Article: Twelve's A Crowd: Twins Are Rolling In Relief

[drjim]

Thanks for posting this, I was just going to comment on it. I'm interesting to see how May might slot back in during the month of May, if he does get healthy by then. I would think Gonsalves might have the first shot at a rotation spot, and then possibly May. I don't think Duffey is going to return to the rotation but having guys like him start out as a starter during Spring Training is a common thing for the Twins (Swarzak and Duensing did this before landing in the pen).

Agree. I'm on board with every part of the plan outlined in the tweet.

 

I find it very likely Romero ends up in the pen. If Pineda comes back too, they could have some serious power by the end of the year.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

So moving Duffey to the rotation opens a bullpen spot for idk Gibson? Setting the opening day rotation as of now, to:

 

1. E Santana

2. Berrios

3. Duffey

4. Jim Kaat?

5. ???

[USAFChief]

So moving Duffey to the rotation opens a bullpen spot for idk Gibson? Setting the opening day rotation as of now, to:

 

1. E Santana

2. Berrios

3. Duffey

4. Jim Kaat?

5. ???

Kaat? In the rotation??

 

Don't be ridiculous. He spent the latter part of his career in the pen and that's where he's ticketed in Minnesota.

[howieramone2]

 

So moving Duffey to the rotation opens a bullpen spot for idk Gibson? Setting the opening day rotation as of now, to:

1. E Santana
2. Berrios
3. Duffey
4. Jim Kaat?
5. ???

1/2 Santana and Berrios

3       Free agent

4/5 Most likely a one year, make good free agent/Gibson

6/7 Mejia/Gonsalves

 

My guess is Duffey will be long relief/spot starter with May as a wildcard.

Edited January 22, 2018 by howieramone2

[DocBauer]

I believe stretching Duffey let's him work on all his pitches, and allows hum to work as the middle and long man, something I've been thinking and saying for a while.

[Mike Sixel]

I believe stretching Duffey let's him work on all his pitches, and allows hum to work as the middle and long man, something I've been thinking and saying for a while.

Why is the long man so important to some people? When you need a long man, you are most likely losing the game. Duffey is either a starter, or better RP. If he's just the long man, they, imo, wasted his talents.

[DocBauer]

Why is the long man so important to some people? When you need a long man, you are most likely losing the game. Duffey is either a starter, or better RP. If he's just the long man, they, imo, wasted his talents.

Personally, I'm not that big on a long man being a necessity. Now, there are times when you have a blow out, or your SP gets hurt, etc. But my feeling is Duffey is better suited to that role than Pressly or Busentiz or Hildenberger, etc.

[Mike Sixel]

Personally, I'm not that big on a long man being a necessity. Now, there are times when you have a blow out, or your SP gets hurt, etc. But my feeling is Duffey is better suited to that role than Pressly or Busentiz or Hildenberger, etc.

Agreed, but those aren't the only options for that role.

[DocBauer]

 

Agreed, but those aren't the only options for that role.

100%.

 

Slegers comes to mind as a possibility as well, just to name someone. But with his MLB experience, I'd feel more comfortable with Duffey in that role, if you're going to have someone for that spot, wouldn't you? At least, initially.

 

I think Duffey is more than capable of being a 7th inning guy, for example. But as the bullpen seems to be shaping up now, there isn't room for the 9th or 8th innings for him. So if you're going to have that long/mid man, Duffey would seem the best choice.

 

Part of me does wonder, I'll admit, about Duffey staying a SP and work that way in Rochester as insurance and depth. Maybe I just can't get over how good he looked the last half of 2015. Regardless, if the Twins want that long/mid man, Duffey would be my choice for now.

[Riverbrian]

 

Why is the long man so important to some people? When you need a long man, you are most likely losing the game. Duffey is either a starter, or better RP. If he's just the long man, they, imo, wasted his talents.

 

I don't believe that "Long Man" is even the slightest bit necessary anymore. 

 

I know it is different in the playoffs. I know that 162 games is a grind and therefore different than the playoffs... but... look what Girardi did to us in WC Game.

 

We jumped on their Ace Severino and he lasted one third of an inning. 

 

Chad Green comes in early and pitches two innings and then Robertson for 3.1 followed by Kahnle for for 2.1 and then Chapman for the 9th. No long man and a frustrated Twins lineup. 

 

The Twins countered that with:

Santana  2.0

Berrios 3.0

Hildenberger 1.1

Rogers .1

Busenitz .1

Belisle 1

 

Molitor treated Berrios like a long man and if the Twins advanced. The starting rotation was compromised. 

 

There is only one answer in my opinion. 7 Guys in the Bullpen... 7 Guys who are all trusted and can all knock you out. Load it up!!! 

 

Your top gun in the bullpen gets used like Andrew Miller. Pitch when backs are against the wall and you need someone. 

 

You can also name a dedicated closer for value purposes. Pitchers will want that role because it tends to pay more in the current climate. 

 

After that... No Dedicated 8th or 7th inning guy... No Dedicated Long Man. Use the guy who is rested and ready. pitching well and matches up well with batting order you are facing. 

 

Don't name a set up guy and try to ride him out when he is struggling. Give the ball to those who are performing at the time. Have enough talent to be flexible and let it rock. 

 

That's how I'd do it and the Twins are pretty close to being able to execute this way. The Pen has potential and there is significant replacement depth in the minors. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Why is the long man so important to some people? When you need a long man, you are most likely losing the game. Duffey is either a starter, or better RP. If he's just the long man, they, imo, wasted his talents.

as I see it, the long man is critical to avoiding long losing streaks.

 

I’d like to see Gibson as the long man, but don’t feel strong.

[Darius]

The thing about this is most of them aren't really that good. Who can you point to and definitively say, "that guy will be lights out." Maybe Reed? Otherwise, everyone has question marks and maybes associated with them.

 

The bullpen has gone from awful to average. They have a lot of mediocre depth that turn into some "if."

[Darius]

as I see it, the long man is critical to avoiding long losing streaks.

 

I’d like to see Gibson as the long man, but don’t feel strong.

Gibson was our best stater in the second half last year. We wouldn't have made the playoffs without him in the rotation.

 

Would it really be a good idea to give him a bunch of meaningless innings in blowout losses just to save Taylor Rodgers and Ryan Presley for the following night? You wouldn't give him a chance to build off of last year and see if he has turned a corner?

 

Considering we're likely not bringing in a free agent starter of note, Gibson is integral to this team's success.

[ashbury]

Considering we're likely not bringing in a free agent starter of note, Gibson is integral to this team's success.

You just made the best argument possible for getting off of dead-center and bringing in a free agent starter of note. For a FO to go into the season believing that Gibby is integral to your team's success would be a firing offense in my book - dereliction of duty, willful negligence, whatever you want to call it.

[jorgenswest]

They could always commit millions and many years to Lynn or Cobb who have similar 2017 xFIPs and similar 2018 steamer projections.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Gibson was our best stater in the second half last year. We wouldn't have made the playoffs without him in the rotation.

 

Would it really be a good idea to give him a bunch of meaningless innings in blowout losses just to save Taylor Rodgers and Ryan Presley for the following night? You wouldn't give him a chance to build off of last year and see if he has turned a corner?

 

Considering we're likely not bringing in a free agent starter of note, Gibson is integral to this team's success.

Gibson turns that corner every season. 2017 fell right in line with his career.

 

I do very much believe it would benefit the team for a mediocre starter soak up meaningless innings so that Hildenberger and Reed are available to pitch meaningful innings as well as Rogers and Pressly, et al. There’s a ton of value to avoid the bullpen games.