Article: Searching For Relief

[Mike Sixel]

I want to be clear, I'm joking mostly. If he's hurt, he should be on the DL. Players should protect themselves from long term injury. 

[drjim]

I want to be clear, I'm joking mostly. If he's hurt, he should be on the DL. Players should protect themselves from long term injury.

I'm joking too. I don't really buy this injury either.

 

It was untenable to keep him on the roster. Not sure why they went dl instead of dfa, maybe wanted to give him a "rehab" chance.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Not sure why they went dl instead of dfa, maybe wanted to give him a "rehab" chance.

If we fall out of the race, they could activate Breslow and let him finish the season/career gracefully, and give him a nominal chance to "showcase" himself for other teams, to the extent that's possible anymore.

 

In the meantime, I guess he can hang around the team in a coach/leadership capacity too, at least until he needs a rehab assignment.

 

I'd rather have the 40-man spot, personally.

[drjim]

If we fall out of the race, they could activate Breslow and let him finish the season/career gracefully, and give him a nominal chance to "showcase" himself for other teams, to the extent that's possible anymore.

 

In the meantime, I guess he can hang around the team in a coach/leadership capacity too, at least until he needs a rehab assignment.

 

I'd rather have the 40-man spot, personally.

Does make the Melotakis dfa even more interesting.

[yarnivek1972]

His sore ribs are no doubt the result of laughing all the way to the bank to cash his MLB paycheck.

[drjim]

Does make the Melotakis dfa even more interesting.

Hadn't seen that he cleared. Indeed we might get a little too worked up about marginal relievers on the 40 man.

 

Still would dfa Breslow. Still can for Reed or Curtiss I suppose.

[Otto von Ballpark]

No doubt Breslow bravely facing this injury is what inspired the offense to score twice in the first inning tonight.

[Mike Sixel]

No doubt Breslow bravely facing this injury is what inspired the offense to score twice in the first inning tonight.

Leadership

[The Wise One]

 

The complaint on Breslow isn't that he is used mostly in mopup. The complaint on Breslow is that he gives up too many base runners, hence runs, and K's too few hitters. The complaint is, he's not someone who helps win games.

Please tell me when Breslow was ever used with the game on the line. The game is out of hand long before Breslow gets into the game.

[USAFChief]

Please tell me when Breslow was ever used with the game on the line. The game is out of hand long before Breslow gets into the game.

This in itself is proof that Breslow needs off the roster.

[Rosterman]

The Twins don't want to pay players to play for other teams...maybe.

 

[yarnivek1972]

Please tell me when Breslow was ever used with the game on the line. The game is out of hand long before Breslow gets into the game.

I believe in his first appearance. He came into a tie game. Gave up a hit to Hosmer and walked Brandon Moss - both lefties.

 

I really can't blame Molitor for not using him in high leverage, hell medium leverage, situations since then.

[The Wise One]

 

This in itself is proof that Breslow needs off the roster.

You can have an opinion. Proof  is quite another thing. Not being used when the game is on the line should mean that every relief pitcherr not named Belisle, Roger, Duffey and Kinzler should be off the roster. Pretty poor proof as a requirement to be off the roster.

[Linus]

On the brighter side it looks like Busenitcz might have what it takes. The only way this bullpen gets fixed quickly is for him and another young guy come and succeed.

[wsnydes]

 

You can have an opinion. Proof  is quite another thing. Not being used when the game is on the line should mean that every relief pitcherr not named Belisle, Roger, Duffey and Kinzler should be off the roster. Pretty poor proof as a requirement to be off the roster.

But I'd argue that anyway if they're over 28 and I'd add Belisle's name to that list.  It's time to bring the kids up and let them sink or swim.  Get them innings this year so that they can be more trustworthy next season.

Edited July 1, 2017 by wsnydes

[Mike Sixel]

On the brighter side it looks like Busenitcz might have what it takes. The only way this bullpen gets fixed quickly is for him and another young guy come and succeed.

And he is demoted, so Belisle and Breslow can stay. Clearly the front office knows something we don't about pitching

[drjim]

 

And he is demoted, so Belisle and Breslow can stay. Clearly the front office knows something we don't about pitching

 

Breslow is on the dl.

 

Probably an innings thing for Busenitz entering a doubleheader today. He is unavailable until Monday at the earliest. One of the benefits of having interchangeable relievers with options you can move up and down. 

[Mike Sixel]

Breslow is on the dl.

 

Probably an innings thing for Busenitz entering a doubleheader today. He is unavailable until Monday at the earliest. One of the benefits of having interchangeable relievers with options you can move up and down.

 

I somehow forgot the DL thing. And yes, it would be great to have even one more interchangeable spot. And they could have used Belisle instead yesterday. But like I said, there must be some value we are not able to see in having very ineffective pitchers on the roster we can't understand.

[The Wise One]

 

But I'd argue that anyway if they're over 28 and I'd add Belisle's name to that list.  It's time to bring the kids up and let them sink or swim.  Get them innings this year so that they can be more trustworthy next season.

So being over 28 is now a reason to cut somebody. I would call that an interesting theory on roster management. Should have never demoted  Wheeler as he was under 28 under your idea of roster management. Justin Haley for closer when he is off the dl?  Don't forget Tepich. and Tonkin. They are so dominating aaa

Edited July 2, 2017 by The Wise One

[USAFChief]

You can have an opinion. Proof is quite another thing. Not being used when the game is on the line should mean that every relief pitcherr not named Belisle, Roger, Duffey and Kinzler should be off the roster. Pretty poor proof as a requirement to be off the roster.

Not being used when the game is on the line means the manager has fewer options when the game is on the line.

 

It means the pitcher isn't good enough for MLB.

 

It means he should be replaced with someone who IS good enough to pitch with the game on the line.

[wsnydes]

 

So being over 28 is now a reason to cut somebody. I would call that an interesting theory on roster management. Should have never demoted  Wheeler as he was under 28 under your idea of roster management. Justin Haley for closer when he is off the dl?  Don't forget Tepich. and Tonkin. They are so dominating aaa

If they're not performing and clearly not in the long term plans and ineffective in the short term, why keep an older player that has no value to this team or another?

 

There is no reason to carry old, ineffective relievers like Belisle and Breslow on this roster when they have young options in the minors that can do no worse.  While I get the idea of the roster flexibility involved with sending a Busenitz down to bring up a Pressly, simply letting go of a Belisle is addition by subtraction and it gives the younger guys opportunity to get their feet wet.  

 

The Haleys, Tonkins, and Tepeschs of this system have already sunk.  They don't belong in this conversation and you know that - that's why you picked them as examples.  If you're going to twist my words to the extreme to fit your holier than thou opinion, then I have no further interest in carrying on this discussion with you.

[beckmt]

Tonkin is your classic AAAA pitcher, just not quite good enough, but great as a depth/AAA closer.  Need to move up some of the Chatanooga relievers to at least AAA and see what they have.  We have some definite openings at the major league level.

[kab21]

I think the criticism of Boshers is a little premature. I have been quite critical of the Twins recycling through 89 mph uninspiring relievers with mediocre MiLB K rates but Boshers has had strong K rates and some decent success in the minors. He is 29 and his velocity is off this year but he is more interesting than half a dozen of the guys so far.

 

 

[drjim]

Tonkin is your classic AAAA pitcher, just not quite good enough, but great as a depth/AAA closer. Need to move up some of the Chatanooga relievers to at least AAA and see what they have. We have some definite openings at the major league level.

Aren't pretty much all the worthwhile AA relievers up?

[beckmt]

Aren't pretty much all the worthwhile AA relievers up?

No Curtis and Reed have not been up yet, Bard is also a possibility

[The Wise One]

 

If they're not performing and clearly not in the long term plans and ineffective in the short term, why keep an older player that has no value to this team or another?

 

There is no reason to carry old, ineffective relievers like Belisle and Breslow on this roster when they have young options in the minors that can do no worse.  While I get the idea of the roster flexibility involved with sending a Busenitz down to bring up a Pressly, simply letting go of a Belisle is addition by subtraction and it gives the younger guys opportunity to get their feet wet.  

 

The Haleys, Tonkins, and Tepeschs of this system have already sunk.  They don't belong in this conversation and you know that - that's why you picked them as examples.  If you're going to twist my words to the extreme to fit your holier than thou opinion, then I have no further interest in carrying on this discussion with you.

If you are not carrying a Belisle or Breslow you have Tonkin or Tepich.  If Tonkin or Tepich do not belong in the conversation then you are talking about adding what does not exist.  Talking about what does not exist is pointless

[The Wise One]

 

Not being used when the game is on the line means the manager has fewer options when the game is on the line.

It means the pitcher isn't good enough for MLB.

It means he should be replaced with someone who IS good enough to pitch with the game on the line.

Fantasy baseball players. I suppose one can ask for what is not there at the start of the season to ask for.

[wsnydes]

 

If you are not carrying a Belisle or Breslow you have Tonkin or Tepich.  If Tonkin or Tepich do not belong in the conversation then you are talking about adding what does not exist.  Talking about what does not exist is pointless

That's not true at all.  Busenitz was just sent back down to make room for Pressly.  Curtiss has also earned a call up as well, just to name a couple.  There are options.

[Vanimal46]

Reed is starting to pitch pretty well in Rochester with 4 scoreless outings without issuing a walk. Granted he hasn't pitched in back to back games yet, but he's trending up. Hopefully he'll get the call soon. 

[wsnydes]

 

Reed is starting to pitch pretty well in Rochester with 4 scoreless outings without issuing a walk. Granted he hasn't pitched in back to back games yet, but he's trending up. Hopefully he'll get the call soon. 

Burdi, Bard, and probably Reed should be on the horizon.  Probably a bit too early to bring them up yet.  That would be especially true of Burdi and Bard.  I'd prefer them to get some AAA innings first.  Even that is assuming they can stay healthy.