How do you address the Twins bullpen?

[cHawk]

The Twins’ bullpen is a group that has, while not as much as 2021, still struggled in 2022:

Team Reliever ERA: 16th
Team Reliever WHIP: 19th
Team Reliever HR/9: 30th

A mix of injuries and underperformance has contributed to this bullpen’s bad start. The Twins have a few viable pen options, such as Joe Smith and Jhoan Duran. How do you fill in the gaps?

[Dave The Dastardly]

Let the starters go 7 innings.

[Linus]

Soon it’s going to be all hands on deck. I would add Smeltzer and Canterino and have them pitch multiple innings each time out. Depending on the situation as many as four. Canterino will get his 100 innings in and can go back to starting next year. The Twins simply have to get more innings out of somebody in the pen. 

[Major League Ready]

Has anyone heard anything about Alcala?  Getting him back would be a nice boost.    Ian Hamilton could help too.  I would think he will be here once the 40-man gets sorted out a bit.  Jax has hit a rough stretch, but they need to let him figure it out.  He seems to have lost some command of his fastball when he jacked up the velocity.  He is part of the solution if he is able to spot his FB while maintaining 95-96.  Of course, there is Canterino.  Not sure how they play that one because they are going to be more concerned with his long-term impact over getting him here in the short-term.

[Vanimal46]

19 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Has anyone heard anything about Alcala?  Getting him back would be a nice boost.    Ian Hamilton could help too.  I would think he will be here once the 40-man gets sorted out a bit.  Jax has hit a rough stretch, but they need to let him figure it out.  He seems to have lost some command of his fastball when he jacked up the velocity.  He is part of the solution if he is able to spot his FB while maintaining 95-96.  Of course, there is Canterino.  Not sure how they play that one because they are going to be more concerned with his long-term impact over getting him here in the short-term.

As long as there aren’t setbacks, he’ll be back in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed…

In the immediate term, I agree that Ian Hamilton should be considered. Perhaps an extended look at Cotton as well. It’s probably time to make the tough choice whether Strotman needs 40 man protection since he’s struggling mightily in a reliever role. Henriquez has also been struggling big time. 

[4twinsJA]

An effective Alcala would definitely help, but I don't think the answer is presently in Twins system. Twins will need to make a trade. 

[Major League Ready]

10 minutes ago, 4twinsJA said:

An effective Alcala would definitely help, but I don't think the answer is presently in Twins system. Twins will need to make a trade. 

How about Canterino?  Not tomorrow but around the deadline.  Smeltzer as a multi-inning guy might make sense too.  Duran / Smith / Alcala / Canterino / Thielbar / Smeltzer / Jax / Columbe with Stashak / Cotton for depth should be pretty darn good.

[Craig Arko]

C/o 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN, 55403.

[TheLeviathan]

They are middle of the pack but they've also, largely, protected leads.  They'll need reinforcements over the coming months so hopefully those options present themselves internally or externally.

[notoriousgod71]

This could/should have been addressed in the off-season but falvine was apparently fine rolling with what we had... So fine they traded their best reliever.

[TwinsDr2021]

9 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

long as there aren’t setbacks, he’ll be back in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed…

Will he do a rehab assignment? if so can it be done before he is off the 60 day?

It would have been nice if he could have been back for this stretch against KC and Det because he has been lights out against them and not so much against the other teams, hopefully that changes.

[bunsen82]

1 hour ago, notoriousgod71 said:

This could/should have been addressed in the off-season but falvine was apparently fine rolling with what we had... So fine they traded their best reliever.

We had more holes than a single reliever.  This isn’t a complete team, and yet we had an enjoyable spring.  We are a much different team when we are a healthy team but the bullpen needs 4 more arms in my opinion. I think Alcala is one, and I think Maeda will be one later in the year.  However we will need 2 more either from internal options or trade options.  SP is still a tad weak, the bats are a bit more swing and miss a than I would like.  Next couple weeks we will see what type of team we have.  

[Number3]

Minnesota Twins Bullpen

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ask Rocco, he uses more relievers than a bottle of Tums. Bottom line is the staff has over achieved for the most part and its time for the bats to catch up. The 1-0, 2-1 games are over. If they don"t split today/night at a minimum the season is over. Now is time for the good teams to start getting better and the others to find their rightful place in the pecking order. Injuries, Correa (who loves $105mil, excuse me, Minnesota) with Covid not good signs for this team that could come unraveled very easily. Today will be a great indicator.

[LVTwinsfan]

Put Lewis at short ( keep him the f*** out of center field) and trade Correa for some real bullpen help

[LVTwinsfan]

It is correct, the Twins don’t really need Correa and his baggage they have to deal with on the road. Lewis handled short while he was hurt, will only get better. But keep thinking they can do it with what they have, they won’t.

[Doctor Gast]

On 5/30/2022 at 9:17 AM, Linus said:

Soon it’s going to be all hands on deck. I would add Smeltzer and Canterino and have them pitch multiple innings each time out. Depending on the situation as many as four. Canterino will get his 100 innings in and can go back to starting next year. The Twins simply have to get more innings out of somebody in the pen. 

We need to replace Rogers whom we gave up. We need a veteran closer that we can depend upon for now and thru the post season. Only really dependable closer type we have is Duran and I'm afraid of over extending him and blowing out his arm. But how much Baldelli is depending so much on short relief , I'm worried about all of them.

And like Linus said we desperately need long relief to take the pressure off the short relief and the rotation. 1st thing is bring up Canterino to help out in long relief. As Ryan & Winder return, place Smeltzer and Winder (or Bundy & Archer if that can work out) to help out in long relief. Have them pitch until they need help from short relief, even have the them complete our games if they can.

We are entering into a crisis point! This is the only way to reverse the damage that have been done and needs to be done right now before everything blows up.

[nicksaviking]

****Moderator Note****

The posts in this thread have gotten way too personal, keep it civil or warning points and posting restrictions will be handed out.

[Squirrel]

41 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Put Lewis at short ( keep him the f*** out of center field) and trade Correa for some real bullpen help

Some of us are not convinced that Lewis will be more than just adequate at SS. In a small sample size this year, he held his own. We've heard for years that there is doubt that Lewis will remain at SS. So, that said, I'm not sure trading Correa, one of our best players, is the answer ... not for a team still in contention ... not for bullpen help. That would be an undersell of major proportions. We've already devoted a couple of threads to the whys and wherefores of trading/not trading Correa with some very sound reasoning. Despite being one of the best players in the game, he will not bring back what we need to cross the hump because people will not pay what he is worth, because they can't. And, in the meantime, then you've also traded away one of your best players, leaving you that much weaker at a position of highest importance. That's my opinion ... we will disagree, I'm sure ... but trading Correa for bp help would be a huge mistake.

[USAFChief]

Just now, Squirrel said:

Some of us are not convinced that Lewis will be more than just adequate at SS. In a small sample size this year, he held his own. We've heard for years that there is doubt that Lewis will remain at SS. So, that said, I'm not sure trading Correa, one of our best players, is the answer ... not for a team still in contention ... not for bullpen help. That would be an undersell of major proportions. We've already devoted a couple of threads to the whys and wherefores of trading/not trading Correa with some very sound reasoning. Despite being one of the best players in the game, he will not bring back what we need to cross the hump because people will not pay what he is worth, because they can't. And, in the meantime, then you've also traded away one of your best players, leaving you that much weaker at a position of highest importance. That's my opinion ... we will disagree, I'm sure ... but trading Correa for bp help would be a huge mistake.

We're also not going to HAVE the option of putting Lewis at short for a while...likely late June at the earliest.

[Doctor Gast]

I agree with LVTwinsfan about placing Lewis in CF is another bonehead decision by management (which I've gone in detail before) to go along with what they are doing in the BP. He might differ in option that they shouldn't have sent Lewis down to AAA. Lewis is familar with 3B and with Lewis's make up could learn 2B & 1B on the fly easier than others they have done it with. Thus having him platooning, resting and subbing those who are on the IL will give him plenty of playing time plus helping out the team. Lewis doesn't need to play every day and I think it's better if he didn't because he's been out for 2 yrs. and just been back from injury recovery. Right now we really need Lewis to sub Correa but now he's not available.

I'd differ from LVTwins about trading Correa, we really need him to compete. If these bonehead mistakes are addressed and corrected, we can really go far w/ our core. 

[Squirrel]

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

We're also not going to HAVE the option of putting Lewis at short for a while...likely late June at the earliest.

unfortunately, yes ...

We have both said it earlier in the season, well, before the season started ... pitching was not addressed well, particularly bp pitching was not addressed well. And I will gladly eat crow if we make it through this season and into the playoffs without improving it some way, if they can. That said, they do need to improve it, but by trading Correa for bp help ... that's not the solution, imo

[LVTwinsfan]

1 minute ago, Squirrel said:

Some of us are not convinced that Lewis will be more than just adequate at SS. In a small sample size this year, he held his own. We've heard for years that there is doubt that Lewis will remain at SS. So, that said, I'm not sure trading Correa, one of our best players, is the answer ... not for a team still in contention ... not for bullpen help. That would be an undersell of major proportions. We've already devoted a couple of threads to the whys and wherefores of trading/not trading Correa with some very sound reasoning. Despite being one of the best players in the game, he will not bring back what we need to cross the hump because people will not pay what he is worth, because they can't. And, in the meantime, then you've also traded away one of your best players, leaving you that much weaker at a position of highest importance. That's my opinion ... we will disagree, I'm sure ... but trading Correa for bp help would be a huge mistake.

I like Correa, but having to listen to fans on the road boo him, which he has earned, is not good for the team. Lewis is better at shortstop than anyone the Twins have brought up in a long time. And the Twins bullpen has already shown how fast it can destroy any lead the Twins have. As far as them being in contention, that could disappear rather quickly in the coming days, so it’s too early for me to say they’re legitimate contenders, they do great against their own weak division, let’s see where they’re at in two weeks. They do need bullpen help, shouldn’t be much disagreement there.

[Danchat]

On 5/30/2022 at 8:49 AM, Dave The Dastardly said:

Let the starters go 7 innings.

It'd be nice if it were that easy, but the problem is, the only guy who can consistently go that length is Joe Ryan. Sonny Gray just got hurt pitching into the 7th, Ober seems to be having injury issues, Paddack maybe could have but won't pitch until late 2023, Bundy is probably going to cost you the game if he pitches 7 innings, and Archer is a long reliever and can barely go 4.

Maybe the young guys like Smeltzer and Winder can make it that far, but it's easier said than done. 

11 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

I like Correa, but having to listen to fans on the road boo him, which he has earned, is not good for the team.

Uh, what? Why should we care if the opposing fans are booing one of our best players? I wonder how that would go in negotiations.

Levine: "We'd love to extend you, Carlos, but we've simply heard too much booing from the opposing fans, and as we all know, that is not good for the team!"

?

[chpettit19]

10 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

I like Correa, but having to listen to fans on the road boo him, which he has earned, is not good for the team. Lewis is better at shortstop than anyone the Twins have brought up in a long time. And the Twins bullpen has already shown how fast it can destroy any lead the Twins have. As far as them being in contention, that could disappear rather quickly in the coming days, so it’s too early for me to say they’re legitimate contenders, they do great against their own weak division, let’s see where they’re at in two weeks. They do need bullpen help, shouldn’t be much disagreement there.

Agree he earned the boos (although I found it funny that Boston fans booed him while Cora manages their team), but if the team is affected by boos to Correa on the road they're not mentally tough enough to succeed in the playoffs with or without him. Those guys deal with boos, and far worse, everyday of their careers. They should be able to handle those boos just fine.

I think everyone agrees they need pen help, but a superstar SS for a reliever is not a good trade. And no contender is throwing multiple of their top relievers into a deal for Correa. Fixing the bullpen should be done with mid-level prospects, not the starting major league SS. If you're going to build up the weak part of the roster you don't do it by weakening the strong part of the roster.

[Squirrel]

11 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

I like Correa, but having to listen to fans on the road boo him, which he has earned, is not good for the team. Lewis is better at shortstop than anyone the Twins have brought up in a long time. And the Twins bullpen has already shown how fast it can destroy any lead the Twins have. As far as them being in contention, that could disappear rather quickly in the coming days, so it’s too early for me to say they’re legitimate contenders, they do great against their own weak division, let’s see where they’re at in two weeks. They do need bullpen help, shouldn’t be much disagreement there.

Yes, we need bp help. That we agree on. How we get it, we disagree.

As for 'good for the team' we've heard numerous reports of how well Correa has affected the clubhouse. Yes, he's earned those boos, but most players learn to ignore that. It's part of the game.

And yes, whether or not we are 'real' contenders is still a question. I agree. But my stance on 'not trading' Correa was an 'IF' we are contending, which means, I, too, still question it. There may be good reasons to trade Correa mid season ... but not for bp help to help us contend. That, to me, wouldn't be a good or worthwhile trade.

[wsnydes]

The constant boos on the road didn't seem to hurt Derek Jeter much.  Or many other prominent Yankees from that era, for that matter.  It's part of the game and being a professional athlete.

[LVTwinsfan]

4 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

The constant boos on the road didn't seem to hurt Derek Jeter much.  Or many other prominent Yankees from that era, for that matter.

No difference between being a Yankee or a cheater, got it. I disagree it doesn’t affect the team.

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

And like Linus said we desperately need long relief to take the pressure off the short relief and the rotation

The Twins have one of the best long relievers in the game, but they choose to start him everything 6th or 7th day. (Archer)

[wsnydes]

26 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

No difference between being a Yankee or a cheater, got it. I disagree it doesn’t affect the team.

That's not what I said.  I said that Jeter and others were booed in the road too and it didn't impact them.

Correa made that choice.  Now he's got to deal with the consequences.

[LVTwinsfan]

1 hour ago, wsnydes said:

That's not what I said.  I said that Jeter and others were booed in the road too and it didn't impact them.

Correa made that choice.  Now he's got to deal with the consequences.

I know what you said, the comparison is off, that’s what I said…a player or a team can feel a sense of pride for being booed simply for being a Yankee, not true in Correa’s case… it’s negative, period, for Correa and for the team.