The Loss of Smeltzer Brings Dozier to a Close

It is strange that they didn’t try him at long relief. I mean it’s not like they didn’t have a spot or four to upgrade in the pen. 

It's strange that they didn't try and trade him when his value was peaking ...

Smeltzer is a starting pitcher because his mental preparation  is better for a starter ,,, I always thought he pitched better as a,starter ...

He'll latch on to another team  and do okay  , he's a lefty and also you can't have enough pitching but the FO evidently thinks we do  ....

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it  ...

Odd that we cut Smeltzer and hung onto (at least so far) pitchers that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a pitching rubber. If there's a plan it must be so devious we mere mortals can't decipher it.

I am grateful for what Smeltzer gave us this year.  I think the FO made the right call.  There was little evidence that he should take up a 40 man roster spot.  There certainly are arguably others on the 40 man that should be dropped but that does not create a very compelling argument to keep Smeltzer.  I wish him the best on his next stop.

Not surprising he was let go. The Twins have tried him as a starter multiple times and while he has shown a few really good outings he could never put it together over the long haul. As a bullpen guy, even though it wasn't many times, he was worse. I think his time to move on was here and the right decision was made for both him and the Twins. It's time to let guys like Varland, and Woods-Richardson have a chance.

I agree about the smoke and mirrors comment in the OP. He could be effective at times, but only at such times when his control was perfect. And if he were right handed with exactly the same stuff he would have been even less likely to succeed. Roster spots need to go to potential up-and-comers, not 27-year-olds who are borderline at best. So it is the proper move to thank him for his efforts and his service and to wish him well in his future endeavors.

47 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It's strange that they didn't try and trade him when his value was peaking ...

I'm afraid that his peak value was a pretty low peak, and no team would have offered a player who was likely to become a major leaguer.

Makes sense for Smeltzer and the Twins to part ways. He never fit the profile of an analytic pitcher. The Twins gave him some experience and it was time to move on.

Good for Smeltzer.  I'm hoping he finds a real major league team with real coaches and a common sense plan to develop a major league roster.  It sure seems to be lacking in Minnesota.  Where else can you have two terrible back to back seasons and each time shrug your shoulders and say it was bad luck and injuries?  This FO loves to take bows for the moves they make but criticism is not allowed.  It violates the plan.

3 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Good for Smeltzer.  I'm hoping he finds a real major league team with real coaches and a common sense plan to develop a major league roster.  It sure seems to be lacking in Minnesota.  Where else can you have two terrible back to back seasons and each time shrug your shoulders and say it was bad luck and injuries?  This FO loves to take bows for the moves they make but criticism is not allowed.  It violates the plan.

The problem is they are being praised for their accomplishments by St Peter who oversees the entire organization. Why deviate from the "Plan" when your boss thinks it is working. The only person who can bring this whole mess to a halt is the OWNER and he seems to either be 1. On board with their decisions or 2. MIA.

15 minutes ago, rv78 said:

The only person who can bring this whole mess to a halt is the OWNER and he seems to either be 1. On board with their decisions or 2. MIA.

Pohlad doesn't have much of an interest in baseball. He is generally active in the community, a good business man, and baseball is a good business. If the team begins to lose money, Pohlad will raise an eyebrow. He has more important concerns in his life.

Smeltzer was gone when he questioned the early hook he got in mid season. From golden boy to has been.

The feeling is mutual as to win. The Twins have too many pitchers whose ability depends which side of the bed they get out bed on. The Twins can ver easily clear $40m  off of payroll by releasing Sano~, Pagan, Archer, Bundy, Megill, Columbe, Garlick, Stahek, A.  Sanchez, Fulmer,  Sanchez, Hamilton, Contrases. Rogers salary will stop on 12/31/22. And they resign Correa at $37m for 5 yrs. with a. 3 yr. mutual option. 
Then sign FA Contreras (c), Leclerc (rp), Gallo, (of).  Then, I would be open to trading Kepler, or Kirilloff, or Larnach and a position prospect to the Marlins, or  Rockies, for a starting pitcher. Just dreaming!

The feeling is mutual as to win. The Twins have too many pitchers whose ability depends which side of the bed they get out bed on. The Twins can ver easily clear $40m  off of payroll by releasing Sano~, Pagan, Archer, Bundy, Megill, Columbe, Garlick, Stahek, A.  Sanchez, Fulmer,  Sanchez, Hamilton, Contrases. Rogers salary will stop on 12/31/22. And they resign Correa at $37m for 5 yrs. with a. 3 yr. mutual option. 
Then sign FA Contreras (c), Leclerc (rp), Gallo, (of).  Then, I would be open to trading Kepler, or Kirilloff, or Larnach and a position prospect to the Marlins, for a starting pitcher. Just dreaming!

Smeltzer was behind Mahle, Gray, Maeda, Ryan, Ober, Varland, Winder and Woods Richardson in the starter pecking order and rightfully so. (When Paddack comes back, he'd be behind him too. He might be behind Sands) Should they be spending a roster spot on the 40-man for a depth pitcher who profiles as a 5th starter and didn't seem to have a future as a reliever?

I wish him luck in his next stop, but he's a borderline MLB player and doesn't do anything to move the needle for the Twins rotation right now.