Twins Notebook 8/19: Forcing the Brewers to Climb the Mountain

"Minnesota’s bullpen was relatively taxed with the extra-innings affair last night, so getting at least five should be a must."

I'm feeling much better today than yesterday about the availability of our top-end bullpen guys. Except for Rogers, all of the other high-end arms should be available tonight. Hats off to Thielbar and Alcala for taking care of business the night after a bullpen game. Not only were their performances huge in securing the win last night, they gave the rest of the guys the night off, improving the chances of another win tonight. If there's a save situation tonight, I'd like to see Duffey get a shot at it. He's the only guy I'd consider putting in Rogers's place long term.

I have not seen the corresponding move for bringing hill back.  Has anyone?  I hope Hill can stay in rotation for awhile this time.  We will really need him playoff time but will need him to be able to pitch more than 60 pitches in a playoff start too.  He has the track record in playoffs to be great.  He shows you do not need velo but change speeds, movement and location is key.  What is interesting is most of our starters are not top velo guys and the one that got more velo, Berrios has done the worst.  Just goes to show that if you know what you are doing keeping guys off balance, you can do well. 

I have not seen the corresponding move for bringing hill back.  Has anyone?

I'd think it would be another pitcher. Thorpe is the freshest arm based on the chart above, but maybe also the most logical to send down?

Of the most recently taxed pitchers in the bullpen, Rogers isn't going anywhere, Alcala may be in line for higher leverage spots, Wisler and Smeltzer don't really deserve a demotion after solid work in the last bullpen game, I don't think Wisler can be optioned anyway and I'm not sure whether Thielbar can be either.

Alcala was really good last night. He is going to be special out of the pen.

I'd think it would be another pitcher. Thorpe is the freshest arm based on the chart above, but maybe also the most logical to send down?

 

Of the most recently taxed pitchers in the bullpen, Rogers isn't going anywhere, Alcala may be in line for higher leverage spots, Wisler and Smeltzer don't really deserve a demotion after solid work in the last bullpen game, I don't think Wisler can be optioned anyway and I'm not sure whether Thielbar can be either.

You are right about Wisler, but Thielbar actually does have an option left... not sure if they can use it (some veteran contracts don't allow the player to be optioned).

Im not sure they need to make a corresponding roster move because i think i heard they left a spot open in anticipation of the roster limits being reduced to 28 instead of 30.

Littell down for Hill.