Time for Gibson to go - Souhan Strib

[TheGiantTeapot]

http://www.startribune.com/consistenly-awful-kyle-gibson-needs-to-go-after-this-season/440970213/

[wsnydes]

Not sure that I necessarily need to wait until the end of the season to see him go.

[Vanimal46]

Took a columnist long enough to write this article. Couldn't agree more. It's beyond time to move on next season. 

[Doomtints]

This is like the politician who reads the polls before coming out with a strong stance on something.

 

Yes, Gibson has not been good and yes he is gone after this year.

 

He will get a spring training invite somewhere and the rest is up to him.

[gunnarthor]

I figure his arbitration would get him around 4m or so? That Twins are closer to the 105-110m payroll than most think so saving that 4m and using it elsewhere is probably the better answer.

[jimmer]

The time for Gibson to go didn't just happen.  He should have been traded after his 2015 season.

[Linus]

I figure his arbitration would get him around 4m or so? That Twins are closer to the 105-110m payroll than most think so saving that 4m and using it elsewhere is probably the better answer.

Agreed. Gibby is making this non-tender decision easier by the start.

[drjim]

I figure his arbitration would get him around 4m or so? That Twins are closer to the 105-110m payroll than most think so saving that 4m and using it elsewhere is probably the better answer.

This is probably true, but they'll still need a replacement starter. I think it's getting close to being a certainty he's gone, but not 100%.

[Lefty74]

Sometimes it just doesn't work out. Gibby is 6'6", has a FB that has very good movement at 92-95, solid changeup and yet can't win. Realistically his talent is at least midpoint of all MLB starting pitchers. I'm afraid he just doesn't have the heart for pitching. Maybe he doesn't trust his stuff or isn't tough enough but talent is not the reason for his failure IMHO.

[gunnarthor]

 

Sometimes it just doesn't work out. Gibby is 6'6", has a FB that has very good movement at 92-95, solid changeup and yet can't win. Realistically his talent is at least midpoint of all MLB starting pitchers. I'm afraid he just doesn't have the heart for pitching. Maybe he doesn't trust his stuff or isn't tough enough but talent is not the reason for his failure IMHO.

I've gone back to this but as a prospect, his reviews were generally pretty positive. But one of the few critiques that stuck with me was that he was 'too nice' - sorta old school talk for lacking something. I'm not sure if it was based on nibbling (that minor league hitters would still bite on) or refusing to pitch inside or just a very calm demeanor but ... 

 

[gunnarthor]

 

This is probably true, but they'll still need a replacement starter. I think it's getting close to being a certainty he's gone, but not 100%.

I think Gonsalves start on Monday (if it happens) will begin to answer that.

[nicksaviking]

The only thing to regret about letting Gibson go is that the team didn't try him in the bullpen. Because if he ever does resurface as a usable pitcher, it almost surely will be in that role.

 

Good luck to him where ever he may end up.

[laloesch]

I've seen enough of Kyle Gibson, Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes.  In my opinion if all three of those guys dissapeared this offseason I don't think this team misses a beat.  Sometimes addition by subtraction.

[yarnivek1972]

Souhan on the cutting edge as usual.  Where was this column 13 months ago?

[Doomtints]

 

I've seen enough of Kyle Gibson, Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes.  In my opinion if all three of those guys dissapeared this offseason I don't think this team misses a beat.  Sometimes addition by subtraction.

 

Two of them will be gone. There is no reason to sign new paper for guys playing at their level.

[drivlikejehu]

Gibson's problem as always been command. It's something most guys need in MLB.

[Linus]

Gibson's problem as always been command. It's something most guys need in MLB.

Precisely. Command is more important than stuff. Good pitchers have both. One reason he looks scared on the mound is that he knows a too large percentage of the time he is going to lay one in there to get smoked.

[ashbury]

I figure his arbitration would get him around 4m or so? That Twins are closer to the 105-110m payroll than most think so saving that 4m and using it elsewhere is probably the better answer.

It's not even the money, by this point. I wouldn't have him on my roster next year even if he agreed to a league-minimum contract, if that were allowed by the CBA without first being cut loose.

 

Maybe I'd consider him if he offered some kind of under-the-table illegal kickback resulting in a significant net-negative salary. Maybe.

[Rosterman]

He WILL probably pitch for a few more years. Unless a club wants to sign Mike Pelfrey instead.

 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I have not seen Gibsons' last two starts, or heard anything about him. Is there something different about his last two starts? Mechanics change? Add or ditch a pitch? Velo up? Or just small sample size mirage?

[Rosterman]

Right now, you do keep him around. But I would give Slegers a start or two or three and see how he does. You can never have too much pitching, but try to put the best out there. Also have to find room for Mejia when he comes back. And who knows what Santiago could still do. Seven-man rotation>

 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

I have not seen Gibsons' last two starts, or heard anything about him. Is there something different about his last two starts? Mechanics change? Add or ditch a pitch? Velo up? Or just small sample size mirage?

 

Just bumping this to get it on most current page, in case anyone has some info.

[Doubles]

I asked Nick about this via Twitter.    His response was that perhaps Gibson is settling in with some mechanical adjustments made in the off-season.    The White Sox are in the bottom third in the AL for batting average, and Toronna is dead last.  Yes, they're big league hitters, but still.

 

Combined K/BB ratio of 15:2 is probably the most significant uptick.  17 swinging strikes vs the Whiteys, and 12 vs Toronna.  13 had been his previous season high, on Aug 11 vs Detroit.  

 

Probably the biggest pitch Gibson threw against Toronna came in the bottom of the 2nd.  Right after Polanco dropped the flip from Dozier on a sure DP ball to load the bases, Gibson got leadoff man Carrera to hit another DP ball to work out of a jam and keep the game tied at 1 after 2.  Huge confidence boost for Gibson to pick up the Twins' defense for once in his life.  Not only got the Twins out of trouble, but then they came back and scored two in the top of the 3rd to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.  

 

Good Lord, what am I even doing praising Gibson like this?  I don't even know me anymore.

[twinsnorth49]

 

I asked Nick about this via Twitter.    His response was that perhaps Gibson is settling in with some mechanical adjustments made in the off-season.    The White Sox are in the bottom third in the AL for batting average, and Toronna is dead last.  Yes, they're big league hitters, but still.

 

Combined K/BB ratio of 15:2 is probably the most significant uptick.  17 swinging strikes vs the Whiteys, and 12 vs Toronna.  13 had been his previous season high, on Aug 11 vs Detroit.  

 

Probably the biggest pitch Gibson threw against Toronna came in the bottom of the 2nd.  Right after Polanco dropped the flip from Dozier on a sure DP ball to load the bases, Gibson got leadoff man Carrera to hit another DP ball to work out of a jam and keep the game tied at 1 after 2.  Huge confidence boost for Gibson to pick up the Twins' defense for once in his life.  Not only got the Twins out of trouble, but then they came back and scored two in the top of the 3rd to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.  

 

Good Lord, what am I even doing praising Gibson like this?  I don't even know me anymore.

It's Tronno or Tu-raw-no.........never Toronna.

 

Here to help.

[Riverbrian]

Keep him for the rest of the year. 

 

Make the decision in the off-season. 

 

He has had enough mediocre built up that I am debating offering Arb. 

 

He'd have to have a real strong September that was driven by some sort of adjustment for me to bring him back. 

[MN_ExPat]

 

I asked Nick about this via Twitter.    His response was that perhaps Gibson is settling in with some mechanical adjustments made in the off-season.    The White Sox are in the bottom third in the AL for batting average, and Toronna is dead last.  Yes, they're big league hitters, but still.

 

Combined K/BB ratio of 15:2 is probably the most significant uptick.  17 swinging strikes vs the Whiteys, and 12 vs Toronna.  13 had been his previous season high, on Aug 11 vs Detroit.  

 

Probably the biggest pitch Gibson threw against Toronna came in the bottom of the 2nd.  Right after Polanco dropped the flip from Dozier on a sure DP ball to load the bases, Gibson got leadoff man Carrera to hit another DP ball to work out of a jam and keep the game tied at 1 after 2.  Huge confidence boost for Gibson to pick up the Twins' defense for once in his life.  Not only got the Twins out of trouble, but then they came back and scored two in the top of the 3rd to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.  

 

Good Lord, what am I even doing praising Gibson like this?  I don't even know me anymore.

Because we should never pray for a man to fail, pray instead that he finds success here or elsewhere (the place is irrelevant).

[Doomtints]

 

Good Lord, what am I even doing praising Gibson like this?  I don't even know me anymore.

 

Gibson is gone at the end of the year, and for this year they are not likely to find anyone better unless they make a trade.

 

If the Twins make the WC game and the playoffs beyond, it's not like he would be on the roster I would think. Gibson is kind of a non-issue at this point.  If the other starters can give the team a chance to win the usual 40-60% of the time, Gibson's 30-35% won't kill the team too much.

[Doubles]

 

It's Tronno or Tu-raw-no.........never Toronna.

 

Here to help.

 

Got my phonetic pronunciation from that bastion of Canadian culture, Kingston ON's own Don Cherry.

[jimbo92107]

Talk about late bloomers... It's like watching a mummy open up and a pretty butterfly comes out. I've officially given up on Gibson, so he's dead to me. Let's hope The Pitching Dead becomes a popular TV series. After all this time, NOW he's finally figuring it out??

[zenser]

I am not a fan of Gibson but he does add depth.  We have had games started this year by Turley, Jorge, Wilk, Enns, Melville, and Tepesch.