Adalberto Mejía

[stringer bell]

Anybody remember him? He logged 11.1 innings and yielded 11 earned runs in April and was put on the injured list effective on May 1st. The injury was a pulled calf muscle and seemed to be a classic "stash" since Mejía has no options remaining. Mejía was transferred to the 60-day Injured List on June 19th, so if he is activated there will have to be a 40-man roster move. His minor league rehab began on June 10th and can only run until the All-Star break. The Twins will have to make a decision at that point. They will have to activate Mejía on the major league roster or designate him for assignment. 

 

Mejía's rehab has been successful according to the numbers. He's served as the opener in six games, worked an inning each time and has allowed no runs in those six innings. He's allowed 4 hits, walked one and struck out 10. The rehab assignments have been split between Fort Myers and Pensacola, and so far he has not worked on consecutive days. 

 

Mejía is a lefty and the Twins could certainly use another left hander in their bullpen. I have always thought Adalberto had a future with the Twins. He's mostly been a starter and I've thought his stuff was more conducive to starting. Mejía also seemed to be in better shape this year, to me. 

 

What will the Twins do? Does it really matter? 

[Vanimal46]

I don't think it matters. Don't envision him pitching high leverage situations at any point this season for the Twins. I'd try my luck DFAing him now and slide him through waivers while he's at this low point in value.

[Danchat]

I'm not sure what to do with him, as I don't see a spot in the 'pen for him, and they've already collected an assortment of guys who don't have any options. But I also think there's a very high chance he doesn't make it through waivers. If Austin Adams can't make it through waivers without getting claimed, Mejia isn't getting through.

[yarnivek1972]

Good numbers against A and AA hitters is not how I quantify success in rehab. How is his command? Velocity? These are things the Twins medical staff and coaches can better evaluate.

[jkcarew]

I would at least think the Twins would try him in the bullpen, wouldn’t they? They need another left-hander...and it’s not like there isn’t other players on the 40-man that are (even) less likely to help in 2019 and beyond (Ronald Torreyes).

[High heat]

He had nice flashes as a starter and has solid stuff with a good slider. I don’t see how he isn’t as good or better then Matt McGill or Duffey.

[Tuba]

Remember him? Slip him through waivers? Jeez you guys are merciless. He had a good rookie season as a starter and then started last year great as well before getting injured. He had one bad month, his first as a reliever, and you guys are ready to cut him. He will be back in the pen, if not in Thorpe's place then sometime.

[Thrylos]

I think that Mejia is a valuable player that can be added to a trade, not be the center piece, and help a team more than the likes of Gonsalves or Stewart.   I expect this to happen sooner than later

[Doomtints]

You don't get rid of a guy doing this.

 

http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/wT6qC

 

Ya'll can be so destructive sometimes.

 

/me glances over his shoulder at the dozens of threads saying we need different pitching.

[Jham]

I hate the idea of Mejia. Exactly the type of guy the last regime would be worried about losing.

 

I love the way we've used the final 25 man spot as a revolving long man. Of course, this requires depth and options. having Mejia go 2 1/3 some blow out is fine. Having to keep him in the pen unused for the ready of the series regardless of what happens in those games while gues like Thorpe or Stewart or Littel can be shuttled up fresh and exchanged makes no sense.

[tbhysgb]

I think Mejia's early season numbers were indication he was hurt. If he can be back to normal and throwing like he was I think he can be effective. But if his FB is down, and his command is shoddy he's got no place. But you don't throw him away without atleast giving him another chance.  I'd like to see a couple trades for proven commodoties anyway. Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have the very ass end of your bullpen filled with a Thorpe or Littel.  

[Thrylos]

FWIW, the Twins have just outrighted Torreyes, opening a spot on the 40-man roster and optioned Thorpe opening a spot on the 25-man roster.  The obvious addition is Mejia...

[stringer bell]

 

I hate the idea of Mejia. Exactly the type of guy the last regime would be worried about losing.

I love the way we've used the final 25 man spot as a revolving long man. Of course, this requires depth and options. having Mejia go 2 1/3 some blow out is fine. Having to keep him in the pen unused for the ready of the series regardless of what happens in those games while gues like Thorpe or Stewart or Littel can be shuttled up fresh and exchanged makes no sense.

If all he is is a long man, I would agree. If Mejía can get key outs in the late innings, especially tough left handed hitters, that would be a boon to the team.

 

The thing is that he is unproven as a reliever and his first month was pretty bad. Getting help from the left side in the bullpen has to be a priority. I don't know if it is Mejía or not.

[Jham]

If all he is is a long man, I would agree. If Mejía can get key outs in the late innings, especially tough left handed hitters, that would be a boon to the team.

 

The thing is that he is unproven as a reliever and his first month was pretty bad. Getting help from the left side in the bullpen has to be a priority. I don't know if it is Mejía or not.

If the ALCS was tomorrow and you had to bring Mejia or Thorpe to Yankee stadium, who do you bring?

 

If you could only make 1 trade to help the pen, lefty or righty?

 

Is Mejia better than Morin or Magill? I doubt it. Most likely he'll be cut as soon as we trade for an arm or two anyway. I don't mind if we bring him up to audition as long as we play him and waive him the same as if he had options.

[nicksaviking]

He gained a MPH on his FB to start the year, it would be nice if he found that extra bump Rogers, Littell and Duffey found. I’d like his prospects more at 95ish.

[DocBauer]

I liked Vanimal's post about trying to slip him through, because it's not a bad idea. But I also agree I don't think it would work and he would be claimed.

 

No options puts the Twins in a tough position. I really liked what I saw of him in his rookie season and felt what he needed, like a lot of young SP, was just the ability to grow and learn to economize his pitches. There were just too many 0-2 and 1-2 counts where he just didn't put his man away.

 

I still believe his stuff could play well as a 4-5SP. Unfortunately, injuries have delayed/de-railed his development. Much like Romero...a different discussion to be sure...I really thought he would slide in to the pen this year, throw hard and contribute and find success with his stuff, and maybe slide back in to the rotation at some point.

 

Not saying the transition is easy, but thought his stuff would play there. Remember, there were actually a couple games early on where he actually looked good. I'm speculating he hasn't been 100% since the year began.

 

I'm not sure how you fit him in, especially with so many guys without options, and probable trades to be made, but I just don't think you give up on his arm and potential. Totally disagree with him looking good against milb talent. Isn't that rehab is suppose to show you?

[Vanimal46]

You don't get rid of a guy doing this.

 

http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/wT6qC

 

Ya'll can be so destructive sometimes.

 

/me glances over his shoulder at the dozens of threads saying we need different pitching.

Contenders look for upgrades all the time to their fringe pitchers out of options...

 

If he had an option left it'd be a no brainer to stash him in Rochester until performance or injury forces their hand. Without options, where do you see him fitting on the staff? I don't really see a demand for another reliever who needs to start in mop up duty and potentially moves into mid leverage work by September.

[Danchat]

 

FWIW, the Twins have just outrighted Torreyes, opening a spot on the 40-man roster and optioned Thorpe opening a spot on the 25-man roster.  The obvious addition is Mejia...

I haven't seen any news on this move, but it makes sense as Torreyes seems like the next logical option to come off the 40 man roster for Mejia.

[DocBauer]

If all he is is a long man, I would agree. If Mejía can get key outs in the late innings, especially tough left handed hitters, that would be a boon to the team.

 

The thing is that he is unproven as a reliever and his first month was pretty bad. Getting help from the left side in the bullpen has to be a priority. I don't know if it is Mejía or not.

Unless I am just losing my mind...very possibly...as I posted previously, I remember a couple nice outings mixed with the bad. The arm talent is there. We absolutely need another LH in the pen. And more than just that, but another arm or two regardless. What frustrates me and confounds me is do we have enough time to make quality decisions?

 

Can a healthy Mejia actually help? (Sticking with the OP). Could Thorpe or Smeltzer make a difference? Even if they looked good, could you trust them? Just when it looks like our pen could implode they suddenly throw well again.

 

To be "safe" and aggressive, we have to bring another arm or two on board. Just frustrated that I can see a couple guys evolving and "could" be for real. But I think you just have to find a way to hold on to a talented arm like Mejia if you can.

[stringer bell]

 

If the ALCS was tomorrow and you had to bring Mejia or Thorpe to Yankee stadium, who do you bring?

If you could only make 1 trade to help the pen, lefty or righty?

Is Mejia better than Morin or Magill? I doubt it. Most likely he'll be cut as soon as we trade for an arm or two anyway. I don't mind if we bring him up to audition as long as we play him and waive him the same as if he had options.

Mejía is unproven as a reliever, so I wouldn't want either one in the playoffs today. I think he'll get a chance to adjust to a bullpen role and I think there's a decent chance he will thrive as a bullpen guy. Thorpe has always been a starter, so no I wouldn't want him to come in to Yankee Stadium in the bullpen.

 

The team definitely needs a lefty arm to help Rogers. That is one reason I would like to see Will Smith or Felipe Vazquez. If Mejía could be a third trusted reliever, that would be outstanding. There is going to be a real logjam if there are no injuries and the Twins acquire a bullpen arm or two. It probably isn't fair, but the guys with options will probably get sent out first.  

 

 

[jimbo92107]

Bad luck for the Twins that Mejia has had trouble staying healthy. If he's over that phase, he could wind up being a solid middle rotation starter. If not, then there's just not room on the 40 to keep a guy that can't stay healthy. 

 

If the Twins do add Mejia to the 40, I wouldn't be surprised if it's his last chance to prove himself...not his talent, but his physical durability. We know he can pitch. Can he stay healthy?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I haven't seen any news on this move, but it makes sense as Torreyes seems like the next logical option to come off the 40 man roster for Mejia.

straight from mlb app

[diehardtwinsfan]

People give the FO crap about giving up on pitchers all the time, see Anderson, Chargois, Hendricks, etc.

 

I'm not sure we should just DFA a guy with potential. I think we all agree that we need more back of the pen options, and as Thrylos said, Mejia might be trade bait to get one, but I think we still need to develop our own too. 

 

Honestly, I'd probably send Parker packing before Mejia.

[Jham]

There is going to be a real logjam if there are no injuries and the Twins acquire a bullpen arm or two. It probably isn't fair, but the guys with options will probably get sent out first.

So this is exactly my point, and something the old Regime did frequently. We're so worried about losing fringe guys that we make stupid rostering errors. Keeping Mejia because he's out of options over a better or fresher pitcher isn't smart. We eventually run into games where he can't be used and the rest of the pen suffers. If he was a pinch hitter or utility guy, it makes sense to keep the depth. But keeping a fringe arm with no options in the pen actually limits your depth and ability to shuttle, a technique we've used with great success this year. We've wondered how this hodge podge mix of average arms has held it together so well this year. I believe a lot of credit goes to having fresh arms available. The shuttle sure helps. Its almost like having additional roster spots.

[Seth Stohs]

I think Mejia gets brought back today. And I hope they use him... Ease him in but then throw him out there in the bullpen. He's got good stuff... give him 3-4 weeks leading up to the trade deadline and see what happens. He can be good for 1-2 innings spurts...

[Dantes929]

Seems every successful season has a reliever or two like Meija that steps up and surprises.    In appearance and name he reminds me of Jose Mijares back in 09 and 10.    On no one's radar and then comes in and has a string of success in key games.     I could see Meija being like that.    He can't succeed in high leverage spots if he is not used in high leverage spots.    I have no idea how is stuff plays now but seems like a guy that could be useful if he is fully recovered, healthy and strong.

[USAFChief]

 

CB947864-B6F4-4869-B1D9-15778478FCAA.jpeg straight from mlb app

Well, the obvious and only possible explanation is, we cleared the roster space because Bumgarner will join the Twins in Oakland.

 

The only questions are, is Smith coming as well, and how badly did we rip them off? 

[stringer bell]

 

So this is exactly my point, and something the old Regime did frequently. We're so worried about losing fringe guys that we make stupid rostering errors. Keeping Mejia because he's out of options over a better or fresher pitcher isn't smart. We eventually run into games where he can't be used and the rest of the pen suffers. If he was a pinch hitter or utility guy, it makes sense to keep the depth. But keeping a fringe arm with no options in the pen actually limits your depth and ability to shuttle, a technique we've used with great success this year. We've wondered how this hodge podge mix of average arms has held it together so well this year. I believe a lot of credit goes to having fresh arms available. The shuttle sure helps. Its almost like having additional roster spots.

It is up to the front office to evaluate their assets and decide if a player is worth keeping. "Keeping Mejía because he out of options" would be a mistake. Keeping Mejía because he has a chance to improve the bullpen would be smart. IMHO, Mejía has a chance to be a good bullpen piece this year and more in the future. I certainly would rather part with Blake Parker and his 5.90 FIP than Mejía. 

[stringer bell]

 

Well, the obvious and only possible explanation is, we cleared the roster space because Bumgarner will join the Twins in Oakland.

 

The only questions are, is Smith coming as well, and how badly did we rip them off? 

If this is the world you live in, I want to be your neighbor. Rainbows and unicorns..................

[USAFChief]

 

If this is the world you live in, I want to be your neighbor. Rainbows and unicorns..................

Well ok, but stay off my lawn.