Twins DFA Melotakis

[Vanimal46]

 

I'm not sure it's really "continuing to trim the fat" -- remember, they have been adding fat back as they've been trimming it (i.e. Wimmers).  It's more like, at least they are exercising a bit after their waiver-wire binges.

 

They've finally gotten a couple new names on there that are interesting, though (Busenitz and Hildenberger, and hopefully a Turley resurrection in relief ).

 

That's fair. Even though there is plenty more fat to trim, I like the fact that they're making decisions on players who have been on the 40 man for 2-3 years. Better than continuing to hope some of these RP prospects are going to do something. 

[mlhouse]

It is just more evidence that this Front Office isn't much different than the previous one, and they seem to have this preference for pitchers other team waives than our own prospects.  We have picked up just about every pitcer waived this season.

 

I agree that DFAing Melotakis before he is given a big league chance was ridiculous while giving Gee and all the other rejects the opportunity.

 

If they do the same with Palka that is a shame too.

 

By the way, Free David Hurlbut.  Give him the next chance when this newest waiver wire failure fails.

[drjim]

This, exactly. But they have to trade with whatever team claims the player first, right? So if this is the case, it must be a team high on the waiver list?

Therr isn't a trade, but they could theoretically trade him to any team during the dfa period.

[Vanimal46]

 

It is just more evidence that this Front Office isn't much different than the previous one, and they seem to have this preference for pitchers other team waives than our own prospects.  We have picked up just about every pitcer waived this season.

 

I agree that DFAing Melotakis before he is given a big league chance was ridiculous while giving Gee and all the other rejects the opportunity.

 

If they do the same with Palka that is a shame too.

 

By the way, Free David Hurlbut.  Give him the next chance when this newest waiver wire failure fails.

 

Couldn't disagree more. This FO is actually making decisions on players instead of waiting for them to run out of options without any plan of using them on the MLB roster. 

 

I get that we all have our favorite MiLB players to follow, but I trust them coming up with the conclusion that he's not an MLB caliber arm. 

[wagwan]

 

Couldn't disagree more. This FO is actually making decisions on players instead of waiting for them to run out of options without any plan of using them on the MLB roster. 

 

I get that we all have our favorite MiLB players to follow, but I trust them coming up with the conclusion that he's not an MLB caliber arm. 

Why do you trust them?  Based on what?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

This, exactly.  But they have to trade with whatever team claims the player first, right?  So if this is the case, it must be a team high on the waiver list?

They don't have to put him on waivers for up to 4 days.  They can trade him to anyone prior to that time.  Probably unlikely, although a team could offer a little more than the waiver fee, or their own marginal prospect, if they thought Melotakis might be claimed ahead of them.

 

And once outright waivers are requested, they aren't revocable either (that's only August trade waivers).  So there's no negotiating with a claiming team or anything like that.

[Tom Froemming]

 

I'd say this list is more damning than vindicating. Every one of those guys except Boshers has flopped at the major league level this year.

Right, but wouldn't you rather DFA one of those guys who are currently on the 40 man as opposed to Melotakis? It seems pretty risky to assume 90 mph is just who Melotakis is now when he previously showed the ability to throw in the mid-90s. I also feel like he has good deception that could help that fastball play up, but I have no clue if that would make much difference in the majors or not.

 

And last thing, two guys I see connected to the Twins as potential bullpen upgrades rarely fire it in there above 90 mph: Pat Neshek and Drew Storen. It's not like you can't survive in the majors if you're not throwing 95.

[Mike Sixel]

 

It is just more evidence that this Front Office isn't much different than the previous one, and they seem to have this preference for pitchers other team waives than our own prospects.  We have picked up just about every pitcer waived this season.

 

I agree that DFAing Melotakis before he is given a big league chance was ridiculous while giving Gee and all the other rejects the opportunity.

 

If they do the same with Palka that is a shame too.

 

By the way, Free David Hurlbut.  Give him the next chance when this newest waiver wire failure fails.

 

Not a Palka believer, personally, so not sure I agree. I also don't think they are just like the old FO, but I am not convinced one way or the other they are better.....or not better.

[wsnydes]

 

Couldn't disagree more. This FO is actually making decisions on players instead of waiting for them to run out of options without any plan of using them on the MLB roster. 

 

I get that we all have our favorite MiLB players to follow, but I trust them coming up with the conclusion that he's not an MLB caliber arm. 

I agree with your first paragraph, though I think they could be a bit more aggressive with jetisoning players that don't need to be on the roster.  Though, most of my list are pitchers and they'd need to be replaced with something.

 

As for the trust, I realize that I have little choice but to rely on the FO, but I don't trust them yet.  I don't distrust them either.  I can't make that determination when they've been on the job less than one full year.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Right, but wouldn't you rather DFA one of those guys who are currently on the 40 man as opposed to Melotakis? It seems pretty risky to assume 90 mph is just who Melotakis is now when he previously showed the ability to throw in the mid-90s. I also feel like he has good deception that could help that fastball play up, but I have no clue if that would make much difference in the majors or not.

 

And last thing, two guys I see connected to the Twins as potential bullpen upgrades rarely fire it in there above 90 mph: Pat Neshek and Drew Storen. It's not like you can't survive in the majors if you're not throwing 95.

Yeah, I'd probably vote Breslow or maybe even Haley.

[Vanimal46]

 

Why do you trust them?  Based on what?

 

What reasons have they given to not be trusted? They see these players every day. We see stat lines. 

[Doomtints]

It felt to me like these two were on the roster FOR-EVER without ever throwing a pitch for the team. They feel like remnants from an era that I want to close the book on. Having guys on the roster that they can't use, esp. for so long, was hurting the team.

 

I'm 100% fine with moving on.

[Vanimal46]

 

It felt to me like these two were on the roster FOR-EVER without ever throwing a pitch for the team. They feel like remnants from an era that I want to close the book on.

 

I'm 100% fine with moving on.

 

Concur. My hope in this evaluation year is they would shuffle through and make decisions on all of the bubble players. They seem to be doing a fine job of doing that. 

 

Now they're getting an idea of just how many pitchers they need to sign in the off-season. And the answer is a baker's dozen. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Actually, Wimmers has been on the roster relatively little.  He wasn't added to the 40-man roster ever until last August, then was removed after the season and added back June 1st this year.  I could have done without the reprise this year, though!

 

He's certainly been around the org for a long time, and that will probably continue for the rest of this season at least.

[Brandon]

If these pitchers could really pitch in a MLB pen for the next several years in any meaningful way, the Twins probably wouldn't be DFA'ing them, right? I'm sure the Phillies already have similar guys in their own system that require evaluation (I see they just called up lefty reliever Hoby Milner, a Rule 5 pick last winter that Cleveland returned).

 

I didn't see that MLBTR chat, but even if the Phillies eventually do settle for a 30th ranked prospect for Neshek, they'd be fools to accept that a month in advance of the trade deadline. Neshek was the #2 RP on MLBTR's Top 50 trade candidates list, and #6 overall. The other two top relievers (Robertson and Hand) both have team control beyond 2017, so who knows if their teams will even find common ground with a buyer before the deadline. It's highly unlikely the Phillies will have to settle for less than a 30th ranked prospect, and such a prospect isn't too much to gamble that Neshek will stay healthy for a month and something a little bit better might come along.

 

Also, the Phillies have top waiver priority right now. They have first dibs on any player the Twins put on waivers, for free! (Well, the waiver fee.) They'd be stupid to give up an asset for a waiver candidate except as a last resort (i.e. right before the deadline). They also passed on Haley in the Rule 5 draft last winter. (Plus, Haley is allegedly hurt.)

 

If you want to propose trading junk for Neshek in a month, you may have a case depending on the market, but right now, it's pure fantasy.

Guys i would have thought that was a fair package before the DFA. Melo had good velo last i heard and just today im hearing 89-90. Plus his results are there. And front offices make mistakes/ change of scenery, and they would be in National League as well. I thought a good reliever prospect and someone with potential to pitch in games is a fair haul for a reliever. Who is still owed 3.5 to 4 million this year. I seriously doubt they do better than that. But if Melo sux then scratch it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Concur. My hope in this evaluation year is they would shuffle through and make decisions on all of the bubble players. They seem to be doing a fine job of doing that. 

I hope Wimmers wasn't on any kind of bubble that required extra MLB evaluation this year before a decision could be rendered!  He was pretty clearly marginal.  Heck, same for Tonkin and Santana too.  Outside of those two, they haven't really been shuffling through bubble players, they've been adding more marginal guys to shuffle (Wimmers, Tepesch, Wilk, Chapman, Gee, arguably Haley, etc.).  I guess Rosario made a brief appearance, and Boshers has been hanging around too...

 

But Busenitz and Hildenberger (and yes, Turley!) are a step forward, hopefully a sign of things to come.

[Brandon Warne]

 

Couldn't disagree more. This FO is actually making decisions on players instead of waiting for them to run out of options without any plan of using them on the MLB roster. 

 

I get that we all have our favorite MiLB players to follow, but I trust them coming up with the conclusion that he's not an MLB caliber arm. 

 

Agree. Not sure I agree with anything in that post. 

[Brandon Warne]

 

I hope Wimmers wasn't on any kind of bubble that required extra MLB evaluation this year before a decision could be rendered!  He was pretty clearly marginal.  

 

 

I don't know about that, I know a certain sports columnist said he was "promising" at the end of spring training

 

(lol)

[nicksaviking]

Wasn't Melotakis throwing harder than 89-90 spring training 2016? I thought he was in the mid-90s. If he lost velocity, I can't imagine it was a delayed reaction to TJ three years ago.

 

Wasn't his most recent injury which kept him out of camp this spring an oblique issue? 

[wagwan]

 

What reasons have they given to not be trusted? They see these players every day. We see stat lines. 

They are both brand new at their jobs. I think it is only fair to wait and see how new people work out before we trust them. I have nothing to base any trust on yet. I sure am hoping though.

[Thrylos]

 

This, exactly.  But they have to trade with whatever team claims the player first, right?  So if this is the case, it must be a team high on the waiver list?

 

High enough.  Let's not forget that Wheeler in a similar situation went to the Dodgers a couple weeks ago

[Thrylos]

 

Wasn't Melotakis throwing harder than 89-90 spring training 2016? I thought he was in the mid-90s. If he lost velocity, I can't imagine it was a delayed reaction to TJ three years ago.

 

Wasn't his most recent injury which kept him out of camp this spring an oblique issue? 

 

Before TJ he was throwing 95-97.  After TJ I saw him throw up to 93 in 2016 ST, his first season back; did not see him throw in 2017.  He did not regain his pre-surgery velocity afterwards.

 

And, yes, he has been bothered with an oblique.

 

That is that.  However, 30.4% K% in 26 AA innings, tells me he was pretty effective.

[yarnivek1972]

If he is injured, the Twins can't release him. If they try to trade him and the other team finds out about an injury that the Twins didn't mention, good luck to Falvey ever trying to make a trade again.

[bighat]

Some interesting posts and great reads here, gang.

 

I was also scratching my head this morning. But as many have pointed out, Falvine didn't just spin the "Wheel of Death" and land on Melotakis. This regime is young, sharp, and if anything they've done their homework. It's like when you see road construction on a highway you think was perfectly serviceable...you're annoyed at first. But you have to accept that some professionals with fancy tools figured out something wasn't right.

 

Falvine thinks DFA'ing Melo was the best move. It could point to the fact that they think the Twins can win NOW, and that middle relief help via trade will be coming soon. Whatever the reason, I have to accept that they know what they're doing. We've seen what's happened with all the other relievers they've called up this year (with the exception of Boshers). Considering that trend, I am not going to lose my head over a 26 year-old middle reliever who's never thrown an MLB pitch and has had Tommy John surgery. Melo also used to average in the mid-90s with his fastball as recently as the Arizona Fall League, but so far in AAA has only mustered 89-90. That, plus a wee bit of trust in the new regime, is enough for me.

 

EDIT: Tigers just released Francisco Rodriguez.  Royals just DFA'd Chris Young. Mets are shopping Addison Reed, Marlins are shopping AJ Ramos, David Phelps and Kyle Barraclough.  There are lots more available. I think the Twins will look outside the organization for proven help here.

[Rosterman]

 

I apologize to everyone for an analytical response here. Like others, I was rather surprised that Melotakis was one of the DFAd guys.  But, I jumped back and thought about it and I'm not going to say it makes sense, but there are some things we may not know. (I don't know, but the new regime has brought in an analytical spin, and they clearly make decisions based on a process. In other words, they didn't just throw darts and it hit Melo's name)

 

Lots are thinking it should have been Turley rather than Melotakis... Turley is 27, Melo turns 26 next week. Turley throws 91-94. Melotakis is 89-92. Turley amassed a ton of strikeouts in AA and AAA. Melotakis did well too there, striking out 10.7 per nine. Turley's breaking ball was likely quite a bit better as well. I didn't watch enough of either to say for sure which had a better spin rate, etc... I'm sure the evaluators know.

 

Were there others that could have been? Probably. But I don't think it's a cringe-worthy DFA... And, I talked to Melotakis a few times... I wish him well. Would love to see him (and Wimmers) stay in the organization, but maybe they'll have more opportunity elsewhere. 

But would someone have grabbed Turley? And would it be a great loss? Do the Twins need starting piochers at Rochester (especially left-handed?). I think not. Remember that Santiago will be coming back on the roster, which means Mejia or Gibson will go the minors. And we are still sitting with another starter in the bullpen (if all goes well) in Hughes.

 

On another note, that the Twins didn't make Duffey AND Rodgers into long-relievers is beyond me. A bullpen where guys are pressed to pitch two innings, but who can go 3-4. Where is Swarzak (and May) when you need them.

 

If Melotakis is so bad, why didn't you rid yourself of his 40-man spot when he still with the Lookouts.

 

And where does this leave names like Rosario, Jorge and Romero, who are all at least a year away.

 

Of course, any reliever performing well in the minors could be the second-coming of Anthony Slama, another aging gem who was never given a real opportunity to fail bigtime, just little spurts here and there, in the majors.

 

But I doubt anyone would've stolen away John Ryan Murphy.

 

Busenitz and Hlldenberger are holding down 40-man spots. Their work in the majors will see if they keep them.

 

[magiklair]

Unless there is a trade in the works.. This is simply WTF?

 

Had good minor-league numbers, sure as hell should have been given more of a chance (if there's no trade). Have these other journeymen, veterans who should be gone..

 

When has Glee ever good in the minors and majors? Hard to find anything to suggest he'll be good..

[jud6312]

I have only one reason for hating this move ... Dillon Gee.

 

We've already seen Dillon Gee once this year when he was named Nick Tepesch.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

It is just more evidence that this Front Office isn't much different than the previous one...

 

One small piece of evidence of turning the page on the old regime: Gardenhire's old number 35 has been assigned for the first time since he left (I think?...I've only noticed because I hoped they wouldn't get sentimental for all those first-round playoff exits and retire it.)

[old nurse]

For those making a big deal of the 30% K rate tis year. A certain starter down there had a 53% K rate and is also a left hamded pitcher . It is a nice statistic but it does not mean major league success

[sftwinsfan]

Surprising move to be sure.  High level view is while he has been in the system awhile, he was a 2nd round pick, missed an entire season due to TJ surgery, probably also lost additional time being part of the grand experiment of converting relievers to starters, allegedly could throw mid-90's, had good numbers this year, and was left-handed.  

 

Obviously there must be something else, loss of velocity, injury they don't think he's going to bounce back from, something.  Just hope he doesn't have one of those Alex Meyer type syndromes where he's miraculously healthy a couple weeks after he ends up on a different team.