Your 2019 Twins closer is...

[cmoss84]

Who in the gosh darn heck is our closer this year?

 

Any predictions? Kimbrel? Bottom feeder FA? Existing member of the bullpen? Night by night match-ups?

 

FA options still out there:

AJ Ramos has some experience, but had a terrible 2018. Does Greg Holland have anything left in the tank? Tyler Clippard or Justin Wilson might be worth a shot. Some on here talking about Brach. Carson Smith is an under the radar guy.

 

What say you?

[Vanimal46]

Any key names to know in the independent baseball league? That's a more realistic route for this club.

[SomeGuy]

Ryan Madson is better than his 2018 5.47 ERA (3.98 FIP).  He is only one year removed from a 3 year run of 2.13, 3.62, 1.83 ERAs (FIPs of 3.09,4.09,1.99).  He also has 91 career saves.

[blindeke]

Is Tony Fiore still around

[Thrylos]

...Trevor May before the end of the season, and not necessarily out of Spring Training, but not impossible.

 

(And this is not a bad thing.)

[jkcarew]

Who in the gosh darn heck is our closer this year?

 

Whoever it is, (or they are), he stands at least a decent chance of being better than the opening-day closer from last year.

Edited January 18, 2019 by jkcarew

[Channing1964]

Im guessing Parker, Reed, or May. whoever wants it most.

[Doomtints]

The pundits who predict it will be May are probably right. There hasn't been an effort to sign anybody.

[Physics Guy]

 

Im guessing Parker, Reed, or May. whoever wants it most.

I would think this is pretty accurate. 

[nater79a]

 

...Trevor May before the end of the season, and not necessarily out of Spring Training, but not impossible.

 

(And this is not a bad thing.)

 

Yeah, I'm leaning this way too...Trevor May eventually, but maybe not right out of the gate.  Thad Levine sort of hinted as much on a recent radio show where he said they'd like to go in-house but maybe not right away.

 

Thinking guys like Sergio Romo or Greg Holland as possibilities to start the season on short-term deals.

 

 

[jorgenswest]

I am not certain they will or should have a dedicated closer.

[DocBauer]

...Trevor May before the end of the season, and not necessarily out of Spring Training, but not impossible.

 

(And this is not a bad thing.)

100%!

 

May has big stuff. Coming off his surgery, he actually requested he go to the pen as he felt he could help more there. In SSS, he showed what he is capable of, especially now that he has embraced the role. Healthy, and his last few appearances in 2018 indicate he is and ready for a rebound, Reed is fine as a set-up guy. Romero, unless he is part of the rotation, is best utilized as a desigated/primary starter/long and fill-in arm as he gains experience and control of his secondary stuff. In an ideal world, based on his milb history, 2017 season, and arguably the first half of 2018, Hildenberger will settle in as a quality 6th-7th inning performer. Add Rogers to the mix along with Parker, Moya and Vasquez, things may not be so bleak.

 

I'm still waiting for another addition via trade or FA though. I am NOT being an overt optimist, BUT, nobody knew who Guerrier, Trombley or Nathan were until they got their opportunity.

[Otwins]

I threw my dart and it landed on Bud Norris. I was thinking it would be Cody Allen(wrong). I just hope that they sign a couple more relievers.  The bullpen is not deep enough

[killertwinfan]

Free Agency has changed a lot so I don't want to be too early with criticism but what is the harm of adding some BP arms on short term deals . The Twins have the money and should spend it.  I like the idea of May as a closer.  And even if he works out we still need more arms.  

[gil4]

 

Thinking guys like Sergio Romo or Greg Holland as possibilities to start the season on short-term deals.

If MLB had 10-day contracts like the NBA, we might be able to do something with a short enough term (Do they still have those?)

[ChrisKnutson]

I’m all for signing more middle relief help, but as far as I’m concerned, May is our closer.

[nicksaviking]

I am not certain they will or should have a dedicated closer.

Yeah, there’s been enough talk about getting creative with pitching this year. Ditching the traditional closer role sounds quite plausible.

[Channing1964]

Nobody thats serious about contending is going into the season without a really really good shut down guy in their pen. Whether he starts the year and ends it in that role doesnt really matter. A real good veteran guy with closing experience is okay too. Leadership and chemistry come into play in the bullpen as well. Theres plenty of good arms out there, I'm just afraid they lack the glue that holds em together when times get a little tough.

[howieramone2]

No doubt they will add another BP arm. I believe they will start the season with Reed or the addition as the closer, Romero on deck, and May in the hole.