Twins Claim Oliver Drake, Johnny Field

[FlauerPauer]

 

Really?

 

Inexcusable?

 

lol...cmon.  This is a lost year...if you pay attention, clearly the FO has a plan.  Why bring up guys that need more seasoning in the minors?  

 

If they had guys in the minors that they felt were ready to audition for a spot, i'm sure they would bring the up.  Why waste options on guys that aren't ready?  Makes more sense to keep them where they are to work on the things they need to do to be ready.

 

That gives the FO much more roster flexibility when they'll actually need it.

 

There's not an open spot on the 25 man. Someone is going to get sent down because the FO feels the need to try a 31 year old that has already been cut by four teams this year. I understand he strikes guys out, but why would other teams cut this guy if he was that good?

 

Jake Reed, Tyler Duffey, John Curtiss, Kohl Stewart, and Alan Busenitz deserve more of a chance that Drake. The infielder pickup is about depth; that one is fine. But the pitcher move is definitely inexcusable when you have guys in your system that are deserving of a chance. 

[Thrylos]

 

 

Jake Reed, Tyler Duffey, John Curtiss, Kohl Stewart, and Alan Busenitz deserve more of a chance that Drake.

 

I would buy Jake Reed.  Maybe even Kohl Stewart.  One could argue that Duffey, Curtiss, and Busenitz had their chances this season and they did not quite open eyes.  One of them (Duffey) threw a fit when he was cut and I suspect that the Twins will like to send a message.

 

Drake's numbers in AAA were better than any of the above's.

 

Also in the majors he had a 3.21 FIP, .437 BABIP, and 58.1 LOB%. That might be intriguing enough to give him a chance to show what he has. 

The Twins' pen collective FIP is 4.22, a whole point higher, and only Taylor Rogers (and Trevor May) have lower FIP than Drake as far as Twins' relievers are concerned right now.

 

I can see why they want to take a flyer.  If he does not work, they did not miss much...

[VATwinsFan]

Assuming Drake actually pitches for the Twin he'll be able to say he pitched for 5 major league teams in one season.

 

That says something, doesn't it?

[KirbyDome89]

 

My guess? 

 

The Twins braintrust has already made up their minds about Busenitz, Curtis, Reed, Bard and company, and they no likey. They already let Burdi and Chargois go, and Bard once too.

 

The must lack spin or some other micro-quality.

 

Or they have a fetish for 43rd round draft picks.

I agree that seems to be the vibe. 

 

I get that the previous FO didn't leave the pitching cupboards full, but it amazes that none of these bullpen arms are worth keeping. You'd think that at least a couple of these guys could be serviceable MLB arms.

 

It makes me wonder whether the relief group doesn't fit the profile this FO is after, in which case you'd hope they were able or willing to work with and/or develop a wider range of players. 

[KirbyDome89]

 

I would buy Jake Reed.  Maybe even Kohl Stewart.  One could argue that Duffey, Curtiss, and Busenitz had their chances this season and they did not quite open eyes.  One of them (Duffey) threw a fit when he was cut and I suspect that the Twins will like to send a message.

 

Drake's numbers in AAA were better than any of the above's.

 

Also in the majors he had a 3.21 FIP, .437 BABIP, and 58.1 LOB%. That might be intriguing enough to give him a chance to show what he has. 

The Twins' pen collective FIP is 4.22, a whole point higher, and only Taylor Rogers (and Trevor May) have lower FIP than Drake as far as Twins' relievers are concerned right now.

 

I can see why they want to take a flyer.  If he does not work, they did not miss much...

Curtiss threw 2/3 of an inning over 2 games and they sent him down. 

 

Busenitz has thrown 13 innings scattered across 3 months.

 

That isn't really giving those guys a chance. 

[old nurse]

 

Busenitz, Curtiss, and Duffey need more AAA time? They're not young anymore. If they can't beat out Oliver effing Drake, why are they on the 40 man roster?

At the end of the year then maybe they will not be.

[Twodogs]

WTH, is one of those guys someone's nephew or something??

[yarnivek1972]

My money is on Trevor May or Matt Magill being sent out for Drake.

[Thrylos]

 

Curtiss threw 2/3 of an inning over 2 games and they sent him down. 

 

Busenitz has thrown 13 innings scattered across 3 months.

 

That isn't really giving those guys a chance. 

 

Forgot 2017?

[yarnivek1972]

Of course, if they don’t resume tonight and try to play two tomorrow, they won’t need to send anyone down. They’ll have a 26th man.

 

I don’t think there’s any chance they get two games in tomorrow, but they might schedule it. They’ll be lucky to get one.

[Linus]

If they aren't going to give them a look.....not protecting Chargois and Rodrigeuz look like REALLY bad moves.....

Don’t forget about Randy Rosario...

[howeda7]

Lol. The level of outrage y'all can muster over a couple of meaning less waiver claims is hilarious. 

[old nurse]

 

Forgot 2017?

Well Curtis might be a real good pitcher cause, you know he did have 6 games where he did not give up any runs. And he did have a high strikeout rate even in the games he was getting shelled. Molitor must have trusted him last year, he was pitching in the 7, 8, 9th innings.  As long as I am picking cherries, 8/9 of his appearances were in loses. 

[gil4]

 

When the best or really only defense of a transaction is "the FO knows more than you/we do," it's safe to assume it isn't a good one....

If Belisle goes, I could live with this just because I'm sick of seeing him come out of the pen. I'll take door #3. Monte.

[mngopherguy]

 

Lol. The level of outrage y'all can muster over a couple of meaning less waiver claims is hilarious. 

 

You sure can tell it's a losing season, everything that's happens has people here all upset.  

[mngopherguy]

 

Personally having him on the MLB team at all is insulting. How long does he have to be on roster until it's okay to be upset?

 

Be upset then, I'll wait for things to play put or for something important to happen before I get fired up.

[Mike Sixel]

You sure can tell it's a losing season, everything that's happens has people here all upset.

It's a message board to talk about the Twins.....

[mngopherguy]

 

It's a message board to talk about the Twins.....

 

I understand that Mike, but this is such a little thing.   Would have I picked up Drake, probably not.  The FO is trying to continue to add players.  At least they are trying unlike the previous FO who largely stood pat on everything.  

 

 

[LaBombo]

 

Getting fired up over two waiver pick up's is mind boggling to me. If Drake is blocking anyone from AAA the rest of the season, then maaaaayybbbee, I'd be a little annoyed.  

 

This is finding a reason to get upset.

 

Maybe I'm not following you correctly.

 

You're saying that it would be rational to feel disappointed that Drake may be on the 25 man roster ahead of a better minor league pitcher already in the system, yes? I'm with you there.

 

But where you're losing me is the part where you're saying it's not reasonable to be disappointed that Falvine seem to be admitting that in the nearly two years since they took the reigns of the organization, it has failed to acquire or develop a single minor league pitcher who is at least as good as a 31 year old who has been discarded by four other organizations in less than a year.

[mngopherguy]

 

Maybe I'm not following you correctly.

 

You're saying that it would be rational to feel disappointed that Drake may be on the 25 man roster ahead of a better minor league pitcher already in the system, yes? I'm with you there.

 

But where you're losing me is the part where you're saying it's not reasonable to be disappointed that Falvine seem to be admitting that in the nearly two years since they took the reigns of the organization, they have failed to acquire a single minor league pitcher who is at least as likely to pitch competently in the majors as a 31 year old who has been discarded by four other organizations in less than a year.

 

I'm just stating my opinion, feel free to be upset if you like. 

 

Adding two players to the organization that they feel are worthy is not a big deal to me.  A 31 year old reliever could possibly help the team for multiple seasons, or he could end up in Rochester.  I don't know, but it's another option the FO seems to think will help.  From what I've read, his numbers certainly seem to be as good in the minors as the AAA pitchers.  I don't see the outrage.  

[wavedog]

In the words of Seinfeld - hate the Drake! Just kidding - I’ll cross my fingers and hope he does great here. I guess part of the frustration with the bullpen is we have been through cycles of drafting for the bullpen and then we had high velocity types like Reed, Burdi and Chargois and others I am forgetting and they have not materialized at the major league level. We are either poor at developing relievers or have extremely bad luck.

[Riverbrian]

Right now

 

I'm only worried about if Molitor "doesn't" use him. 

 

He's here... someone likes him. Lets see what he can do for us. 

 

 

 

 

[mikelink45]

These moves are as confusing to me as they are to all the other commentators.  This is the time to jettison players who are not the future - Belisle types - not add them.  We do not have to wait until September to get some seasoning for the future and bring up players who might be here at turn around.  I would rather have the fun of Astudillo than bring on these players who are clearly past their potential period.

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Right now

 

I'm only worried about if Molitor "doesn't" use him. 

 

He's here... someone likes him. Lets see what he can do for us. 

 

This. I didn't mind the infielder that we picked up... The RP might not be a bad one either, as he's out performed (in AAA) the guys who we are clamoring for, but we really really really really really need to see these guys play.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Even more, they may try to get them through waivers soon and into the organization. Drake's minor league strikeout rate this year are crazy, as a starter. So, ,I feel for the Twins/Red Wings guys, but I cant' completely hate this.

If we don't keep him on the roster, Drake would be eligible to be a minor league free agent. (He's been outrighted before, and his pro contract has been renewed way more than 6 times.)

 

Field would be controllable for one more year (2019), if we are able to outright him.

[Otto von Ballpark]

This. I didn't mind the infielder that we picked up...

If you are referring to Johnny Field, he has zero professional games in the infield. He is an outfielder, contrary to the Twins press release.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Was there an open spot on the 25 man? If not, who is going?

Matt Magill is going to the paternity list, to make room for "The Drake."

[Han Joelo]

 

Matt Magill is going to the paternity list, to make room for "The Drake."

 

Oh, right, the 'paternity' list.  Wink, wink.  Enjoy your week off carrying around a 10 lb. bag of flour, Matt!

[gil4]

 

Oh, right, the 'paternity' list.  Wink, wink.  Enjoy your week off carrying around a 10 lb. bag of flour, Matt!

It seems like a rotten thing to do to his wife - making her wear the sack of flour around for a couple of months prior just so the Twins can sign a guy like Drake? Couldn't he just fake an ingrown toenail or something?

 

Obviously, we're just kidding about that. Congrats to Matt and hope all goes well with the toenail … I mean, the flour ,,,, ooo, you know what I mean.

[Han Joelo]

 

It seems like a rotten thing to do to his wife - making her wear the sack of flour around for a couple of months prior just so the Twins can sign a guy like Drake? Couldn't he just fake an ingrown toenail or something?

 

Obviously, we're just kidding about that. Congrats to Matt and hope all goes well with the toenail … I mean, the flour ,,,, ooo, you know what I mean.

In all seriousness, I can imagine the Astros or Dodgers doing this--anything for an edge. Okay, just partial seriousness.  

 

And congratulations to the Magills!  This move would be pretty slick by the FO if it is nothing more than an opportunistic look-see at Drake for 7 days, followed by an attempt to get him through waivers.  To accomplish that, he needs to pitch poorly when he gets the chance.