Milone/Thielbar Optioned

[Seth Stohs]

To make room for pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Brian Duensing, the Twins optioned LHP Tommy Milone and LHP Caleb Thielbar.

 

No surprise on Thielbar, but there is some surprise with Milone. That said, if they want him to keep starting, I guess it makes sense. 

[gunnarthor]

Yeah, that is a surprise but I like it.  Let him start in AAA, he doesn't really need to be a long reliever for now, anyway.

[Blake]

Quick, the Twins are on a roll, we have to put a stop to this, let's activate Nolasco!

[stringer bell]

These are the moves I wanted to see. I never wanted Milone in the bullpen. He should stay stretched out and be ready when (not if) another starter gets hurt or is ineffective. Outside of yesterday, Thielbar has been unimpressive. He'll probably get more chances before the season is over.

[nicksaviking]

I know most relievers are failed starters, and I'm not even saying Milone was a failure, but you really have to draw the line somewhere.  A MLB team really cannot justify having a guy in the bullpen who tops out at 87-88 MPH with no strikeout pitch.  It just makes no sense.  

 

Starters might be more complete pitchers generally than bullpen guys, but it doesn't mean they automatically would be better in the bullpen.  

[Danchat]

Just had a thought. Who'd rather have Sam Fuld right now rather than Tommy Milone?

[kellyvance]

the As?

[Monkeypaws]

Nolaso = disaster #1

Santana = disaster # 2

Nishi = disatser #3

 

God do Pelfrey and Correia look good!!!!

[Paul Pleiss]

I like both of these moves for the Twins and their bullpen. Hopefully we can see this pen start missing some more bats and taking pressure off of the terrible defense the Twins put out there day after day. And if Nolasco (big IF) can be league average-ish it should help this team. I want to see Nolasco pitching into the 7th and giving up 3 or less.

[drivlikejehu]

Milone is not a Major League pitcher right now. I'm skeptical he will be the best left-handed starter in Rochester's rotation.

[goulik]

Considering what we have seen around here the past 5 years, Milone has put up worthy numbers this year. No, he doesn't blow poeple away and many complain about his Fastball but there are much worse pitchers to make MLB careers.

 

Having said that, on our team this year, this was the right move for now with the numbers others have put up. He was fifth best starter statistically and Nolasco is paid to be in the rotation.

[formerly33]

Well, I guess we're putting Nolasco to the real test today. If he can't lead the Twins to a series win vs the White Sox, then I guess we'd better mark all the rest of his games this season as losses.

 

While I was mad about Milone at first, it's honestly a lot better than moving him to the BP. The Twins are kind of stuck between a rock and a hard spot now because of Nolasco's contract. I wish the A's would volunteer to take him. Especially if they were kind enough to throw in another pitcher like Milone. But they're smart enough to play moneyball.

 

Or maybe we'll find a tumor on Ricky's neck. Or maybe he'll find a new pitch like Pelf.

[Paul Pleiss]

 

Milone is not a Major League pitcher right now. I'm skeptical he will be the best left-handed starter in Rochester's rotation.

 

You're right, he's not a major league pitcher right now, the Twins optioned him to AAA. He has the skills to be a back of the rotation guy for any 2nd division team. The Twins, thanks to free agent spending, trades and player development, for the first time in a long time, have more than 5 guys with better upside than Milone. That's a welcome change of operations for me, and likely for the rest of the fan base as well.

[howieramone2]

Milone is not a Major League pitcher right now. I'm skeptical he will be the best left-handed starter in Rochester's rotation.

Anyway you provide us with some math and science on this?

[drivlikejehu]

 

Anyway you provide us with some math and science on this?

 

Feel free to review his statistics yourself. But, generally speaking, a pitcher without command of his 87 mph fastball and who has one usable secondary pitch... is not a Major League pitcher.

 

Maybe there is a soft throwing pitcher out there who has success while walking a bunch of guys... you have some examples in mind?

[nicksaviking]

 

Feel free to review his statistics yourself. But, generally speaking, a pitcher without command of his 87 mph fastball and who has one usable secondary pitch... is not a Major League pitcher.

 

Maybe there is a soft throwing pitcher out there who has success while walking a bunch of guys... you have some examples in mind?

 

Yup, the first guy has similar velocity but actually a worse BB/9 for his career.  The second guy has a career BB/9 more inline with Milone, but his velocity and K/9 are far superior.  He seems to be a better option but alas the Twins traded him.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1534&position=P

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3411&position=P