December 21, 20196 yr My initial reaction was pretty negative, but after reading a bit about his numbers and his ability to get lefties out, I’m more optimistic about it.
December 21, 20196 yr My sense last year was that the team's ability to scramble players up and down during the season was as valuable to their overall effectiveness as any individual contribution. It seemed weirdly effective to run 10 pitchers through 4 roster spots. "Solid bullpen" = no ability to remove a player without waivers?
December 21, 20196 yr Remember next year, relievers are "all in" on at least 3 hitters, unless they get out of the inning. Clippard's ability vis-a-vis lefties could be an under-valued aspect of the market since teams have not experienced the new system yet. He's also got what we used to call a "rubber arm": when everyone else is gassed, and Clippard is too, you still bring Clippard into the game and he gives you credible pitches at opportune moments.
December 21, 20196 yr Good signing. Would allow some of the youngsters sloted for the pen to be included in trade(s) for a starter (or 2).
December 21, 20196 yr When I commented earlier, was thinking the Twins still needed a second lefty in the pen. But after reading more comments and learning how effective Clippard is against left handed hitters, that is no longer a concern. Probably especially true in what is now 3-batter baseball. Was thinking his signing brings the 40-man to 38. Well, I was wrong as it is now at 39. Yes, I went back and counted twice and then a third time. So there is one spot open and if we are lucky it is gone today to fill our corner infield spot. If they get their fourth starter via a trade, that will likely include one, or two players currently on the 40-man...so no problem. If it is a free agent, some pitcher will be moving on. Have my idea, but won't mention who because it probably won't be who they decide to move on from. Speaking of Clippard, you gotta really like how this bullpen is shaping up. Rogers, May, Duffey, Romo, Clippard, Littell. That's six. Give the eighth long reliever spot to the Rochester shuttle and you are down to one opening. Stashak and Harper are the leading candidates, but you also have Poppen and a handful of guys with some major league experience signed to minor league contracts. One of those guys usually has a great spring and forces himself onto the roster, like Harper last year. We also don't know what their plans are for Graterol, who could be a heck of a lot more than the #7 guy in the pen.
December 21, 20196 yr Love this signing along with bringing fan fave Romo back. But we absolutely need to make an impact move by getting RYU and/or Donaldson. Twins fans will respond at the gate Pohlads...............
December 21, 20196 yr On the 40 man... Pineda would be on the restricted list. During the season he would not count on the 40. I am not certain if he would be on the 40 in the off-season. With Clippard and Romo it seems less likely that Wisler would make the team. He doesn’t have options so at some point they would likely have to DFA him. When they need a spot on the 40 it might be his spot. Harper is a candidate also but his options give him some value as a shuttle reliever.
December 22, 20196 yr To roll out the old cliche, I don't care about left handed pitchers. I care about pitchers who can get left handed batters out. Clippard has the track record.
December 24, 20196 yr I liked this $2.75MM move when it was announced. I like it even more now when I see that Betances just signed for $10.5MM. I didn't catch that anyone pointed out this tidbit, but I read somewhere that Clippard is the only reliever to have thrown at least 60 innings in each of the past 10 seasons (and in his case, it's actually 11). Not a one of those seasons had a WHIP above 1.30, and only one had a K/9 under 9.
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