Tweet from Jeff Passan:

 

Reliever Duke Welker, acquired by Minnesota in Justin Morneau deal, headed back to Pittsburgh in a trade. Unclear who Twins are getting.

 

Tweet from Darren Wolfson:

 

MNTwin official when asked via text about Welker trade back to pirates: "Consummating previous pirates deal."

 

Link to mlbtraderumors post:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/pirates-reacquire-duke-welker-from-twins.html

 

Apparently my auto correct changed Welker to Seller.... Can an admin change the title of the thread? Please and thank you.

Edited November 19, 201312 yr by Nick Nelson
fixed

Gentleman's agreement based on Morneau's production? Shoot.

Twins get LHP Kris Johnson.

Tweet from Jeff Passan:

 

Reliever Duke Welker, acquired by Minnesota in Justin Morneau deal, headed back to Pittsburgh in a trade. Unclear who Twins are getting.

 

Tweet from Darren Wolfson:

 

MNTwin official when asked via text about Welker trade back to pirates: "Consummating previous pirates deal."

 

Link to mlbtraderumors post:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/pirates-reacquire-duke-welker-from-twins.html

 

Apparently my auto correct changed Welker to Seller.... Can an admin change the title of the thread? Please and thank you.

 

I always reread everything before clicking submit.

Twins get LHP Kris Johnson.

 

29 year old 6'4 lefty who is a former first round pick (40th overall). Hits low 90s. Has mediocre SO/BB ratio. Made one start for the Pirates vs the Cards and got lit up. Could be LH specialist in the pen.

Gotta get rid of those strikeout arms.

My favorite Welker moment was when we all knew he was the PTBNL before he was named.

I just yelled "Bucs acquire Welker!" across the office, rattling many football fans who had believed Wes Welker had been dealt to the Buccaneers momentarily despite NFL's trade deadline long being over.

That should about wrap things up for TR this winter. He should move right into the rotation.

 

This off season, so far, has nearly been as bad as the season was.

That should about wrap things up for TR this winter. He should move right into the rotation.

 

This off season, so far, has nearly been as bad as the season was.

 

I know. Between this and global warming...I mean, what's the point? (kicks a rock)

Terry Ryan confirms the Twins plan to keep Kris Johnson as a starter. Not sure how that will work out. Only has two pitches. Low 90s fastball and a change. He does have some deception to his delivery.

Kind of an awkward situation to change the return, but I think this guy fills a more needed role. This team is thin on lefties that can start close to the majors but has plenty of bullpen help coming. Hopefully this kid works out his AAA line from last year is promising.

 

w-l 10-4 ip 135 2/3 era 2.39 h 116 k/bb 94/43 opp avg .234

Edited November 19, 201312 yr by zchrz

I would imagine that the Twins thought about removing Welker from the 40-man and this gives Pittsburgh a reason to reclaim him, possibly giving the Twins an aging arm they didn't want to 40-man at the moment...the Twns wanted a starter, didn't need another Slama. Who knows. Strange but true. Welker one of those "almost a Twin" guys like Chuck Shilling.

HEADLINE SHOULD READ: Terry Ryan gets Lefty Starter! Big Hot Stove Move of week!

 

First Eric Fryer (instead of Samamamamatoochi or Pierrrzynski. Now Johnson instead of anyone. Terry just spent a million bucks!

It's odd to me that we prefer a 30ish, journeyman starter over a young reliever. Putting aside talent or profiles, that element of this is a bit perplexing to me.

It's odd to me that we prefer a 30ish, journeyman starter over a young reliever. Putting aside talent or profiles, that element of this is a bit perplexing to me.

 

Welker is 27 while Johnson is 29. Not too much of an age difference. Both players only made their mlb debuts this year. When all is said and done I do prefer Welker.

Reminds me of Bullock for Diamond.

There's got to be more to this story.

And yet another indy league veteran. Huh.

 

When Johnson was drafted in 2006, he was the 40th overall pick. He was with the Red Sox into 2011, but never really had any success, topping out at a 4.88 ERA in 2010.

 

This last year in AAA he had a 2.39 ERA, but it looks largely BABIP driven. He had only 6.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. The good news is that since the independent league, his hit rate is just 8 H/9 and he's been pretty good at not giving up home runs, so maybe he's developed into a groundball guy?

Weird deal, though strictly out of any context of what this might mean for the rotation, a Johnson for Welker swap is a win for the Twins.

 

Hoping Johnson is the not the second best addition to this rotation, though. Or third best.

Welker is 27 while Johnson is 29. Not too much of an age difference. Both players only made their mlb debuts this year. When all is said and done I do prefer Welker.

 

Ah, thanks, my memory betrayed me. I thought Welker was 25. Either way I feel like we're a bit overloaded at the "not really what you want to start" starting pitching position.

I would imagine that the Twins thought about removing Welker from the 40-man and this gives Pittsburgh a reason to reclaim him, possibly giving the Twins an aging arm they didn't want to 40-man at the moment...the Twns wanted a starter, didn't need another Slama. Who knows. Strange but true. Welker one of those "almost a Twin" guys like Chuck Shilling.

 

I must be missing something, why won't Johnson have to be added to the 40 man? I mean I don't want him on the roster as he looks pretty identical to Darnell, Dean, Diamond, Albers and the departed Hernandez, but if the Twins want to keep another AAAA noodle-armed, junkball, lefty, doesn't he have to be added?

Edited November 20, 201312 yr by nicksaviking

Johnson's success last year came in his fifth go-around in AAA, for what it's worth.

Has to be 40-man reasons.

Terry Ryan confirms the Twins plan to keep Kris Johnson as a starter. Not sure how that will work out. Only has two pitches. Low 90s fastball and a change. He does have some deception to his delivery.

 

Nope. He has 3 pitches. A fastball that can kick up to 94 and averages around 92, a very deceptive change in the mid 80s and a slow curve.

 

At this point he is on the top of the Twins LHSP depth. Better stuff than Diamond and Albers for sure.

 

Great move.

Nope. He has 3 pitches. A fastball that can kick up to 94 and averages around 92, a very deceptive change in the mid 80s and a slow curve.

 

At this point he is on the top of the Twins LHSP depth. Better stuff than Diamond and Albers for sure.

 

Great move.

 

Thanks for the scouting report Thrylos. It's good to hear from someone that has actually seen him pitch, as apposed to trying to make a judgment based on numbers.

Dammit, I liked having a guy named Duke. Oh well.

Duke Welker was a pretty boss name. And this guy has a pretty lame name.

 

Could we somehow swap the pitchers, but keep the names? It would take that old Yankees pitchers wife swap thing to a whole new level....

My guess would be that this means Kazmir is off the wish list.

At this point I would be willing to sign players based on interesting names. What else is there to be excited about?