Article: Hello? Rochester... Please Send Help

[Seth Stohs]

I think we can all agree that the first guys promoted from Rochester to attempt to help the Twins bullpen early this season did not perform well in their first outings. So, who else is in Rochester? Let’s get to know the rest of the Red Wings bullpen.The Twins wanted to call up Zack Littell last weekend but because the season was not yet ten days old, they were unable to. Instead, they put Chase De Jong back on the 40-man roster and Designed Tyler Austin for Assignment. At the time, the Twins needed someone available in the bullpen who could eat some innings after Jake Odorizzi didn’t get out of the first inningFriday night. De Jong was not needed after all in Philadelphia thanks to good starts by Michael Pineda and Jose Berrios. He got his first opportunity on Tuesday night against the Mets. He came in to finish the ninth inning with the Twins leading 14-4. He needed 46 pitches to finish the ninth and gave up four runs and six base runners.

 

Following the game, he was returned to Rochester since he would be unable to pitch for the Twins for several days. Lefty Andrew Vasquez, the easy choice for 2018 Twins Daily Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year, was recalled to take De Jong’s spot.

 

Unlike De Jong, Vasquez was thrown right into a tough situation. With two outs in the fifth inning last night, Jake Odorizzi loaded the bases with a walk to opposing starter Noah Syndergaard. With left-handed hitting Brandon Nimmo due up, Rocco Baldelli called on the left-hander who struck out 108 batters in 69+ innings last year.

 

Simply put, it did not go well for Vasquez. He couldn’t throw strikes and frankly, wasn’t close. He hit Nimmo (to put one run on the board). Then he walked both Pete Alonso and Robinson Cano to score two more runs. His fastball topped out at 87 mph and he couldn’t command the slider at all.

 

I will advocate for not giving up on Andrew Vasquez, and I would assume that most of you would look at that outing as a case of nerves in his return to the big leagues. While he had struck out four batters in 1 1/3 innings in his one Red Wings appearance, he also walked two batters and gave up a hit.

 

I’m not advocating that Vasquez needs to be optioned right away, though it would be understandable. But if he is, or on a higher level, if at any time the Twins need to call back to Rochester looking for some relief help, what options are there? Below you’ll find the current group of Red Wings relievers, any of who could be an option at some point this season.

 

THE RELIEVERS IN ROCHESTER

(in alphabetical order)

 

AUSTIN ADAMS

Age - 32

MLB Experience - Parts of three seasons (2014-16) with Cleveland. 53 games, 58 2/3 innings, 6.29 ERA.

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 Games, 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

 

The Twins signed Adams late last year out of independent ball and he pitched briefly for Chattanooga. This year, is hitting 94-96 for the Red Wings in the early goings. Presumably, Derek Falvey is quite familiar with him due to his years in Cleveland.

 

TYLER DUFFEY

Age - 28

MLB Experience - Parts of four seasons (2015-18) with the Twins. 111 games (37 starts), 287 innings, 5.46 ERA.

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 Games, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

 

Duffey made such a strong impression on Twins fans late in the 2015 season, nearly catapulting a surprising team to the playoffs. He hasn’t been able to duplicate that performance since and was moved to the bullpen a few years ago. He has the curveball and spin rate that teams love.

 

RYAN EADES

Age - 27

MLB Experience - None

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 G, 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

 

Eades made a strong impression during an impressive run in big league spring training this year. He showed a big fastball which reached into the mid-90s. He also showed his array of pitches. Before this season, he had just seven games of Triple-A experience.

 

PRESTON GUILMET

Age - 31

MLB Experience - Parts of five seasons (2013-18) with Tampa Bay, Cleveland, St. Louis, Baltimore, Toronto, Milwaukee. 27 games, 33 innings. 9.27 ERA.

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 G, 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.

 

Guilmet has had a long career. He’s pitched for six teams in the big leagues to go with several other organizations in the minor leagues. He’s got enough stuff to keep getting opportunities.

 

MIKE MORIN

Age - 27

MLB Experience - Parts of five seasons (2014-18) with Angels. 186 games, 174 innings, 4.66 ERA.

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 G, 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

 

Born in Minnesota, his family soon moved to the Kansas City area, but he’s still got family in the area. It would certainly be a thrill for him to play for the Twins. Morin pitched between 47 and 60 games each year out of the Angels bullpen between 2014 and 2016. He’s been hurt the last two years, but he appears to be fully healthy again. He’s a low-90s guy with a really, really good changeup.

 

JAKE REED

Age - 26

MLB Experience - None

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 G, 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

 

Reed moved up to AA really quickly after being drafted by the Twins in 2014. He’s been up and down ever since, but he was remarkable for the Red Wings after June 1st last year (23 G, 37.2 IP, 1.43 ERA, .167 opponents batting average). Walks always a concern, but Reed gets a lot of movement. His fastball is 95-97, and he’s got a sharp slider too. .

 

FERNANDO ROMERO

Age - 24

MLB Experience - Debuted with the Twins in 2018. Made 11 starts, 55 2/3 innings. 4.69 ERA.

2019 Red Wings Stats - 2 G, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K

 

Romero was really good for his first four MLB starts last year and then struggled the rest of the way. It was surprising that the Twins decided so quickly in spring training that he would pitch out of the bullpen. He struggled in spring training and was optioned to the Red Wings. He’s off to a fast start. In his 3 1/3 hitless, no-walk innings on Wednesday, he was getting swings and misses on 97 and 98 mph fastballs.

 

Currently DJ Baxendale (27) and Zack Weiss (26) are on the Red Wings injured list.

 

 

*Note that the 2019 Red Wings Stats are for just two games, so the sample size is definitely small.

 

THE STARTERS

 

Chase De Jong returns to the Red Wings starting rotation. The other starters in the Red Wings rotation are 23-year-old RHP Zack Littell, 23-year-old LHP Lewis Thorpe, 24-year-old RHP Kohl Stewart, 25-year-old RHP Sean Poppen and 27-year-old MLB veteran, LHP Justin Nicolino. LHP Stephen Gonsalves is on the IL as well and should be back in early May.

 

These guys are options if and when a long-reliever might be needed. They could also be summoned to the Twins when a starter is needed, such as in a doubleheader situation.

 

THE INJURED LIST

 

As a reminder, right-handers Matt Magill and Addison Reed, along with LHP Gabriel Moya are on the injured list. We haven’t heard updates on them recently. They are also options to join the big league bullpen when they are ready, though a rehab stint would seem very likely for all three as they have not pitched in a long time.

 

THE FREE AGENTS

 

I’ll just throw this tweet from Nick Nelson here:

 

 

So, do you have a current hierarchy of who the Twins should call up next as they have needs? How about breaking that out between whether they need a long reliever, or a lefty, or a short-term option versus a more long-term guy? Share your thoughts below.

 

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[h2oface]

Tweeting you don't need Kimbrel every time a reliever has a bad outing and the the reaction is to sign him...... is weak. This does not have to be the team we've got. If so, why sign Cron and Gonzales and Cruz and Schoop et al as well. This is the team we've got is so very very weak. The team can be anyone that is signed. Including Kimbrel.

 

And tweeting is weak... period.

 

Magill and Moya and Reed? How unexciting and not the answer. Just more dirt in the engine.

[ToddlerHarmon]

From what we have seen of Perez, we might need a starter, too. Romero is my first choice for either role.

[beckmt]

I think Twins are trying to get Romaro used to his new role.  Think he will be here soon enough.  More worried about Perez and the other starters.  Seem to have 14 outities..

[killertwinfan]

I think Romero will be good. He just needs to get the reliever mindset before he comes back up.  

[wsnydes]

With all due respect Nick, this doesn't have to be the team we run with. It was last night, that is true. But it doesn't have to remain that way. There are ways to improve it. Just like there was during the offseason. It's not as though this issue popped up just last night.

 

 

[mudcat14]

It was just a bad (and hopefully learned from) decision by Baldelli to bring the rookie into that situation.  Rocco was influenced too much by the fact that the pitcher was leading off the next inning.  As we all know, games can be decided in any inning.  Protecting the lead was the priority, not setting up the next four innings when presumably everyone was available.

 

I'm more worried about Odorizzi than the 'Pen.  He finally has a start where he is largely efficient with his pitch count, and he still can't manage to get past the 5th inning.  We've seen short starts from him way, way, way to often to have any hope that this will change before he mercifully departs at season's end.  Maybe, just maybe he can be one of those miracle reclamation stories of a failed veteran starter who thrives in the pen.  I'm done with him as a starter.  I'd rather start auditioning arms from AAA & AA to see if we can catch lightening in a bottle than wait for Jake to finally put it together.    

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

I'm more worried about Odorizzi than the 'Pen.  He finally has a start where he is largely efficient with his pitch count, and he still can't manage to get past the 5th inning.  We've seen short starts from him way, way, way to often to have any hope that this will change before he mercifully departs at season's end.  Maybe, just maybe he can be one of those miracle reclamation stories of a failed veteran starter who thrives in the pen.  I'm done with him as a starter.  I'd rather start auditioning arms from AAA & AA to see if we can catch lightening in a bottle than wait for Jake to finally put it together.    

I'm with you - the rotation outside of Berrios looks pretty bad. Gibson should gain some endurance as he recovers from e.Coli, but at this point woof. There going to need 3 long relievers to get 700 inning from the bullpen.   

[071063]

I would hope Reed would get a chance soon.  He's earned it and it is time to see if he can cut it. If not, then we can all quit wondering and move on.

[Linus]

This is depressing. Romero has a chance the rest are where they belong

[Dantes929]

After one start this year there was actually a post about Garver receiving so many negative tweets that he was going to avoid twitter.    Just a couple games later he is a hero.   May and Berrios and countless others have been written off at one point by fans.   Of course there are others who have done just fine right out of the gate.   Rosario on his first pitch comes to mind.    Maybe breaking into the league by inches is desirable for some but not for everyone.   These are presumably elite and confident athletes and this is the 2018 minor league pitcher of the year for Pete's sake.   He has like a 1.5 ERA in his career.    There is good reason to think there is at least a 70% chance he would get his guy out and only a 1% chance that he won't get an out or a ball in play.   He's a professional reliever with a good track record so lets lay a little of the blame at his feet for simply not getting the job done.    He's also a professional reliever with a good track record so lets not be so quick to assume he is not a good answer going forward.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Last night, we needed a fireman. We didn't have one unfortunately...

 

Kimbrel would certainly have his bad moments, and even if he signed now, he woudln't be ready for a few weeks at best... Regardless, we needed him last night. 

 

We should have signed him. We still could... 

[Dantes929]

 

I'm with you - the rotation outside of Berrios looks pretty bad. Gibson should gain some endurance as he recovers from e.Coli, but at this point woof. There going to need 3 long relievers to get 700 inning from the bullpen.   

Pineda has a 2.00 ERA.    WAY too early to write off Odorizzi for the season.   

[Drew]

There is a lot to like about this team but the lack of bullpen help this year, to me, is such an obvious mistake I kind of can't believe they didn't do anything about it. Every year you have guys that go from a near nobody to an impressive bullpen piece. The Twins seem to be hoping 3 or 4 guys do that. Even our one proven bullpen arm, Rogers, doesn't have a long history of sustained success. I think it's an easy decision to sign Kimbrel or to be very aggressive on the trade market as soon as you can. 

[jmlease1]

The issue with Kimbrel remains the same as it was in the offseason. Yes, he could help this team and would be a positive addition to the bullpen. But at what price? The understanding seemed to be that he was looking for a 5+ year deal and expected something around $20M AAV. That's still asking a lot and probably a contract that he's worth in no more than 3 out of those 5.

 

Beyond that, does anyone here really think that Kimbrel would have come into the game in the 5th inning last night? He's also a guy who expects to close.

 

I have a bit more confidence in the starting pitcher options at Rochester than the relief options. Thorpe, Stewart, and Gonsalves are all guys that could have success in MLB. Littell is someone Im not as confident for longterm upside, but could contribute. Theres a solid group of guys who are all younger and should compete.

 

We'll see if Reed or Romero or Duffy is an answer. But I won't be surprised or even all that upset if we wait another 8-10 games before making a final call on some of this. It's a long season and we're not all that far along.

[MMMordabito]

Not a fan of the condescending tweet about fans calling for Kimbrel, but I can listen to the second part of it suggesting a trade.  However, stating this is the team we have when it comes to Kimbrel and then backtracking and suggesting a trade involving the team we have is contradictory.

 

The big issue seems to be a lack of another high leverage lefty.  Kimbrel wouldn't solve that directly, but he could create a trickle down where Rogers can be saved for that instead of being used as the #1 overall high leverage option.

 

The system isn't well stocked at the top in this area.  Moya is hurt.  Gonsalves is hurt and not really on that path.  Thorpe is stretched out right now, although maybe he could be an option.  Nicolino probabaly doesn't have a lot of upside. So I see two options internally:

 

1) Write off last night's debacle as nerves and weather, then give Vasquez a few more chances to prove himself.  

 

2) Roll with a kid and do what it takes roster-wise to call up Jovani Moran. He could actually be a real weapon.

 

As far as trades with non-contenders go, it's too early for that pool to have a lot of options:

 

1) Jake Diekman would probably be available, and I would view him as an upgrade over Mejia, Vazquez or Moya in the short term.  He's a band-aid though.

 

2) Paul Fry would probably cost a bit more in prospect return, but he could be a longer term solution.

 

3) Amir Garrett may be available at some point, but the Reds just did a whole lot to upgrade their team.  It will probably be awhile before they go into sell mode.

 

4) Felipe Vazquez is probably going to cost the most and would be a deadline option, if Pittsburgh even wants to move him.  They would also have to go into sell mode.

 

I don't like a lot of what I see on the other non-contenders ATM.

[Mike Sixel]

Other than a handful of people, is anyone surprised the pitching is bad? Bargain signings and trades.... Are bargains for a reason. Romero should be in the pen. After their fifth starter is terrible, I anticipate a series of promotions.

 

Oh, and next year? They have one legit starter signed.... Good luck.

[lukeduke1980]

 

Pineda has a 2.00 ERA.    WAY too early to write off Odorizzi for the season.   

This is what Odorizzi was last year.  5 innings and he's done.  A number 5 starter.  Gibson and Pineda have only the ability to go about 5 right now also, though due to health.  Prepare for an overworked bullpen, injuries, and an exposed lack of depth.

[Tibs]

 

Last night, we needed a fireman. We didn't have one unfortunately...

 

Kimbrel would certainly have his bad moments, and even if he signed now, he woudln't be ready for a few weeks at best... Regardless, we needed him last night. 

 

We should have signed him. We still could... 

Taylor Rogers was there last night. He hasn't pitched since Sunday. He is clearly our best reliever and has been devastating against LHB. The Mets had a LHB up to bat with the bases loaded and 2 outs in a 1 run game. I'm not singling you out, but so many people aren't mentioning this.

 

It was a no-brainer to put in Taylor Rogers. Sure Kimbrel or someone would really help, but we can't act like we had no one to put in for that situation. Baldelli blew that one.

[USAFChief]

That collection of relievers in Rochester is not going to be much help, is it? Maybe Romero, at some point.

[USAFChief]

As to Nick's tweet...he's right.

 

It's unpopular.

[akmanak]

Not really sure why this comes as any surprise with the Twins. The last few years we have started out hot and nose dived from there. Same thing is bound to happen this uear because of pitching.

[chpettit19]

 

Last night, we needed a fireman. We didn't have one unfortunately...

 

Kimbrel would certainly have his bad moments, and even if he signed now, he woudln't be ready for a few weeks at best... Regardless, we needed him last night. 

 

We should have signed him. We still could... 

I think part of why Kimbrel isn't signed is because he isn't a fireman. I don't think he wants to do anything but pitch 3 out, 9th inning saves. And with his predilection for putting multiple runners on base in most of his outings I'm not sure you'd want him coming in with the bases loaded anyways.

[chpettit19]

 

Taylor Rogers was there last night. He hasn't pitched since Sunday. He is clearly our best reliever and has been devastating against LHB. The Mets had a LHB up to bat with the bases loaded and 2 outs in a 1 run game. I'm not singling you out, but so many people aren't mentioning this.

 

It was a no-brainer to put in Taylor Rogers. Sure Kimbrel or someone would really help, but we can't act like we had no one to put in for that situation. Baldelli blew that one.

I don't know that it's a super obvious choice to bring in your best reliever for 1 out in the 5th in a 1 run game. You're still going to need to get 12 more outs. I don't think it's fair to say Rocco blew it. You have to have somebody else in the pen who can come in and get literally 1 guy out.

[strumdatjaguar]

Tyler Duffy for now, and Romero soon,

[chpettit19]

I think it's the starting pitchers that are the real problem right now. Sure, last night looked bad with the pen unable to help Odorizzi out, but in the big picture it's him being awful so far and Gibson and Pineda, for differing reasons, not going more than 5. If the starting staff is getting through 6 more regularly we're looking at a whole lot less of the back end of the pen and a whole lot more of Hildy, Rogers, Parker, and May. Even Harper has been solid so far. Would Kimbrel be nice? Sure. But lets not act like we have 0 relievers. We have 3 guys who should be reasonably counted on to provide quality innings at the back end of games. I don't know that anyone here can name a single MLB team with a pen that can survive having multiple starters (who are expected to have a "real" start, not openers, etc. like Tampa uses) failing to get through even the 5th inning on a super regular basis. 

 

This is a starting rotation failure more than it is a bullpen failure. Unless you expect them to go out and sign 8 guys for 10+ mil a year so they never have a questionable bullpen arm.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

And with his predilection for putting multiple runners on base in most of his outings I'm not sure you'd want him coming in with the bases loaded anyways.

Kimbrel's career WHIP is 0.920. Last year it was 0.995.

[wsnydes]

 

I don't know that it's a super obvious choice to bring in your best reliever for 1 out in the 5th in a 1 run game. You're still going to need to get 12 more outs. I don't think it's fair to say Rocco blew it. You have to have somebody else in the pen who can come in and get literally 1 guy out.

Heck, I would have settled for a guy that could actually hit the zone let alone get outs. At least make them earn the runs!

[Coobelz]

 

I think it's the starting pitchers that are the real problem right now. Sure, last night looked bad with the pen unable to help Odorizzi out, but in the big picture it's him being awful so far and Gibson and Pineda, for differing reasons, not going more than 5. If the starting staff is getting through 6 more regularly we're looking at a whole lot less of the back end of the pen and a whole lot more of Hildy, Rogers, Parker, and May. Even Harper has been solid so far. Would Kimbrel be nice? Sure. But lets not act like we have 0 relievers. We have 3 guys who should be reasonably counted on to provide quality innings at the back end of games. I don't know that anyone here can name a single MLB team with a pen that can survive having multiple starters (who are expected to have a "real" start, not openers, etc. like Tampa uses) failing to get through even the 5th inning on a super regular basis. 

 

This is a starting rotation failure more than it is a bullpen failure. Unless you expect them to go out and sign 8 guys for 10+ mil a year so they never have a questionable bullpen arm.

I agree with the above statement that we are going to have major issues once we have to start utilizing a 5 man rotation. I am trying not to overreact to a 10 game sample size but this article makes me think we are in for a long season of poor pitching performances. Of those listed above, Romero is really the only player that gives me any hope. It makes the decision to utilize Romero as a RP all the more curious as he could have provided at least #4 SP numbers for us this year.   

 

As it stands, we have 3 guys we can trust. Gibby will better.  Pineda has been fun to watch, however I wonder if he will be on an innings limit or wear down as the season goes on.  Berrios looks like this could be his coming out party. Ordo looks like he should be the long man out of the BP, given his track record of success the first time through a lineup.  Perez looks awful so far. 

 

It is frustrating (as many have pointed out) that we made no effort to address our pitching this offseason. I am a big fan of the FA acquisitions to the lineup but we aren't going to playoffs by winning shoot outs every night.

 

 

[nicksaviking]

I wouldn't want to give up on Vasquez already, but even with all the strikeouts, the guy still was only throwing 90 MPH last year when he was up with the Twins. If that's what we are to expect from his velocity, I'm not going to expect great results from him at the MLB level.

 

With Perez going to the rotation I think Stewart or Romero should be added to the pen, they'll need multi inning guys.

 

Or they could skip AAA and get Cody Stashak from AA. One of my personal favorites and a guy who typically goes multiple innings. I don't think he's in AA because he needed remedial work, I'd guess it was because there were just too many options for Rochester and he didn't have seniority.

 

Also, Kimbrel.