Nick Blackburn Promoted to Twins

[IdahoPilgrim]

I doubt you'll see Hendriks back up this year. Terry Ryan said yesterday that he had gone to see Hendriks pitch and, while the numbers have looked good, he's still doing the same things that got him in trouble in the majors. There are some mistakes you can get away with in Triple-A that you can't in the big leagues. He apparently knows what he needs to work on, but hasn't gotten it figured out yet.

 

It sounds like once he gets that stuff figured out, he can be a stable part of the rotation - nothing flashy, but stable.

[DPJ]

It sounds like once he gets that stuff figured out, he can be a stable part of the rotation - nothing flashy, but stable.

So keep trotting out Blackburn, the AAAA all-stars and random scrap heap signings instead of the somewhat well reguarded prospect who's MLB ready. Hell and I don't even think much of Hendriks, but I'd rather see him take him lumps then some other **** arms that have no future in this organization.

 

Why the hell would they not call him up and let him take his lumps, this is what dumb franchises do.

[Boom Boom]

The fact of the matter is that Blackburn is under contract through next year and no one will trade for him. He'll continue to get every chance regardless of how he performs.

[cr9617]

I really don't understand why Blackburn has become public enemy number 1.

When healty the guy has proven to be a decent #5. The best thing that can happen with him is that he can return to form so the Twins don't have to trot in another Marquis, Ortiz or Hernadez to fill in the back end of the rotation next year, and rather they can focus on acquiring a front line starter or two.

He's healthy, and he's the worst starter in the Majors. He hasn't been decent for going on 3 years, which may as well be 30 years.

 

And even if he does have one start where he doesn't get ripped, you know damn well he will get pummeled in the next start. Seriously, who gets hit more viciously than this guy?

[DaveW]

He's healthy, and he's the worst starter in the Majors. He hasn't been decent for going on 3 years, which may as well be 30 years.

 

And even if he does have one start where he doesn't get ripped, you know damn well he will get pummeled in the next start. Seriously, who gets hit more viciously than this guy?

Last year he had a 4.49 ERA, while not earth shattering that isn't that awful for a #5. From 2008-2011 he averaged 177 IP with a 4.45 ERA.

 

He has obviously been bugged by an injury this year, there is no reason why he can't get back to a 4.50 ERA moving forward.

[DPJ]

Last year he had a 4.49 ERA, while not earth shattering that isn't that awful for a #5. From 2008-2011 he averaged 177 IP with a 4.45 ERA.

 

He has obviously been bugged by an injury this year, there is no reason why he can't get back to a 4.50 ERA moving forward.

Even when Blackburn was pitching well he put up some of the most worst peripheral stats I've ever seen. How he pitched to a 4 ERA those first two seasons is a god damn miracle. His walk rate has gone way up for a pitch who lives on contact and his HR rate has doubled.

 

There's plenty of reason why he can't get back to a 4.50 ERA moving forward.

[nokomismod]

I'm rooting for Blackburn to figure it out, but the odds are not great. I wish they would stick with Duensing for two more starts though and release Deduno (Didyouknow, DeNoNo, DeUhOh).

[DaveW]

Even when Blackburn was pitching well he put up some of the most worst peripheral stats I've ever seen. How he pitched to a 4 ERA those first two seasons is a god damn miracle. His walk rate has gone way up for a pitch who lives on contact and his HR rate has doubled.

 

There's plenty of reason why he can't get back to a 4.50 ERA moving forward.

His walk rate definately needs to come down for him to be effective again, agree 100% on that.

Yes he did out pitch his FIP and xFIP in 2008 and 2009, but even then those 4 numbers were between 4.37-4.49. In 2010 his xFIP was 4.46 and last year it was 4.32. Even factoring in this rough year his career xFIP is 4.48. That is why I think if he can come back healthy and lower his walk rate he can give us 170 IP and a 4.50 ERA. If he does that you are looking at a 1.0-1.5 WAR player, which you can live with out of your #5.

 

It's an extremely SSS but in his 4 starts at AAA he did lower his walk rate and was pretty effective. So there is so hope, run him out there for another 5-6 starts and if he continues to pitch awful then by all means DFA if you have someone better on the roster, at this point the Twins probably don't.

[DPJ]

It's an extremely SSS but in his 4 starts at AAA he did lower his walk rate and was pretty effective. So there is so hope, run him out there for another 5-6 starts and if he continues to pitch awful then by all means DFA if you have someone better on the roster, at this point the Twins probably don't.

 

Dig deeper into Blackburns MiLB numbers and you'll see he still didn't strike out anyone, his walk rate wasn't great but better (that will happen when facing AAA players) He ground ball rate wasn't great, the only thing he did better was not give up homers. SSS yes, but the same problems he had in the majors are still happening in the minors. He's just an ungodly hittable pitcher who throws a pitch and crosses his fingers it stays in the park.

 

At this point Liam is a better pitcher cause he had atleast has a future with this club, Blackburn is only around cause the Twins front office is made up of idiots that though giving an ultra hittable pitcher 14 million was a good idea. Liam should be up taking his lumps good or bad to see if he has a future with this club. Figure out if he can hold down a spot or is it one more hole to fill going into 2013.

[Mike Sixel]

The question should be, will Hendriks be better next year by pitching here, or dominating AAA? I have no idea, but given their track record lately, I don't trust them much to do the right thing right now. Hopefully that changes somehow....

[Brock Beauchamp]

The question should be, will Hendriks be better next year by pitching here, or dominating AAA? I have no idea, but given their track record lately, I don't trust them much to do the right thing right now. Hopefully that changes somehow....

If it's something specific they want to see fixed, I have no problems with him sitting in Rochester for awhile. If they're trying to overhaul him as a pitcher for some unknown reason, my opinion changes drastically.

[cr9617]

His walk rate definately needs to come down for him to be effective again, agree 100% on that.

Yes he did out pitch his FIP and xFIP in 2008 and 2009, but even then those 4 numbers were between 4.37-4.49. In 2010 his xFIP was 4.46 and last year it was 4.32. Even factoring in this rough year his career xFIP is 4.48. That is why I think if he can come back healthy and lower his walk rate he can give us 170 IP and a 4.50 ERA. If he does that you are looking at a 1.0-1.5 WAR player, which you can live with out of your #5.

 

It's an extremely SSS but in his 4 starts at AAA he did lower his walk rate and was pretty effective. So there is so hope, run him out there for another 5-6 starts and if he continues to pitch awful then by all means DFA if you have someone better on the roster, at this point the Twins probably don't.

 

You are trying waaay too hard to defend him. At this point, he's worthless. Actually, he's less than worthless because we are still committed to another year of this garbage.

[IdahoPilgrim]

So keep trotting out Blackburn, the AAAA all-stars and random scrap heap signings instead of the somewhat well reguarded prospect who's MLB ready.

That's the point - he's not.

[DaveW]

You are trying waaay too hard to defend him. At this point, he's worthless. Actually, he's less than worthless because we are still committed to another year of this garbage.

I'm pointing out his career stats, I'm not defending him or saying him is some sure thing great pitcher. I am saying it would be best for the Twins if he could come back and post a 4.50 ERA as a #5 pitcher. I'd much rather have that then them go out and waste money on the next Marquis would would put up a similar line. The money is already owed to Blackburn at this point, I'd at least like to see him recoup a little bit of the value. If he puts up a 4.50 ERA next year maybe we could even flip him next year at the deadline for a C level prospect.

[DaveW]

At this point Liam is a better pitcher cause he had atleast has a future with this club, Blackburn is only around cause the Twins front office is made up of idiots that though giving an ultra hittable pitcher 14 million was a good idea. Liam should be up taking his lumps good or bad to see if he has a future with this club. Figure out if he can hold down a spot or is it one more hole to fill going into 2013.

I agree with this 100%.

However once Liriano is gone, and hell even before that there is plenty of room for both Hendriks AND Blackburn in the rotation. It's not like Blackburn is blocking Liam at all.

 

August 1st we are looking at this for a rotation:

 

1. Diamond

2. Walters??

3. Hendriks??

4. DeVries??

5. Blackburn??

 

If you wanted to make the argument that Swarzak or Duensing should be getting starts over Blackburn I guess you could, but I think both are much better served in the pen.

[DPJ]

That's the point - he's not.

So unless you come up and pitch well right away as a rookie you're not MLB ready?

 

He's pitched 100+ very good innings at Rochester, the major league team is rolling out the corpse of Nick Blackburn for the 50th time and crossing there fingers. Why the hell would a team (in a losing season) not commit to it's best pitching prospect for the season. There's nothnig to lose, so commit to the kid and see if he's got a role in 2013 or not.

[Yoshii]

I agree with this 100%.

However once Liriano is gone, and hell even before that there is plenty of room for both Hendriks AND Blackburn in the rotation. It's not like Blackburn is blocking Liam at all.

 

August 1st we are looking at this for a rotation:

 

1. Diamond

2. Walters??

3. Hendriks??

4. DeVries??

5. Blackburn??

 

If you wanted to make the argument that Swarzak or Duensing should be getting starts over Blackburn I guess you could, but I think both are much better served in the pen.

 

 

 

What a terrible terrible rotation...sad year for the Twins. All of these guys are soo bad, I don't think WAR wise replacing anyone of them with someone in our AAA or someone in the bullpen that we have already used is going to win us any more games at this point. You can rotate them in and out as much as you like. I say sell them all.

[Rick Niedermann]

I'm ok with giving Blackburn yet one more chance. But please do not subject us to Jeff Manship ever again. Stay with Deduno over this guy. He can't pitch at the major league level. That has been proven time after time.

[Guest USAFChief]

I agree with this 100%.

However once Liriano is gone, and hell even before that there is plenty of room for both Hendriks AND Blackburn in the rotation. It's not like Blackburn is blocking Liam at all.

 

August 1st we are looking at this for a rotation:

 

1. Diamond

2. Walters??

3. Hendriks??

4. DeVries??

5. Blackburn??

 

If you wanted to make the argument that Swarzak or Duensing should be getting starts over Blackburn I guess you could, but I think both are much better served in the pen.

You can look at that five man rotation and STILL argue for dumping Liriano?

[JB_Iowa]

It is a lost season anyway.

 

If Hendriks is part of the long-term solution for this team, I'd prefer him to be working with Cuellar in Rochester especially if he would be getting bombed in the majors.

 

And I'd really like to see Duensing back in the pen where he seems to be effective. The Twins are on the line for Blackburn's salary anyway -- and I really don't see him as a long-term solution for this team so let him get bombed and frustrated. But the likelihood is that he will figure it out for 2 or 3 starts before he gets really bad again. That seems to be a pattern with him.

[notoriousgod71]

I agree with this 100%.

However once Liriano is gone, and hell even before that there is plenty of room for both Hendriks AND Blackburn in the rotation. It's not like Blackburn is blocking Liam at all.

 

August 1st we are looking at this for a rotation:

 

1. Diamond

2. Walters??

3. Hendriks??

4. DeVries??

5. Blackburn??

 

If you wanted to make the argument that Swarzak or Duensing should be getting starts over Blackburn I guess you could, but I think both are much better served in the pen.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to laugh or cry at this rotation.

[snepp]

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to laugh or cry at this rotation.

I laughed....until I cried.

[Brock Beauchamp]

You can look at that five man rotation and STILL argue for dumping Liriano?

If they don't think they can re-sign him for a reasonable amount, sure. If it's going to take 3/30 to keep Liriano, I think that money is better spent on another FA pitcher.

[Blackjack]

Hendricks will be back sometime before the season is over. It may be Sept. 1. A big part of pitching is confidence, is it better to keep getting bombed in the majors or dominate in AAA? Let him work out a few kinks, they'll call him up when hes ready.

 

Blackburn is up because they have very few other options. Hopefully he has HIS confidence back!!!

[Badsmerf]

Hendricks will be back sometime before the season is over. It may be Sept. 1. A big part of pitching is confidence, is it better to keep getting bombed in the majors or dominate in AAA? Let him work out a few kinks, they'll call him up when hes ready.

 

Blackburn is up because they have very few other options. Hopefully he has HIS confidence back!!!

That's the point, what does he have to work out? He doesn't have any competition in AAA. Its just stupid the year he's had there. He need to get confidence with the Twins. He needs to learn to pitch against MLB hitters. He needs to be with the Twins. Trotting De Vries, Walters and Deduno out there before him is a joke.

[IdahoPilgrim]

That's the point, what does he have to work out? He doesn't have any competition in AAA. Its just stupid the year he's had there. He need to get confidence with the Twins. He needs to learn to pitch against MLB hitters. He needs to be with the Twins. Trotting De Vries, Walters and Deduno out there before him is a joke.

In the interview Ryan gave yesterday, it sounded like he does indeed have somehthing to work out - it isn't just about confidence or getting experience with MLB hitters. If they saw something that needs correction, than Rochester is a good place to work on that, get it down pat, then bring it up to the bigs.

[DaveW]

You can look at that five man rotation and STILL argue for dumping Liriano?

I'd still prefer they sign him to a 2-3 yeard deal. But at this point you either gotta sign him now or move him for a solid prospect.

[Badsmerf]

In the interview Ryan gave yesterday, it sounded like he does indeed have somehthing to work out - it isn't just about confidence or getting experience with MLB hitters. If they saw something that needs correction, than Rochester is a good place to work on that, get it down pat, then bring it up to the bigs.

Guess I didn't hear this. Makes more sense this way.

[Nick Nelson]

I'd still prefer they sign him to a 2-3 yeard deal. But at this point you either gotta sign him now or move him for a solid prospect.

Why not move him for a solid prospect now and sign him during the offseason?

[ashbury]

This is just people barely alive trying to get on the cap sized lifeboat.

That is either a very large cap or a very small boat.