Indians Designate Belisle - can he add stability to our pen?

[Brandon]

Indians designated Belisle today. Can he add some stability to our pen? If the new guys wont work go with the ones you know....With Belisle we would have a different option to put in the closers role so we can keep Reed where we have him. Not saying he is a giod pitcher at this stage if his career but he could give us a more stable arm in the pen which we really need.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Indians designated Belisle today. Can he add some stability to our pen?

No!

 

We were fortunate to survive with him last year, and it looks like he's even worse now.

[Doubles]

I've never understood the fascination with bringing guys back that once played here.  Especially those who weren't all that great to begin with.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

He hasn't pitched well in Cleveland but he started out poorly with us last year too.

Actually, he didn't. He just had one disaster game last April (5 runs allowed). 12 appearance, only 1 blown lead, and 5 holds last April too.

 

This year, he seems a bit more thoroughly mediocre, especially considering his usage (his average game-entering leverage index in Cleveland is .30 this year, basically the same as Tyler Kinley here). Although I guess MLB Trade Rumors says his velocity and swinging strike rate are the same.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/indians-designate-matt-belisle.html

 

I know not to rely on spring training stats either, but Belisle had a .423 batting average against the spring, 22 hits allowed in 11.1 IP. Far worse than his 2017 spring with the Twins, or basically any previous spring of his career. (As a non-roster invitee fighting for a spot, no less. Sort of a miracle he made the team.)

[Mike Sixel]

Zero interest. There are plenty of young players to try. Stop with the old, never good, or washed up, players already. Zero interest.

[rghrbek]

No, none, zip, 0, never, nunca

[Danchat]

If you can get his late 2017 form back, I say absolutely. From July to September, batters hit .150/.198/.260 (.458 OPS) with a 9.6 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9. Though the BABIP was just .185... so there was luck involved.

 

However, as of 2018, he hasn't looked so good. He's basically like Rodney at this point - he's old and has streaks of ineffectiveness but also can have hot streaks too. Picking him up while in a cold spell probably isn't a good idea.

 

He'd likely be a better option than Rodney at the moment but I'd rather not take that risk. 

[cmoss84]

No thanks.

 

Rodney will be fine.

Reed will be fine.

We have reinforcements at AAA.

Our starters will be fine. They will start to get us more innings. Lynn has been awful-but so has Stroman. It is a LONG year. No need to panic. 

 

[nicksaviking]

I'd rather get Busenitz back up.

[Brandon]

So far thats 2 yeses, 5 nos and a definate maybe.

[ewen21]

 

No thanks.

 

Rodney will be fine.

Reed will be fine.

We have reinforcements at AAA.

Our starters will be fine. They will start to get us more innings. Lynn has been awful-but so has Stroman. It is a LONG year. No need to panic. 

Everything is going to be "fine"??

 

What does that even mean?

[John Kelsey]

Please god no

[cmoss84]

 

Everything is going to be "fine"??

 

What does that even mean?

It means Rodney will end up being a good closer. 

It means Reed will be a good set up man.

It means Busenitz/Moya/Curtis will help. 

It means Lynn will start pitching much better. 

 

There are a lot of good players in the league off to slow starts. This happens every year. These players will pick it up, and players who have gotten off to great starts will start to slow down. No need to panic. 

[Puckett34]

[ewen21]

 

It means Rodney will end up being a good closer. 

It means Reed will be a good set up man.

It means Busenitz/Moya/Curtis will help. 

It means Lynn will start pitching much better. 

 

There are a lot of good players in the league off to slow starts. This happens every year. These players will pick it up, and players who have gotten off to great starts will start to slow down. No need to panic. 

Rodney is 41 years old.  He was terrible in 2016 and only OK last year.  To expect him to be a "good closer" at this stage of his career makes no sense to me.  Sorry.

 

Reed CAN be a good set up man WILL is another story.  Relief pitching is incredibly streaky from one year to the next.  I think CAN BE is far more reasonable than WILL BE.  I am not going to put my money on will be just yet,

 

As far as Busenitz and Curtis goes, I think it is far more reasonable to say MAY help rather than will help.  Busentiz was decent last year, but he has no real track record.  And who really knows with Lynn right now?  I thought it was a good move to sign him, but he doesn't look good at all.  He pitched fairly well in the National League.  Does it mean he is will do the same here?  I am just not sure.

 

I question the "he will be fine" angle here.  

 

Who the heck is panicking?  I'm not.  Things will be what they will be.  Keep telling yourself everything is going to work out.  Me?  I don't make that assumption.  I watch these guys and if it doesn't work out I make moves accordingly.  It's not a sound methodology to sit back with Rodney for very long and say....

"Oh he'll be fine!".  If he continues to have dumpster fire outings I consider releasing him or demoting him to another role.  Closer?  I am far from confident in his ability to hold that down.  IF you are then go ahead and be that guy

[cmoss84]

 

Rodney is 41 years old.  He was terrible in 2016 and only OK last year.  To expect him to be a "good closer" at this stage of his career makes no sense to me.  Sorry.

 

Reed CAN be a good set up man WILL is another story.  Relief pitching is incredibly streaky from one year to the next.  I think CAN BE is far more reasonable than WILL BE.  I am not going to put my money on will be just yet,

 

As far as Busenitz and Curtis goes, I think it is far more reasonable to say MAY help rather than will help.  Busentiz was decent last year, but he has no real track record.  And who really knows with Lynn right now?  I thought it was a good move to sign him, but he doesn't look good at all.  He pitched fairly well in the National League.  Does it mean he is will do the same here?  I am just not sure.

 

I question the "he will be fine" angle here.  

 

Who the heck is panicking?  I'm not.  Things will be what they will be.  Keep telling yourself everything is going to work out.  Me?  I don't make that assumption.  I watch these guys and if it doesn't work out I make moves accordingly.  It's not a sound methodology to sit back with Rodney for very long and say....

"Oh he'll be fine!".  If he continues to have dumpster fire outings I consider releasing him or demoting him to another role.  Closer?  I am far from confident in his ability to hold that down.  IF you are then go ahead and be that guy

Age makes no difference to me. He can hit 96/97 on a regular basis. Has a great change up. He has a ton of experience closing. So yes, he CAN be a good closer.

 

Who's panicking? Have you looked around this site lately?

 

Of course you make moves if things don't work out. But you have to let them play out first. 

[ewen21]

 

Age makes no difference to me. He can hit 96/97 on a regular basis. Has a great change up. He has a ton of experience closing. So yes, he CAN be a good closer.

 

Who's panicking? Have you looked around this site lately?

 

Of course you make moves if things don't work out. But you have to let them play out first. 

 

You told me not to panic.  What are we talking about here?  LOL

No panic here.  If someone is chasing me with a knife I panic.  This is just a hobby and a pastime for me so life goes on if the Twins stink.  I don't have to like it, but I won't be "Pollyannic" just for the sake of staying "positive"

I don't actually think it's positive to not discuss things that problematic.  This bullpen is problematic so it's entirely reasonable to question where things are heading. 

 

If you think the atmosphere around here is "too negative" then I don't know what to tell you.  I have seen the game day threads through this losing streak and I see a lot of people having a sense of humor about it.  Kind of a gallows humor that maybe you aren't comfortable with, and get that.  Coming to game day threads helps when this team is getting shellacked like they did against Cincinnati this weekend.  I actually caught some funny stuff in here.  Maybe some of the same stuff you see as panicking?  It's OK.  I don't think anyone is going to jump off a building.  LOL!

 

I am not betting on Rodney to be that much this year.  If he is a functional reliever who doesn't destroy too many games then OK.  I am not expecting him to be much better than that.  Is that panicking by your standard?

 

 

[Jham]

Prorated league minimum correct? I'd bring him in. If only because the pen had been incredibly overworked recently. Presley has never shown that he can withstand a heavy world load. Hilde and Rodgers look like they are still suffering from overuse last year this year. You can't have enough capable pen arms. Molly only uses the guys he trusts anyway. And he is them to oblivion. None of the young arms appear ready or better. You can always dfa him hale style if he implodes. Definition of low cost high-ish reward.

[gil4]

 

Everything is going to be "fine"??

 

What does that even mean?

Those who read the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny know it means F'd-up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Egotistical.  

 

I admit I cheated and listened to the audio books. Those who share the road with me are thankful.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00CJ18JFG/ref=sr_es_r?keywords=inspector%20gamache%20series%20in%20order 

[Platoon]

Everything is going to be "fine"??

 

What does that even mean?

There are different versions of "fine"! My wife's is spelled "FINE,!!!"

[mikelink45]

NO baseball always talks regression - lets no regress as a team - move on.

[Riverbrian]

I think Molitor would try to make it work by utilizing him which would provide some possible stability.

 

However... We can get average bullpen arms because they are lying all over the place.

 

I'd rather not pull in any cast offs. If the Indians don't want him... we shouldn't either.  Can we dream bigger? 

[Mike Sixel]

If you think the bullpen is over used.... How does adding another player without options help?

[Otto von Ballpark]

If you think the bullpen is over used.... How does adding another player without options help?

Well, the guys with options that we have rotated have mostly sucked. So in theory it could be an improvement. Don't know if Belisle is the guy, though.

[jokin]

 

If you think the bullpen is over used.... How does adding another player without options help?

 

MLB experience.

Twins experience.

Making the minimum out of the Twins pocketbook

Might get on a hot streak until MiLB help matures/arrives.

If not,

Can be DFAd in a moment's notice.

[Doctor Wu]

 Bringing him back wouldn't upset me, based on how well he performed in the second half last year. Then again, as others have mentioned. we have enough good young arms in the high minors that can be called up, plus the vets in the current bullpen are bound to rebound? Right? Right? Please, maybe.

[Thrylos]

Jespen and Capps are free agents too

[Otto von Ballpark]

Jespen and Capps are free agents too

Actually Jepsen is with the Rangers right now.

[cmoss84]

 

You told me not to panic.  What are we talking about here?  LOL

No panic here.  If someone is chasing me with a knife I panic.  This is just a hobby and a pastime for me so life goes on if the Twins stink.  I don't have to like it, but I won't be "Pollyannic" just for the sake of staying "positive"

I don't actually think it's positive to not discuss things that problematic.  This bullpen is problematic so it's entirely reasonable to question where things are heading. 

 

If you think the atmosphere around here is "too negative" then I don't know what to tell you.  I have seen the game day threads through this losing streak and I see a lot of people having a sense of humor about it.  Kind of a gallows humor that maybe you aren't comfortable with, and get that.  Coming to game day threads helps when this team is getting shellacked like they did against Cincinnati this weekend.  I actually caught some funny stuff in here.  Maybe some of the same stuff you see as panicking?  It's OK.  I don't think anyone is going to jump off a building.  LOL!

 

I am not betting on Rodney to be that much this year.  If he is a functional reliever who doesn't destroy too many games then OK.  I am not expecting him to be much better than that.  Is that panicking by your standard?

Quite sorry if my initial post upset you. By saying "no need to panic," I was not referring to sitting you or anyone else in the corner and telling you to take deep breaths. It was a simple statement meant to be geared towards any early failures the twins are having. I do not think the atmosphere is too negative. I enjoy the atmosphere. Quite nice actually. There's just a lot of people talking about early struggles, which happens every single year.

The bullpen will be FINE! lol

(thank you gil4 and Platoon for the laughs)

[Rosterman]

Sad for Belisle, considering such names as Jepsen and Boyer are still finding major league roster space. He might still have some stuff, but so do a few hundred other guys floating around the minors. The Twins can have that revolving door in place all season.

 

Bigger question is who goes when Buxton returns? And who goes when Sano returns? Adrianza and Grossman, are they on the bubble, or is LaMarre the odd man out yet again because he can be. 

 

Petit shows he wants to be in the majors.

 

The bullpen is still a mess. You can't keep oeverworking Reed and Duke. And maybe Rodney gets pumped up when men are on base, but it gives me stomach pains.