Bullpen Going North

[Doctor Wu]

Just wondering what everyone was thinking in regards to the bullpen as Spring Training winds down (man, it went fast this year!). Does Kinley have a chance to make the club? Are the jobs of Hildenberger and Duffy still safe? Is there any hope for Phil Hughes? Could Moya make the club going north? Any other potential surprise cuts or additions?

[howieramone2]

I don't see Kinley making the team, we've made too many win now moves to carry a rookie. I see Moya as a replacement for Duke at some point in time.

[Han Joelo]

Rodney   
Reed

Duke

Rogers

Hildenberger--whatever he was working on, he stopped.  Should be fine.

Kinley--He's looked serviceable to me.

 

Pressly--I don't think he's ever going to put hot together, but he'll probably go north anyway.

 

Moya--I expect to see a lot of him this year.  

 

Busenitz--fading?

 

and then there is Phil Hughes...

[beckmt]

I could see Duffy moving on, if the Twins do not cut bait with Phil Hughes.  He is another one who will never put it together, hope he has options left.  Also think Pressly is now in danger, many bad outlings and no control of his breaking ball. 

Both still have time, but time is running out.

[Brandon]

We should have 4 starters and 8 reliebers going north.

 

Rodney

Duke

Reed

Hildeburger

Rogers

Hughes

 

2 of the following 3. Though all 3 could make it but i doubt it.

 

Duffey

Pressley

Kinley

[Shaitan]

Re: Kinley

I think the goal in drafting a "surprise pick" is that you're more likely to be able to trade for them instead of wasting a roster spot.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Re: Kinley

I think the goal in drafting a "surprise pick" is that you're more likely to be able to trade for them instead of wasting a roster spot.

I think it's been 5-6 years since anyone has traded for a Rule 5 pick in that fashion (to remove Rule 5 restrictions and send them to the minors), so I don't think that is generally a goal.

[howeda7]

I know it won't be this way but:

 

Rodney

Reed

Duke

Moya

Hildy

Pressley

Duffy

Rodgers or Hughes.

 

Rodgers has not been good since last July and is having an awful Spring. I don't see why he's locked into a spot ahead of Moya. 

[Brandon]

I know it won't be this way but:

 

Rodney

Reed

Duke

Moya

Hildy

Pressley

Duffy

Rodgers or Hughes.

 

Rodgers has not been good since last July and is having an awful Spring. I don't see why he's locked into a spot ahead of Moya.

Rodgers may be using spring to work on a specific pitch or something which can affect his numbers. I imagine he will be more focused on results this last week before the season.

[dbminn]

 

We should have 4 starters and 8 reliebers going north.

Rodney
Duke
Reed
Hildeburger
Rogers
Hughes

2 of the following 3. Though all 3 could make it but i doubt it.

Duffey
Pressley
Kinley

 

I think Duffey is the odd man out right now. He can still be optioned. That's what I think the Twins have planned - not necessarily my opinion. 

[bobs]

Rodney, Reed, Duke, Rogers, Hildenberger, Presley, Kinley.  Kinley is a mop up guy b/c they don't want to lose him after essentially sacrificing Chargois, Bard, Burdi, to get him.  I wonder if Duffey heads to AAA as a starter or reliever?  He has an option left too.  Duffey, Busenitz, Curtiss, Moya, etc., give them the ability to shuffle guys to keep fresh arms in the bullpen.

[bobs]

...also, Hughes is a long man/5th starter for April.  Too much money owed him to dump him quite yet and I think they'll want younger guys to pitch more regularly.

[Rosterman]

When Santana comes back, it will be a choice between Duffey or Hughes (or maybe a bench guy).

 

The next 10 days is telling. Hildenberger has been roughed up. Rogers and Duffey aren't inspiring confidence. Dow we want Kinley and Moya both in the bullpen.

 

And the Hughes factor. The three looooong guys are basically bad so far.

 

You hope they take the best group north. 

 

Anhyone know the problem with Busenitz, or has the league caught up to him?

 

Would Bard and Chargois been challengers for this year. Too bad they went elsewhere.

 

 

[nicksaviking]

 

I think Duffey is the odd man out right now. He can still be optioned. That's what I think the Twins have planned - not necessarily my opinion. 

 

I agree. Personally, I think Duffey's effectiveness may have run it's course. He was the weakest link in the bullpen last year yet got the most innings and his much lauded curveball hasn't really been a good pitch for him since his rookie year.

[rdehring]

Don't know what is up with Rogers.  If he is working on something, that will be considered.  If he isn't, I see a chance that Moya makes the team with Rogers going to AAA.

 

I agree with all those above who think if it comes down to Duffey vs. Hughes, Hughes is in and Duffey goes to AAA.  I see Hughes lasting until June, at which point they will evaluate how he is doing.  Should Trevor May be doing well in his rehab, he could be the one replacing Hughes should they waive him in June.  If Hughes is terrible and May isn't ready, it could then be Duffey or one of many others from AAA to replace him.  

[Doomtints]

The Twins will be bringing up 13 pitchers, remember.

[Han Joelo]

Last outing, didn't Kinley pitch 2 great innings, and then get shelled when he went out for a third?

[Han Joelo]

I'll answer my own question:

 

strikeout, groundout, flyout

strikeout, groundout, groundout

homer, walk, double...pulled from game...one more of his runs scores.

[yarnivek1972]

I know it won't be this way but:

 

Rodney

Reed

Duke

Moya

Hildy

Pressley

Duffy

Rodgers or Hughes.

 

Rodgers has not been good since last July and is having an awful Spring. I don't see why he's locked into a spot ahead of Moya.

Rogers had a handful of terrible outings at the end of July. Perhaps not coincidentally almost the entire team shat the bed that week or so. Other than that, he was pretty good in August and in September. For a guy who still has less than 2 years experience at the MLB level, he’s done exceptionally well IMO.

 

That said, he is what he is - a lefty specialist. He was sort of thrust into a setup role by default at times last year. He really doesn’t have a pitch to consistently get righties out. That’s why he shifted to the bullpen in the first place. As for Moya, as I recall he actually has had “reverse” splits, even in the minors. He might be a set up guy someday, but he isn’t likely to be a loogy.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The Twins will be bringing up 13 pitchers, remember.

agreed, though they’ve stated 12

[yarnivek1972]

Here’s an interesting question if anyone has an answer?

 

Does Lance Lynn have an option remaining?

 

Let’s play hypothetical: Twins continue to use him only in minor league games. They could theoretically (if he has one left) option him to AAA retroactive to his last appearance in a MLB ST game. It has already been stated that he won’t be available for the first series. The Twins could “recall” him in time for his first start at the expense of someone else (Hughes, Kinley, maybe a position player?). Falvine proved rather adept at shuffling the deck last year. We’ll see how outside the box their thinking can be.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here’s an interesting question if anyone has an answer?

 

Does Lance Lynn have an option remaining?

 

Let’s play hypothetical: Twins continue to use him only in minor league games. They could theoretically (if he has one left) option him to AAA retroactive to his last appearance in a MLB ST game. It has already been stated that he won’t be available for the first series. The Twins could “recall” him in time for his first start at the expense of someone else (Hughes, Kinley, maybe a position player?). Falvine proved rather adept at shuffling the deck last year. We’ll see how outside the box their thinking can be.

Lynn does have options remaining (all 3, technically). But I think the 10 day clock might start on opening day, which would make this difficult. The Orioles and Cobb are apparently going to do this, but he signed later and might make multiple starts in the minors, which would cover the 10 days.

[ashbury]

Here’s an interesting question if anyone has an answer?

 

Does Lance Lynn have an option remaining?

 

Let’s play hypothetical: Twins continue to use him only in minor league games. They could theoretically (if he has one left) option him to AAA retroactive to his last appearance in a MLB ST game. It has already been stated that he won’t be available for the first series. The Twins could “recall” him in time for his first start at the expense of someone else (Hughes, Kinley, maybe a position player?). Falvine proved rather adept at shuffling the deck last year. We’ll see how outside the box their thinking can be.

While he does have his minor league options remaining, he also has enough service time that he can refuse a minor league demotion if he wants to. The player and the team would have to be on the same page with this. I'm thinking he wouldn't go for it, as he wants to start showcasing himself right away for his next contract. But who knows?

[kab21]

 

The Twins will be bringing up 13 pitchers, remember.

Why would they have 13 pitchers to start the season if they only plan on having 4 starters with Hughes in the bullpen?

[Doomtints]

 

Why would they have 13 pitchers to start the season if they only plan on having 4 starters with Hughes in the bullpen?

 

You can ask them this question after they do it.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Why would they have 13 pitchers to start the season if they only plan on having 4 starters with Hughes in the bullpen?

because labeling Hughes a bullpen pitcher somehow solves an issue?

[kab21]

 

because labeling Hughes a bullpen pitcher somehow solves an issue?

He is available as a long reliever plus 8 other RP'ers. This has to be sufficient.

 

Plus I would be very surprised if the Twins don't start with Escobar/Adrianza (one starting), Grossman, Garver and Aybar for position players on the bench.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

He is available as a long reliever plus 8 other RP'ers. This has to be sufficient.

 

Plus I would be very surprised if the Twins don't start with Escobar/Adrianza (one starting), Grossman, Garver and Aybar for position players on the bench.

Aybar was reassigned and can elect to become a free agent soon, first day of the season I believe. I think Featherston is in the mix for depth at 3rd. He has lasted late into camp and while knowing Polanco will get suspended and a possibility that Sano does too, Falvine stayed with only a minor league deal for Aybar. Must be planning on Gordon and Featherston to be getting some MLB playing time this year.

 

I reread the article again... found Hughes in the recap under starters, I was looking for him in “reliever”

[Homer Hanky]

If Moya does not come north... they clearly are not taking the best pitchers with them... which makes me sad

[beckmt]

 

If Moya does not come north... they clearly are not taking the best pitchers with them... which makes me sad

Some of this may be when he was  used as later in the games he  would have been facing the same type of hitters he faced in AA or AAA.