Article: May Day is Coming for the Twins

[Mr. Brooks]

There is a lot of wiggle room in these kinds of things. They kept Hughes at AAA for a month to begin the year for Christ’s sake.

There is only wiggle room if the player plays along.

In May's case, he has an option left. He's not going to go along with a DL manipulation, just to save the team an option year.

[Platoon]

Not sure what, or if anything has changed. But May was vociferous about the fact that his arm and apparently back did not mesh well with BP duties. Then again, maybe it was his mind? Either way he has the stuff to dominate out of the pen, but he doesn't seem to have his head wrapped around that idea. Aye if it's his only shot at a MLB roster spot that will change. But if it is truly a physical issue, it won't last long.

[Oxtung]

There is only wiggle room if the player plays along.

In May's case, he has an option left. He's not going to go along with a DL manipulation, just to save the team an option year.

Why would he want his option activated? That makes it less likely he will get back to the Twins and he makes less money.

 

Regardless, even if he comes off the d/l and isn’t ready to start he should still go to the bullpen rather than AAA. Relief pitchers can get away with less control than starters.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Why would he want his option activated? That makes it less likely he will get back to the Twins and he makes less money.

Actually May is on an arbitration deal now. So I think he gets the same salary, regardless of whether he is in MLB or in AAA.

 

I'm sure May would rather be in MLB immediately, but if the 2018 salary is the same either way, burning that final option before 2019 might be a silver lining. If he were to return to Minnesota for August and September, he'd still probably pass the 4 year service time threshold by the end of this season.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Not sure what, or if anything has changed. But May was vociferous about the fact that his arm and apparently back did not mesh well with BP duties. 

Tom Froemming mentioned upthread that May has reconsidered that position, and thinks the back issues were caused by something else.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Actually May is on an arbitration deal now. So I think he gets the same salary, regardless of whether he is in MLB or in AAA.

 

I'm sure May would rather be in MLB immediately, but if the 2018 salary is the same either way, burning that final option before 2019 might be a silver lining. If he were to return to Minnesota for August and September, he'd still probably pass the 4 year service time threshold by the end of this season.

This is my thinking as well. Burning his final option during an injury recovery season likely keeps him in MLB for longer overall and he's getting paid either way.

[Otto von Ballpark]

We could effectively extend his rehab by optioning him for less than 20 days. That could preserve the option possibility for 2019.

[howieramone2]

Our favorite team is not going to move heaven and earth to get board favorite May to Target Field. I would use the final option in an attempt to showcase him. I look for him to be dealt, no later than this winter, for a low level starting pitching prospect. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Our favorite team is not going to move heaven and earth to get board favorite May to Target Field. I would use the final option in an attempt to showcase him. I look for him to be dealt, no later than this winter, for a low level starting pitching prospect. 

I think it's pretty foolish to deal him if he's going to spend the season in the minors. He only has value if he's pitching against MLB hitters and succeeding.

 

Besides, the Twins have options on Odorizzi, Santana, and Gibson. If you plan to move pitching this offseason, that's probably the place to start if you want any kind of return on the player.

[howieramone2]

 

I think it's pretty foolish to deal him if he's going to spend the season in the minors. He only has value if he's pitching against MLB hitters and succeeding.

 

Besides, the Twins have options on Odorizzi, Santana, and Gibson. If you plan to move pitching this offseason, that's probably the place to start if you want any kind of return on the player.

If he proves healthy, we have a fair chance of moving him at the deadline. If we want a solid return at the deadline, we move Lynn.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

If he proves healthy, we have a fair chance of moving him at the deadline. If we want a solid return at the deadline, we move Lynn.

Ah, the deadline. I misunderstood your point.

 

I don't see it happening but I suppose it's a remote possibility.

[FormerMinnasotan]

I really just hope the Twins don’t send Romero down to make room for May. I get Romero has only 4 starts but even as of now he appears to be a better starter than May. I just think it’d be a terrible knee jerk reaction to send Romero back to Rochester to make room for May.

[Mr. Brooks]

Why would he want his option activated? That makes it less likely he will get back to the Twins and he makes less money.

 

Regardless, even if he comes off the d/l and isn’t ready to start he should still go to the bullpen rather than AAA. Relief pitchers can get away with less control than starters.

He gets paid the same either way.

If the Twins save their option, May could theoretically spend all of next year in the minors as well.

If he's going down either way, I'm sure he'd rather ensure that it's only the one time, by forcing the team to use his last option.

[jun]

May can take Rogers' spot. He can serve as the long reliever for now.

 

Edited May 24, 2018 by jun

[Mr. Brooks]

May can take Rogers' spot. He can serve as the long reliever for now.

If Rogers goes down, another lefty would take his spot.

I can't see them rolling with only one lefty in the pen.

[nicksaviking]

 

Our favorite team is not going to move heaven and earth to get board favorite May to Target Field. I would use the final option in an attempt to showcase him. I look for him to be dealt, no later than this winter, for a low level starting pitching prospect. 

 

I doubt the front office is going to be too interested in dealing controllable starters when Santana and Lynn are going to be free agents. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Just noticed this:

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/book/export/html/3538

 

"With approval of the MLB Commissioner, a player who has undergone elbow UCL reconstruction surgery (so-called "Tommy John Surgery") may have his Minor League Rehab Assignment renewed for up to 30 additional days (in the form of three ten-day renewals)."

 

So perhaps we could get more rehab time for May.

[jun]

May is certainly not ready to return.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I didn't mean to jump the gun, of course. May's standard rehab can run through June 10