Article: Twins Place Michael Pineda on DL, Devin Smeltzer Recalled

[IndianaTwin]

 

36-17

 

Mea culpa!

 

Given that I dropped a "team with the best record in major league baseball" into a totally unrelated departmental video conference today, I should definitely have gotten that right!

 

Of course, the original comment was written during said video conference, so perhaps I can use my mistake to convince my boss that I was paying at least a little attention to what was happening. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

A lot of valid points made throughout this debate. I trust the FO to make the right moves, whichever moves they make.

 

Here's my take...time for Ehire to go.

 

He is never going to be more than an average utility guy. In many cases, he would be valuable. I'm just not seeing it any more. Arraez can get groomed into playing 2B and/or UTIL next year. He can occasionally spell other IF spots (maybe 1 game a week at 2B/SS/3B). Having Gonzalez seems to afford them the opportunity to prepare Arraez vs. being cautious and keeping Ehire. As long as Arraez plays 3-4 times a week, he's getting great exposure and experience.

 

(to add onto this, Astudillo staying on as catcher #3 and Util seems more valuable than Ehire)

3rd catcher isn't that useful if Garver can't play 1B/DH (due to the presence of Cruz/Sano/Cron).

 

Given our lineup, I think I'd prefer having two pinch runners in Adrianza and Arraez, rather than a 3rd catcher in Astudillo.

[cmoss84]

 

3rd catcher isn't that useful if Garver can't play 1B/DH (due to the presence of Cruz/Sano/Cron).

Given our lineup, I think I'd prefer having two pinch runners in Adrianza and Arraez, rather than a 3rd catcher in Astudillo.

I get it, and good point, but it is still more useful than having 3 UTIL guys or 2 pinch runners (especially with Garver and Castro both coming off of injuries). I'm choosing Arraez over Ehire.

Think he has done some good things for us and supplied some good depth. Just think his time is over with us. 

Edited May 28, 2019 by cmoss84

[PDX Twin]

 

I don't think of it as a ploy as much as preventative maintenance in responding to the early signs of an overuse injury (which can be knee as much as arm).

 

But it's also okay to be strategic and say that the schedule makes it make sense to take the rest now compared to trying to force one more outing.

 

I would hazard an outsider's guess that more than half of most MLB rosters would qualify medically for the IL for one reason or another at any point in time. That leaves a lot of room for strategic "injuries" (and also for players to "gut it out" or fail to inform the club of their maladies in order to try to boost their stats).

[ashbury]

You think Smeltzer is sticking around until Pineda returns, despite the off days?

 

I guess he could earn it with a good start tonight, but my gut says they're going to use the spot to postpone any Arraez/Astudillo demotion.

Managers like their 13-man pitching staffs. Maybe with the off-days Rocco is willing to let go the safety blanket. I guess I just discount that possibility. If Smeltzer goes down, Thorpe or somebody comes up.

 

I know there was a big thread on this, but it is an interesting topic. Why are you choosing Ehire over Luis?

You don't think Luis can get enough ABs? Afraid of losing an insurance policy if Arraez goes cold (in which case, isn't that Gonzalez?)? 

It comes down to minor-league options remaining for the player. Adrianza has none. In general you do the reversible move, before you do an irreversible one.

[h2oface]

Oh the paperwork! 

 

IL/DL can definitely be manipulated. It is amazing to watch the Dodgers juggle 7-8 starters around the IL. Paperwork? No problem. 

 

Overweight people will have knee problems. Not that others can't, but large overweight people have tons (ha) more. It looks like Pineda didn't take his off year to try to change that at all. CC and Pineda with suffer knee problems for the rest of their life, probably.

Edited May 28, 2019 by h2oface

[darin617]

I'm so happy that Smeltzer got the call to the majors.

 

He is such a good story for all that he has gone though as well as what he has already given back to help those less fortunate.

 

I wish there were more caring people like him in the world.

[VATwinsFan]

Meanwhile, not only does der Schlagmeister win AL player of the week, they name a space telescope after him. No really, they did.

 

http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/transit-least-squares-exoplanets-kepler-data-07229.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BreakingScienceNews+%28Breaking+Science+News%29

[Dman]

 

Adrianza .231/.333/.397 (.731OPS) 96 wRC+

Astudillo .264/.276/.396 (.671 OPS) 70 wRC+ (worst OPS and wRC+ on team, only Twins hitter with negative WAR)

 

Once/if the Twins are fully healthy I think the roster pinch solution is pretty obvious. Astudillo is currently the worst hitter on the roster. Whether he is reluctant to take a pitch or just that bad at pitch recognition, he needs to make some changes. Once Garver is activated (possibly this weekend), I would send Astudillo down and continue to give Arraez as many at bats as possible from a bench role.

 

Yeah Astudillo was supposed to balance that low OBP with power but it hasn't worked out that way.  I agree with most posters that pitchers are giving him garbage to hit early in the count and he has been all too happy to oblige.  It would be nice to see some semblance of plate discipline so that he can get better pitches to hit. 

 

For a guy who can hit almost anything he shouldn't be afraid to get to two strikes as he should be able to hit whatever else is coming.  I think that if he can work counts more then he should get better pitches to hit.  Heck don't be afraid to take a K watching strike 3 go by. If he can be more unpredictable I think he stands a better chance.

 

I still like the turtle as a player.  He plays the game with the right intensity but it might not hurt to have him go down to AAA and work on working counts in his favor a bit more.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I get it, and good point, but it is still more useful than having 3 UTIL guys or 2 pinch runners.

It's not really 3 UTIL guys, though, at least not in a redundant sense. Marwin covers OF/1B. With all 3, you can let Marwin do his OF/1B thing, you can spot start Adrianza or Arraez in the middle infield, and still have the other one available for pinch running (for Cruz/Sano/Cron/catcher).

Edited May 28, 2019 by spycake

[Otto von Ballpark]

Managers like their 13-man pitching staffs. Maybe with the off-days Rocco is willing to let go the safety blanket. I guess I just discount that possibility. If Smeltzer goes down, Thorpe or somebody comes up.

 

They like 8 man bullpens more than 13 man staffs. And they'd still have an 8 man bullpen, even if they optioned Smeltzer and activated a position player for a few days.

[pierre75275]

Smeltzer will make his start tonight. I hope he does well and enjoys/learns from it and we see him later.

Tonight he gets sent down. Cruz gets activated.

This wknd Garver gets activated and Arrez gets sent down.

When Pinada (sp) comes off the IL Austidillo gets sent down

[Mike Sixel]

 

Smeltzer will make his start tonight. I hope he does well and enjoys/learns from it and we see him later.
Tonight he gets sent down. Cruz gets activated.
This wknd Garver gets activated and Arrez gets sent down.
When Pinada (sp) comes off the IL Austidillo gets sent down

 

this all seems correct to me, except maybe the timing on Cruz......

[brvama]

For me all I can say is "Yahoo!" For Devin. I think he deserves a chance, just surprised its this early. I hope that he becomes one of the pitching surprises the Twins have lack for a number of years.

[Thrylos]

'cause this should be about Smeltzer, hope the best for him.   And because nobody posted one, here is a mini scouting report (and a bit of video) :

 

23 year old. Average four seamer and two seamer at 88-92.  Two seamer is a better pitch. Close to average mid 80s cutter, below average low 80s slider, plus to plus plus change, plus to plus plus command and control.  Will not walk many.  Super funky cross body delivery with arm angle changes.  Pretty effortless pitching, will likely stay a starter.  Not much projection for velocity with this delivery.

 

[pierre75275]

It could be Cave gets recalled after Smeltzer goes down

[jorgenswest]

'cause this should be about Smeltzer, hope the best for him. And because nobody posted one, here is a mini scouting report (and a bit of video) :

 

23 year old. Average four seamer and two seamer at 88-92. Two seamer is a better pitch. Close to average mid 80s cutter, below average low 80s slider, plus to plus plus change, plus to plus plus command and control. Will not walk many. Super funky cross body delivery with arm angle changes. Pretty effortless pitching, will likely stay a starter. Not much projection for velocity with this delivery.

 

Thanks Thrylos. Love your minor leaguer insights.

 

Is there anyone that might be a comp? Numbers sound like Albers but not sure of pitch mix.

[Aerodeliria]

Strike up the music the Polka-man has arrived in the big league!!

[Thrylos]

 

Thanks Thrylos. Love your minor leaguer insights.

Is there anyone that might be a comp? Numbers sound like Albers but not sure of pitch mix.

 

Do you remember Gary Wayne?  Similar funkiness but much better command and control and change up

[Nine of twelve]

 

IIRC, there will be an extra player next year (26-man roster), so some of this will be moot.

Really? I hadn't heard anything concrete about this but it's about 5 years overdue.

[Nine of twelve]

 

I don't think of it as a ploy as much as preventative maintenance in responding to the early signs of an overuse injury (which can be knee as much as arm).

 

But it's also okay to be strategic and say that the schedule makes it make sense to take the rest now compared to trying to force one more outing.

 

I also get the sense that Rocco (and others in management) have the kind of demeanor that would even allow him to go to Pineda (and his agent) and say, "Mike, you're coming back from TJS and the knee issues at the end of last year. Guys in that situation have a tough time getting through the season without missing a start. Sometimes guys try to force it and they end up with a more significant injury. Let's brainstorm together about the most strategic time to take a well-planned rest, and it will benefit us both. You will stay healthier, which makes us a better team, and being able to pitch through the season will help your chances of getting that multi-year contract you're striving for. And by the way, when we get to August and you've indeed demonstrated to us that you're going to be healthy for the long haul, we've demonstrated to you that we are indeed concerned about your long-term health, and we're both lining ourselves up for the playoffs, let's sit down and talk about an extension."  

This is a really good post.

[Darius]

Looks like Pineda might be missing more than one start after Smeltzer deals 6 innings.

[mikelink45]

I may be the only writer who is happy to have someone else take Pineda's place.  It seems like we constantly read - except for one bad inning, after "X" innings he did great.  Well those X innings count and Pineda has not been the veteran that I hoped for and I am happy to have some experiments with the prospects - I am a believer that Pineda could do a very serviceable job in the pen. 

[cmoss84]

 

It's not really 3 UTIL guys, though, at least not in a redundant sense. Marwin covers OF/1B. With all 3, you can let Marwin do his OF/1B thing, you can spot start Adrianza or Arraez in the middle infield, and still have the other one available for pinch running (for Cruz/Sano/Cron/catcher).

Marwin covers everywhere. But from what I've seen, he's a better IF than OF...

 

basically we are knit picking. comes down to...do you like Schoop or Listerine more? Both work. 

 

[ashbury]

Michael "Wally Pipp" Pineda.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Great game last night. I wonder if Smeltzer will stick around? They could certainly stick to a 5 man rotation despite the off days. Smeltzer would be in line to start the opening game in Cleveland next Tuesday. Although one would have to imagine that Cruz and/or Garver would be activated by then too, which could mean two of Arraez, Astudillo, and Littell have to get optioned to AAA. (Hopefully Buxton stays off the IL!)

[Tomj14]

 

I may be the only writer who is happy to have someone else take Pineda's place.  It seems like we constantly read - except for one bad inning, after "X" innings he did great.  Well those X innings count and Pineda has not been the veteran that I hoped for and I am happy to have some experiments with the prospects - I am a believer that Pineda could do a very serviceable job in the pen. 

What a year, we can complain about the Twins 5th starter who has went at least 5 innings in 9 of his 10 starts (not going to include his 1 start)

In May made 5 starts, pitched 30 (5 BB/28 K) innings with a 4.50 ERA

 

[mikelink45]

 

What a year, we can complain about the Twins 5th starter who has went at least 5 innings in 9 of his 10 starts (not going to include his 1 start)

In May made 5 starts, pitched 30 (5 BB/28 K) innings with a 4.50 ERA

That is true  - of course now that we have established greater expectations I want each position to be at its best!

[ashbury]

They like 8 man bullpens more than 13 man staffs. And they'd still have an 8 man bullpen, even if they optioned Smeltzer and activated a position player for a few days.

That could be how it plays out for a few days. I was probably looking more at the big picture, two position players coming off the IL and two going down, and if the discussion was the inside-baseball aspect of taking advantage of a momentary lull in the need for pitching, then I whiffed.