Twins DFA Melotakis

[drjim]

I was told Melo's velo was 89-90 since coming up to Rochester.

That would explain a lot.

[Loosey]

That is a surprising move.  I literally wrote about 2 hours ago how he was the one healthy reliever left between him, Chargois and Burdi.  And now he is gone.

 

I have never physically seen him throw, so is Brandon Warne's note on him barely touching 90 MPH true?  However, if it is true, doesn't DL make more sense than DFA?

[drjim]

No. The Phillies aren't trading a reliever with a 0.63 ERA and a reasonable salary a month ahead of the trade deadline for assorted 40-man mediocrities. Melotakis is the only one you list who might have positive value right now, and it's probably fairly slight.

Phils won't get much for Neshek though. Non elite relievers on the last year don't fetch much.

[drjim]

That is a surprising move. I literally wrote about 2 hours ago how he was the one healthy reliever left between him, Chargois and Burdi. And now he is gone.

 

I have never physically seen him throw, so is Brandon Warne's note on him barely touching 90 MPH true? However, if it is true, doesn't DL make more sense than DFA?

If he's hurt, dl is just delaying the inevitable.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Phils won't get much for Neshek though. Non elite relievers on the last year don't fetch much.

I didn't say they'd get a lot, but they'd be fools to accept so little now.  They're not going to get less than these Twins DFA candidates in late July.  And if no elite relievers get moved, they might get a little more then too.

[drjim]

I didn't say they'd get a lot, but they'd be fools to accept so little now. They're not going to get less than these Twins DFA candidates in late July. And if no elite relievers get moved, they might get a little more then too.

That I mostly agree with. Little reason to accept that package now.

[gunnarthor]

Maybe Melo is Anthony Slama?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Also i would think they probably could have traded melotakis, with Wimmers or Haley for Neshek.

 

And maybe asked for Aaron Nola too... :-)

[wsnydes]

 

If he's hurt, dl is just delaying the inevitable.

Why would it be delaying the inevitable?  He's not going to heal?  If he is truly hurt, then it would make sense to DL him to see if he regains some velocity.  The fact that they DFA'd him tells me that he's healthy which is why the velocity dip would be problematic.  It still doesn't make any sense that they'd promote a guy and then DFA him a week later.  That's very peculiar.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

Maybe Melo is Anthony Slama?

 

Likely, certainly. 

[Brandon Warne]

 

Maybe Melo is Anthony Slama?

 

I'd be more convinced Hildy is Slama. Funky arm slot, non-overpowering stuff. With that said, I'm not sure I'd have done this, but I also am aware that I don't know a damn thing.

[Seth Stohs]

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. 

[bird]

 

Maybe Melo is Anthony Slama?

 

 

Okay, maybe that's all there is to the story, but then why the advancement to AAA? I sure would appreciate it if one of our esteemed beat reporters would go out on a limb and press for an explanation for this, among a dozen other recent perplexing decisions. I'm not going to hold my breath for that.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think getting 2 pitchers who can pitch in the pen for the next several years for half season in a rebuilding year is not a bad haul. Granted these are prospects. But i doubt it takes more to get him. Mldtraderumors chat estimated a 30th ranked prospect for him. Melotakis is in that range and so was Haley. We'll see.

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.

[Seth Stohs]

The other thing... DFAing Melotakis just takes him off the 40-man roster... 

 

Now they have 7 days to do one of a few things.

 

1.) Trade him.

2.) Put him on waivers (letting him go or outrighting him, depending on if he's claimed, or

3.) They can put him back on the 40 man roster. 

 

In option three, they could DFA someone else, if needed, and bring him back. Maybe Breslow or something. I'm not saying that's what will happen, but this could all be much ado about nothing in the next week.

[ashbury]

The other thing... DFAing Melotakis just takes him off the 40-man roster... 

 

Now they have 7 days to do one of a few things.

 

1.) Trade him.

2.) Put him on waivers (letting him go or outrighting him, depending on if he's claimed, or

3.) They can put him back on the 40 man roster. 

 

In option three, they could DFA someone else, if needed, and bring him back. Maybe Breslow or something. I'm not saying that's what will happen, but this could all be much ado about nothing in the next week.

Exactly. I was just about to type this. Thanks for saving me the wear and tear. I step away for an hour and all hell breaks loose.

 

DFA'ed is not Waived. I don't know what the plan is, but until I read that he was actually claimed on waivers, I'm not pushing any panic buttons. For all I know, FalVine are just using the rule to give them 41 they can protect serially.

 

Melo can't play while he is DFA'ed. Maybe that fits in with a perceived need for 10 days of rest, and suits the roster needs of the team better than the short DL.

 

Small correction (if I am indeed correct): the 7 day part refers only to putting on waivers - since the waiver process itself takes 3 days. Otherwise, it's just DFA for 10 days at most.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

3.) They can put him back on the 40 man roster. 

 

In option three, they could DFA someone else, if needed, and bring him back. Maybe Breslow or something. I'm not saying that's what will happen, but this could all be much ado about nothing in the next week.

I don't think they can do that.  You can't add a DFA'd player back to the 40-man roster if you've already replaced him on the 40-man roster -- so effectively, you can't add them back.

 

Think about it logically: otherwise, you could rotate two guys through the same single 40-man roster spot almost indefinitely, just by DFA'ing one for 7 days, then the other, etc.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Small correction (if I am indeed correct): the 7 day part refers only to putting on waivers - since the waiver process itself takes 3 days. Otherwise, it's just DFA for 10 days at most.

It's been lowered to 7 days now.  So they have just 4 days to put the player on waivers, and 7 days total to do something.

[adorduan]

 

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. 

That's all well and good, spin rate, velocity, blah, blah blah.  There is a reason the guy has been in the minors for 10 freaking years.  For Christ's sake, after watching fastballs being rocketed all over the park, Allen had to come out and tell him to throw a freaking curve ball yesterday.

[Tom Froemming]

Average fastball velocity with the Twins this season

Wimmers 91.5

Belisle 91.2

Boshers 90.7

Haley 89.9

Breslow 89.5

Wilk 88.4

Wheeler 88.4

Heston 87.8

 

Is it that big of a concern that Melotakis is sitting 90 mph when his K% is 29.6 on the season?

[ashbury]

It's been lowered to 7 days now.  So they have just 4 days to put the player on waivers, and 7 days total to do something.

Good one, thanks. My google search turned up the Wikipedia page first, and MLB's page second. Dumb of me to choose so very unwisely (cue the Indiana Jones gif).

 

Also the MLB page seems to not mention the ability to put the guy back on the 40-man within the 10 days, definitely reducing my comfort level here. Pitchforks and torches at the ready!

 

I haven't edited a Wiki page in a long time, but maybe today's the day.

 

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/designate-for-assignment

[Taildragger8791]

 

Average fastball velocity with the Twins this season

Wimmers 91.5

Belisle 91.2

Boshers 90.7

Haley 89.9

Breslow 89.5

Wilk 88.4

Wheeler 88.4

Heston 87.8

 

Is it that big of a concern that Melotakis is sitting 90 mph when his K% is 29.6 on the season?

 

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.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Good one, thanks. My google search turned up the Wikipedia page first, and MLB's page second. Dumb of me to choose that unwisely (cue the Indiana Jones gif).

 

I haven't edit a Wiki page in a long time, but maybe today's the day.

 

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/designate-for-assignment

No problem!

 

I notice Wikipedia is also incorrect about adding the player back to the 40-man roster.  That's not listed at the MLB site, or in the link that Wikipedia references.  Can't remember where I read the language before, but I am pretty sure it's only possible to add them back if you haven't already replaced them on the roster. Probably only applies to situations where the corresponding transaction falls through?

 

EDIT: Maybe it applied more to Optional Assignment Waivers, which no longer exist this season?

http://www.thecubreporter.com/08042015/why-player-designated-assignment-and-then-optioned-minors

 

 

Sometimes a club wants to remove a player from its MLB Reserve List (40-man roster), but it has to be done immediately because the player's roster slot is needed. Or sometimes a club wants to remove a player only from its MLB Active List (25-man roster), but Optional Assignment Waivers must be secured before the player can be optioned to the minors. In those cases, a player can be Designated for Assignment, the "Designated Player" is removed from his club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster), and then the club has up to ten days to either trade, release, non-tender, or outright the player to the minors, or return the Designated Player to its MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) and option the player to the minors (if the player has minor league options available and Optional Assignment Waivers are secured if needed, unless the player has the right to refuse an Optional Assignment and does not give his consent), but a player who has been Designated for Assignment can be returned to the club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) and optioned to the minors only if the Designated Player was not replaced on the club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) by another player after being Designated for Assignment. (A club might have to DFA a player to buy time while it attempts to secure Optional Assignment Waivers).

 

Again, Optional Assignment Waivers doesn't exist anymore. (I think Andrew Albers was one of the last to go through its machinations late last season )

 

That would mean Melotakis is, for intents and purposes, going to be traded or waived shortly.

[nicksaviking]

 

Average fastball velocity with the Twins this season

Wimmers 91.5

Belisle 91.2

Boshers 90.7

Haley 89.9

Breslow 89.5

Wilk 88.4

Wheeler 88.4

Heston 87.8

 

Is it that big of a concern that Melotakis is sitting 90 mph when his K% is 29.6 on the season?

 

Holy cow, what are the odds?! That list matches my list of guys I've been in favor of DFA'ing this year!

[Thrylos]

 

 

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.

 

Turley is one thing, Breslow is another.   Clearly Breslow is not part of the Twins' future.  Turley and Melotakis can be.   I  was surprised that Randy Rosario got the call over Melotakis a couple weeks ago.  If they are trying to see what they have, makes zero sense not to have Melotakis up there to try. 

 

So the comparison should be with others on the 40 man roster who deserve to get cut more than Melotakis (I'd add JR Murphy to the list btw)

 

Frankly, I'd rather have Melotakis than Buddy Bo, as well, in addition to Breslow...

 

Unless, there is something brewing.

Re: injuries/velo/infrequent appearances etc:   He has been nursing an oblique injury.  Those can be a nagging pain in the rear.

 

I guess we shall see what they have in mind soon.

[Vanimal46]

I like that the FO is continuing to trim the fat on the 40 man roster. Can't say I'm that upset Melotakis is no longer on it. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I like that the FO is continuing to trim the fat on the 40 man roster. 

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 ).

[drjim]

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 ).

And maybe adding some lean fat in Reed and Curtiss soon.

[Respy]

 

Surprised here as well.  The only way that this might make sense, is if they already have an agreement on a trade with some team.

 

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?

[drjim]

Holy cow, what are the odds?! That list matches my list of guys I've been in favor of DFA'ing this year!

How dare you talk about Boshers like that!

 

But yes, strange list to use in support of Melotakis.