Tonkin Recalled

[Seth Stohs]

According to Kevin Oklobzija of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Michael Tonkin has been recalled by the Twins.

[Danchat]

Good call by the Twins. Your first guess was correct, Seth.

 

So does this mean Fien to the DL or Stauffer DFA'd? (Honestly, I think it's a 95% chance of the former)

[Seth Stohs]

Sounds like Fien to the DL.

[stringer bell]

Tonkin has done a nice job in Rochester.  Time for him to establish himself in the majors.

[drivlikejehu]

Tonkin has a career ERA of 3.26 in the Majors. It's just a matter of the Twins letting him stay there instead of rostering washed up veterans.

[jorgenswest]

Go Michael. Pitch well and force them to move someone else when Casey comes back.

[DocBauer]

I wish no harm to anyone, nor do I enjoy anyone losing a job. But there are certain realities involved with the running of a team, and the makeup of said team to be successful.

 

Good for Tonkin! I'm not sure how or why he was sent down in the first place. What more does he really have to prove at the ML level that he is deserving a shot? I'm begining to wonder if the Twins have a rule that states a journeyman pitcher must double a prospects ERA before he is released/removed in favor of the younger player. No doubling of ERA, roster spot and prospect goes down.

 

But the guy I feel sorry for is Oliveros. Came back strong last season, has a strong arm, barely got a look-see in ST, and has even better numbers so far this season than Tonkin.

[Danchat]

 

But the guy I feel sorry for is Oliveros. Came back strong last season, has a strong arm, barely got a look-see in ST, and has even better numbers so far this season than Tonkin.

If Oliveros keeps pitching well, I think it's only a matter of time until he gets called up. This bullpen has enough weaknesses for him to fit in.

[stringer bell]

 

Tonkin has a career ERA of 3.26 in the Majors. It's just a matter of the Twins letting him stay there instead of rostering washed up veterans.

Tonkin was not very good last year and he wasn't very good in spring training.  I don't think he deserved a spot in the bullpen, but he has pitched well enough in Rochester and there are gaping holes in the Twins bullpen.

[gunnarthor]

Good for him, hope he does well. 

[nicksaviking]

 

Good call by the Twins. Your first guess was correct, Seth.

 

So does this mean Fien to the DL or Stauffer DFA'd? (Honestly, I think it's a 95% chance of the former)

 

Why choose just one?

 

Still, should have been Oliveros, who should have been penciled into the bullpen in spring training.  Man he must have done something terrible to a member of the front office's family.  They do remember that they got him FOR Delmon Young, he's not actually Delmon Young right?

[h2oface]

 

........ But the guy I feel sorry for is Oliveros. Came back strong last season, has a strong arm, barely got a look-see in ST, and has even better numbers so far this season than Tonkin.

Me too. I would have picked Oliveros at this point. I fear Tonkin will be mediocre. 

I don't understand why Fien was left in that ball game after the 8th. 2 innings and 23 pitches on Sunday, an inning and 9 pitches yesterday, and already 18 today before the 9th. I said to my son as Fien came out for the 9th, "They're gonna get him hurt by making him pitch so much with that shoulder so soon......" and then the homer and the exit, after 35 pitches today. Poor management of Fien in my opinion.

[jorgenswest]

It takes so long for a reliever to have a sample size significant enough to even look at strike outs and walks. I think it is around 170 plate appearances.

 

The only way to assess is to be on the staff watching them pitch ingames and on the side. Ryan was there last week. He saw Tonkin. He was with the staff. There is no question in my mind that they went with the guy that they felt would help the Twins the most.

 

It is Tonkin Time. Hopefully for good.

[h2oface]

 

Ryan was there last week. He saw Tonkin. He was with the staff. There is no question in my mind that they went with the guy that they felt would help the Twins the most.

As this was the same line of reasoning that the same brain trust used to select that opening day staff, this is quite concerning when you consider the results of the selections.

[mickeymental]

how different the twins would be if they kept carlos gomez in the outfield. twins management got trashed for the johan santana trade but, actually, they did very well (even woulda done well if they'd kept hardy). i see deolis guerra is AAA in the pittsburgh org. did the twins get anyone for him?

[HitInAPinch]

You wanted him, you got him!  Congrats to Michael!  Get well soon, Casey Fien.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/301776961.html

[USAFChief]

Oliveros would require a 40 man move, no?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Oliveros would require a 40 man move, no?

Yup. I think it says something to the league's evaluation of Oliveros that he cleared waivers this spring, although some quality relievers do slip through the cracks.

[puckstopper1]

 

Oliveros would require a 40 man move, no?

Yes it would.  However the Twins should DFA Stauffer and his 8.38 ERA, 2.28 WHIP, and .372 BA against!  After yesterday, I've seen enough of his.  DFA Stauffer and reinstate Nolasco or bring up Oliveros.

[spinowner]

I think you'll see Nolasco activated soon, either taking Stauffer's place in the pen or Hughes' spot in the rotation if he winds up being DL'ed.

[spinowner]

 

Me too. I would have picked Oliveros at this point. I fear Tonkin will be mediocre. 

I don't understand why Fien was left in that ball game after the 8th. 2 innings and 23 pitches on Sunday, an inning and 9 pitches yesterday, and already 18 today before the 9th. I said to my son as Fien came out for the 9th, "They're gonna get him hurt by making him pitch so much with that shoulder so soon......" and then the homer and the exit, after 35 pitches today. Poor management of Fien in my opinion.

Total speculation on your part, but I think you could be right.

[Seth Stohs]

I posted a series of three tweets on the Oliveros situation that I do think factors into this... It's the business side, but it also is understandably something that they need to consider:

 

 

Twins have to be careful if they call up Lester Oliveros. He has to be added to the 40 man roster, but he is also out of options... if he's added, he can't be sent down without going through waivers, could be claimed. And since it would be his 2nd DFA of year... he can choose not to go to Rochester and become a free agent. I'm certain he would become a free agent.

 

 

Summary - If he comes up, they  should plan on him being up all year (not that they wouldn't be) because if they try to send him down again, he'd be out there for anyone to grab and even if no one claims him, he can become a free agent since it would be his second DFA of the year.

[Squirrel]

I vote for Stauffer's spot. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I posted a series of three tweets on the Oliveros situation that I do think factors into this... It's the business side, but it also is understandably something that they need to consider:

 

 

 

Summary - If he comes up, they  should plan on him being up all year (not that they wouldn't be) because if they try to send him down again, he'd be out there for anyone to grab and even if no one claims him, he can become a free agent since it would be his second DFA of the year.

 

so, never call him up then, out of fear you might lose him if he doesn't work out? I don't get that. At what point do you get over that fear, and call him up? If he's not good enough to be up here, why would you fear losing him? 

 

Congrats to Tonkin. I'm not sure he's all that good, but I'd rather he be up here all year, and gather data on his ability, than watch an old, bad, terrible player that has no upside.....

[zenser]

Stauffer needs to go and Boyer isn't too far behind him.

[Seth Stohs]

 

so, never call him up then, out of fear you might lose him if he doesn't work out? I don't get that. At what point do you get over that fear, and call him up? If he's not good enough to be up here, why would you fear losing him? 

 

Congrats to Tonkin. I'm not sure he's all that good, but I'd rather he be up here all year, and gather data on his ability, than watch an old, bad, terrible player that has no upside.....

 

I don't think I said that at all. However, I think acknowledging the real scenario with a non-roster guy is important. Tonkin certainly deserves to be up. I think Oliveros does too. But when there's one spot needed, when all else is pretty well equal, the guy on the 40 man roster should get the call. 

 

Of course is Oliveros comes up and stinks, he probably wouldn't  get claimed... It's not yet May (though almost) it's a long season. I like Oliveros and think he should get a real, sustained shot. Just pointing out the reality of the situation.

[Mike Sixel]

I think Oliveros should get a shot this year also. Not sure what waiting another year does. So, I'd just call him up the next opening, and see what you have. Heck, maybe he can play the OF......

[Brock Beauchamp]

What's important is that Tim Stauffer still has a roster spot.

 

Whew, dodged a bullet there. The Twins were almost in a position to win some ballgames but through craftiness and more than a little pluck from the front office, we've been saved from that horrible fate.

[Thegrin]

Perhaps DFASing Stauffer could lead to Meyer being brought up to pitch in the bullpen. I'd love to see him and his fasball pitching the 8th inning.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think Oliveros should get a shot this year also. Not sure what waiting another year does. So, I'd just call him up the next opening, and see what you have. Heck, maybe he can play the OF......

 

 

I didn't say wait another year at all.