hour. This was all discussed, but he did not disclose if someone was coming up. He commented that he wanted the spots if he needed them, and would not deny that more moves are coming. Pitching was a concern, but TR did not feel that hitting was all that solid either.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Shame on the Twins for letting this guy get his tits lit up for 4 months. He should have been protected better by this orginization. The wheels seem to come off a bit more every day for the Twins. Hopefully they wont let another decade go by to worry about winning again.

 

Are you saying that it's the Twins fault that Blackburn pitched so poorly?

[Thrylos]

Shame on the Twins for letting this guy get his tits lit up for 4 months. He should have been protected better by this orginization. The wheels seem to come off a bit more every day for the Twins. Hopefully they wont let another decade go by to worry about winning again.

 

Are you saying that it's the Twins fault that Blackburn pitched so poorly?

 

Actually, I too think think that it is the Twins' fault that let Blackburn pitch so poorly with them. That extension was so ill advised back then when he projected as a 5th starter at best.

[BrentMpls]

One would think that Nishi will want to go back to Japan next year, rather than waste away in the minors. So the Twins will probably save that money.

 

Why would he not want to play in the minors? Millions of dollars are nice.

[twinsnorth49]

I've been pushing to DFA Blackburn for over a year, and finally, it's happened. I thought I'd be happier.

 

No worries, I'm probably happy enough for the both of us!!

[jokin]

When asked about AAA RP options for call-up on Sunday, Rantz was spoke loudly in his silence, concerning Slama. Caleb Thielbar was the guy he went out of his way to heap praise upon, he has made a metoriic rise through the org. and it's not beyond the realm of possibility that he gets the flip, instead.

 

I'd have no problem with Thielbar getting called up. The question Rantz was asked was about which players have surprised in how well they've played this year, and he started with Thielbar.

 

He did start with Thielbar. But he also reviewed some of the performances at AAA and Slama's name was curious by its absence, given the Twins ML pitching woes.

[jokin]

TR was on ESPN in the 6:00 PM hour. This was all discussed, but he did not disclose if someone was coming up. He commented that he wanted the spots if he needed them, and would not deny that more moves are coming. Pitching was a concern, but TR did not feel that hitting was all that solid either.

 

See TR... and all you guys that say it's so disruptive to tinker and adjust names with the 40-man, more moves better be coming. By my count, this is now 12 40-man roster moves in-season. And just now, we're finally getting to the 500-lb impotent gorillas, but there's still much more heavy lifting to do to get rid of the bulk of the remaining dead weight.

[jctwins]

And apparently DPJ isn't even here anymore to enjoy this.

[Danchat]

This is a classic example of addition by subtraction.

[kab21]

At last this nightmare is over (hopefully).

 

It seems to me that this is the end since they waited almost until rosters expand to do this so I have to think the Twins are setting up to part ways this winter.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The simple fact that Nishi was outrighted is curious. Why not do it when he was taken off of the 25-man? Similar with Blackburn... why not option him unless you need that spot immediately? My first thought was that Walters must be close to re-joining the big club and that's why the 40-man spot was needed. But it doesn't look like he's close enough.

 

Vazquez started tonight, so it doesn't look like he'll be the one. Hendriks could be the guy... but am I alone in thinking he'd be better off pitching in a AAA pennant race rather than a few August/September games that don't matter? The Rock Cats are in the same boat. It's been a while since both AAA and AA have been in this situation.

 

I'm ok with the Twins thinning their 40-man in preparation for the September call-ups... but let those guys play for something and call them up when their season is done... someone's going to come up to take Blackburn's place... but I hope it's not someone that will leave the Red Wings short as they close the gap in the standings.

[Montecore]

The extension was emblematic of the organization's stupidity with Gardenhire at the helm. Nishi should just head back home. It's sad, but, for dignity's sake he should just go. If only he was Jim Eisenrich and it was a medical/psychological situation. But, it's not. I haven't played a game of hardball in a decade and am 40 lbs. overweight and I know I could play better than him. It's just a mystery how he ever got signed.

[old nurse]

If an astute fan can see the difference in Blackburn's delivery when he was somewhat successful and when he is not, l it would be more than reasonable to think the coaches have also. It is quite possible Blackburn's demotion rests squarely on him not accepting coaching.