Berardino: Late Bullpen Additions Don't Appear a Priority

[East Coast Twin]

Terry Ryan talked at the Grapefruit League media day about the Twins lack of bullpen acquisitions.  Ryan stated that the Twins would likely carry seven guys in the bullpen and that four, possibly five, players were "pretty well" locked in to start the season in the pen.  Ryan goes on to state several times (quoted below) that he needs to "sort out" which minor leaguers are able to contribute to the Twins bullpen. 

 

'We have so many arms out there,' Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Friday at Grapefruit League media day. 'We have so many people that we have to sort out.'

 

'We’ve got 10 left-handers out there, and about eight of them are guys that at least you’d consider,' he said. 'Let’s sort it out.'

 

'I got to find out,' Ryan said. 'Some are out of options, and some have pretty much solved Triple-A. I got to find out.'

 

 

 

http://www.twincities.com/2016/02/19/twins-notes-late-bullpen-additions-dont-appear-a-priority/

[gunnarthor]

Spring training should be fun.  Hopefully several of the young arms step up this year. 

[nicksaviking]

"Some are out of options, and some have pretty much solved AAA."

 

The first part sounds like Tonkin and second part Rodgers? Who else has solved AAA? I guess that describes Perkins, Jepsen, Fien and Nolasco, technically.

[Platoon]

It's gonna be one of the most fun springs in years, actually more likely all the way into the first third of the season while they sort out a roster.

[Blake]

So, Ryan is basically saying it's time to really get going with the youth movement.

 

Setting the table for next year.

 

Find out where the farm system has fallen short this year and fill in from the free-agent market in the off-season.

 

If things go well this year, the trade deadline could be really interesting.

 

Sounds good to me.

 

 

[howieramone2]

 

"Some are out of options, and some have pretty much solved AAA."

The first part sounds like Tonkin and second part Rodgers? Who else has solved AAA? I guess that describes Perkins, Jepsen, Fien and Nolasco, technically.

Pressly and Meyer. No doubt we will be somewhere in the middle this season with the bullpen and take the leap in 2017. Not just any organization can completely rebuild a mid-market team in less than 4 years and still have a pipeline which is crowded at the top.

[Thrylos]

I just want someone to hold Ryan accountable for this, both ways...

[Otto von Ballpark]

So, Ryan is basically saying it's time to really get going with the youth movement.

 

Setting the table for next year.

 

Find out where the farm system has fallen short this year and fill in from the free-agent market in the off-season.

 

If things go well this year, the trade deadline could be really interesting.

 

Sounds good to me.

Not sure if that is what Ryan is saying at all. Out of options is Tonkin, mastered AAA is probably Pressly, and the reference to 10 lefthanders almost certainly leads with Abad, and includes Boshers, Strong, Darnell, etc. Thanks to our inactivity, those are the primary options for the last one or two pen spots, that has been known for some time.

 

I doubt we'll get any strong indication that an aggressive youth movement is the plan until it is actually underway.

[howieramone2]

 

Not sure if that is what Ryan is saying at all. Out of options is Tonkin, mastered AAA is probably Pressly, and the reference to 10 lefthanders almost certainly leads with Abad, and includes Boshers, Strong, Darnell, etc. Thanks to our inactivity, those are the primary options for the last one or two pen spots, that has been known for some time.

I doubt we'll get any strong indication that an aggressive youth movement is the plan until it is actually underway.

Both TR and King Theo rebuilt their respective teams in less than 4 years and neither has announced a youth movement. Both have bigger fish to fry.

[Rosterman]

The arms are there for a bullpen. Is it the best bullpen possible? Possibly not. But there are enough arms that the Twins will be able to run a regular shuttle service between Minnesota and New York.

[Brock Beauchamp]

If Alex Meyer or Nick Burdi breaks camp with the team, that makes the offseason's lack of bullpen acquisitions slightly more palatable.

[twinsajsf]

"Late Bullpen Additions Don't Appear a Priority".  Thank goodness!  There's no one still out there that is even remotely attractive.  And for that matter, the only FA bullpen contract that, from a team standpoint, was reasonably good was Bastardo at 2 x $6M.  I would have given him that, BUT would he have taken that from the Twins instead of staying with the Pirates, where he already was comfortable and where every pitcher seems to love being, or would WE have had to come up with more $'s and/or years to pry him away.  We'll never know, but whatever, let's find out if any of the young guys can stick and be good or better MLB relievers. I'm fine with that. 

[drjim]

 

If Alex Meyer or Nick Burdi breaks camp with the team, that makes the offseason's lack of bullpen acquisitions slightly more palatable.

 

Chargois would break camp ahead of Burdi, but we are likely looking at one (or more) of Meyer, Pressly, Rogers and/or Tonkin.

[drjim]

 

"Late Bullpen Additions Don't Appear a Priority".  Thank goodness!  There's no one still out there that is even remotely attractive.  And for that matter, the only FA bullpen contract that, from a team standpoint, was reasonably good was Bastardo at 2 x $6M.  I would have given him that, BUT would he have taken that from the Twins instead of staying with the Pirates, where he already was comfortable and where every pitcher seems to love being, or would WE have had to come up with more $'s and/or years to pry him away.  We'll never know, but whatever, let's find out if any of the young guys can stick and be good or better MLB relievers. I'm fine with that. 

 

I would have preferred a better lefty option, but I agree that with Perkins, Jepsen and May likely locked into the back of the pen, I would rather roll with the younger guys for the last couple of spots than sign a free agent.

 

Of course, Fien and probably Nolasco are likely two of those spots out of camp. But there is enough depth to bump them after a couple of months.

[Otto von Ballpark]

"Late Bullpen Additions Don't Appear a Priority". Thank goodness! There's no one still out there that is even remotely attractive. And for that matter, the only FA bullpen contract that, from a team standpoint, was reasonably good was Bastardo at 2 x $6M. I would have given him that, BUT would he have taken that from the Twins instead of staying with the Pirates, where he already was comfortable and where every pitcher seems to love being, or would WE have had to come up with more $'s and/or years to pry him away. We'll never know, but whatever, let's find out if any of the young guys can stick and be good or better MLB relievers. I'm fine with that.

FYI, Bastardo didn't stay with the Pirates, he signed with the Mets.

 

I think there were others that could have helped the Twins, notably Lowe, but agree no one left on the FA relief market interests me.

[magiklair]

Were putting the bar pretty high this year again.. As I've said before, give Bill Smith the checkbook. ..

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

If Alex Meyer or Nick Burdi breaks camp with the team, that makes the offseason's lack of bullpen acquisitions slightly more palatable.

Barring injuries, there is essentially zero chance of either of those guys breaking camp with the team.

[Kwak]

"Late Bullpen Additions Don't Appear a Priority"?  No!  They wait until July to see if:  they want someone who is available at an acceptable price--rather than commit to an also ran. 

[drjim]

 

Barring injuries, there is essentially zero chance of either of those guys breaking camp with the team.

 

Agree on Burdi, don't think that is true for Meyer.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Agree on Burdi, don't think that is true for Meyer.

I based that opinion on listening to the Reusse podcast, on my unerring Terry Ryan mind reading abilities, and on the fact there are too many bodies on the pitching staff already (Ryan's 3-4 "locks", Tonkin out of options, loser of Nolasco/Milone 5th starter competition goes to the pen, etc) and frankly, there are better pitchers than Meyer at this point. Hopefully Meyer makes the decision difficult.

[drjim]

I based that opinion on listening to the Reusse podcast, on my unerring Terry Ryan mind reading abilities, and on the fact there are too many bodies on the pitching staff already (Ryan's 3-4 "locks", Tonkin out of options, loser of Nolasco/Milone 5th starter competition goes to the pen, etc) and frankly, there are better pitchers than Meyer at this point. Hopefully Meyer makes the decision difficult.

If people are clearly better than Meyer obviously he won't make it.

 

I think they would like to see Tonkin do well but if he doesn't they'll dfa him and not worry too much about it.

 

I do think Nolasco and Milone are on the roster in some capacity. The underrated battle is that Duffey is far from guaranteed a spot, Nolasco and Milone could absolutely beat him out for the last rotation spots.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Barring injuries, there is essentially zero chance of either of those guys breaking camp with the team.

Burdi is definitely an outsider but why would Meyer have zero chance to break with the team? He is a former top prospect with a few innings of MLB experience. If Meyer has no chance to break north with the team, who does?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Burdi is definitely an outsider but why would Meyer have zero chance to break with the team? He is a former top prospect with a few innings of MLB experience. If Meyer has no chance to break north with the team, who does?

Going with a 7 guy bullpen, here are Ryan's three locks:

1. Perkins
2. Jepsen
3. May

 

Then there's:
4. Fien, and
5. The loser of the Milone/Nolasco/Duffey battle

 

6. Abad (people have presented some good evidence that he is likely to get a spot)

 

That leaves only one more spot for everyone else, and Meyer has options. If Abad make the team, I would put the chance of Meyer making it at 1-5% but would be happy to be wrong. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

You're assuming everyone makes it through ST healthy and ready to pitch. There's a lot that can happen between now and the beginning of April.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

You're assuming everyone makes it through ST healthy and ready to pitch. There's a lot that can happen between now and the beginning of April.

Yes, I said "barring injuries" so yes I am assuming that no one gets hurt and Meyer starts in AAA. 

 

I see a lot of people flip it around and assume that players are going to drop like flies with injuries during spring training. True, Santana was suspended late last spring, but that was more of an aberration.

[USAFChief]

The "locks" aren't guaranteed to make it through camp healthy.

 

Not to mention, making the team is one thing. Being an actual asset out of the pen is another.

 

I'll repeat from another thread...my bet is if this team is anywhere near contention, they'll be looking for bullpen help from outside the organization by mid summer. I would have rather had that help on board from day one, and at the cost of money rather than minor league talent, or at least in offseason prices or talent rather than the mid season sellers market.

 

Too late now though, hope it works out.

[Monkeypaws]

 

It's gonna be one of the most fun springs in years, actually more likely all the way into the first third of the season while they sort out a roster.

 

I think this one and next years will be the spring trainings where the benefits of a loaded farm system will render signing Bartletts, Quentins, and Abads obsolete.

 

 

I'm a believer in this current batch of top prospects. 

 

I'm also a believer that our minor league coaches are doing a great job of developing them as well.

 

If this could become a smooth running machine, look out. I know 29 other teams are hoping for the same thing, but prospect depth doesn't happen in a day, right White Sox?

[jimbo92107]

I just want to see somebody in the bullpen that can throw a baseball in the upper 90s. Meyer, Burdi, Chargois, whoever. Seems like the Twins minor leagues are brimming with flame throwers. Can't one of them get guys out?

[Platoon]

If Alex Meyer or Nick Burdi breaks camp with the team, that makes the offseason's lack of bullpen acquisitions slightly more palatable.

Agree completely! But it's the "if" word that concerns me. Sooner or later at least Burdi will be here. And if Meyer actually makes it, it will denote a major philosophical change in the way themTwins think about pitching. Whoops, there was that word, "if", again!

[Platoon]

I really think Duffey will start the year in AAA. The Twins often take the path of least resistance, and least expense. Barring any unknowns, putting Nolasco in the pen, or eating his salary fit neither of those profiles.