Wetmore's Five Topics Include A Crowded Starting Rotation

[John Bonnes]

Derek Wetmore tried to pin Derek Falvey down on how many people are battling for the starting rotation. He didn't get far...
 

Some are more serious candidates than others, of course, but from what I’m hearing, the staff will consider a number of different guys, and especially at the back end of the rotation, I believe they’re flexible. Just guessing here, but I think it could be as many as 11 guys that will get a look this spring.

 
http://www.1500espn.com/twins-2/2017/02/wetmores-5-thoughts-jason-castros-first-day-neil-allen-coolio-el-gato-grande/
 
It's find to talk about competition, but I'll be shocked (provided they're all healthy) if four rotation spots aren't already taken by Santana, Hughes, Santiago and Gibson. The more "competition", the less likely it is that Berrios or May get that fifth spot. 

[clutterheart]

 

 

It's find to talk about competition, but I'll be shocked (provided they're all healthy) if four rotation spots aren't already taken by Santana, Hughes, Santiago and Gibson. The more "competition", the less likely it is that Berrios or May get that fifth spot. 

 

I would guess that Santana and/or Hughes (if he shows he is healthy) are on the trading block, so I think anything could happen.

 

I would be annoyed if they gave May no chance to start out of the gate.   

 

[Mike Sixel]

Worst staff in baseball, and they plan to double down?

[FormerMinnasotan]

The Twins need to find a way to get rid of the block of veteran pitchers in the rotation and bring up the youngsters (Berrios, Duffey, Mejia, and Gonsalves) as quickly as possible instead of letting them rot in AAA. I get the idea Berrios won't be up til May at the earliest and who knows when at the latest. That's not acceptable. We need to shed the vets (Santana, Gibson, Santiago) to make way for the youngsters. From this year to next year we have to find room for Berrios, Mejia, Duffey, Gonsalves, Stewart, Jay, and Romero with Lewis Thorpe being ready by 2020 (all depending on being injury free). We are in rebuild mode keeping all these vets does nothing to help our rebuild.

[Thrylos]

I don't think that they will had Santiago a job yet...

[Mike Sixel]

If they have so many SP that are "meh", why not make some into RPs? I mean, if they really think they have 11 starters, there is no reason for May or Duffey to be anything other than a RP at this point (I don't agree they have 11 starters.....).

[FormerMinnasotan]

I don't think that they will had Santiago a job yet...

I hope the same goes for Gibson.

[Han Joelo]

11 is a lot. Does that include the entire AAA rotation? It's like a royal rumble though, the outcome is set unless someone really goes off script.

 

Maybe that someone is Gonsalves, or Meija. If I'm Gonsalves, and I've spent my offseason busting my butt, it would be nice to hear I'm at least in the mix.

[Thrylos]

 

I hope the same goes for Gibson.

 

Gibson is actually not taking a month's long leave of absence from the Twins' camp for personal reasons like Santiago

[FormerMinnasotan]

Gibson is actually not taking a month's long leave of absence from the Twins' camp for personal reasons like Santiago

I get it, but Gibson is very inconsistent. He seems expendable especially with the young talent we have. I for one am not excited over a pitcher who at best is a .500 pitcher with an ERA of around 4, and averages under 7 k per 9.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I would guess that Santana and/or Hughes (if he shows he is healthy) are on the trading block, so I think anything could happen.

Hughes is untradeable without eating a big chunk of salary, probably for at least the next two years, almost regardless of health or performance.

[Thrylos]

 

I get it, but Gibson is very inconsistent. He seems expendable especially with the young talent we have. I for one am not excited over a pitcher who at best is a .500 pitcher with an ERA of around 4, and averages under 7 k per 9.

 

Which of the "young talent" can do better than this in the majors in 2017?  Sub 4.00 ERA and more than 7 K/9 (along with decent BB/9)?    Maybe Mejia, but he did not do that in the PCL last season...

[Mike Sixel]

An ERA of 4 is the 18th best SP in the AL last year (by ERA). I'd be thrilled if Gibson has that, since that is an outcome based stat. Thrilled. 

[rghrbek]

 

Which of the "young talent" can do better than this in the majors in 2017?  Sub 4.00 ERA and more than 7 K/9 (along with decent BB/9)?    Maybe Mejia, but he did not do that in the PCL last season...

I believe he said at best...because certainly Gibson's career numbers are nowhere near this.

 

I would go further and state, that I think we have seen what we have seen from Gibby....I am not saying we cannot start him, as I do feel this is his make or break season, but I just feel at his best, which is .500, barely sub 4 ERA, and a 6.7 k/9, we should flip him at that point, or mid season.  That is best case scenario, IMO.

[Winston Smith]

I don't agree on Hughes being a lock. I think they have to limit his innings early on, work him out of the pen and if he pitches well stretch him out so he can replace somebody that fails.

Missing a good portion of last year and having surgery they have to handle with care and not expect 200 innings out of him, imo.

[DocBauer]

IF Hughes is ready to go day one...still a big IF, IMO...then he, Santana, Santiago, Gibson, May, Berrios, Duffey and Healey would be "serious" contenders in my mind. That's 8. Anyone else would be targeted for AAA to begin the season, or trying to "hang on" and looking for opportunity to strike.