Berardino: Twins place Milone and Fien on waviers

[Mike Sixel]

Remember, just a few months ago, this GM offered them arbitration......unreal. When do all these bad decisions add up?

[spinowner]

 

So, is this based on the team wanting to shuffle the roster or Milone pouting about being in the bullpen?  I wonder where the impetus for that started.

 

We heard all offseason about how crucial and underrated Milone is and here we are 5 days into April and the guy that bumped May from the rotation is one step short of being given away for nothing.  That's, by far, the worst part of this.  We built our roster, in part, around Milone.

 

I'm glad the team is correcting mistakes, but holy christmas.....we should expect our administration to avoid mistakes altogether not make continually make the same ones.

As has been posted, I don't think it was unreasonable to think Milone could fill a back-of-the-rotation role. He didn't sulk last year when he got sent down and I would be surprised if he didn't keep any ill will about the bullpen move completely to himself. I think Milone's DFA is a combination of wanting to shake up the roster and TR, PM and NA seeing something that makes them think Milone's best days are behind him.

[Kwak]

Moving the deck chairs on the Titanic.  Queue the band.

[bluechipper]

 

Speculation - I have no basis for it.  I'm just wondering out loud if that's what is going to come out.

If I remember right, I think he asked for a trade when Oakland sent him to AAA.

[markos]

I'm surprised that Milone was waived, and I don't doubt that some team will pick him and his salary up. In fact, I would be surprised if he made it to the NL portion of the waiver wire. His ERA is terrible, but that is almost entirely based on a high BABIP (.313 vs .294 career average), high LOB% (61.5% vs 72% career average), and an extremely high HR/FB rate (23.8% - twice his career average). Those all are among the noisiest stats in small samples. The rest of his peripherals (the ones that stabilize quicker) are solid - he actually has the highest K% and GB% of his career. 

 

And consider this alternate history:

1) Against the Angels, instead of allowing Milone to face the heart of the order for the 3rd time, they just thank him for the six solid innings and bring in a reliever to start the 7th. Two fewer homers and three fewer runs allowed.

2) Against the Brewers, Tonkin actually gets Braun out rather than walking him and then allowing the double to Lucroy. Three fewer runs charged to Milone.

Those two changes - both totally reasonable and mostly out of Milone's control - would have him with a 3.50 ERA and a 4.00 FIP. Maybe he still gets dumped in that case, but I doubt it.

 

On second thought, it doesn't surprise me that this organization wouldn't look past ERA.

[TheLeviathan]

 

As has been posted, I don't think it was unreasonable to think Milone could fill a back-of-the-rotation role. He didn't sulk last year when he got sent down and I would be surprised if he didn't keep any ill will about the bullpen move completely to himself. I think Milone's DFA is a combination of wanting to shake up the roster and TR, PM and NA seeing something that makes them think Milone's best days are behind him.

 

Bringing him in to compete is fine.  To default to him over Trevor May is the problem.  And now May is in a place he has publicly stated to be uncomfortable in and Milone is on waivers.

[markos]

 

Remember, just a few months ago, this GM offered them arbitration......unreal. When do all these bad decisions add up?

Fien yes, Milone not so much. Considering the cost of starting pitching during the offseason, I think almost every organization would have brought Milone back for $4.5M.

[PseudoSABR]

This is the right move, and be glad the Twins were willing to eat the money -- whining about the sunk-cost or the arbitration rationale doesn't take away from this being the right move.  (Heck they could pass through waivers and still chose to be part of the organization; it's not impossible that either of the two might contribute later in the season.)

[Danchat]

 

Mastro and Chargois up, Eddie Rosario down?

Rosario going down makes sense, but Murphy needs to go down. There's no reason to keep 3 catchers.

 

This is what I'm thinking:

Down

Fien

Milone

Murphy

 

Up 

Centeno

Mastroianni

Chargois

 

If Rosario also goes down, then who comes up? Another reliever?

 

Edit: Also, I just wanted to mention that Mastro is hitting .208/.330/.247 in AAA. Ugh.

[TheLeviathan]

Let's not work too hard to pat the Twins on the back here.  This is like praising your kid for calling the tow truck after he rammed the car into a tree.

[DocBauer]

I guess it's not really going to matter this season but I wish we had at least one lefty in the rotation. Taylor Rogers is the closest thing to that currently on the roster. Nothing against him but a trade would probably be required to make that happen.

I agree. I'd always like my rotation to have a lefty in it. Ideally, you'd have two, one very good and one at least solid. And the Twins actually have had this at times in the past. But I'd much rather go all RH if my best arms threw that way. And I believe that is indeed the case. Especially now when you have Berrios, Duffey hopefully finding himself again, and Meyer hopefully determined back at Rochester to force his way back up.

 

Gonsalves in another year or so.

[spinowner]

 

Bringing him in to compete is fine.  To default to him over Trevor May is the problem.  And now May is in a place he has publicly stated to be uncomfortable in and Milone is on waivers.

I don't disagree. And I don't think this is the last shake-up of the pitching staff we're going to see. May may yet wind up in the rotation this year.

[markos]

Also, it is probably worth pointing out that Milone is the one incumbent starter that has a good chance of actually getting claimed, and thereby having some other organization pick up his salary. And if he doesn't get claimed, they can send him down to AAA. Nolasco, Hughes, Santana are all much less likely to be claimed (due to salary) and would have the option to be released if unclaimed - which means the Twins would still be on the hook for the rest of their salaries. So even if one thought that Milone is better than Nolasco/Hughes going forward, from a business perspective it is a no brainer. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

I don't disagree. And I don't think this is the last shake-up of the pitching staff we're going to see. May may yet wind up in the rotation this year.

 

Personally, I'd like to see that happen right now, but I'll take it when I can get it I guess.

[Squirrel]

 

Let's not work too hard to pat the Twins on the back here.  This is like praising your kid for calling the tow truck after he rammed the car into a tree.

Well, better than walking away from it and doing nothing. I don't think people are praising the Twins ... just glad it was done, finally.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Well, better than walking away from it and doing nothing. I don't think people are praising the Twins ... just glad it was done, finally.

 

There are a few posts walking that line.  I can get behind the idea that at least we aren't being complacent but let's keep in mind that this course correction is necessary because of some really obviously bad decisions that people have been talking about since November.

[spinowner]

The more I think about it, the more this looks like the first of several seller-position moves that will be happening between now and July 31. I would not be surprised if Hughes, Nolasco and E. Santana are wearing different unis by then. That gives us a rotation of, in alphabetical order, Berrios, Duffey, Gibson, May, Meyer.

[DocBauer]

Bringing him in to compete is fine.  To default to him over Trevor May is the problem.  And now May is in a place he has publicly stated to be uncomfortable in and Milone is on waivers.

This still sticks in my craw!

 

In truth, right now, May might be our best option to find a closer. Maybe he'd take to the job? I know it's spilled milk and has been rehashed to death at this point, and I still sort of get a temporary move last year even if I didn't approve, but why this year??? Until the young prospects are actually ready, or at least close, how in hell could a rebuilding/retooling team that has had a time developing quality SP not keep a talented young SP in the rotation?

 

I mean, really, Nolasco and Milone have better stuff and a future with the club in the rotation but May doesnt???

 

Deep breath Doc...deep breath...deep breath.

[Squirrel]

 

The more I think about it, the more this looks like the first of several seller-position moves that will be happening between now and July 31. I would not be surprised if Hughes, Nolasco and E. Santana are wearing different unis by then. That gives us a rotation of, in alphabetical order, Berrios, Duffey, Gibson, May, Meyer.

Don't set us up to be hopeful here, all to crash in disappointment!

[DocBauer]

Let's not work too hard to pat the Twins on the back here.  This is like praising your kid for calling the tow truck after he rammed the car into a tree.

PRICELESS!

 

Just about spit my beer out when I read this!

[curt1965]

You hate to see anybody DFA'd, but this is a good move. I can imagine the owners hyperventilating over the loss of fans at the turnstile.

In my world, I wouldn't mind O'Rourke sent down or put on waivers also. He was supposed to be a situational lefty, but Molly has had to use him to eat innings lately, and it hasn't worked out well.

In addition, the catching situation has to be addressed. It was painful to watch Murphy hit in yesterday's game: every plate appearance was critical (what-11 runners stranded?), and it's hard to win games in which you have one position that does not contribute to the offense.

[Shaitan]

Mastro? Really? I don't get that at all, unless he's a warm body for 1-2 days while they figure out another move.

[DocBauer]

Rosario going down makes sense, but Murphy needs to go down. There's no reason to keep 3 catchers.

 

This is what I'm thinking:

Down

Fien

Milone

Murphy

 

Up 

Centeno

Mastroianni

Chargois

 

If Rosario also goes down, then who comes up? Another reliever?

 

Edit: Also, I just wanted to mention that Mastro is hitting .208/.330/.247 in AAA. Ugh.

No excuses for mistakes made in building the roster this past off season...just not going to go there yet again at the moment...but, Mastro did have a solid ST, they know him, he can play defense and PR. So as a temp move, I could see some value for him on the bench.

 

I don't know that Centeno offers any kind of improvement, but, he could allow Murphy to play everyday at Rochester and get his stroke back.

[spinowner]

 

Don't set us up to be hopeful here, all to crash in disappointment!

We can each temper our own hopefulness or hopelessness on our own. As for me, I'm choosing to be hopeful for a tight pennant race everywhere else in order to boost market value for our veterans.

[spinowner]

 

PRICELESS!

Just about spit my beer out when I read this!

I hope you were able to stop yourself. It's always a shame to waste beer.

[spinowner]

 

We can each temper our own hopefulness or hopelessness on our own.

Department of redundancy department.

[DocBauer]

Unless he implodes, Nolasco should provide at least SOMEONE trade value based on career success, especially to a NL team, where he has spent the entirety of his career before joining the Twins. Especially if the Twins throw in some money and maybe a lower level or throw in prospect. (Something I've been advocating) This is something that just HAS to happen.

 

Hughes, and his contract, and untradeable at this point. I really don't get Hughes. He started slow in 2014 before sharpening up and having a great year. And until he got hurt last season, it seemed he was, more or less, doing the same thing. We can only pray he will repeat and begin pitching up to his talent now that a new month has started.

 

I just don't know that there is a market for Santana, not that I would necessarily advocate trading/removing 3/5 of our rotation so soon. There may be a team in need who recognizes Santana's quality career and would like to add him. But 2 1/2 plus years still on his contract, even affordable by today's standards? I just don't know if that is going to happen.

[DocBauer]

I hope you were able to stop yourself. It's always a shame to waste beer.

I agree.

 

Heineken...so I made sure it went down.

[curt1965]

No excuses for mistakes made in building the roster this past off season...just not going to go there yet again at the moment...but, Mastro did have a solid ST, they know him, he can play defense and PR. So as a temp move, I could see some value for him on the bench.

I don't know that Centeno offers any kind of improvement, but, he could allow Murphy to play everyday at Rochester and get his stroke back.

Are you willing to give Mastro one of the 40 man spots? For a player that was already released by 2 teams?

I understand your point about a temporary move, but not for that spot.

[DocBauer]

Are you willing to give Mastro one of the 40 man spots? For a player that was already released by 2 teams?

I understand your point about a temporary move, but not for that spot.

Just guilty of trying to put a positive spin on the move.