Tonkin DFA'd

[HitInAPinch]

 

Its good to see the moves, this is the kind of action I was hoping for except that the replacements have all been fringe players and I want to see the prospects. 

I would call it rock-solid evidence of new management's opinion of the Twins MiLB prospects.

[Danchat]

I saw in today's game that Haley was activated from the DL for Tonkins spot. I am surprised to see he's already ready to pitch, so we'll have an open 40 man roster spot.

[yarnivek1972]

I would call it rock-solid evidence of new management's opinion of the Twins MiLB prospects.

I would call it rock solid evidence that the primary bullpen prospects are on the DL.

[Mr. Brooks]

I would call it rock solid evidence that the primary bullpen prospects are on the DL.

Melo and Burdi are both healthy.

[yarnivek1972]

Melo and Burdi are both healthy.

They are also both in AA.

 

Perhaps I should have said "the most advanced prospects" are hurt.

[Mr. Brooks]

They are also both in AA.

 

Perhaps I should have said "the most advanced prospects" are hurt.

I don't see any reason why a relief pitcher couldn't come up from AA.

[yarnivek1972]

I don't see any reason why a relief pitcher couldn't come up from AA.

You want to be relatively sure the guy coming up actually has a chance at getting MLB hitters out, right? IMO that doesn't happen at AA. I would bet 2/3 of the hitters in AA right now NEVER reach the majors. While 2/3 in AAA for sure will. Melotakis should have started 2017 at AAA IMO. Burdi probably Could move up too. I would like to see them at AAA for a MINIMUM of two months before bringing them up. But, that's me.

[Mr. Brooks]

You want to be relatively sure the guy coming up actually has a chance at getting MLB hitters out, right? IMO that doesn't happen at AA. I would bet 2/3 of the hitters in AA right now NEVER reach the majors. While 2/3 in AAA for sure will. Melotakis should have started 2017 at AAA IMO. Burdi probably Could move up too. I would like to see them at AAA for a MINIMUM of two months before bringing them up. But, that's me.

Well we don't have that luxury, IMO.

This team has no chance with this bullpen.

I just don't think the transition from AA to MLB is that tough for a relief pitcher.

[jun]

 

The decision on Tonkin was based as much on his past struggles as they were in his current performance.

Why would anyone make a decision based on ten innings? He's been their best reliever the past three years. Would you drop a starter after two rough starts? That's about what this sample size is.

Sure he's been their best reliever the past three years, don't worry about the current results. Let it be and let's hope and pray for better results in the future. Now all the bullpen guys follow. Second blowouts in a row. 

[yarnivek1972]

Well we don't have that luxury, IMO.

This team has no chance with this bullpen.

I just don't think the transition from AA to MLB is that tough for a relief pitcher.

I never believed this team had a chance to contend anyway. So, your point is moot as far as I am concerned.

[DaveW]

Just call up the guys from AA, let them "learn" how to get MLBplayers out at the major league level.

[Mr. Brooks]

I never believed this team had a chance to contend anyway. So, your point is moot as far as I am concerned.

I never did either. I had them winning 71 games.

But now they've found themselves in it after 5 weeks.

When that happens you try to win until you fall out of it.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I saw in today's game that Haley was activated from the DL for Tonkins spot. I am surprised to see he's already ready to pitch, so we'll have an open 40 man roster spot.

judging by today's results he may have been rushed a tad

[yarnivek1972]

I never did either. I had them winning 71 games.

But now they've found themselves in it after 5 weeks.

When that happens you try to win until you fall out of it.

I don't happen to agree with that statement. I don't think you abandon the plan you made over the course of 6 months because of a few lucky breaks that put you a couple games above .500 after 4 weeks, playing some of the worst teams in the league. If the Twins are above .500 in July, then maybe you change your plan.

[DaveW]

I don't happen to agree with that statement. I don't think you abandon the plan you made over the course of 6 months because of a few lucky breaks that put you a couple games above .500 after 4 weeks, playing some of the worst teams in the league. If the Twins are above .500 in July, then maybe you change your plan.

What plan was that thoigh? If they didn't expect to compete: why have a bunch of AAAA retreads up and down the roster? Why not give those spots to guys who could potentially help in the future.

[yarnivek1972]

What plan was that thoigh? If they didn't expect to compete: why have a bunch of AAAA retreads up and down the roster? Why not give those spots to guys who could potentially help in the future.

You would have to ask Derek Falvey that question.

 

As for why retreads: to buy time to evaluate those prospects first hand. The Twins simply didn't have enough "young guys" ready to fill a MLB bullpen at the start of the year. They still don't.

[Mr. Brooks]

I don't happen to agree with that statement. I don't think you abandon the plan you made over the course of 6 months because of a few lucky breaks that put you a couple games above .500 after 4 weeks, playing some of the worst teams in the league. If the Twins are above .500 in July, then maybe you change your plan.

Judging by all their signings being low upside vets, and not trading Dozier or Santana, I'd say being fringe contenders WAS their plan.

[yarnivek1972]

Judging by all their signings being low upside vets, and not trading Dozier or Santana, I'd say being fringe contenders WAS their plan.

I'd say it is more likely that evaluation was their plan.

[mikelink45]

 

I would call it rock-solid evidence of new management's opinion of the Twins MiLB prospects.

Then I have to wonder about the reports on TD which is my only source for our MiLB players.  Based on what I have been reading Burdi, Melotakis and others are the wave of the future and are ready now. 

[Mr. Brooks]

I'd say it is more likely that evaluation was their plan.

Evaluate guys that are never going to be a part of any long term plan (Belisle, Breslow, Gimenez, Adrianza, tried to get Napoli)?

[yarnivek1972]

Evaluate guys that are never going to be a part of any long term plan (Belisle, Breslow, Gimenez, Adrianza, tried to get Napoli)?

Still need to put 25 guys on the field everyday. If you don't think the prospects are ready, what is the alternative?

[Mike Sixel]

This is all I asked from the new front office to open the season. Give the roster a chance and then cut fast and furious as you see a lack of results.

I don't know, adding better players than Breslow and Belisle would have been nice. How are Tepesch and the other RP doing, one awful have for each. So far, they added one good player. I kind of wanted more than that.

[yarnivek1972]

I don't know, adding better players than Breslow and Belisle would have been nice. How are Tepesch and the other RP doing, one awful have for each. So far, they added one good player. I kind of wanted more than that.

Good luck persuading better players to come to a team that has lost 90 plus 4 of the last 5 years. Some players actually go to teams where they think they can win.

[drjim]

Then I have to wonder about the reports on TD which is my only source for our MiLB players. Based on what I have been reading Burdi, Melotakis and others are the wave of the future and are ready now.

They may be the wave of the future, but they aren't ready yet. Perhaps soon.

[drjim]

Good luck persuading better players to come to a team that has lost 90 plus 4 of the last 5 years. Some players actually go to teams where they think they can win.

This is nonsense. Pay money and promise them a role, they can sign a better player than Belisle and Breslow (though Breslow was an acceptable minor league deal).

 

Guys they should have pursued went to teams like the Rockies, As, Reds. Those teams weren't exactly World Series contenders last year.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I don't know, adding better players than Breslow and Belisle would have been nice. How are Tepesch and the other RP doing, one awful have for each. So far, they added one good player. I kind of wanted more than that.

I agree that more/better bullpen pieces would have been preferable. I was speaking more of their in-season moves. See what you have and throw away what doesn't work in a prompt fashion.

[USAFChief]

I agree that more/better bullpen pieces would have been preferable. I was speaking more of their in-season moves. See what you have and throw away what doesn't work in a prompt fashion.

That is only half the job. Having something worthy of a try is the other half.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

That is only half the job. Having something worthy of a try is the other half.

And going forward, I don't want to see this strategy employed... but they're taking over a bad team that they didn't build. I don't fault them for taking some time to get to know some of the players more thoroughly and get a better idea of what the team will look like going forward.

 

If they do the same thing next offseason, groan. I can't and won't support that idea.

[nicksaviking]

 

This is nonsense. Pay money and promise them a role, they can sign a better player than Belisle and Breslow (though Breslow was an acceptable minor league deal).

Guys they should have pursued went to teams like the Rockies, As, Reds. Those teams weren't exactly World Series contenders last year.

 

While I find it dubious that the team COULDN'T get better free agent relievers, we've seen plenty of times that money isn't the deciding factor. Some guys might rather be in a different city or part of the country, other guys are familiar with and want to work for a particular manager/coach/GM. From my perspective Minnesota doesn't look any worse of a destination than the places you listed, but I doubt we will ever know all the motivations that drives players.

 

And throw Milwaukee onto that list as well because I liked Neftali Feliz as free agent.

 

Addendum: Tangentially related; remember that one time that Mike Napoli turned down more money from the Twins to sign with Texas who was a condender? Haha, Mike, you choose poorly! *

 

*I reserve the right to delete my addendum if Texas rejoins the Wild Card race and the Twins fall out of it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

While I agree it is too early to make any conclusive judgments on the new front office's performance, I think they are getting a bit too much credit here for making "quick cuts".

 

Sure, we all remember the embarrassing Kubel/Bartlett reunion tour, but otherwise in recent years, I think the old regime regularly made similarly timed cuts as the new regime has been doing.  Almost exactly a year ago, Milone, Fien, Graham, and O'Rourke were all dropped.  A year before that, Milone was optioned ahead of Trevor May.  Tim Stauffer went on the DL on May 1st that year, later came off the DL for 3 weeks and was cut.  Oswaldo Arcia survived until June 17 last year, but it was only his first year out of options, and the team was basically out of the race 2 weeks into the season so it didn't really hurt to give him extra rope as compared to Danny Santana this season.  The old front office didn't cut Tonkin, but Tonkin was actually pretty effective (albeit in low-leverage work) up through TR's firing last year, so there was no real reason to cut him.

 

It's still early, but I am concerned that the new regime hasn't taken a decidedly different roster approach than the old regime -- moving Duffey semi-permanently to short relief in the pen, Belisle, Breslow, Haley, Tepesch, Rucinski -- these are all very "old front office" style moves to assemble a pitching staff.  I understand some prospects aren't quite ready, and Tepesch/Rucinski are pretty standard AAA depth types around the league, but I am disappointed that a greater effort wasn't made to add better MLB pieces this offseason to address/avoid this scenario.