• Report: Twins to sign RHP Mike Pelfrey

    by
    Seth Stohs
    Published on 12-16-2012 07:07 PM
    58 Comments Comments
    CBS Sports's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Twins have agreed to terms with RHP Mike Pelfrey. The 28-year-old pitcher made three starts in 2012 for the New York Mets before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. The deal is reportedly for one year at $4 million with incentives up to $1.5 million more. Most likely the Twins will announce such a deal following completion of a physical.

    He is reported to be throwing well already, although it will be interesting to see how ready he is by spring training and by Opening Day.

    Pelfrey was the Mets first-round pick in 2005 out of Wichita State. He debuts with the team in 2006. He has made 149 starts (and four relief appearances) for the Mets in his career. He has a 50-54 record with a 4.36 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. In the four seasons prior to 2012, he pitched no less than 184 innings and twice topped the 200 inning mark.


    In his career, he has walked 3.2 batters per nine innings, but he has a career strikeout rate of just 5.1 per nine innings.



    You may recall, the Twins wanted him to be part of the Johan Santana trade, but he was deemed untouchable. .

    See... the Twins aren't against signing Scott Boras clients after all. I guess due to the fact that he's four years younger than Kevin Correia, this is a little bit better of a signing. What do you think?
    This article was originally published in blog: Report: Twins to sign RHP Mike Pelfrey started by Seth Stohs
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    Comments 58 Comments
    1. jmlease1's Avatar
      jmlease1 - 12-16-2012, 10:14 PM
      I'm not thrilled about it; Pelfrey has been durable previously, but just doesn't miss enough bats. The K/BB ratio has been pretty bad, he gives up too many hits and just doesn't have a lot of upside.

      There have been worse moves, I guess. Maybe his velocity will increase post-surgery (as has happened with other pitchers) and he'll turn out to be a solid 3-4 guy, but I'm not holding my breath. At least it's only a 1 year deal. And let's face it. there will be at least one pitcher with these kind of peripherals who will turn in a nice season next year, maybe we'll get lucky.
    1. joeboo_22's Avatar
      joeboo_22 - 12-16-2012, 10:23 PM
      I'm not against the move, but if he has value at the deadline the Twins have to trade him.
    1. JP3700's Avatar
      JP3700 - 12-16-2012, 10:24 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by ThePuck View Post
      Did it also lead to his TJ surgery?
      Impossible to know, but I guess one can argue that the additional stress on the elbow could have caused the injury.
    1. snepp's Avatar
      snepp - 12-16-2012, 10:30 PM
      I imagine that his ligament tears regardless, the damage likely started long before.
    1. SpiritofVodkaDave's Avatar
      SpiritofVodkaDave - 12-16-2012, 10:32 PM
      I like bringing in Pelfrey, sounds like its on a reasonable enough contract and everything. Ideally we can still land Marcum, then I would be pretty ok with our rotation heading into next season. I think if you have:
      Marcum
      Diamond
      Worley
      Gibson
      Pelfrey
      Correia
      Hendriks
      Webb

      You can piece together a rotation.
    1. Winston Smith's Avatar
      Winston Smith - 12-16-2012, 10:36 PM
      Even if TR could bring Walter Johnson back from the dead it wouldn't be a good rotation. Better yes but not good.
    1. Old Twins Cap's Avatar
      Old Twins Cap - 12-16-2012, 10:45 PM
      I think you guys are missing the strategy here by Ryan. Everybody keeps waiting for him to make a BIG signing, the one guy who is going to turn things around for the Twins. But, Ryan has said, and I believe he is correct, that he needs lots of arms, a stable of hurlers in order to turn things around. I think his strategy is to get 8 or 9 reasonably MLB ready arms and see who comes in with good stuff, who is ready to contribute, who is going to have a good year. Sure, Correia, Pelfrey, Hendriks, not necessarily the kinds of guys who are going to win a division and make a playoff run, but, if one or two of them turns out to have a good year, and we get lucky on another pitcher or two, who knows, we might end up being a .500 baseball team next year. And, like this year in the AL Central, that would be enough to hang around and generate crowds and interest. Look, we've lost 95 games the last couple of years -- what's really possible at this point? Get a stable of horses and see who can ride. With back to back 95 loss years, it's not like an Ace is what we need.
    1. ThePuck's Avatar
      ThePuck - 12-16-2012, 10:48 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Old Twins Cap View Post
      I think you guys are missing the strategy here by Ryan. Everybody keeps waiting for him to make a BIG signing, the one guy who is going to turn things around for the Twins. But, Ryan has said, and I believe he is correct, that he needs lots of arms, a stable of hurlers in order to turn things around. I think his strategy is to get 8 or 9 reasonably MLB ready arms and see who comes in with good stuff, who is ready to contribute, who is going to have a good year. Sure, Correia, Pelfrey, Hendriks, not necessarily the kinds of guys who are going to win a division and make a playoff run, but, if one or two of them turns out to have a good year, and we get lucky on another pitcher or two, who knows, we might end up being a .500 baseball team next year. And, like this year in the AL Central, that would be enough to hang around and generate crowds and interest. Look, we've lost 95 games the last couple of years -- what's really possible at this point? Get a stable of horses and see who can ride. With back to back 95 loss years, it's not like an Ace is what we need.
      I never, EVER, expected Terry Ryan to make a big signing. On top of that, signing a bunch of pitchers like these and hoping some have a miraculous season is an act of desperation.
    1. Ultima Ratio's Avatar
      Ultima Ratio - 12-16-2012, 10:50 PM
      Who going to have the better year, Baker or Pelfrey? Be sure to look back at the end of the year to see how well TR's decision was.
    1. darin617's Avatar
      darin617 - 12-16-2012, 10:51 PM
      So do we believe that Pelfrey will be ready to start the season? I have not seen any reports so far about his availability for opening day 2013.
    1. JP3700's Avatar
      JP3700 - 12-16-2012, 11:16 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Old Twins Cap View Post
      I think you guys are missing the strategy here by Ryan. Everybody keeps waiting for him to make a BIG signing, the one guy who is going to turn things around for the Twins. But, Ryan has said, and I believe he is correct, that he needs lots of arms, a stable of hurlers in order to turn things around. I think his strategy is to get 8 or 9 reasonably MLB ready arms and see who comes in with good stuff, who is ready to contribute, who is going to have a good year. Sure, Correia, Pelfrey, Hendriks, not necessarily the kinds of guys who are going to win a division and make a playoff run, but, if one or two of them turns out to have a good year, and we get lucky on another pitcher or two, who knows, we might end up being a .500 baseball team next year. And, like this year in the AL Central, that would be enough to hang around and generate crowds and interest. Look, we've lost 95 games the last couple of years -- what's really possible at this point? Get a stable of horses and see who can ride. With back to back 95 loss years, it's not like an Ace is what we need.
      The problem isn't necessarily the approach, I think people are more upset at the players. I think the proper approach would have been acquiring assets to help the rebuilding process. We could have traded peanuts for Haren's option year. Added Lannan to the Span trade and paid him $5 million in arbitration with just a 1 year commitment. Sign higher upside arms like Villanueva, Jurrjens and maybe even Liriano to Pelfrey type deals. We could technically still sign Marcum to a multi-year deal in hopes he has a big year.. imagine his trade value if he puts up a big year. Heck, I wouldn't mind signing Bourn to a 1 year deal in hopes he can bring back a good return at the deadline. It's about acquiring assets at low risks.

      I didn't like the second year of the Correia contract but other than that I understand the approach. I've already said I love the Pelfrey signing, but I also can understand why some people are upset, especially over the Correia contract.
    1. Kwak's Avatar
      Kwak - 12-16-2012, 11:43 PM
      If I were more computer skilled I would have posted that photo of Bush on the carrier with him thumb raised saying "Mission Accomplished" but with Ryan's head photoshopped replacing Bush's head. Ryan promised three new starting pitchers--and he has "accomplished"--Worley, Correia, and now Pelfrey. Just because you interpreted his statement as: Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson is not Ryan's fault.
      I think the elbow trouble was more likely caused by the reliance on "sinkers" rather than the cutter,etc. The Twins used to strongly advise against throwing the split-fingered fastball, because they believed it was injurious. The "sinker" is a less extreme version of the "splitter".
      I think the Twins are through signing free-agents this year. A trade (before April) is possible--but I'm guessing unless the offer is "stantial"--but unlikely. Let the "Spring Training competition" begin!
    1. USAFChief's Avatar
      USAFChief - 12-17-2012, 12:04 AM
      The sinker is a less extreme version of the splitter.

      Huh? The "sinker" is just another name for "fastball, two seam variety."
    1. Kwak's Avatar
      Kwak - 12-17-2012, 12:34 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by USAFChief View Post
      The sinker is a less extreme version of the splitter.

      Huh? The "sinker" is just another name for "fastball, two seam variety."
      It's how they hold the ball that matters. The degree of which the ball is forced between the fingers--fingers close less movement, far apart with the ball pushed down--more downward movement. Why did the Twins sour on the split-fingered? All they said is they thought it led to injuries--but they didn't elaborate or cite figures/ study.
    1. edavis0308's Avatar
      edavis0308 - 12-17-2012, 12:37 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by USAFChief View Post
      The sinker is a less extreme version of the splitter.

      Huh? The "sinker" is just another name for "fastball, two seam variety."
      less velocity, more sink.
    1. Otwins's Avatar
      Otwins - 12-17-2012, 12:47 AM
      I think this is a good risk. Pelfrey is young enough and has been durable in the past. I read a couple reports that his off speed stuff is not that good. Maybe Cuellar can help. I still look for a Bedard, Harden, Webb, Escobar type signing. They may break down but that would give Pelfrey a little more time to get ready. We really need arms. I like this signing.
    1. twinsfaninsaudi's Avatar
      twinsfaninsaudi - 12-17-2012, 04:19 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JP3700 View Post
      I think people are more upset at the players. commitment. Sign higher upside arms but other than that I understand the approach. I've already said I love the Pelfrey signing,
      This guy is but 2 years removed from having a season that was 4.2 WAR better than James Shields. How can this signing not be liked? I smell steal of the offseason.
    1. FrodaddyG's Avatar
      FrodaddyG - 12-17-2012, 05:13 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by twinsfaninsaudi View Post
      This guy is but 2 years removed from having a season that was 4.2 WAR better than James Shields. How can this signing not be liked? I smell steal of the offseason.
      Attachment 2913
    1. jokin's Avatar
      jokin - 12-17-2012, 05:33 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by YourHouseIsMyHouse View Post
      So what do we have?
      Diamond
      Gibson
      Worley
      Correia
      Pelfrey
      Hendriks
      Hernandez

      Lots of assembly required...

      4 of the 5 in the "Big 5" have middling-to-serious arm injury issues and history. Of the last 2, didn't Hernandez end the season on the DL?-- and Hendriks has the mental health issues related to a crisis in confidence to still overcome- so make that 6 of 7.

      The only conclusion to reach is that Ryan is trying out his new medical staff to see if they can hold the SP staff together longer than the 2012 MASH unit was capable of doing.

      *New betting stat for next season*? Guessing the over/under on the collective number of DL days for the 2013 pitching corps-

      Greater or Less Than 2012?


      * (For Amusement Purposes Only)
    1. jokin's Avatar
      jokin - 12-17-2012, 05:49 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave View Post
      I like bringing in Pelfrey, sounds like its on a reasonable enough contract and everything. Ideally we can still land Marcum, then I would be pretty ok with our rotation heading into next season. I think if you have:
      Marcum
      Diamond
      Worley
      Gibson
      Pelfrey
      Correia
      Hendriks
      Webb

      You can piece together a rotation.
      Is there any shred of evidence to suggest that Ryan would do what it takes to bring Marcum in to the fold? $5M tops for a FA SP is the "Twins Way". Brandon Webb returning to become a MLB replacement level starter?


      Those who believe in this scenario most likely attend The Divine Church of Rainbows and Unicorns.
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