Tyler Duffey: Too early to panic?

[cHawk]

Tyler Duffey, over the last three years from 2019-2021, has been one of the Twins’ more reliable ‘pen arms. He posted ERA’s of 2.50, 1.88, and 3.18 in those three years.

However, he has had a rough start to the 2022 season. In 4 appearances, 2 losses and a 9.00 ERA. And a 2.00 WHIP. Looking at his (SSS) pitch mix in 2022, it isn’t much different than it has been over the last three years.

Is it too early to panic about Duffey?

[howeda7]

No it's not. Especially since Rocco still considers him the "closer."

[ScottyB]

Not too early to panic. He started downhill late last season. Velocity down a tick. Right now I consider him and Stashak to be mop up guys, good for blowouts one way or the other. No close games. At some point we need to look to the Saints, Minaya, Smeltzer, Cano and maybe Moran could be options down the road. 

[terrydactyls]

Time to DFA Duffy, Stashak, and Theilbar and promote Cano, Moran, and Minaya.

[Irishman]

3 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

Time to DFA Duffy, Stashak, and Theilbar and promote Cano, Moran, and Minaya.

Agreed!   Please, Duffy, Strashak and Theilbar need to go.      Time to DFA Jax, too.  They are so bad.  

[miller761]

It is so hard to tell at this time of the year with the late spring training and cooler weather. But as a manager you have to do what is best for your ball club. Duffy's velocity is down and curve ball is no where near sharp. The pitch to Dozier was terrible. Please Rocco learn from your past mistakes. If you still believe in him put him in situations where the game is not on the line. Let him work his way back if he still has something. Your faith in older established players led to more than a couple late game losses last year which contributed to a terrible year. Already we have 2 losses by one player on performing. Smart people learn from their mistakes and it is not fair to label the entire bullpen as not living up to expectations when a manager's decisions are not made with his head instead of his heart. We do not have half of the year to wait for Duffey to regain his form in winnable game situations.

 

 

[Blyleven2011]

Duffey has been homer prone his entire career  ...

Bad call  with the lead last night ,

I knew the twins were in trouble , I have never been able to trust duffey  even in his good year or so 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I think it’s not too early to reduce Duffey’s leverage and frequency. He clearly doesn’t have it right now, and hasn’t since late last year.

I wouldn’t jump to a roster decision yet, unless he’s hurt and gets a diagnosis 

[stringer bell]

Who do you turn to? Honestly, it was the sixth inning. I suppose one more inning for Smith, then Coulombe, then Duran?

I am not seeing any of those guys as sure things to shut down Kansas City. The KC bullpen, even with a guy with an ERA over 10, outpitched the Twins. 

[Vanimal46]

26 minutes ago, Sconnie said:

I think it’s not too early to reduce Duffey’s leverage and frequency. He clearly doesn’t have it right now, and hasn’t since late last year.

I wouldn’t jump to a roster decision yet, unless he’s hurt and gets a diagnosis 

Nailed it. We have to go off what we know right now, and we know Duffey’s stuff is not right to be a high leverage arm. It’s possible he has 5-6 shut down appearances in a row and gets back on track. If I knew how to predict reliever performance I’d be making boat loads of money for an MLB team. 

[stringer bell]

30 minutes ago, Sconnie said:

I think it’s not too early to reduce Duffey’s leverage and frequency. He clearly doesn’t have it right now, and hasn’t since late last year.

I wouldn’t jump to a roster decision yet, unless he’s hurt and gets a diagnosis 

Duffey lost it last year, but found it later in the season. Perhaps, he’ll do the same. The velocity hasn’t been what it was when he emerged a few years ago and I don’t think that element will return. 

[TwinsDr2021]

19 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Who do you turn to? Honestly, it was the sixth inning. I suppose one more inning for Smith, then Coulombe, then Duran?

I am not seeing any of those guys as sure things to shut down Kansas City. The KC bullpen, even with a guy with an ERA over 10, outpitched the Twins. 

Well from what I hear Archer was gassed after 4, so the Twins being completely caught off guard by this is a failure on their part. The plan should have been Archer for 4 and another guy for 3 (who? I don't know but isn't that their job?)

 

[Rosterman]

Well, Smith was the right choice with bases loaded. But Duffey has now been responsible for losing two games that the Twins should've won. Sorta like Colome last season.

 

Pitchers are going to have ups and downs. But you have to use them carefully.

 

Rocco tends to have "an order of use" sheet rather than a situational sheet. And, except with starters, tries to get a little more than necessary, especially in April with the expanded bullpen.

 

Of course, having rotation arms pitch at least five and get into the sixth will be a blessing.

 

We can excuse April as extended spring training. And that the bats (and line-up...any rhyme or reasoning there) is still working thru kinks. But.....

[CRF]

Definitely not too early to panic. This relegates him to mop up duty. Can't trust the guy right now for more than that. Another winnable game down the tubes. 

[PatPfund]

I agree it isn't too early for concern. Disagree Rocco still thinks of Duffey as a closer (this wasn't closer territory). But Duffey needs to work it out in mop-up instead of tight games. Who else could have pitched? Smith, Pagan, Duran, Winder (if I had even a bit of clue as to what they are doing with him). Minaya or Cotton would have been great if they were Twins. (Why are they not Twins? Why?)

Gonna be a grim year if you can't count on anyone in your 'pen to tame the fearsome Royals in the 6th.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Who do you turn to? Honestly, it was the sixth inning. I suppose one more inning for Smith, then Coulombe, then Duran?

I am not seeing any of those guys as sure things to shut down Kansas City. The KC bullpen, even with a guy with an ERA over 10, outpitched the Twins. 

While I’d normally like to see if Duran can get some K’s looking before thrusting him into leverage, he’s about the only option right now to backfill Duffey.

[PatPfund]

Though to be fair to @stringer bell , I was listening to the game and snark texting with a friend in TN. He asked why the [bleep] Archer was still pitching, and my immediate response was 'have you seen our bullpen?'

[ashbury]

I held out hope for Duffman for a long while, but a two-pitch pitcher walks a thin line and depends on flawless command game in and game out, year in and year out.  When the curve isn't teasing the edges of the strike zone, or the fastball location isn't reliable, batters will sit on the other pitch, and feast.  He couldn't get AAA batters out a few years ago, due to wavering command.  He needs to find it again.  Come on Wes Johnson, work some of your vaunted magic!