Who is Tommy Milone and where does he fit in?

[DocBauer]

I think it's fairly easy to openly state 4 of 5 rotation spots...pending health or injury issues of course...are set for the Twins in 2015, at least to begin the season. Things can change as the season moves along in many ways. And this thread is not about discussing those set 4 options. And really, it's not necessarily about May or Meyer...or even Pelfrey...it's about Milone and who he is and where he fits in.

 

What we do know is that he's a left handed, relatively soft tosser who will be 28 shortly before the 2015 season begins. He pitched in 5 games in 2011, so essentially, he has pitched in 3 ML seasons thus far in his brief career. In his 3 years, he has made 81 appearances with 78 GS, mostly with Oakland, 6 appearances and 5 GS with the Twins.

 

It would be easy to look at Milone's solid 2012 season with the A's, see his 13-10 record, 31 GS, 3.74 ERA and 190 IP and think the A's might have found a bit of a mid/back end steal.

 

It would also be easy to look at his not as good 2013 season, 12-9 record, 26 GS, 4.14 ERA and 156 IP, and wonder if the league was catching up to him, or if he was suffering a slight sophomore slump. Now, in fact, these numbers are VERY SOLID for a back end SP, but certainly a dip from 2012.

 

But here's something interesting; his stats with Oakland in 2014 were actually better than the previous 2 seasons. He was 6-3 with the A's with a 3.55 ERA, with 96 IP, fewer hits than IP for the first time, and a better BA against and WHIP than the previous two seasons.

 

And then go got demoted to AAA!

 

It felt like the Twins got a decent steal...not a stud, but a nice pitcher...in the Fuld deal. Probably someone better than they should have expected. The problem is, the pitcher actually received...apparently body snatched by aliens...was nothing like the pitcher who performed for Oakland in '12, '13' and the first part of '14. Now, there did appear to be an injury factor. And there was a trade and a move to a new team and a new park. And there was probably a pretty sore spot on Milone's backside...err...ego...from the milb demotion despite pitching well. But it sure seemed like he wasn't the same player at all.

 

Is Milone crafty enough, healthy, to win and deserve a spot in the rotation? Or are the younger and more talented May and Meyer deserving/destined to replace him/force him out? Besides, there is absolutely the "future" factor where you want to roll with someone who is part of the day after tomorrow, and not just tomorrow.

 

Where does Milone fit? Is he a legit contender for a rotation spot, at least initially? Or is he a possibly really nice bullpen fit as a multi-role player?

[Bark's Lounge]

The Milone scenario is a good one to ponder.

 

I believe Meyer and May have proven themselves enough at AAA for the two of them to be given the upper hand on battling in out for the 5th spot in rotation. They will both be 25 this upcoming season and it feels like their time has come.

 

I agree with you that Milone was a fantastic pick-up for the services of Fuld, but the timing might not have worked out too well for him or the Twins. I know he was none too pleased being sent to AAA by the A's, is he as bullish about being a starter and will he be a good citizen and accept a role in the bullpen and maybe be a swing man? That is the only role I can see for him in 2015 at this point.

 

Maybe he can be trade bait, but I don't see the Twins getting much in return for him. Maybe a depth trade might be in the cards, a scenario where we have no need for him and another team does, and they send us a player who provides us more depth at a position we need that the other club has solidified.

 

I strongly believe that Pelfrey needs to be a reliever or they release him and eat his salary. Pelfrey starting should not be an option.

 

But what the hell do I know? Pelfrey will probably be the 5th starter and I, as well as many others will have to bare the discomfort and eat that tremendously awful **** salad.

[Otwins]

I think he has an option left. Keep him stretched out in triple AAA for spot starts or injuries. I would not put in rotation.

[Willihammer]

 

I think it's fairly easy to openly state 4 of 5 rotation spots

 

Can't find the quote but a few weeks ago TR was asked about Nolasco and his answer was basically "don't assume he is going to be in the rotation."

[Bark's Lounge]

Can't find the quote but a few weeks ago TR was asked about Nolasco and his answer was basically "don't assume he is going to be in the rotation."

I really hope that is the case. He needs to earn it.

[beckmt]

I feel that TR and the owner had a talk on where the club was going and it came down to the comment last summer by the owner that prospects were just that until they proved themselves at a major league level.  The need to reverse or slow the ticket decline made a difference in that the Twins have to play meaningful games later in the season or the season ticket base will go away.

[ashbury]

I want to give Milone every opportunity to bounce back.  Winning a pennant not being a likely outcome for '15, I'm fine with a somewhat dysfunctional bullpen, or a six-man rotation, or other stratagem, for several weeks if it gives us the chance to get a high-performing starting rotation going. 

 

The pile is now big enough that we may be able to find the pony in it.   And Milone is part of that pile, even if that's not an especially complimentary way to be thought of. 

[goulik]

Hughes-Our ace for now

Santana-Our 2nd best pitcher based on previous AL performance

Gibson- Potentially our #3 right now but is still young and nothing proven yet

Meyer- The top prospect we all hope explodes onto the scene and takes over the number one spot but also a guy that could just flame out and end up in the bullpen.

Milone- A proven capable AL pitcher who was odd man out in Oakland and was horrible for us. If he rebounds, he is potentially our third best pitcher based on his Oakland #s.

May- He's got the arm of an ace but the control of my grandson. A true wild card we all hope figures it out...

Nolasco- The biggest free agency flop in Twins History that could rebound and be our third best pitcher but has to earn it back this coming spring

Pelfrey- Another free gent flop that should probably be in the bull pen but what if he actually is healthy and pitches well in Spring training? Can he earn that back?

 

The truth is the haters on Milone are judging him on a small (horrendous, disastrous) small minnesota sample size that is either false or what Beane saw coming when he traded him. I think he's a rebound candidate and FWIW, speed of the fastball is not the only quality that determines a quality MLB pitcher...Maybe of an ace but his numbers in Oakland would have made him our Ace 2-3 of the past 3-4 years... Just saying, ya know!?

[diehardtwinsfan]

What concerns me most is that I wanted May for that 5th spot.  I have a feeling it's now Milone's to lose, and May will be in the pen or AAA.  I'd rather him starting in ML.

[Thrylos]

Milone has the same problems that Diamond had:

 

- Cannot strike anyone out

- Can barely hit 90

- Had only on out pitch that worked for exactly one season for them (Curve for Diamond, Changeup for Milone)

 

And their numbers that season are eerily similar:

 

Scott Diamond 2012: 12-9, 3.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 12.6 K%, 3.93 xFIP
Tommy Milone 2012: 13-10, 3.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 17.3 K%, 4.02 xFIP

 

Still surprised that the Twins offered him arbitration, to tell you the truth...

[Kwak]

Milhone will battle Duening for a spot--one stays the other goes.

[Monkeypaws]

Could it be a case of the scouting taking a while to catch up to a guy with limited stuff?

 

Like with Diamond. Or Albers.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Milone might be successful if Goin, Allen, Suzuki and Milone were all on the same page. I'd like Milone to get another chance too. Raw talent helps greatly, but ask Jamie Moyer about getting by without it!

[ashbury]

What does Goin need to do to make Milone a success at this stage?

[goulik]

Milone might be successful if Goin, Allen, Suzuki and Milone were all on the same page. I'd like Milone to get another chance too. Raw talent helps greatly, but ask Jamie Moyer about getting by without it!

Exactly this! And, unlike Diamond 2013 and the beginning of 2014 were respectable!

[DocBauer]

My best guess? The Twins want, and are best off with, May or Meyer earning the #5 spot in the rotation. Milone is #3 on their list. Pelfrey is a distant #4 and viable relief option.

 

I believe one of Milone or Duensing is gone in a trade before the season starts. Possibly as part of a deal for a CF.

[Linus]

I think it is a great situation that we have Hughes and Santana as locks in the rotation and everybody else has to compete for a spot.  To be completely honest, I don't think the "Nolasco has to earn it" meme is true but I hope so.

 

Nevertheless, competition is a great thing and they have enough flexibility to put the best five starters in the rotation.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Who is Tommy Milone?

 

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02972/ramone_2972734b.jpg

 

oops that's Tommy Ramone.

 

Lefty with a pulse - I think the Twins will hang onto Milone as long as they can. Does he have any options left? If so, I bet he'll anchor the Rochester Rotation or he'll take Duensing's gig.

[Linus]

Who is Tommy Milone?

 

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02972/ramone_2972734b.jpg

 

oops that's Tommy Ramone.

 

Lefty with a pulse - I think the Twins will hang onto Milone as long as they can. Does he have any options left? If so, I bet he'll anchor the Rochester Rotation or he'll take Duensing's gig.

He has one option left which will prove very valuable.  All things being equal, I hope Meyer wins the spot.  Him fulfilling his upside (legit ace) might be the biggest part of the Twins future success.  Perhaps more important than Sano and Buxtion.

[Twodogs]

Seems like everyone is writing him off and or comparing him to other crappy pitchers and whatnot. The thing that I challenge everyone to look at first and formost is that for a 4 year period Milone has a .581 winning percentage.  When someone points to anyone else on the Twins current staff or anyone else in the minors with a .581 winning percentage over a 4 year period then I'll write him off too.  I get that he doesn't have Ace stuff and there is no one that has been more frustrated over the last 10 years or so with the exception of Johan the Twins always had these pitch to contact guys like Rick Reed and they were very frustrating for a long period of time.  But the whole staff was like that, now if the Twins mix in one or two guys like that in and around Hughes, Santana, and or Nolasco and such then I'm fine with it.  I look forward to Milone pitching 180 innings and going 12 - 10 as the Twins 4th or 5th starter.  Now if only the 1, 2, and 3 can live up to what they should do.

[jorgenswest]

I believe Milone can still be optioned. He certainly would be a more ready option in AAA than a guy like Kris Johnson last year. He shows he is one of the best 12 in the spring or he goes to AAA and is available when needed.

[goulik]

I believe Milone can still be optioned. He certainly would be a more ready option in AAA than a guy like Kris Johnson last year. He shows he is one of the best 12 in the spring or he goes to AAA and is available when needed.

Or is traded as an MLB ready #4 pitcher on most staffs (and we have too many 4-5s) as a sweetener to the deal

[jorgenswest]

Or is traded as an MLB ready #4 pitcher on most staffs (and we have too many 4-5s) as a sweetener to the deal

His trade value was established as Sam Fuld last summer. If anything it has gone down with his performance in Minnesota. I don't think that adds much to any deal.

 

Keep him. Give him a chance to win a job in spring. Otherwise he is in AAA preparing for the certain opportunity that will present itself in season.

 

Guys with options have value to the ends of the roster.

[Paul Pleiss]

Who is Tommy Milone?

 

He's not very good away from O.Co Coliseum. And that's all I have to say about that.

[Twodogs]

I dont know, but over the last 3 years looks like he's been pretty good at Angels stadium, pretty good at Kauffman stadium, lights out at Marlins part and Miller park, dang good at Progressive and the Ballpark in Arlington and really tough at US Cellular.  He's been average at Camden, Comerica, Minute Maid,  and Safeco.  He's been bad at Tropican and the Rogers Center, also bad at ATT and Chase.  Horrible at Coors, Fenway, PNC and Target.  I think Target Field plays towards pitchers, I think he will be fine if given the shot.