Article: REPORT: Twins Finalizing Deal With Blake Parker

[bird]

I've never even heard of this guy. And yet he bores the crap out of me already. Maybe if he had a better name, like Adam Ottavino...

[DocBauer]

I really want/wanted one proven guy for the back end. Then, I thought a solid flier, and there have been a ton of interesting options, would make sense for depth and competition.

 

This is the flier.

 

Considering his past success, relatively young age and familiarity with the FO, is there something about Allen that we are just missing here? He should be signed within the next 48hrs if you ask me.

[Tom Froemming]

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Twins are indeed finalizing a deal with Parker, saying it's a one-year deal worth slightly more than $3 million.

 

The Twins certainly have the extra money to spend, but I'll happily take Parker on this deal over Herrera on the deal he got from the White Sox (two-years, $18 mil guaranteed).

[nicksaviking]

 

I really want/wanted one proven guy for the back end. Then, I thought a solid flier, and there have been a ton of interesting options, would make sense for depth and competition.

This is the flier.

Considering his past success, relatively young age and familiarity with the FO, is there something about Allen that we are just missing here? He should be signed within the next 48hrs if you ask me.

 

Allen wasn't very good last year, but I'd still be interested. Proven is kind of a subjective word in this case, but of the guys most people would think of as "proven" Familia, Robertson and Soria were the only relievers who I am disappointed we didn't/couldn't get. Those are the big names that as far as I can tell were still productive last year, are still piling up strikeouts and apparently at full health.

 

Not that I don't want other relievers, just that my interest in all the rest vary and may not line up with perceived value. Buy yeah, if Parker is the best we do for the pen this year, I'll be pretty resentful.

[SomeGuy]

 

Not sure if that means what it really means because Oakland and Seattle have even more pitcher friendly parks than Anaheim and they play a ton of games in Oakland and Seattle.  Maybe he just pitches better at home.  I guess if it is broken down by park and he did well in Oakland and Seattle but say got bombed in Boston then that would make more sense.

Whether its park factor or not, that is a pretty substantial home/away split.  He had the same problem with the Cubs, which is one of the worst pitchers parks so maybe it is just a preference thing.  Either way a troubling trend.

 

Career

Home - 1.66 ERA

Away  - 5.35 ERA

[Dantes929]

 

So we are so desperate for good news we are reporting rumors now?  

Are you new?   JK   Yes and no.   Yes, we are so desperate for good news we are reporting rumors.   NO in the sense that it is not a now thing.   We have always been desperate for good news. and have always obsessed over rumors.

[Kelly Vance]

Dumpster diving is a way of life in Minnesota

 

 

Ask any black bear

 

 

[Blake]

I'm all for this signing, as I think he carries a great name that should be read in a hushed almost reverent voice.

[Brandon]

 

Trying really hard not to read too much in to the fact that 4 of the Twins acquisitions this offseason have been non-tendered by their 2018 teams.

 

1. CJ Cron

2. Ronald Torreyes

3. Jonathan Schoop

4. Blake Parker

 

The only player (check my math) signed as a free agent who wasn't non-tendered is Nelson Cruz.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

[nicksaviking]

 

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Twins are indeed finalizing a deal with Parker, saying it's a one-year deal worth slightly more than $3 million.

 

The Twins certainly have the extra money to spend, but I'll happily take Parker on this deal over Herrera on the deal he got from the White Sox (two-years, $18 mil guaranteed).

 

Prediction, this quote will be rebutted more than any other post in this thread!

 

But unless Herrera could convince me that he could get his K/9 back over 9.0, I agree. I want guys who miss bats in the pen.

[rv78]

 

Trying really hard not to read too much in to the fact that 4 of the Twins acquisitions this offseason have been non-tendered by their 2018 teams.

 

1. CJ Cron

2. Ronald Torreyes

3. Jonathan Schoop

4. Blake Parker

 

The only player (check my math) signed as a free agent who wasn't non-tendered is Nelson Cruz.

 

Yes, we take your scraps and try to win. This is so much like Terry Ryan trying to catch lightning in a bottle it reaks. I guess the more times/guys that are castoffs that get signed the better the chances are that 1 of them actually ends up making the 2 boys look like they know what they're doing. (As long as everyone forgets about the crap that they sign that don't amount to anything).

[South Dakota Tom]

The analytics of this team seem to indicate that short-term fliers are better than long-term investments. So long as the foundation of a team is solid, picking up extra pieces mid-season (when several teams are sellers and several pitchers have distinguished themselves for a half-season at least) makes sense.  But if the foundation and the pieces you pick up in the off-season don't get you to the gambling zone in any given year, the wait and hope philosophy continues ad infinitum.

[Vanimal46]

The analytics of this team seem to indicate that short-term fliers are better than long-term investments. So long as the foundation of a team is solid, picking up extra pieces mid-season (when several teams are sellers and several pitchers have distinguished themselves for a half-season at least) makes sense. But if the foundation and the pieces you pick up in the off-season don't get you to the gambling zone in any given year, the wait and hope philosophy continues ad infinitum.

You hit the nail on the head. The only way the Twins are in the gambling zone in July is if lightning strikes and luck is on their side. They certainly aren't setting themselves up for 'sustained success' right now. I'm so tired of wait and hope... It's time they prove they want to win before I take them seriously again.

[wavedog]

Looks like with his career home/road splits we should only pitch him in home games.   That is another variation to add in with the Opener/Primary concept.    If we go on a long road trip put him on the DL with home sickness.   

[Otwins]

 

What happened to Greg Holland?  He was a beast for about 4 years straight then last year he did nothing.  Just curious if he still might have what it takes to close out games.  I guess Allen would be another good option but they better do something quick as they are falling off the board fast.  I think one good guy to close out games is all they really need to start the season.  I'd rather they go with the guys they have for their staff and see if they can make it work.  I really think if the lineup responds that they will win more games this year.  If they do, then they can make a big splash for a front line starter at the trade deadline rather than go for some other #3 or #4 type starter right now.  They would have the money available come the trade deadline and they have the prospects also.  Just get that guy that can finish the games for now.

 

JMO

I have been hoping for Holland.  He was better than Herrara and Wade Davis in Kansas City. His numbers in St. Louis were horrible but after his trade to Washington he pitched much better. If you look at the other pitchers that signed late and had a short spring training Lynn and Cobb they had similar performances. If we are waiting on Sano and Buxton (which I don't agree with) then may as well sign Holland.  See if he can rebound and either help us or be a trade deadline piece. I would sign both Allen and Holland and hope at least one rebounds. We have room in the bullpen for both, Todays signing seems more like a bullpen depth move.

[Blake]

 

You hit the nail on the head. The only way the Twins are in the gambling zone in July is if lightning strikes and luck is on their side. They certainly aren't setting themselves up for 'sustained success' right now. I'm so tired of wait and hope... It's time they prove they want to win before I take them seriously again.

I think the FO is still trying to figure out if any of the assets inherited from the previous regime are going to work out.

 

Two people who are supposed to be cornerstones had lousy years last year, Buxton and Sano. Add Kepler to the mix, though, he was healthy all year.

 

I think the FO has decided they need to find out if these three are the future. Makes no sense to spend a lot of money on free agents if Buxton, Sano and Kepler are unable to perform at the MLB level.

Edited January 7, 2019 by Blake

[Blake]

Crud, my edit needs editing but, that's work, so, nah.

[nicksaviking]

Looks like with his career home/road splits we should only pitch him in home games.   That is another variation to add in with the Opener/Primary concept.    If we go on a long road trip put him on the DL with home sickness.

 

Or maybe just pitch him when the Twins are in Anaheim?

[S.]

 

Two people who are supposed to be cornerstones had lousy years last year, Buxton and Sano. Add Kepler to the mix, though, he was healthy all year.

Numbers-wise, last year was about the exact same as he had been the previous two years as well, so I'd have a hard time calling his year lousy or a down year for him, since it was damn near identical to 2017 and 2016

 

Edit: Should probably specify, this is in regards to Kepler

Edited January 7, 2019 by S.

[lukeduke1980]

 

Yes, we take your scraps and try to win. This is so much like Terry Ryan trying to catch lightning in a bottle it reaks. I guess the more times/guys that are castoffs that get signed the better the chances are that 1 of them actually ends up making the 2 boys look like they know what they're doing. (As long as everyone forgets about the crap that they sign that don't amount to anything).

I was going to say are we sure TR isn't pulling these strings?

[Blake]

 

Numbers-wise, last year was about the exact same as he had been the previous two years as well, so I'd have a hard time calling his year lousy or a down year for him, since it was damn near identical to 2017 and 2016

Fair enough.

[AZTwin]

So who do we DFA?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Or maybe just pitch him when the Twins are in Anaheim?

That's what I was thinking. A righty-on-righty specialist to face the Trout-Pujols portion of the LA lineup. Edited January 7, 2019 by Hosken Bombo Disco

[twins_89]

 

Trying really hard not to read too much in to the fact that 4 of the Twins acquisitions this offseason have been non-tendered by their 2018 teams.

 

1. CJ Cron

2. Ronald Torreyes

3. Jonathan Schoop

4. Blake Parker

 

The only player (check my math) signed as a free agent who wasn't non-tendered is Nelson Cruz.

 

I am beginning to wonder if picking up guys that other teams made a strategic decision to let go is more than just chance. Is there some market inefficiency that the Twins are trying to exploit?

[Danchat]

Even with Parker's dip in velocit, he still got 9.5 K/9, so this isn't a classic Terry Ryan dumpster dive pitch-to-contact deal. Plus this deal should have an "option" - he'll be eligible for arbitration in 2020, so it can be used like a two year deal. I like this move if he's pitching in the 6th/7th innings and not in the tightest of situations - it's a depth improving move, and if they add a top-end guy and we see May develop too, he'll bolster our group nicely. I think he's an upgrade on what they were throwing out there last year in the non-high leverage roles.

[S.]

 

if he's pitching in the 6th/7th innings and not in the tightest of situations - it's a depth improving move, and if they add a top-end guy and we see May develop too, he'll bolster our group nicely. I think he's an upgrade on what they were throwing out there last year in the non-high leverage roles.

I agree, and I'm guessing very few people here would be upset if both of those IFs come to pass and we grab some other better RPs and this isn't our "late inning, high leverage" pitcher signing for the offseason. But those are two big ifs and I think it's a very reasonable worry that neither of those will be the case.

[DocBauer]

Trying really hard not to read too much in to the fact that 4 of the Twins acquisitions this offseason have been non-tendered by their 2018 teams.

 

1. CJ Cron

2. Ronald Torreyes

3. Jonathan Schoop

4. Blake Parker

 

The only player (check my math) signed as a free agent who wasn't non-tendered is Nelson Cruz.

I hear ya but cant look at those 4 in a vacuum. Schoop is coming off a down but injured season. He was outstanding the year before and had a pair of quality seasons before that.

 

Cron got more than 409AB for the first time and Rocco is familiar with the adjustments he made.

 

Torreys is depth and will almost assuredly be in Rochester.

 

I think the arguement can be made Parker is a better arm than a couple guys still on the 40 man.

 

I still want and think we need another arm and I'd like to see another quality "utility" or "flex" player added. But I cant disagree with these 4 signings for their individual purposes.

[mikelink45]

 

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Twins are indeed finalizing a deal with Parker, saying it's a one-year deal worth slightly more than $3 million.

 

The Twins certainly have the extra money to spend, but I'll happily take Parker on this deal over Herrera on the deal he got from the White Sox (two-years, $18 mil guaranteed).

No money to bet, but at the end of the year I am leaning white Sox

[mikelink45]

 

I think the FO is still trying to figure out if any of the assets inherited from the previous regime are going to work out.

 

Two people who are supposed to be cornerstones had lousy years last year, Buxton and Sano. Add Kepler to the mix, though, he was healthy all year.

 

I think the FO has decided they need to find out if these three are the future. Makes no sense to spend a lot of money on free agents if Buxton, Sano and Kepler are unable to perform at the MLB level.

It is past time for the FO to be wondering about the players they inherited.  Just put a good team on the field.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

A boring off-season (aside from Cruz) but then again it was to be expected. I'm okay with Parker, as long as he performs like he did the past 2 years. We have to assume he will until he proves otherwise. Better than McGill or Duffey. Agreed now we need that 9th inning fireballer with ice in his veins. Where do we get one?

Answer: Romero.