The bullpen needs reinforcements

[Willihammer]

Kintzler and Rogers have each thrown 3 days in a row. This is the second time this year for Rogers. Its borderline if not definitely overuse and these guys are going to burn out. The solution is two fold IMO: one, add one legitimate bullpen weapon to expand Molitor's options (like Robertson). Two, institute a policy as Girardi has in NY: No pitching 3 days in a row and no pitching 4 out of 5 days. Duffey was available today, he could have thrown. Press could have thrown. With a 3 run lead he didn't need to lean on those two for the third day in a row.

[TheLeviathan]

Free Burdi.

[USAFChief]

Kintzler and Rogers have each thrown 3 days in a row. This is the second time this year for Rogers. Its borderline if not definitely overuse and these guys are going to burn out. The solution is two fold IMO: one, add one legitimate bullpen weapon to expand Molitor's options (like Robertson). Two, institute a policy as Girardi has in NY: No pitching 3 days in a row and no pitching 4 out of 5 days. Duffey was available today, he could have thrown. Press could have thrown. With a 3 run lead he didn't need to lean on those two for the third day in a row.

The answer to that is...replace the deadweight with a couple guys usable in a tight game.

 

Concur with a Levi above, let's get Burdi here.

[drivlikejehu]

They need to start auditioning the internal options, sooner rather than later.

[DJSim22]

 

Kintzler and Rogers have each thrown 3 days in a row. This is the second time this year for Rogers. Its borderline if not definitely overuse and these guys are going to burn out. The solution is two fold IMO: one, add one legitimate bullpen weapon to expand Molitor's options (like Robertson). Two, institute a policy as Girardi has in NY: No pitching 3 days in a row and no pitching 4 out of 5 days. Duffey was available today, he could have thrown. Press could have thrown. With a 3 run lead he didn't need to lean on those two for the third day in a row.

 

Good points on burning guys out.  The only issue is you have to find guys who can mentally handle getting the last three outs.  It's not as easy as some suggest.  Getting the last out is different than getting an out in the 6th inning, I don't care about this g00se egg nonsense.  I don't know if Pressley can handle it.  I wonder about Duffy.  Bringing Burdi up and throwing him into the 9th might not be wise.  Saving Kintzler and Rogers arms could come at a price., wins. 

[drjim]

It would really help if Chargois would get healthy. They'll wait a couple more appearances with Burdi, but he strikes me as someone they'll jump from AA. Melotakis probably needs some AAA time.

 

If needed they should also be able to pick up a reliever or two for relatively cheap at the deadline. But would be too expensive at the moment, unless they have a fortunate waiver claim.

[drjim]

Also possible/likely that Pressly rebounds a little. I still have hopes for him.

 

They may be able to scrape together a pen yet.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Free Burdi.

concur

[notoriousgod71]

Let your ace go more than 99 pitches.

[beckmt]

We also forget about Bard, he is also burning up the Southern league.  It is time to get some of these pitchers to Rochester and here now. A couple of pitchers Moltior does not even use(Wilk, Breslow).  Time to cut bait and get some relievers here that could help.

[bird]

Wilk is fresh.

 

*ducks

 

 

It's starting to look like we'll have quite a few selling teams at the trade deadline, so perhaps it will be a buyer's market, at least for less elite RP's. But I hope they don't have to go there, because I think they very likely have what they need and are about to start the parade anyway. Shaggy and Burdi for starters. Those two, combined with Kintzler, Rogers, Duff, Press, and Belisle wouldn't be all that tragic. And that still leaves a slew of options for later in the season that may not be terrible: Melo, Bard, Reed, Hildenberger, etc.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Good points on burning guys out.  The only issue is you have to find guys who can mentally handle getting the last three outs.  It's not as easy as some suggest.  Getting the last out is different than getting an out in the 6th inning, I don't care about this g00se egg nonsense.  I don't know if Pressley can handle it.  I wonder about Duffy.  Bringing Burdi up and throwing him into the 9th might not be wise.  Saving Kintzler and Rogers arms could come at a price., wins. 

 

You don't have to throw Burdi straight into the fire, but having him available for late inning situations would really help this team.

 

You could argue we have more long relievers than late inning guys in our pen right now.  I can't ever recall that being the case for the Twins during my time as a fan.  I don't even recall it being close.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

You don't have to throw Burdi straight into the fire, but having him available for late inning situations would really help this team.

 

You could argue we have more long relievers than late inning guys in our pen right now.  I can't ever recall that being the case for the Twins during my time as a fan.  I don't even recall it being close.

I hope Burdi is up some time in early June and that he jumps straight from Chattanooga.

 

I understand the hesitation to call him up right now. The guy basically missed all of last season and has 11 appearances in 2017. I'm hoping that he continues to dominate and as that appearance number pushes toward 20, the front office feels comfortable enough that he's really back and Burdi skips a level.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Chargois deserves another chance once healthy. In the meantime, maybe Kyle Gibson could adapt successfully to the bullpen.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Chargois deserves another chance once healthy. In the meantime, maybe Kyle Gibson could adapt successfully to the bullpen.

I don't mind the idea of Gibson transitioning to the pen but I'd be more comfortable with him starting in Rochester in case things go completely sideways. If Mejia is performing, I think he should get the call next with Gibson waiting in the wings for the inevitable mid-season injury.

[Riverbrian]

I really wish the front office would have been more aggressive signing bullpen guys in the off season. 

 

It only cost money to sign free agents.

 

If they have to address the bullpen at the deadline... It'll cost assets. 

 

 

I really wish the front office would have been more bullpen aggressive

[DocBauer]

Just as a reminder, here is the pen as it stands today: Kintzler, Belisle, Rogers, Duffey, Pressly, Haley, Breslow and Wilk.

 

Honest question...who do you remove?

 

I see us needing and wanting a better pen, and I too am worried about burn out. Right now, Kintzler, Rogers and Duffey are a given. Pressly is in a bit of a funk, but we've seen what he can do, and it's pretty good, and relievers do have somewhat volatile moments over a season. Haley is a rule 5 and has shown something at times. Even in limited action, Breslow hasn't been bad. Believe had a couple really bad games, but has otherwise been solid. Wilk is completely "meh" and seems to be the obvious first man out. But sooner or later, we're going to need a 5th starter as well.

 

So honestly, who legitimately gets taken out of the equation here?

[Vanimal46]

Just as a reminder, here is the pen as it stands today: Kintzler, Belisle, Rogers, Duffey, Pressly, Haley, Breslow and Wilk.

 

Honest question...who do you remove?

 

I see us needing and wanting a better pen, and I too am worried about burn out. Right now, Kintzler, Rogers and Duffey are a given. Pressly is in a bit of a funk, but we've seen what he can do, and it's pretty good, and relievers do have somewhat volatile moments over a season. Haley is a rule 5 and has shown something at times. Even in limited action, Breslow hasn't been bad. Believe had a couple really bad games, but has otherwise been solid. Wilk is completely "meh" and seems to be the obvious first man out. But sooner or later, we're going to need a 5th starter as well.

 

So honestly, who legitimately gets taken out of the equation here?

I'd remove Pressly and Wilk without thinking twice. Haven't liked what Pressly is doing lately, and think he should get straightened out in Rochester. Especially while the Twins are competitive.

 

The bullpen should be a fluid group where they rotate out struggling pitchers with others who could be better.

 

Burdi and Melotakis are high on my priority list to call up since they're rolling right now.

[Willihammer]

 

Just as a reminder, here is the pen as it stands today: Kintzler, Belisle, Rogers, Duffey, Pressly, Haley, Breslow and Wilk.

 

Honest question...who do you remove?

Haley, Wilk, and if possible Breslow.

 

That's an easy one Doc!

[Willihammer]

Press will come around, his stuff is too good. He's not a 2.2 HR/9 pitcher.

[stringer bell]

 

Just as a reminder, here is the pen as it stands today: Kintzler, Belisle, Rogers, Duffey, Pressly, Haley, Breslow and Wilk.

Honest question...who do you remove?

I see us needing and wanting a better pen, and I too am worried about burn out. Right now, Kintzler, Rogers and Duffey are a given. Pressly is in a bit of a funk, but we've seen what he can do, and it's pretty good, and relievers do have somewhat volatile moments over a season. Haley is a rule 5 and has shown something at times. Even in limited action, Breslow hasn't been bad. Believe had a couple really bad games, but has otherwise been solid. Wilk is completely "meh" and seems to be the obvious first man out. But sooner or later, we're going to need a 5th starter as well.

So honestly, who legitimately gets taken out of the equation here?

I think Wilk for Gibson, Meíja, Aaron Slegers or else he gets the fifth starter gig. Breslow hasn't been used much in late innings and he's been meh at best, so he would be the first to go IMHO.

 

The bullpen isn't dominant and a top line arm would move the guys where they are better suited IMHO. However, they really haven't cost the team that much despite the inflated ERAs. The bad outings have mostly been confined to losses that went from close to blowouts, particularly Belisle. Rogers shouldn't be facing so many RH batters and I don't think Belisle should be the eighth inning guy. Perhaps Pressly can get the eighth--he looked the part when he struck out the side vs. the White Sox.

[stringer bell]

In looking a little deeper at the stats, Belisle has an okay BAA and his WHIP is inflated by 11 walks in fourteen innings. 11 of the 13 runs he has allowed came on two outings totaling one inning. In the rest of his appearances, he has allowed two earned runs in 13 innings. He's not the guy I always want to see in the eighth when they Twins have a narrow lead, but he's an okay major league pitcher.

 

Pressly has given up runs in 6 of his 14 appearances and in at least four losses he's given up either the tying or eventual winning runs. Off the Baggy made a blog entry about Pressly in which he suggested that his stuff was similar to his effective 2016 season. While he has been ineffective this year, I think his history and his stuff merit a longer leash.

[DJSim22]

 

Just as a reminder, here is the pen as it stands today: Kintzler, Belisle, Rogers, Duffey, Pressly, Haley, Breslow and Wilk.

Honest question...who do you remove?

I see us needing and wanting a better pen, and I too am worried about burn out. Right now, Kintzler, Rogers and Duffey are a given. Pressly is in a bit of a funk, but we've seen what he can do, and it's pretty good, and relievers do have somewhat volatile moments over a season. Haley is a rule 5 and has shown something at times. Even in limited action, Breslow hasn't been bad. Believe had a couple really bad games, but has otherwise been solid. Wilk is completely "meh" and seems to be the obvious first man out. But sooner or later, we're going to need a 5th starter as well.

So honestly, who legitimately gets taken out of the equation here?

It has to be Wilk right?  I like Haley more than others so I'd like to see him stick as the long man. 

[TheLeviathan]

You start with Breslow.  Then you decide who your long man is between Duffy, Wilk, and Haley - be willing to remove the other two.

 

That's three spots right there.  

[howieramone2]

 

You don't have to throw Burdi straight into the fire, but having him available for late inning situations would really help this team.

 

You could argue we have more long relievers than late inning guys in our pen right now.  I can't ever recall that being the case for the Twins during my time as a fan.  I don't even recall it being close.

We have a new regime, don't expect them to do everything the same. Is Burdi the new Berrios? The board started screaming for Berrios on partically a daily basis in August, 2105. A mere 21 months later he gave us the first indication he belongs in The Show.

[TheLeviathan]

 

We have a new regime, don't expect them to do everything the same. Is Burdi the new Berrios? The board started screaming for Berrios on partically a daily basis in August, 2105. A mere 21 months later he gave us the first indication he belongs in The Show.

 

So we were right!  Thanks!

 

I fail to see how 3 long relievers is some sort of secret weapon.

[Brandon]

We have so many reliever prospects.  I wonder when we start calling up the good ones.  Also we could make a trade for old Neshek as he may be available with the Phillies off to a bad start.  Gibson would be a decent trade.  If Gibson can be a 4th starter there that's a win for them.  He isn't getting it done here.  Its not like the Phillies gave up anything to get Neshek and they get back a potential 4th starter.  or we could trade over some other combo of prospects and stuff.  

 

Also wanted to be clear, with so many relief prospects I would like to see some of them start coming up but if the preference is to wait till late summer.  Then, if we can make a trade now that will help us continue to carry forward and win considerably.

[USAFChief]

 

You start with Breslow.  Then you decide who your long man is between Duffy, Wilk, and Haley - be willing to remove the other two.

 

That's three spots right there.  

You start with Wilk or Haley.  Duffey isn't going anywhere, and is not a long man.  2 inning guy, maybe, but he's been their best or second best reliever, so why would you remove him.

 

Breslow is 3rd on the list, and there's room for a LOOGY anyway.

[TheLeviathan]

 

You start with Wilk or Haley.  Duffey isn't going anywhere, and is not a long man.  2 inning guy, maybe, but he's been their best or second best reliever, so why would you remove him.

 

Breslow is 3rd on the list, and there's room for a LOOGY anyway.

 

See, I don't know what Duffey is.  I'm not sure the Twins do either.  If he was truly a two inning reliever, fine.  But is he?  He's mostly pitching 1 inning at a time and typically with several days between appearances.  

 

I also think the team might see Wilk as a LOOGY.   Is Breslow even a LOOGY?  His usage doesn't suggest it either.

 

Actually, the more I type this the more I realize how profoundly unclear the plan is for these four pitchers.  Clearing that up might go a long way.

[USAFChief]

 

See, I don't know what Duffey is.  I'm not sure the Twins do either.  If he was truly a two inning reliever, fine.  But is he?  He's mostly pitching 1 inning at a time and typically with several days between appearances.  

 

I also think the team might see Wilk as a LOOGY.   Is Breslow even a LOOGY?  His usage doesn't suggest it either.

 

Actually, the more I type this the more I realize how profoundly unclear the plan is for these four pitchers.  Clearing that up might go a long way.

At this point, Duffey's role is pretty well defined.  He's a 1 to 2 inning guy, 7th inning or earlier.  He's been used for more than 2 IP only twice, and not since the season's first two weeks.  Almost exclusively used in games where the Twins are up or down 2 runs or less, so he's not a mopup guy.  I could easily see that usage pushed back an inning or two if he remains better than Belisle.

 

In any case, he's going nowhere.  He's young and he's been pretty effective.