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  • Tyler Duffey, Alan Busenitz Optioned

    Tom Froemming

    By Tom Froemming

    Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reported this morning that Tyler Duffey and Alan Busenitz have been optioned to Triple-A Rochester, providing some clarity on who may fill out the Opening Day pitching staff. These cuts leave just 13 active pitchers remaining in Twins camp.
    Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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    Duffey has logged 262.0 innings for the Twins over the past three seasons, making 36 starts over the 2015-16 seasons before shifting to the bullpen for 56 appearances last season. He was being stretched out this spring, having pitched 12.2 innings over five official appearances.

    Alan Busenitz was a pleasant surprise last season, pitching to a 1.99 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 28 games with the Twins. He had a 7.27 ERA in nine games this spring, but also struck out 11 batters over 8.2 innings.

    These moves seem to indicate that there is a very high likelihood that both Phil Hughes and Rule 5 pick Tyler Kinley will make the Opening Day roster.

    Hughes is coming off his second thoracic outlet syndrome procedure, but he's owed $13.2 million this season and can refuse a minor league assignment. Kinley has only made eight appearances in Triple-A, but if he doesn't break camp with the Twins he would be offered back to the Miami Marlins.

    For more on Kinley's chase to make the roster, check this article from Cody: Clock's Ticking: The Tyler Kinley Decision.

    Follow Tom Froemming on Twitter: TFTwins

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    Featured Comments

    mikelink45

    mikelink45 10,958

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Duffey and Busenitz did not grab the opportunity.  Duffey had such a great start and then the league really figured him out.  That is disappointing.  Busenitz will be back up. Kinley and Hughes are disappointments and Hughes certainly did not perform great this spring, but that contract guarantees him more opportunities than most and Kinley represents the FO - if they choose someone they are going to make sure that person gets a good long look.  Just so they do not look too long, we have a pennant to pursue and that means the best players on the roster, not fringed obligations. 

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    beckmt

    beckmt 2,069

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Duffey to me is marginal, so no big deal.  Busenitz did not deserve this, but it is the game that all teams play.  He will be back, just hope it does not cost too many games to find this out.  Hard to believe the Twins are going to carry two blowout game type relievers to start the year, one would be plenty.

    I guess after Bard looks to make the Angels, it would look very bad for Kinley to fail.

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    Han Joelo

    Han Joelo 3,058

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Front offices have been returning several Rule V picks in recent days. I have full confidence that this FO will do the same if needed based on performance, and will not persist in putting their head in the sand hoping to somehow save face. According to the teams evaluators, Kinley and Moya have outperformed Busenitz and/or present higher upside.

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    beckmt

    beckmt 2,069

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Problem with some of this approach is that you are punishing players who have been in the majors before, for working on something new (especially pitchers).  Some may not even realize their job is on the line.  Have no big problem with this if it is communicated to the players involved.  Do not know if Busenitz was working on some different things and then got optioned, rather than using what he had and looking good.

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    Thrylos

    Thrylos 8,325

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    No surprise,  You start the season with the Vets and rule 5 players.  They get the first chance to fail.  Then you bring up more talented younger players in May-June.  

     

    If that were the case Duffey will be there ahead of Hildenberger and Moya, since he is the veteran and not these 2.

     

    This round of cuts means that at least one of Kinley and Moya will open the season with the big team.

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

    Maybe Duffey can finally work on getting a 3rd pitch down in Rochester. His curve had lost it's effectiveness the past two years because he was a one trick pony.

     

    With his assignment and with so many harder throwing young guys, Duffey might be near the top of the list of most likely to be removed from the 40-man.

     

    Hope he gets that 3rd pitch. 

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    yarnivek1972

    yarnivek1972 6,290

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Problem with some of this approach is that you are punishing players who have been in the majors before, for working on something new (especially pitchers). Some may not even realize their job is on the line. Have no big problem with this if it is communicated to the players involved. Do not know if Busenitz was working on some different things and then got optioned, rather than using what he had and looking good.

    One would assume Falvine knows. That’s who made the decision to option him out.

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    BK432

    BK432 533

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    If Phil Hughes can't stick, I wonder if the Twins outright release him. Would be an expensive pill to swallow, but not sure what options they'll have other than if he suffers another season-ending injury.

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    Dantes929

    Dantes929 4,529

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Duffey and Busenitz did not grab the opportunity.  Duffey had such a great start and then the league really figured him out.  That is disappointing.   

    Much like Scot Diamond back in the day, I think it is less a matter of the league figuring Duffey out and more a case of him just not pitching as well now as he did then..    Back then he was hitting corners with a tailing fastball and his curve ball was as good as anyone's.   Since then his fastball has been erratic and his curve ball still breaks a lot but not quite as sharply or on as much of a downward plane according to my eye test.   

     I think Busenitz deserves a spot.    28 appearances in the majors should trump 8 innings of ST ball. On the surface it looks like a lousy decision but all we see is the surface.

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    Not sure I understand what Buesnitz would have had to do last year to show he's better than Kinley, who put up worse numbers in the miinors than Alan didin the majors.....Are they trying to win this year, or not?

     

    I'd think all the free agency moves indicate they are.

     

    With all the new vets in the pen whomever gets the last spot is almost certainly going to be used exclusively in low leverage situations. I don't see the problem with keeping the Rule V guy.

     

    And I'm a big Busenitz guy. Nothing against Rodney, Reed or Duke, but I'm excited for the big young arms take their jobs and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    I'd think all the free agency moves indicate they are.

     

    With all the new vets in the pen whomever gets the last spot is almost certainly going to be used exclusively in low leverage situations. I don't see the problem with keeping the Rule V guy.

     

    And I'm a big Busenitz guy. Nothing against Rodney, Reed or Duke, but I'm excited for the big young arms take their jobs and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.

     

    I agree, making the decision to not keep Busenitz up more puzzling to me.

     

    Kinley does not have enough upside, compared to how easy it is to find RP on the market, or convert starters, to waste a 25 man spot on him for the year. And if he's only used in wasted games, they'll never really know if he is. There are only 25 spots....a playoff contendor should not be wasting one, or two, if you count Hughes....

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    Homer Hanky

    Homer Hanky 122

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I sure hope Moya makes it verses Rogers to start... 

     

    Rogers was GREAT last season... so i expect him to be around awhile... but right now... Moya is better! 

     

    Hildy.... eeeek! not sure, but i hope! 

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    nicksaviking

    nicksaviking 26,755

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    I agree, making the decision to not keep Busenitz up more puzzling to me.

     

    Kinley does not have enough upside, compared to how easy it is to find RP on the market, or convert starters, to waste a 25 man spot on him for the year. And if he's only used in wasted games, they'll never really know if he is. There are only 25 spots....a playoff contendor should not be wasting one, or two, if you count Hughes....

     

    While I like Busenitz, the other young guys in the system and I still have my fingers crossed about getting Bard back, they don't have guys hitting 99 MPH. I'd say that alone demonstrates considerable upside.

     

    Busenitz hasn't been lighting it up in spring training either. Why do you think it's wasting a 25-man spot? Kinley hasn't shown he's incapable this spring and whomever gets the job is almost certainly not going to find themselves in a position to cost the team any games; this is the mop up guy.

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    bobs

    bobs 672

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    The Busenitz/Kinley decision seems simple to me.  One has options to head to AAA, one does not.  One you can send to Rochester, one you would have to send back to Miami.  I really think it's that simple.  If Kinley fails, they can easily send him back later and call up Busenitz.  But why not take a shot on the guy and see what you have.

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    bobs

    bobs 672

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    If that were the case Duffey will be there ahead of Hildenberger and Moya, since he is the veteran and not these 2.

     

    This round of cuts means that at least one of Kinley and Moya will open the season with the big team.

    With Duke and Rogers around, my money is on Kinley.  For now.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    The Busenitz/Kinley decision seems simple to me.  One has options to head to AAA, one does not.  One you can send to Rochester, one you would have to send back to Miami.  I really think it's that simple.  If Kinley fails, they can easily send him back later and call up Busenitz.  But why not take a shot on the guy and see what you have.

     

    Because they are trying to win this year, not audition RPs. I get the logic, I don't agree with it.

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    ThejacKmp

    ThejacKmp 2,978

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    Because they are trying to win this year, not audition RPs. I get the logic, I don't agree with it.

     

    Yeah but how much does that last bullpen guy matter for winning? 95% of the games he pitches are blowouts one way or the other. The 5% are games that go like 14 innings which happen like once or twice a year.

     

    Seems like we should all just shrug our shoulders and say, meh.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    Yeah but how much does that last bullpen guy matter for winning? 95% of the games he pitches are blowouts one way or the other. The 5% are games that go like 14 innings which happen like once or twice a year.

     

    Seems like we should all just shrug our shoulders and say, meh.

     

    I think we are likely to disagree on the importance of every single person on the roster being useful. 

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