Hosken Bombo Disco

Do the Twins promote college relievers too slowly? Anyone have any data comparisons?

I only follow the Twins, but I'd bet this team expends more resources scouting the independent leagues than other teams do. If this signing is simply to add an AAA arm because of all the imminent promotions of Berrios, Meyer, Burdi, Chargois, et al, then it's a good signing. I can see why lots more people would be more interested in signing a already proven MLB reliever directly to the 25-man roster, however.

Yeah, our standards and the Twins front office standards for "holding your spot" are probably two different things.

I hate to say, but like Nick I can also see Nolasco starting the season in the rotation. If he pitches well in spring (and by "well" I mean really, really well, then why not). But they should absolutely not play games. If he can't hold his rotation spot at any point this season the Twins are best off sending him packing his bags.

I think the title of this article should be "Roster is a jumble, Part II." Especially if Ryan said the next thing on his list is to sign an outfielder?

I forgive you

Nope, describing Oswaldo. I just clicked on career splits. His career OPS vs righties is .807 so it must have been even higher. I think we should forgive his 2015 season!

You have just described Arcia. All you need to do is play him against righties. There's nothing to prioritize, as he is already on the team!

On that note...

Probably true but I think Thrylos's point still stands. We now know that San Diego had interest in Pinto and Thielbar, and San Diego was open to trading Craig Kimbrel, and the Twins have prospects who will never see the field anymore (Vargas), so it's fair to wonder if: a group of new or slightly-used prospects, + one valuable guy (Gibson? Kepler?), might have landed Kimbrel last July. I know it's all hindsight and we don't have much information, but it's not that far-fetched to consider.

If you are responding to the post immediately above yours, I would use O'Rourke as a 6-7 inning lefty specialist, and not pigeon hole Perkins into the "closer" role, but use him situationally like the end of last season. Yes they still need another high quality relief arm but at that point it doesn't matter to me what arm he throws with. Additionally, Sean Gilmartin and Liam Hendriks turned into decent relief options for postseason teams last season. So it's not exactly ridiculous to ask if the solutions to our relief problems are already on our roster.

I'm in the minority in wanting O'Rourke to start the season as the loogy. He got shaky at the end but overall struck out almost 40% of lefties. That is a really, really big number. The Twins response is, "we are looking for lefties who can strike out both right handed and left handed hitters." Then my response would be, ok, then go sign a high quality free agent.

Great topic. For years I have wanted to do some research, background, and cite some statistics and do a fuller type of article on this. But this is good. I would take it further than you. Yes the liability is on the fans but: 1. I don't think fans realize how badly they can get hurt. 2. Everyone who gets hurt was not "on their cellphone, they should know better." That's the stuff you hear from naysayers. In fact from what I've witnessed a few times, it's just the opposite. People are just enjoying themselves, talking, and they don't watch every pitch. And they don't know how quickly those balls can get to you. Ever had a foul ball come straight at you? You spend too many wasted fractions of seconds trying to figure out where its going, before you realize its coming right at you! That's why they say outfielders have the biggest trouble with the line drives hit right at them. 3. There must be some good netting MLB can order. Before too long, people will forget it's there. I bet there's strong material you can't even see. I find it hard to believe the only option is the yellow, rope-thick stuff strung from foul pole to foul pole, obstructing everyone's vision. That's what the critics want you to think. Anyway, got a little off track but again, great topic!

Maybe not, but look at the whole. He has a close family and network of support. Looks like he had a great college ball experience. And he says he "trains" every day. I love that word. There's a much different mindset behind that word, as opposed to "offseason workouts." Best of all, he is producing.

Impressive job on the projections. I can't see the Twins signing a reliever for 3/20+, and I definitely don't want to see another 1 year, 3 million guy take up a spot. I'd rather see the Twins trade for the next Joe Nathan or find the next failed starter/ Wade Davis type. There must be an art to finding those guys. Ryan O'Rourke strikes out 40% of lefties he faces. Burdi was absolutely shut down after his wake up call demotion to single A Fort Myers. Meyer and even Pressly can bring it high 90s. All could turn out to be savvy pick-ups. I know I'm in the minority but I say continue investing in those guys, certainly over signing another Stauffer type.

I would have been ok with Sano DHing until Plouffe left via free agency/trade. But the Twins made a good move to get Park. Unfortunately there were hidden costs in that inexpensive Park contract.

I think he is. He has pitched well for long stretches.

I like this guy too. ETA Sept 2018

Agreed. Jumble. Rosario seemed at home in left field. I don't know why the Twins wouldn't just leave him there if they can.

I'd prefer to see O'Rourke be the LOOGY and Perkins continue to play late-inning guy instead of closer. Those two guys satisfy our lefty bullpen needs as far as I'm concerned. Then there's Jepsen, and Fien is now a lock, and I think you also start with Pressley. That makes 5 of the 7. Beyond that, we'll see. There will be a starter or two who misses out on the rotation. Possibly Trevor May. I think it's time to start working in Meyer and Burdi. I think the Twins can improve their bullpen by simply doing nothing more, by resisting the temptation to sign the typical guys they love to sign about this time every year, the Boyers and Cotts types.

Going to the farm to get a vet is probably not as hard as you think. Veterans will sign minor league deals. For example, Kevin Correia and Jared Burton both spent significant time in the minors last season. Remember them?

I think that's the point spycake is raising. Fien, okay sure. But with all the other guys we have, how many spots does that leave open for a new face?

Ok I could be on board with this, but the key quote from your link is: Throughout the article, he fails to mention who that "prospect" might be...

Another misconception: that Mauer must remain at 1B at all costs. Although I tend to think he's entrenched there no matter what. Hopefully he starts hitting again and it doesn't become a question.

All stats and awards aside, this has turned out really well so far. Park got what he wanted, to play in the U.S., and the Twins got a really friendly contract. Essentially 4 years, 24 million total, I bet plenty of other teams in hindsight would have taken that.