Twins looking to add Veterans to Bullpen

[HitInAPinch]

From the Star Tribune: Twins looking for veterans in bullpen.  Some snippets:

 

“It seemed as if the Twins had tremendous arms in the bullpen, but not a lot of experience. A lot of young guys coming out of the bullpen into extremely stressful situations,”

 

"The Twins are shopping, he suggested, for ways to add veterans to the ’pen, and the starting rotation, too."

 

Can't argue with that.  Hopefully, those veteran arms are quality arms and not another round of 'dumpster diving'.

 

http://www.startribune.com/twins-looking-for-veterans-in-bullpen/406686426/

[beckmt]

Do not see the Twins adding rotation pitching from FA.  Would like to see them sign at least one quality piece(Feliz, Holland or someone of that ilk) to help fill out the bullpen.  Price might be too high, but you get what you pay for.  Would be very afraid of starting the season with just about what we had at the end of last season.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Agreed. Rotation help is probably coming through trade, more than likely, as well as switching out Duffey and May. If the Twins can get in on Tyson Ross, great! Otherwise, a piece or two from the free agent ranks in the bullpen will go a long way to helping the roster.

[Mike Sixel]

I truly do not understand the obsession with veterans. Must just be something in the clubhouse that as an outsider I can't understand. I must also just imagine that other teams let younger players play in stressful situations.

[beckmt]

 

I truly do not understand the obsession with veterans. Must just be something in the clubhouse that as an outsider I can't understand. I must also just imagine that other teams let younger players play in stressful situations.

I agree in that I only want high end veterans.  More of the filler types are not needed here.

[nicksaviking]

 

I truly do not understand the obsession with veterans. Must just be something in the clubhouse that as an outsider I can't understand. I must also just imagine that other teams let younger players play in stressful situations.

 

Agreed, perhaps it's a "you'd have to be there to understand" kind of situation for us.

 

For those of us who want to see May get another shot at starting, this news can't hurt though. On a related note, I think Phil Hughes would be considered a veteran. Just saying.

[drjim]

I approve. I'd personally like to see them add a veteran "closer". I think Holland will prove to be too expensive, but a guy like Casilla or possibly Feliz who is looking to re-establish some value and reclaim a role and is willing to take a one year deal to do it. Those are also the best guys to flip at the deadline.

 

Shouldn't be in a hurry though, one of those guys will often slide to January or even February.

[twins_89]

I'd like to see the Twins take a chance and go after Tyson Ross similar to what they did with Hughes a few years ago (a reasonably priced 3 year deal). I'm not sure there are any other free agent starters that would be worth signing.

 

For the bullpen, Feliz has always seemed like the ideal target. He falls right in the range that the Twins should be looking at (he's a good but not elite reliever).

[jimmer]

Holland hasn't pitched in a year and didn't pitch that well in 2015.  He should be looking to establish himself again on a 1 year deal, not costing a ton.

[drjim]

 

Holland hasn't pitched in a year and didn't pitch that well in 2015.  He should be looking to establish himself again on a 1 year deal, not costing a ton.

 

I would agree, but it just seems there is more steam on him with more competitive teams. I would be really happy if they targeted him.

[Gheggs08]

I hope they get Feliz, and I hope he becomes the closer. What do you guys think Duffey would top out at with his fastball if moved to the pen? I think if he can add a few ticks to that fastball he could be a solid bullpen piece moving forward, he's got a nasty breaking ball. 

[TheLeviathan]

Absolutely - sign em and flip em in July.

[Vanimal46]

They still need a closer - Holland, Feliz, pick your favorite reclamation project

 

I also wouldn't mind 1 veteran starter that could be flipped in July when Mejia/Gonsalves or whoever from AAA is ready for an MLB rotation spot. 

[Willihammer]

****e Sox signed Holland yesterday folks. 1 year / $6m with incentives.

 

edit: D'oh nevermind it was Derek HOlland they signed not Greg.

[DocBauer]

Feliz. He's only 28, our new GM is already familiar with him as well. He could be flipped at the deadline, or, considering his age even be re-signed.

 

You never know if a guy can thrive as a closer until he gets his shot, but someone like Feliz means you don't have to press Chargois or Pressly or anyone else in to the role. They can set up, audition here and there, then take over.

 

Nothing wrong with a strong pen to hold any leads our young team will have, and said strong pen can help balance a weak rotation.

[mikelink45]

Why bother.  This is not to build for 2017.  Even in our most optimistic winter forgetfulness we know that the Twins are not going to win next season.  Use the young arms and let them become veterans.  Somehow I cannot see a veteran arm in the bullpen giving us 20 more wins.

[nicksaviking]

 

I would agree, but it just seems there is more steam on him with more competitive teams. I would be really happy if they targeted him.

 

That likely only means his money will be higher, not the years. It really shouldn't matter if he gets $4M or $10M if it's only one year, that's not prohibitive for any team.

[Vanimal46]

 

Why bother.  This is not to build for 2017.  Even in our most optimistic winter forgetfulness we know that the Twins are not going to win next season.  Use the young arms and let them become veterans.  Somehow I cannot see a veteran arm in the bullpen giving us 20 more wins.

It felt like last year the bullpen blew at least 20 wins..... I'd like someone who can hold a lead, or stop the bleeding every once in a while. 

[nicksaviking]

I'd like to check out Daniel Hudson. He was bad last year except when the D-Backs gave him a chance to close, he was pretty good then. He still has good velocity and checking out fangraphs, his FB and slider were pretty good last year, it looks like his issue was that he got his changeup knocked around.

 

1) Neil Allen is supposed to be a changeup guru

 

2) Two pitches is usually good enough for relievers who throw 95-97 and have a good slider.

[Cory Engelhardt]

 

It felt like last year the bullpen blew at least 20 wins..... I'd like someone who can hold a lead, or stop the bleeding every once in a while. 

 

Or, at the very least, show and role model for the younger kids how to prepare, both physically and mentally, for the pro game each and every day, and for a bullpen guy, each and every hitter and inning. Young guys have done this for a while, but most of the young bullpen pitchers are failed starters. A veteran bullpen guy can help teach and show the ropes.

[drjim]

That likely only means his money will be higher, not the years. It really shouldn't matter if he gets $4M or $10M if it's only one year, that's not prohibitive for any team.

Fair, but the rumors makes me wonder if he is seeking a different role this year than trying to rebuild value as a closer like Feliz and Casilla and perhaps others might be.

 

And if you overpay too much it impacts the return you can get if you try to flip him midseason.

[drjim]

I'd like to check out Daniel Hudson. He was bad last year except when the D-Backs gave him a chance to close, he was pretty good then. He still has good velocity and checking out fangraphs, his FB and slider were pretty good last year, it looks like his issue was that he got his changeup knocked around.

 

1) Neil Allen is supposed to be a changeup guru

 

2) Two pitches is usually good enough for relievers who throw 95-97 and have a good slider.

Good name.

[Vanimal46]

 

Or, at the very least, show and role model for the younger kids how to prepare, both physically and mentally, for the pro game each and every day, and for a bullpen guy, each and every hitter and inning. Young guys have done this for a while, but most of the young bullpen pitchers are failed starters. A veteran bullpen guy can help teach and show the ropes.

Agreed. And even though Kintzler is 32, he only has 3 full seasons of MLB experience. Not sure he's the guy to teach and show the ropes when he's just as inexperienced. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Fair, but the rumors makes me wonder if he is seeking a different role this year than trying to rebuild value as a closer like Feliz and Casilla and perhaps others might be.

 

And if you overpay too much it impacts the return you can get if you try to flip him midseason.

You can cover all or part of the salary in a trade.

[drjim]

Agreed. And even though Kintzler is 32, he only has 3 full seasons of MLB experience. Not sure he's the guy to teach and show the ropes when he's just as inexperienced.

I think Kintzler and Pressly would be representative setup men to start a season, let the young guys fill in behind and earn their way into bigger roles.

 

Does seem a veteran closer is missing. And a no brainer way for a rebuilding club to acquire assets by flipping midseason.

[drjim]

You can cover all or part of the salary in a trade.

Or invest the money more productively.

[Vanimal46]

 

I think Kintzler and Pressly would be representative setup men to start a season, let the young guys fill in behind and earn their way into bigger roles.

Does seem a veteran closer is missing. And a no brainer way for a rebuilding club to acquire assets by flipping midseason.

Concur 100%. By the way, welcome back to the boards dr. jim. Feels like it's been a while since I've read posts from you. 

[drjim]

Concur 100%. By the way, welcome back to the boards dr. jim. Feels like it's been a while since I've read posts from you.

Life comes at you fast...But good to be back.

[Brandon Warne]

 

I truly do not understand the obsession with veterans. Must just be something in the clubhouse that as an outsider I can't understand. I must also just imagine that other teams let younger players play in stressful situations.

 

Look at how this past year's team played. Basically the same roster from 2015. I think there's some truth to having veterans who can stop things from snowballing.

[jimmer]

 

Look at how this past year's team played. Basically the same roster from 2015. I think there's some truth to having veterans who can stop things from snowballing.

So this comes back to thinking Hunter's presence was worth like 10-15 wins?