Thread: Article: Report: Twins to sign RHP Mike Pelfrey

Originally Posted by JP3700

Pelfrey changed his approach in 2012. He started throwing more cutters and curveballs to go with his sinker. It led to a better swinging strike rate along with an improved strikeout/walk ratio.

Did it also lead to his TJ surgery?

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.

I'm not against the move, but if he has value at the deadline the Twins have to trade him.

Originally Posted by ThePuck

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.

I imagine that his ligament tears regardless, the damage likely started long before.

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.

Even if TR could bring Walter Johnson back from the dead it wouldn't be a good rotation. Better yes but not good.

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.

Originally Posted by Old Twins Cap

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Old Twins Cap

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.

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!

The sinker is a less extreme version of the splitter.

Huh? The "sinker" is just another name for "fastball, two seam variety."

Originally Posted by USAFChief

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.

Originally Posted by USAFChief

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.

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.

Originally Posted by JP3700

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.

Originally Posted by twinsfaninsaudi

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.

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Originally Posted by YourHouseIsMyHouse

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)