5th Starter

[bluechipper]

 

Yeah, but they don't let our outfielders sit in the stands 20 rows back.....

Solo HRs can't beat you  

[AlwaysinModeration]

Well, the expectations for Hughes are pretty low around here. I’m calling a W for Phil on Sunday.

[SwainZag]

 

Why on earth would the Twins need a fifth starter on Sunday? They had an off day yesterday.

 

Although, to be fair, maybe you start Hughes on Sunday against the Rays instead of virtually guaranteeing yourself a loss against the Yankees with him on the mound.

 

That has to be the reasoning right?  It's just downright evil to make a guy who hasn't started in almost 9 months to make his 1st start back against the Yanks and that lineup.

[yarnivek1972]

The Rays on Sunday are having a “bullpen game”.

 

I put the over/under on total runs at 15.5.

 

Whaddya think?

[Mr. Brooks]

That has to be the reasoning right? It's just downright evil to make a guy who hasn't started in almost 9 months to make his 1st start back against the Yanks and that lineup.

I think it's actually been 11 months since Hughes has started a MLB game.

[darin617]

I am happy they chose Hughes. 2-3 poor starts and we can release him & eat the rest of the contract.

[Vanimal46]

Why on earth would the Twins need a fifth starter on Sunday? They had an off day yesterday.

 

Although, to be fair, maybe you start Hughes on Sunday against the Rays instead of virtually guaranteeing yourself a loss against the Yankees with him on the mound.

They're virtually guaranteeing a loss against any team he faces...

[Mr. Brooks]

I am happy they chose Hughes. 2-3 poor starts and we can release him & eat the rest of the contract.

If he's on that short of a leash, why not just release him now?

 

I'm certainly not holding my breath waiting for them to cut him.

[Brock Beauchamp]

They're virtually guaranteeing a loss against any team he faces...

Dunno. The Rays aren’t exactly a powerhouse. The Twins probably lose with Hughes on the mound but it’s not a given.

[jorgenswest]

Well, we have to take a $13 million look at Hughes.

 

Imagine that. He's making more than Lynn!

That extension doesn’t look good now but I don’t recall thinking it was a bad idea then. Part of the risk for a mid market team is that it isn’t reasonable to throw away these sunk costs.

 

They committed 13 years to Hughes, Santana and Nolasco and have a good return on 3 of those 10 years thus far. That is not a recipe for success.

[yarnivek1972]

That extension doesn’t look good now but I don’t recall thinking it was a bad idea then. Part of the risk for a mid market team is that it isn’t reasonable to throw away these sunk costs.

 

They committed 13 years to Hughes, Santana and Nolasco and have a good return on 3 of those 10 years thus far. That is not a recipe for success.

They gave him a 5 year extension one year into a 3 year contract. What was the rush? He wasn’t going anywhere. Decisions like that are exactly why Terry Ryan was fired.

[jorgenswest]

They gave him a 5 year extension one year into a 3 year contract. What was the rush? He wasn’t going anywhere. Decisions like that are exactly why Terry Ryan was fired.

Turns out it was a horribly bad decision. I wonder if it was viewed that way at the time.

[yarnivek1972]

Turns out it was a horribly bad decision. I wonder if it was viewed that way at the time.

It was by most of the people on the message boards I was on at the time. For that reason. Because it was unnecessary.

[Otto von Ballpark]

It was by most of the people on the message boards I was on at the time. For that reason. Because it was unnecessary.

Actually here it was pretty well-received. Of course, we were all drunk on Hughes's record K/BB ratio. And alcohol.

 

John Bonnes was a prominent voice of dissent on the deal.

[Puckett34]

 

I am happy they chose Hughes. 2-3 poor starts and we can release him & eat the rest of the contract.

He's probably lucky they chose to have him start on Sunday.   If they would've had him start on Monday-Tuesday he'd probably get only one start.  Getting thrown to the wolves versus the Yankees and all.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Honestly, if we're gonna start him I'd rather it be against the Rays. I'd prefer the Royals but take what you can get I suppose.

after the first two games, do you stand by this?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Actually here it was pretty well-received. Of course, we were all drunk on Hughes's record K/BB ratio. And alcohol.

 

John Bonnes was a prominent voice of dissent on the deal.

seems to me, there were a number of posters who agreed w/ Bonnes. Maybe 50/50 or 60% approval. There were a loud group at the time wondering why you’d extend a (any) pitcher after one year

[jokin]

They gave him a 5 year extension one year into a 3 year contract. What was the rush? He wasn’t going anywhere. Decisions like that are exactly why Terry Ryan was fired.

Yes

[Otto von Ballpark]

I think my characterization is accurate:

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/16336-article-twins-extend-phil-hughes/

 

I didn't say it was universally loved here, but certainly most approved, and most objections seemed pretty mild.

 

I fully admit I was quite wrong, and quite drunk on the record K/BB ratio. Bonnes was right, the remaining 2/16 was such an incredible value, it really didn't make sense to tear that up for a longer, more expensive deal. I guess we were writing off Nolasco at the time and looking for a replacement, but really it wasn't prudent.

[TFRazor]

 

after the first two games, do you stand by this?

Sure. He wouldn't have been able to keep the offense from crapping the bed, or the bullpen from letting 2 of 3 get away. Would you rather start him against NY? If they're going to make the decision to start him then letting him pitch against Tampa is a much better bet than letting him go against the Yankees.

[yarnivek1972]

I don’t think it is a coincidence that Fernando Romero started yesterday for AAA. If after 2 or MAYBE 3 more Hughes starts the results are as we expect, a swap out becomes pretty easy.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Sure. He wouldn't have been able to keep the offense from crapping the bed, or the bullpen from letting 2 of 3 get away. Would you rather start him against NY? If they're going to make the decision to start him then letting him pitch against Tampa is a much better bet than letting him go against the Yankees.

point exactly. It doesn’t matter who he starts against, but if you’re choosing to punt on a start, should it be against a team you have a chance to win against otherwise?