Twins Acquire RHP A.J. Alexy from Nationals

[Matt Braun]

Something, something, the announcement we're all waiting for, something something

Image courtesy of Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Alexy is every reliever; every reliever is A.J. Alexy. The 6’4” righty—once part of Texas' return for Yu Darvish, and a 40+ FV prospect, according to Fangraphs—has “long had premium arm strength and a plus-flashing breaking ball,” according to Eric Longenhagen. But command has proved to be a mighty bugaboo, and Alexy’s ghastly walk rate has limited his major league success. 

Alexy will throw four pitches—a traditional fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup mix—with his slide piece as the dominant offering. Although he didn’t throw many MLB innings last season, the slider coaxed an impressive .237 xwOBA from batters, a number far better than his fastball; that pitch allowed a .508 xwOBA. The heater clocks in at 94.2 MPH, a little above the major league average. 

A new mechanical change—a shortened, spiral-like arm action reminiscent of Lucas Giolito—didn’t bear fruit in 2022, but the Twins see something they like in him; Alexy will join their yearly cast of upside relievers looking for a chance to prove something.

In return, the Twins hand over Cristian Jimenez, an 18-year-old arm who put up solid numbers in the DSL in 2022. They also DFA’d Oliver Ortega, a recent waiver claim from the Angels, who they may not have even fitted for a jersey.

It’s a classic short-term play by the Twins. Alexy—recently DFA’d by the Nationals—possesses the potential to aid the team now. The team can toss him out in low-leverage situations, slowly building up his confidence before potentially promoting him to pitch in later innings. Or, he won’t find the strike zone, and the Twins will DFA him before June. Or, they could DFA him later this week if a roster spot is needed. The line between Jhon Romero and Evan Phillips is thin.

Alexy allowed two hits over his his first 11 MLB frames in 2021. 

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[Minfidel]

Maybe a long-relief option if the four pitches are credible. 

[MMMordabito]

[chpettit19]

6 minutes ago, Minfidel said:

Maybe a long-relief option if the four pitches are credible. 

Or the Twins plan to turn him into a 2 pitch guy and hope he can get control of the fastball and 1 breaker (probably a few changes just to keep lefties honest). He's got so few pitches in the bigs that it's hard to tell if his curve or slider are more effective. He appears to prefer his slider, though. But I'd guess the Twins have a bunch of minor league data on him and they see a pitch in there they can really boost in frequency and help him out.

[farmerguychris]

Are they really still planning on keeping Pagan in our pen??!!  Lets move him for literally anything.  Don't want to waste CC or Buxton, or any other lead we ever have to let him give it up again.

[wsnydes]

7 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Or the Twins plan to turn him into a 2 pitch guy and hope he can get control of the fastball and 1 breaker (probably a few changes just to keep lefties honest). He's got so few pitches in the bigs that it's hard to tell if his curve or slider are more effective. He appears to prefer his slider, though. But I'd guess the Twins have a bunch of minor league data on him and they see a pitch in there they can really boost in frequency and help him out.

That's what I was thinking as well.  Take the weakest pitches out of the equation and boost usage on the two best and see what happens.  Not a bad plan.

[nicksaviking]

Kind of a weird choice for the Twins. It's basically a no risk deal so it's fine with me, but while I'd like him to go directly to the pen, I bet they stick with him as a starter since he has an option year and the AAA rotation is pretty bare of options. They have Varland, SWR and Balazovic. Maybe Winder, but my guess is he'll get a long look for the MLB pen. Sands and Henriquez are certainly being looked at as relievers at this point, competing with Winder for a BP role perhaps.

But his issue with control is the real head-scratcher. The Twins used to go all in on these kinds of arms thinking they could change them. That seemed to stop a few years back though. They seemed to make a concerted effort about it too.

[Dman]

I guess I see the attraction. In 2021 his WHIP was essentially 1.00 with a solid K rate and an ERA of 1.66.  Whatever changes were made it blew up on him in 2022.  His main issue was giving up the long ball.  25 of them in less than 100 innings.  That will inflate your WHIP and ERA in a hurry. 

As noted in this article the fastball looks too hittable and looks like another Texas pitcher Henriquez who the Twins have in their system. If the Twins can solve the meatballs he is serving up there is a decent chance for an elite pen arm as he has two plus pitches according to MLB.com .  Although for a plus fastball it sure gets tagged a lot.

This only works if they can tame the fastball and have him keep the ball in the park.  Seems unlikely but maybe they fix one of these guys for once.

[by jiminy]

Good slider, hittable fastball?  He wouldn't be the first reliever they told, just throw that slider. 

Of course he also sounds like a potential Pagan 2.0: good stuff but it occasionally gets hammered anyway.

Well, worth a shot. 

[rv78]

43 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Or the Twins plan to turn him into a 2 pitch guy and hope he can get control of the fastball and 1 breaker (probably a few changes just to keep lefties honest). He's got so few pitches in the bigs that it's hard to tell if his curve or slider are more effective. He appears to prefer his slider, though. But I'd guess the Twins have a bunch of minor league data on him and they see a pitch in there they can really boost in frequency and help him out.

I'm sure no one else has thought of doing this. The Twins are the only ones who have a clue on how to improve players. Choke, cough, gasp, laugh out loud ..... 

[CRF]

It's a nothing burger move. Why do it? C'mon, I'm sure that someone else has thought of making this guy a fastball/slider pitcher. Looks like a probable DFA down the road to me.

[chpettit19]

7 minutes ago, rv78 said:

I'm sure no one else has thought of doing this. The Twins are the only ones who have a clue on how to improve players. Choke, cough, gasp, laugh out loud ..... 

I don't get the point of this comment? Every team has thought of doing this. Every team does do this. Why even make that comment?

[rv78]

13 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't get the point of this comment? Every team has thought of doing this. Every team does do this. Why even make that comment?

If it was that easy the Nationals would have done it.

[gman]

It was a quiet day for team news anyway.

[chpettit19]

4 minutes ago, rv78 said:

If it was that easy the Nationals would have done it.

So your ultimate point is that no teams should ever make any deals to bring in any players that aren't already stars? Do you see a bunch of people jumping and cheering for this move? Anyone claiming it's a difference making move? Anyone even think he's going to throw a pitch for the Twins? These deals happen literally everyday in baseball. Guys bounce around the fringes of 40-man rosters.

The Blue Jays traded Chavez Young to the Pirates today for Zach Thompson. The Blue Jays, like the Twins, are trying to make the playoffs in 2023. They traded for a 29 year old starting pitcher with a career 4.44 ERA in 2 seasons. Including a 5.18 ERA in 22 starts in 2022. Chavez Young is a nobody, 25 year old prospect. Have any witty comments about that move?

The Padres signed Pedro Castellanos yesterday. Ever heard of him? If it were so easy to get him to be good, why didn't the Red Sox do it when he was with them the last handful of years?

The Braces signed Chris Sharpe yesterday. Ever heard of him? If it were so easy to get him to be good, why didn't the Phillies do it when he was with them?

You see why I question the point of your post? https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/01/10 hit the back button by the date on this page and go see how many of these moves are made literally everyday in major league baseball. Nobody is claiming the Twins just made some crazy move. It's just part of the shuffling of fringe talent that happens all year long as teams hope to be the ones to unlock more potential in a player. I hope you feel better after getting your pointless complaint out there, though.

[Beast]

Worth a shot.  I guess if we’re taking bullpen fliers I’d rather go with someone like Alex Reyes, who if healthy can be electric.  There’s 100 guys out there in their mid-30s that may catch lightning in a bottle one more time (Smith, Hand, etc.).

Or, just cough up a few million and get one of the 10 decent guys left out there.  Chafin, Fullmer, Green, Duffy, etc.  

If they do this in conjunction with something above - awesome.  If this is all they do - why?

[LewFordLives]

Guess we'll just have to trust the scouts on this one. Someone must see something they like.  Although I'm as little suspicious of anyone DFA'd by one of the worst teams in baseball.

[Beast]

44 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

So your ultimate point is that no teams should ever make any deals to bring in any players that aren't already stars? Do you see a bunch of people jumping and cheering for this move? Anyone claiming it's a difference making move? Anyone even think he's going to throw a pitch for the Twins? These deals happen literally everyday in baseball. Guys bounce around the fringes of 40-man rosters.

The Blue Jays traded Chavez Young to the Pirates today for Zach Thompson. The Blue Jays, like the Twins, are trying to make the playoffs in 2023. They traded for a 29 year old starting pitcher with a career 4.44 ERA in 2 seasons. Including a 5.18 ERA in 22 starts in 2022. Chavez Young is a nobody, 25 year old prospect. Have any witty comments about that move?

The Padres signed Pedro Castellanos yesterday. Ever heard of him? If it were so easy to get him to be good, why didn't the Red Sox do it when he was with them the last handful of years?

The Braces signed Chris Sharpe yesterday. Ever heard of him? If it were so easy to get him to be good, why didn't the Phillies do it when he was with them?

You see why I question the point of your post? https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/01/10 hit the back button by the date on this page and go see how many of these moves are made literally everyday in major league baseball. Nobody is claiming the Twins just made some crazy move. It's just part of the shuffling of fringe talent that happens all year long as teams hope to be the ones to unlock more potential in a player. I hope you feel better after getting your pointless complaint out there, though.

I agree with your sentiment.

But, just in the last few years we’ve seen them DFA Nick Anderson and turn into stud.  Designate Akil Baddoo and nearly win rookie of the year.  Non-tender Eddie Rosario and watch him carry the Braves to the World Series.  There’s probably some others I’m missing.

Its a perception thing.  People don’t remember to 1,000 inconsequential, or even borderline beneficial moves. These moves have to happen, but people don’t trust them to make the right one.  Whether they were the right move at the time (which they were) doesn’t change the outcome that forms the perception.  

Frankly, they’ve earned it a bit after watching the bullpen implode last year and throw away games like parade candy early in the year.  The games while they’re tinkering with waiver claims in May count just the same in the standings as September.

Win a playoff series.  Hell, even a playoff game, and you wouldn’t hear nearly as much of it.

 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, rv78 said:

If it was that easy the Nationals would have done it.

NM. Not worth it 

[chpettit19]

16 minutes ago, Beast said:

I agree with your sentiment.

But, just in the last few years we’ve seen them DFA Nick Anderson and turn into stud.  Designate Akil Baddoo and nearly win rookie of the year.  Non-tender Eddie Rosario and watch him carry the Braves to the World Series.  There’s probably some others I’m missing.

Its a perception thing.  People don’t remember to 1,000 inconsequential, or even borderline beneficial moves. These moves have to happen, but people don’t trust them to make the right one.  Whether they were the right move at the time (which they were) doesn’t change the outcome that forms the perception.  

Frankly, they’ve earned it a bit after watching the bullpen implode last year and throw away games like parade candy early in the year.  The games while they’re tinkering with waiver claims in May count just the same in the standings as September.

Win a playoff series.  Hell, even a playoff game, and you wouldn’t hear nearly as much of it.

 

Anderson was a clear mistake. Just a technicality, but they didn't designate Akil, they left him unprotected not on the 40-man for the Rule V. He had 2 scorching hot months and has been nearly unplayable since. Rosario had a hot month that came at the perfect time. The rest of his time away from MN hasn't been anything to write home about. I mean he had -1.6 bWAR and -1.1 fWAR last year.

I get that it's a perception thing, but that doesn't mean people's perceptions aren't wrong, and don't deserve push back. I mean your 3 examples prove the point since really only 1 of them was a poor decision in the moment or in hindsight. The FO deserves criticism for sure. But pretending that this move is bigger than it is makes no sense. How many people on this site could even tell us who Cristian Jimenez is? How many people even knew he played baseball in the Twins system? It's ridiculous to make this out to be some sort of move that we should even have real feelings about. If you'd never heard of either player in a deal it's not a deal worth complaining about.

[rv78]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

So your ultimate point is that no teams should ever make any deals to bring in any players that aren't already stars? Do you see a bunch of people jumping and cheering for this move? Anyone claiming it's a difference making move? Anyone even think he's going to throw a pitch for the Twins? These deals happen literally everyday in baseball. Guys bounce around the fringes of 40-man rosters.

The Blue Jays traded Chavez Young to the Pirates today for Zach Thompson. The Blue Jays, like the Twins, are trying to make the playoffs in 2023. They traded for a 29 year old starting pitcher with a career 4.44 ERA in 2 seasons. Including a 5.18 ERA in 22 starts in 2022. Chavez Young is a nobody, 25 year old prospect. Have any witty comments about that move?

The Padres signed Pedro Castellanos yesterday. Ever heard of him? If it were so easy to get him to be good, why didn't the Red Sox do it when he was with them the last handful of years?

The Braces signed Chris Sharpe yesterday. Ever heard of him? If it were so easy to get him to be good, why didn't the Phillies do it when he was with them?

You see why I question the point of your post? https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/01/10 hit the back button by the date on this page and go see how many of these moves are made literally everyday in major league baseball. Nobody is claiming the Twins just made some crazy move. It's just part of the shuffling of fringe talent that happens all year long as teams hope to be the ones to unlock more potential in a player. I hope you feel better after getting your pointless complaint out there, though.

The only reason it is pointless is because you evidently don't understand it. I never said the move was bad, I never said other teams don't do it. You are making my comment into something more than what I said, which was only about changing him into a 2 pitch pitcher. If it was that easy other teams, or even the players previous team would have done it already. If any comment was pointless it was yours.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, rv78 said:

The only reason it is pointless is because you evidently don't understand it. I never said the move was bad, I never said other teams don't do it. You are making my comment into something more than what I said, which was only about changing him into a 2 pitch pitcher. If it was that easy other teams, or even the players previous team would have done it already. If any comment was pointless it was yours.

Other teams are doing it! Every season! Pitching repertoires change all the time. The frequency, and situations, that pitchers throw pitches changes all the time. You not knowing what's happening around the league doesn't make my comment pointless. 

You remember Matt Wisler? Big time starting pitcher prospect that bounced around to a few different teams, but could never get his footing in the bigs. Twins claimed him off waivers before the 2020 season. Before that season he threw 5 pitches (4 seam, slider, sinker, curveball, changeup). In 2020 he threw 2 (4 seam slider) with the Twins. Best year of his career to that point because the Twins saw how good his slider was and had him throw it 83.4% of the time. They weirdly non-tendered him after that season and he went to Tampa where he now throws it over 90% of the time and has continued to be a dominant reliever.

Remember Brusdar Graterol? The Dodgers have done the opposite with him. He stopped throwing a changeup after he went there. Added a cutter. And cut his sinker usage from 67.7% to 42.7%.

Ryan Pressly? Dropped his sinker. Started throwing his slider more than any of his other pitches. Increased the use of his curveball. And reduced the number of fastballs he threw when he went to Houston. Now he's one of the best closers in baseball. https://www.mlb.com/video/top-10-relief-pitchers-6?t=mlb-network

https://www.mlb.com/video/top-10-relief-pitchers-9?t=mlb-network This was just on MLB Network's Top 10 Relievers Right Now show. Whoa, whoa, whoa. What were those silly Rays thinking bringing this guy in at the age of 30 and changing his pitch mix? I mean if it were that simple the Royals would've done it. Or the Blue Jays. Or the Cubs. You know, since he was on all those teams before getting to Tampa and breaking out when they changed his pitch usage.

Nobody ever said the Twins were going to turn Alexy into some star. Another poster suggested they may use him in long relief if he really has 4 pitches. I suggested another option of dropping pitches that aren't effective and turning him more so into a 2 pitch pitcher (with a 3rd, the changeup, as a change of pace only against lefties). I didn't say that other poster was wrong, and they didn't say I was. We were just providing 2 options for what the Twins could possibly be thinking with this particular player. You felt the need to come in and make a sarcastic comment about other teams never thinking of such things as if it literally isn't happening all over the league, and there aren't guys turning their careers around all over the league by doing it. I'm sorry you're unware of these things. But it's a chance teams give themselves with good arms all the time. I'm sorry you found me suggesting what literally every team is doing as being a possibility that the Twins will do ridiculous. Baseball savant is a wonderful tool for learning more about this practice. You may find it educational.

[FlyingFinn]

Enlow DFA'd to get Ortega, Ortega DFA'd to get Alexy. My money is on Alexy DFA'd to sign Correa. We are just attempting to fill the Saints with potential. If Ortega and Alexy (make it through waivers and) don't gain control, look out in ondeck circle and look out mascot. We could have some Bull Durham situations there this summer.

[Rosterman]

The Twins are getting light on 40-man roster spots. Have to lose someone for Correa.

 

At least this guy is still young, at 24. A back-end bullpen arm, maybe develop into long relief?

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Enlow DFA'd to get Ortega, Ortega DFA'd to get Alexy. My money is on Alexy DFA'd to sign Correa. We are just attempting to fill the Saints with potential. If Ortega and Alexy (make it through waivers and) don't gain control, look out in ondeck circle and look out mascot. We could have some Bull Durham situations there this summer.

Exactly. Peripheral roster moves MIGHT pay dividends at some point. But every single team plays the end of the 40 man roster DFA game to add some players you hope to sneak through and keep for depth and AAA depth. Alexy is another. He's probably DFA in a few days for someone like Fulmer is added to the roster. It's just the game within the game hoping lightning strikes at some point and you find a potential keeper. 

Once in a while you find a keeper. And that's it.

 

 

[Danchat]

Not sure why they bother to trade a young international prospect for a guy they are probably going to DFA soon, but whatever. Seems like another guy who should have been in the pen full-time last year, yet was starting games for Texas' AAA team. Moving failed starters to the pen is a rather fruitful strategy and it's worth a shot, I just don't know if it makes sense to keep him on the 40 man roster.

[Mark G]

11 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Anderson was a clear mistake. Just a technicality, but they didn't designate Akil, they left him unprotected not on the 40-man for the Rule V. He had 2 scorching hot months and has been nearly unplayable since. Rosario had a hot month that came at the perfect time. The rest of his time away from MN hasn't been anything to write home about. I mean he had -1.6 bWAR and -1.1 fWAR last year.

I get that it's a perception thing, but that doesn't mean people's perceptions aren't wrong, and don't deserve push back. I mean your 3 examples prove the point since really only 1 of them was a poor decision in the moment or in hindsight. The FO deserves criticism for sure. But pretending that this move is bigger than it is makes no sense. How many people on this site could even tell us who Cristian Jimenez is? How many people even knew he played baseball in the Twins system? It's ridiculous to make this out to be some sort of move that we should even have real feelings about. If you'd never heard of either player in a deal it's not a deal worth complaining about.

 "It's ridiculous to make this out to be some sort of move that we should even have real feelings about. If you'd never heard of either player in a deal it's not a deal worth complaining about."

Taking this thought one step further, if most of us had never heard of either player then it would not be a deal worth writing about.  But Matt did, and he opened it up for discussion.  We can agree to disagree, but I would hope that we would not rip each other over an opinion which, by definition, cannot be right or wrong..  Sincere, yes.  Snarky, yes.  Funny, maybe (I do try).   But neither right nor wrong.  Let's go easy on each other.  ?  

[Major League Ready]

10 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Other teams are doing it! Every season! Pitching repertoires change all the time. The frequency, and situations, that pitchers throw pitches changes all the time. You not knowing what's happening around the league doesn't make my comment pointless. 

You remember Matt Wisler? Big time starting pitcher prospect that bounced around to a few different teams, but could never get his footing in the bigs. Twins claimed him off waivers before the 2020 season. Before that season he threw 5 pitches (4 seam, slider, sinker, curveball, changeup). In 2020 he threw 2 (4 seam slider) with the Twins. Best year of his career to that point because the Twins saw how good his slider was and had him throw it 83.4% of the time. They weirdly non-tendered him after that season and he went to Tampa where he now throws it over 90% of the time and has continued to be a dominant reliever.

Remember Brusdar Graterol? The Dodgers have done the opposite with him. He stopped throwing a changeup after he went there. Added a cutter. And cut his sinker usage from 67.7% to 42.7%.

Ryan Pressly? Dropped his sinker. Started throwing his slider more than any of his other pitches. Increased the use of his curveball. And reduced the number of fastballs he threw when he went to Houston. Now he's one of the best closers in baseball. https://www.mlb.com/video/top-10-relief-pitchers-6?t=mlb-network

https://www.mlb.com/video/top-10-relief-pitchers-9?t=mlb-network This was just on MLB Network's Top 10 Relievers Right Now show. Whoa, whoa, whoa. What were those silly Rays thinking bringing this guy in at the age of 30 and changing his pitch mix? I mean if it were that simple the Royals would've done it. Or the Blue Jays. Or the Cubs. You know, since he was on all those teams before getting to Tampa and breaking out when they changed his pitch usage.

Nobody ever said the Twins were going to turn Alexy into some star. Another poster suggested they may use him in long relief if he really has 4 pitches. I suggested another option of dropping pitches that aren't effective and turning him more so into a 2 pitch pitcher (with a 3rd, the changeup, as a change of pace only against lefties). I didn't say that other poster was wrong, and they didn't say I was. We were just providing 2 options for what the Twins could possibly be thinking with this particular player. You felt the need to come in and make a sarcastic comment about other teams never thinking of such things as if it literally isn't happening all over the league, and there aren't guys turning their careers around all over the league by doing it. I'm sorry you're unware of these things. But it's a chance teams give themselves with good arms all the time. I'm sorry you found me suggesting what literally every team is doing as being a possibility that the Twins will do ridiculous. Baseball savant is a wonderful tool for learning more about this practice. You may find it educational.

All VERY GOOD points but the merit of these points is disregarded for people who just want to bitch.  Anyone who does not understand that the efforts/practices you describe are standard operating procedure for literally every team is simply not paying attention.  Some (like the Astros) have been better at it than others.  The irony is not doing it would be incompetent.  Yet, some still feel the need to insist this is part of the incompetence of this FO.  

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

 "It's ridiculous to make this out to be some sort of move that we should even have real feelings about. If you'd never heard of either player in a deal it's not a deal worth complaining about."

Taking this thought one step further, if most of us had never heard of either player then it would not be a deal worth writing about.  But Matt did, and he opened it up for discussion.  We can agree to disagree, but I would hope that we would not rip each other over an opinion which, by definition, cannot be right or wrong..  Sincere, yes.  Snarky, yes.  Funny, maybe (I do try).   But neither right nor wrong.  Let's go easy on each other.  ?  

I don't agree with that thought process. The majority of fans not knowing who these guys are is the exact reason Twins Daily should right about it. It's one of the purposes of this site. To educated and inform fans about what the Twins are doing. I can certainly agree to disagree on things with people.

There wasn't anything real to agree or disagree with to the comment from that other poster, though. They simply came on here to be negative without any real reason behind why they were being negative. It happens on a whole bunch of the articles about minor Twins moves. Sometimes literal minor league moves. This time someone chose to reply to a comment I'd made. A few of us were trying to have a real discussion about AJ Alexy and what the Twins possible plans could be. The person quoting me simply wanted to laugh at the idea that the Twins brought in someone like Alexy, and suggested it was laughable that I suggested they may try to change his pitch mix in an attempt to unlock more potential. That wasn't helpful, and didn't move the conversation forward. They didn't disagree with my stance with any thoughtful response. "If it were that easy the Nats would've done it" isn't a thoughtful response. It's simply being negative towards a  depth move that every major league team makes all offseason (and regular season) long. I'm more than happy to have a thoughtful back and forth with other posters even if we disagree. But "thoughtful" is the key word there. "Choke, cough, gasp, laugh out loud ..... " isn't thoughtful. "If it was that easy the Nationals would have done it." isn't thoughtful. 

[Aerodeliria]

There is one spot on this vinyl record that keeps skipping..."but the Twins see something they like in him" "but the Twins see something they like in him" "but the Twins see something they like in him" ”but the Twins see something they like in him..."