Article: Twins Promote Eduardo Escobar and Luis Perdomo as September Callups

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Escobar has really earned his call up from Rochester by hitting a putrid 224 with an OBP of .261

The Bill Smith Memorial Scholarship is alive and well.

Wait!!! I thought the Scholarship program had been canceled.

 

LMAO...

 

This is the one I dont understand. I was in favor of giving Dozier starts in Sept. OK--Gardy is throwing him under the bus for now--lets hope he gets the shot he deserves in spring training. But Escobar--224 at Rochester...failed with the ChiSox...he looks like a poor version of Lexi...what is he doing get called up. He wont be part of a contending team thats for sure.

[Rosterman]

Hey, if someone picks up Slama in the Rule 5, the Twins get 50-grand for him, and if he fails, they don't have to take him back. Is that win-win for the current regime? On another note...every player called up in September makes what, $50,000 + road room/board?

[spotchecker]

Hello to all of you folks at T.D.I don't know if i will be accepted as a BIG time MN sports fan from all of you folks but i trust you edjumacated guys will keep me in line if I happen to cross it.

As far as Slama goes who the hell knows what the problem is.

There is obviously some kind of an off field issue going on with him.

What else could it be!

[Thrylos]

On another note...every player called up in September makes what, $50,000 + road room/board?

 

This is kind of the untold and unaccepted (by most) story. The actual amount is more like $85K/month they are in the bigs (prorated MLB minimum). This is about what the most veteran AAA players make in a season. So it is a monetary reward as well. Big time. So, when some of us are really irate that our favorite team has people like Butera make this much and people like Slama not, I hope you get that point of view.

 

And if you were in their shoes, I hope you feel the way they do. More than PAs or whatever. Merit. Ryan said he'll end the "scholarships" (or whatever he meant). He did not. The guys he got rid of (Marquis, Blackburn, Nishioka) all had guaranteed MLB contracts. Meanwhile Drew has a scholarship and Gardy and Co are tenured on a way to another 95+ loss season.

[greengoblinrulz]

been in shock about the callups....they ARE EXCITED about Escobar (Gardy's quote!!!). There is no doubt they have now become the worst organization in baseball.....just a laughinstock even among his most fierce backers.

Think of it, they wont promote prospects....but Carson, Perdomo, Walters are brought up....can release all 3 & nobody would notice.

They have lost Deolis Guerra now without giving him one hitter to judge him on....at least Slama got 7 whole innings. PLEASE someone Rule V him!!!!

I hope they lose 95gms again next year so they can break some type of record.

Get ready for resignings of Carl Pavano, Joe Blanton, Jeremey Guthrie as the big offseason

[snepp]

They have lost Deolis Guerra now without giving him one hitter to judge him on....

 

Did I miss something here?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

The Twins would send all of New Britain or Rochester as call-ups rather than Slama. There always seems to be multiple scrubs that are 'seemingly' in the way.

[Nick Nelson]

They have lost Deolis Guerra now without giving him one hitter to judge him on....

 

Did I miss something here?

He may be referring to the fact that Guerra will be out of options next year, although it seems like a rather ridiculous conclusion. There's a very good chance Guerra will break camp with the Twins next spring, which makes it all the more bizarre that they don't want to take a look at him now.

[Badsmerf]

I can understand Guerra, maybe he is still dinged up. But Slama!!!! AAAhhhh I ****ing hate this management! I don't care what anyone says about "not knowing." We don't know the whole story blah blah. He dominated and doesn't even get a September call-up? They think Escobar and Perdomo might have a future but Slama clearly doesn't? My fury is hardly containable. Please Pohlad, clean this **** storm up. Your product is disgusting and the people making decisions are clearly inept.

[snepp]

There's a very good chance Guerra will break camp with the Twins next spring, which makes it all the more bizarre that they don't want to take a look at him now.

 

Absolutely.

 

 

We get to take another look at Luis Perdomo though, that ought to be incredibly beneficial moving forward.

[Nick Nelson]

But Slama!!!! AAAhhhh I ****ing hate this management! I don't care what anyone says about "not knowing." We don't know the whole story blah blah. He dominated and doesn't even get a September call-up?

Yeah, there's really no explanation that could excuse this. Even beyond the fact that he's an intriguing player that fans want to see, he's also a human being trying to make a living in the game. I'm starting to believe there is literally not a single thing this guy could do to get a major-league call-up. His numbers in Rochester could hardly be better. Aren't they trying to run a meritocracy where there are "no scholarships" and people need to earn their shot? This guy has done EVERYTHING to earn his shot, and they dismiss him off hand because of their notions about how his stuff will play in the majors. Just ****ing unreal.

[Shane Wahl]

Guerra, Slama, and Dozier were the quite obvious call-ups. Escobar was bad at Rochester and is certainly not going to prove that he is the SS next year in September this year (and apparently, he doesn't even play SS now?).

 

I am completely confused by these decisions as affecting the MI and bullpen situations . . . I mean they HAVE the personnel to figure something out. Replacing Jeff Gray and potentially Alex Burnett and Anthony Swarzak with Guerra, Slama, and Waldrop is WORTH seeing the potential there. Spring alone is not enough. And Escobar is at best the utility infielder next year and that's only if there is an injury. Carroll is a sure thing and can play SS, even though he is better at 2B and 3B (bat not included, save for tonight!). The Twins were straight up weird about Dozier all year. He didn't deserve the callup, was kept too long, and NOW when it makes the most sense BY FAR to call him up . . . he is done?? That is bizarre as hell. Seeing a Florimon-Dozier middle infield would have been the best option, and I can't really see any possible counter-arguments.

[Shane Wahl]

With regard to Guerra, there is no reason to lose him next year (someone would claim him, almost for sure). He is young and is probably a year away, but I would bet that he will be better in the majors in 2013 than Jeff Gray was in 2012.

 

For the sake of my sanity, I am trying to avoid talking about the Slama decision. It was to be expected . . . yet I still cannot believe it.

[greengoblinrulz]

This is the organization that last fall when they had #2 waiver claims on anyone snapped up Esmeril Vazquez, Matt Maloney, Jeff Gray & Pedro Florimon before other teams could swoop in & grab these obvious talents. When one by one they realized THEY didnt want them on the 40 man, not a single team wanted them either.

These are the type of evaluations that are being done in this front office.

Add in Nick Blackburn, who every one knows is gonna be given at least 2 separate shots next year due to his contract & you see where this team is headed next summer.

[Bark's Lounge]

I know some have, but I am hoping to solicit a few more in TD participants in jumping in on the the "Anthony Slama Petition". We need all the help we can get. Please participate.

[greengoblinrulz]

With regard to Guerra, there is no reason to lose him next year (someone would claim him, almost for sure). He is young and is probably a year away, but I would bet that he will be better in the majors in 2013 than Jeff Gray was in 2012.

 

For the sake of my sanity, I am trying to avoid talking about the Slama decision. It was to be expected . . . yet I still cannot believe it.

Just think of how everyone is saying they havent lost Guerra yet......if he makes the team next spring, Its ONLY cause he's out of options. There has been nothing the last 2 yrs he couldve done to get a look....but now he's gonna be 'on scholarship?'......He's done without a look.

Im predicting they will keep Guerra, Manship, Vazquez, Walters, Carson, Deduno on the 40 man (all out of options) and after the 'new season' starts (after Rule V).....when real teams 40 man rosters are set, they will DFA these guys so they get sent to AAA instead of becoming 6yr FA's

[Coach J]

I am not one for conspiracy theories.. but there is something going on here. I am convinced the Twins are determined to keep Slama down because they don't want to be proven wrong. Gardy doesn't seem to be a fan of his and I think if Slama came up and was successful it would make a lot of people in the organization look pretty foolish. I just feel so terrible for Anthony.. if we are this mad, imagine how he feels.

[snepp]

Aren't there restrictions in place to keep teams from playing games with minor league free agency and/or the Rule 5?

 

 

My google magic is a little rusty tonight, I haven't been able to find anything.

[Shane Wahl]

I am not one for conspiracy theories.. but there is something going on here. I am convinced the Twins are determined to keep Slama down because they don't want to be proven wrong. Gardy doesn't seem to be a fan of his and I think if Slama came up and was successful it would make a lot of people in the organization look pretty foolish. I just feel so terrible for Anthony.. if we are this mad, imagine how he feels.

 

I know, right? I know little about the kind of person Slama is, but I can imagine him saying . . . "trade me for that damn box of rocks, then." It defies all rationality to do this to him unless they don't want to look like idiots OR have some master plan to just start the season next year with him . . .

 

It is weird, but it is this situation and what it exemplifies that pushes me towards the "new blood" crowd and the pipe dream wish of firing TR, Gardy, and company (only new ownership would ever bring that about).

[toma]

Dear Everyone,

You are interested in adding a 28-year old right-handed reliever to the 40 man roster because....??? Isn't Slama's upside to be Alex Burnett and more likely projects to take the place of Casey Fien or Kyle Waldrop except both of those players have the advantage of being on the 40 man roster. Right handed relief at the lower levels is probably the easiest and cheapest pitchers to replace on the team. I see no value in adding Anthony Slama to the 40 man roster. I would be shocked if he was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

[jokin]

I am not one for conspiracy theories.. but there is something going on here. I am convinced the Twins are determined to keep Slama down because they don't want to be proven wrong. Gardy doesn't seem to be a fan of his and I think if Slama came up and was successful it would make a lot of people in the organization look pretty foolish. I just feel so terrible for Anthony.. if we are this mad, imagine how he feels.

 

I know, right? I know little about the kind of person Slama is, but I can imagine him saying . . . "trade me for that damn box of rocks, then." It defies all rationality to do this to him unless they don't want to look like idiots OR have some master plan to just start the season next year with him . . .

 

It is weird, but it is this situation and what it exemplifies that pushes me towards the "new blood" crowd and the pipe dream wish of firing TR, Gardy, and company (only new ownership would ever bring that about).

 

Welcome to the Darkside, Shane.:fenforcer:

[beckmt]

Slama has been judged not to have the stuff for the major leagues. Do we need to waste more time on this.

Maybe the feeling on Dozier was he needed to grow up and take responsibility, this could not be done in 3 weeks.

Twins need to find out what they have now and move on, not spread AB's and innings into small samples.

Grey will probably not be here next year.

Twins brass seems to like Swarzak better than Manship or they are viewed as the same type of pitcher.

Remember every loss now helps our draft position next June

[righty8383]

Dear Everyone,

You are interested in adding a 28-year old right-handed reliever to the 40 man roster because....??? Isn't Slama's upside to be Alex Burnett and more likely projects to take the place of Casey Fien or Kyle Waldrop except both of those players have the advantage of being on the 40 man roster. Right handed relief at the lower levels is probably the easiest and cheapest pitchers to replace on the team. I see no value in adding Anthony Slama to the 40 man roster. I would be shocked if he was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

 

You just don't get it do you? Nobody is predicted he will be the next Dennis Eckersley. And those players you mentioned, never dominated on the leval that Slama has. All people are saying is he deserves a real chance. He deserved a chance earlier in the year, he deserved a chance after he came back from injury, and he deserves a chance now.

 

So again, who cares what you or anybody else thinks his "upside" could be, the numbers he has put up year after year can not be ignored.

[Shane Wahl]

I am not one for conspiracy theories.. but there is something going on here. I am convinced the Twins are determined to keep Slama down because they don't want to be proven wrong. Gardy doesn't seem to be a fan of his and I think if Slama came up and was successful it would make a lot of people in the organization look pretty foolish. I just feel so terrible for Anthony.. if we are this mad, imagine how he feels.

 

I know, right? I know little about the kind of person Slama is, but I can imagine him saying . . . "trade me for that damn box of rocks, then." It defies all rationality to do this to him unless they don't want to look like idiots OR have some master plan to just start the season next year with him . . .

 

It is weird, but it is this situation and what it exemplifies that pushes me towards the "new blood" crowd and the pipe dream wish of firing TR, Gardy, and company (only new ownership would ever bring that about).

 

Welcome to the Darkside, Shane.:fenforcer:

 

It took me awhile, but yeah. Minor league promotions, promotions to the MLB club, the payroll situation, and the medical situation have combined to make it closer and closer for me. This pushes me over.

[toma]

Dear Everyone,

You are interested in adding a 28-year old right-handed reliever to the 40 man roster because....??? Isn't Slama's upside to be Alex Burnett and more likely projects to take the place of Casey Fien or Kyle Waldrop except both of those players have the advantage of being on the 40 man roster. Right handed relief at the lower levels is probably the easiest and cheapest pitchers to replace on the team. I see no value in adding Anthony Slama to the 40 man roster. I would be shocked if he was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

 

You just don't get it do you? Nobody is predicted he will be the next Dennis Eckersley. And those players you mentioned, never dominated on the leval that Slama has. All people are saying is he deserves a real chance. He deserved a chance earlier in the year, he deserved a chance after he came back from injury, and he deserves a chance now.

 

So again, who cares what you or anybody else thinks his "upside" could be, the numbers he has put up year after year can not be ignored.

 

I agree, I don't care what I think. I care what you think. Let's say you were the GM of the Twins and you have one open 40 man roster spot. Looking at the current strengths and weaknesses on the roster, tell me why you think the most pressing need is to fill that spot with a 28-year old right handed reliever with very impressive numbers in the International League.

[Nick Nelson]

Let's say you were the GM of the Twins and you have one open 40 man roster spot. Looking at the current strengths and weaknesses on the roster, tell me why you think the most pressing need is to fill that spot with a 28-year old right handed reliever with very impressive numbers in the International League.

You're right, better just to leave it open and not use it.

[righty8383]

The most pressing need, that would be an overstatement but I get what you're saying.Just because he is 28 does not mean he has no value and no future. I have no clue how he might do in the bigs but this is the best time to find out. I will share this Terry Ryan quote one more time just in case you missed it...

 

The types of guys we're talking about are guys who have earned the promotion from what they've done at Triple-A or Double-A.

So let me ask, how did Eduardo Escobar "earn" a promotion but Slama didn't

[Shane Wahl]

Dear Everyone,

You are interested in adding a 28-year old right-handed reliever to the 40 man roster because....??? Isn't Slama's upside to be Alex Burnett and more likely projects to take the place of Casey Fien or Kyle Waldrop except both of those players have the advantage of being on the 40 man roster. Right handed relief at the lower levels is probably the easiest and cheapest pitchers to replace on the team. I see no value in adding Anthony Slama to the 40 man roster. I would be shocked if he was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

 

 

 

You just don't get it do you? Nobody is predicted he will be the next Dennis Eckersley. And those players you mentioned, never dominated on the leval that Slama has. All people are saying is he deserves a real chance. He deserved a chance earlier in the year, he deserved a chance after he came back from injury, and he deserves a chance now.

 

So again, who cares what you or anybody else thinks his "upside" could be, the numbers he has put up year after year can not be ignored.

 

I agree, I don't care what I think. I care what you think. Let's say you were the GM of the Twins and you have one open 40 man roster spot. Looking at the current strengths and weaknesses on the roster, tell me why you think the most pressing need is to fill that spot with a 28-year old right handed reliever with very impressive numbers in the International League.

 

 

Leave it open for what reason? The last 3-4 spots should be a revolving door anyway.

[JP3700]

I don't understand why some people are bashing Escobar and saying Dozier deserved to be called up. Out of the 5 tools, Escobar grades better in 3 categories and virtually even in the other 2. People laugh at Escobar's line at Rochester, but Dozier has been even worse since being optioned. That, after looking completely lost in his last 3 months in the majors.

 

If I'm going to have a weak hitting middle infielder on my roster, I would rather have the one with better range, a better arm, more speed, and can actually get a bunt down to move a runner over. These qualities at least have some value to my team, for defense and situational hitting. Add the fact that Escobar is 2 years younger than Dozier! I think it makes a lot of sense that he was the one called up.

[peterb18]

 

I don't think any of us think that Slama will be a big league closer. His stuff has been questioned. His control is questionable. There are plenty of reasons not to believe he'll be great. However, at least my point is that, until big league hitters show it, he should at least be given a shot! Not 7 innings over 2 seasons of time, but a legit opportunity. We've seen the Twins give lots of guys with worse control an opportunity this year and last. He just deserves the chance.

 

Seth has it exactly right. However, sometimes athletes have an ability to do something without the required fundamentals. Like a hockey player who doesn't skate well, etc. but, he can just put the puck into the net. Same with Slama--maybe there is something about him that he can just get people out! That is why he deserves a chance.