Article: Ryan And Pelfrey Have A “Healthy Exchange”

[Parker Hageman]

Prior to Sunday's game in Sarasota, Twins' general manager Terry Ryan said that he and pitcher Mike Pelfrey had a closed door discussion regarding the comments Pelfrey made the day before.

 

Pelfrey was informed that he would not be the team's fifth starter, he was upset by the staff's decision that he would join the bullpen. When he was asked if he would be open to a trade, a frustrated Pelfrey said he would welcome the opportunity to start again.READ: SUNDAY NOTES

 

“It’s one of those situations and I listened and it was a healthy exchange. That’s as much as I can say,” Ryan said of his conversation but wouldn’t address whether or not the topic of a trade came up.

 

Following Sunday's game Pelfrey said he was happy with the outcome of the morning talk.

 

"I let some things off my chest, he let things off his and it was a very good discussion. Obviously my emotions probably got the best of me yesterday and I told him I am going to be a professional and go to the pen and I'm going to give you everything I have. We're going to figure this thing out and it's going to work. Being a good teammate and everything, I told him not to worry. It was a very good talk."

 

Pelfrey refrained from sharing what message Ryan had for the pitcher.

 

"He told me his side, I told him my side,” Pelfrey said. “No hard feelings. I told you going in but I have a lot of respect for [Ryan]. I don't want to be the guy who is upset or you guys can see that or hold grudges. That's not me. Like I said, I said my piece. It's time to move on.”

 

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[Thegrin]

Pelfrey is said to be a good guy in the duggout and a mentor for younger pitchers.  It is no surprise that he says that he will be professional and do his best as a reliever.

Who knows. This could be the best thing to happen to him and the Twins. 

[eLee612]

Glad the conversation seems to have gone smoothly... like Thegrin said, Pelfrey is a good guy! 

 

At the time I heard his initial response, I do have to say it made me smile a bit. None of these moves are permanent - and our five starters now might (/probably won't be) our five starters all season - so it seems a little premature to get too worked up. Looking forward to see what he can bring in the bullpen. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Glad the conversation seems to have gone smoothly... like Thegrin said, Pelfrey is a good guy! 

 

At the time I heard his initial response, I do have to say it made me smile a bit. None of these moves are permanent - and our five starters now might (/probably won't be) our five starters all season - so it seems a little premature to get too worked up. Looking forward to see what he can bring in the bullpen.

we have no idea how the conversation went. By all accounts both TR and Pelf a standup guys, but it could have been something very different than what they are saying to the media. It also could have gone exa

[laloesch]

All this means is that May and Meyer likely won't be starting for the rest of the season.

[Thrylos]

 

All this means is that May and Meyer likely won't be starting for the rest of the season.

 

I bet they will be starting in Rochester

 

May may make it to MLB by May

[dxpavelka]

 

All this means is that May and Meyer likely won't be starting for the rest of the season.

If they don't it will because they have not forced the issue.  That's on them.

[eLee612]

 

we have no idea how the conversation went. By all accounts both TR and Pelf a standup guys, but it could have been something very different than what they are saying to the media. It also could have gone exa

 

You're Right! 

 

Glad the conversation seems to have gone smoothly... like Thegrin said, Pelfrey is a good guy! 

 

At the time I heard his initial response, I do have to say it made me smile a bit. None of these moves are permanent - and our five starters now might (/probably won't be) our five starters all season - so it seems a little premature to get too worked up. Looking forward to see what he can bring in the bullpen. 

 

Fixed. 

[Halsey Hall]

I'll bet it didn't go real smoothly.  They both aired laundry, and as Terry said, a healthy exchange.  So now that that is out of the way we focus on the future.  Pelf did a good job in relief today. 

[alskntwnsfn]

I'm guessing it went along the lines of: 

 

TR: Mr. Pelfrey, I understand your frustration. You've worked hard to come back from injuries and came into camp ready to compete for a starting spot. But you have you to understand, Milone is a quality pitcher too, and our only real option for a LH starter. 

 

MP: I know I can be a quality starter. What are my chances to do that here in MN?

 

TR: Well, as the long man in the pen, you'd be the first option to jump in the rotation if somebody goes down or falters. Assuming you pitch well in the pen of course. If we can't find a spot for you, I'll look around for another team that has an opening. However, you are under contract to pitch for this club and we have invested a great deal of money in you. You're a professional and I know you'll do your best regardless of whether you're starting or coming out of the pen. 

 

MP: Ok. Good enough for me. Glad we're on the same page. 

[TheLeviathan]

I hope it went something like this:

 

MP: I'm pissed

 

TR: How much money did you make the last two years and how many innings did you pitch again?

 

MP: I'll behave.

 

TR: Damn right.

[tobi0040]

 

I hope it went something like this:

 

MP: I'm pissed

 

TR: How much money did you make the last two years and how many innings did you pitch again?

 

MP: I'll behave.

 

TR: Damn right.

 

My version would go something like yours, but with Terry then asking for his $16 million dollars back.

[ashbury]

 

“It’s one of those situations and I listened and it was a healthy exchange.

Reminds me of diplomatic negotiations that are described as "frank and candid", and wind up with neither side budging.

[biggentleben]

Healthy exchange?

 

Terry Ryan traded his banana for Mike Pelfrey's celery at the team's bag lunch on Sunday.

[Lefty]

A professional would take the job given to him and force the team to make the change.  It bothers me that he feels like the job is his, he hasn't done anything since he's gotten here.  The only thing that should be his is is a ticket elsewhere.

[LeatherAntenna]

My version would go something like yours, but with Terry then asking for his $16 million dollars back.

. When does he have the conversation with the guy making 23 mil that hits 135 singles and four home runs each year?

[tobi0040]

. When does he have the conversation with the guy making 23 mil that hits 135 singles and four home runs each year?

During that conversation, Joe may remind him that among active players he is second in batting average (cabrera) and third in on base (votto and cabrera). The career obp is over 40 percent.

[LeatherAntenna]

And that is worth 23 million?

[stringer bell]

I'm glad to see Pelfrey walked back his earlier comments. I try to take such stuff with a grain of salt. Pelfrey is going to the bullpen and likely will get a shot sometime in the first couple months. It might help Pelfrey's career if he shows he can function out of the bullpen.

[jimmer]

I like what Cleveland did with it's rotation options.  So many options.  No room for Salazar yet (though I might have gone with Salazar over McAllister) but Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer, McAllister and House is a fine rotation with Tomlin and Salazar waiting in the wings.

[USAFChief]

I'm glad to see Pelfrey walked back his earlier comments. I try to take such stuff with a grain of salt. Pelfrey is going to the bullpen and likely will get a shot sometime in the first couple months. It might help Pelfrey's career if he shows he can function out of the bullpen.

I can live with Milone over May. For now. Not what I wanted, but probably a closer call than many of us think.

 

But I really wouldn't understand Pelfrey getting the nod over May or Meyer when they need a starter.

 

Pelfrey should stay were he is. Or get traded, but that would be surprising.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

During that conversation, Joe may remind him that among active players he is second in batting average (cabrera) and third in on base (votto and cabrera). The career obp is over 40 percent.

And over the past 3 years he has hit .302 ... and falling.

[dxpavelka]

 

And that is worth 23 million?

guess so

 

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

 

I'll bet it didn't go real smoothly.  They both aired laundry, and as Terry said, a healthy exchange.  So now that that is out of the way we focus on the future.  Pelf did a good job in relief today. 

 

Yes, both "aired laundry." I wonder if this doesn't play to the best interests of both Pelf, and the Twins. If Pelfery wants to start elsewhere, and Ryan wants to manufacture a trade for a proven reliever, why not spill a little ink via the media?

 

There is so little we know from the fan's view. But I wouldn't put it past Ryan and Pelfery to put on their little media show, and then give each other a high-five behind closed doors. If no one team takes the bait, Pelf goes to the pen. That's all.

 

If Ryan wasn't a willing partner in the ruse, Pelfery's desire to start for another club is still advanced. Pelfery played his bargaining chip, and then offered a mea culpa behind closed doors. "I'll behave. I'll pitch in the pen."

 

Meanwhile, other teams are shopping for pitchers to fill the back end of their rotations BEFORE the season begins...

[tobi0040]

 

 

And that is worth 23 million?

 

The short answer is no. 

 

The long answer is in relation to Pelfrey, Mauer has at least proved to be an MLB caliber player and an above average one at that.

 

He has been worth $23M once in his career. But that feedback session should be between Jim Pohlad and Bill Smith rather than Joe Mauer and Terry Ryan.  How many people would not sign a bloated contract based upon an out of this world year?  I would sign as quickly as possible and ensure that sucker was notarized.

[Squirrel]

Mod note: Let's keep on track here. This thread is not about Mauer. You are more than welcome to start a new, and yet another, thread on Mauer, but let's keep this thread to the topic at hand. Thanks.

[tobi0040]

 

Yes, both "aired laundry." I wonder if this doesn't play to the best interests of both Pelf, and the Twins. If Pelfery wants to start elsewhere, and Ryan wants to manufacture a trade for a proven reliever, why not spill a little ink via the media?

 

 

There is so little we know from the fan's view. But I wouldn't put it past Ryan and Pelfery to put on their little media show, and then give each other a high-five behind closed doors. If no one team takes the bait, Pelf goes to the pen. That's all.

 

 

Doesn't this assume that

 

1) A market exists for Pelfry and

 

2) This move hasn't been made because the rest of the league has been unaware we would trade him?

 

 

[Shane Wahl]

Why does anyone care about how Mike Pelfrey is taking this? He has been a terrible pitcher for the Twins. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Yes, both "aired laundry." I wonder if this doesn't play to the best interests of both Pelf, and the Twins. If Pelfery wants to start elsewhere, and Ryan wants to manufacture a trade for a proven reliever, why not spill a little ink via the media?

 

There is so little we know from the fan's view. But I wouldn't put it past Ryan and Pelfery to put on their little media show, and then give each other a high-five behind closed doors. If no one team takes the bait, Pelf goes to the pen. That's all.

In addition to tobi's comments above, I'll say this: everyone has known we'd be willing to deal a starter since at least December 13th (the date of the Ervin Santana signing, on the heels of tendering Milone an arbitration contract).  And that Pelfrey would be the easiest for us to part with (shortest contract, worst recent health/performance-to-salary ratio).

 

The theatrics are completely superfluous in this case.  In fact, maybe they even slightly lessen what precious little leverage we may have had in trying to trade him, since it is now abundantly clear the Twins had no particular desire to convert Pelfrey into a reliever.

 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Think this all much to do about nothing, for the most part. Not many guys, let alone veterans, handle demotions of any kind well. He probably convinced himself that it came down to his spring training numbers vs the competition, and thought he earned/deserved the job.

Human nature to be selective in how and what you use to justify your roles. I'm guessing he felt all the bad should be forgotten, and only his spring numbers looked at.