I'd love to hear any rationale

[notoriousgod71]

on bringing Gibson into this game. Anything at all would be great.

[Kelly Vance]

Rocco is auditioning his conditioning

[ashbury]

[Squirrel]

Why waste the best of your relievers on the Tigers offense?

[akmanak]

One of the reasons is Rocco is a terrible coach when it comes to pitching management. No reason at all to bring him in.

[wsnydes]

They're thinking about using him out of the pen in the postseason and they want him to get used to it and see how he does. Nothing more, nothing less. It's an audition for him. With the trend of shorter starts by the rotation, a long man out of the pen has value. Especially when you don't know who the third starter is going to be.

 

I think this is getting a lot more attention than it deserves. I understand why, but it's a pretty minor thing in the grand scheme of things. If they didn't have designs on using him out of the pen in the postseason, he wouldn't be coming out of the pen now. There's no benefit to it. Even if he makes the roster, there's no guarantee that he's used.

[BD57]

Let's see ...

 

Don't have much of anything.  Everyone had a day off on Monday.

 

Littell, Duffey, May, Stashak & Graterol all went an inning on Sunday; Duffey & Romo an inning the day before that.

 

The most obvious explanation would be (a) I've just removed Jake as a precaution, which could mean "he's injured" . . . . I'm running out of guys to put out there at the beginning of a game if there's anything wrong with Jake, and Gibson's one of the guys we've done that with in the past; [a] it's "early enough" that I'd be inclined to keep him out here for more than an inning if he has anything; I'm hoping he has something, and I'd like to see him get some belief - because, again, my options are becoming more limited by the day otherwise; [c] it's the Tigers, not the Yankees; [d] bullpen's rested - I'll get him before he creates a problem, if there is a problem.

 

I'd have been reluctant because I'm focused on turning "3" into "2" but if I think "Big Picture" I could see it.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of the move... though Gibson got the job done. He did notch 4 Ks during those two innings of work with a ton of swinging strikes. One of his hits was due to the shift as well...

 

Personally, if they are considering him for the playoffs, then they need to get him some work. Detroit is not a bad option there... though I do agree that I'd have felt more comfortable if the magic number was 0 and not 3... 

 

I think my bigger concern was leaving him in for a second inning. 

[twinsnorth49]

Because he wants to find out if he’s even remotely a post season option in some form.......and he’s not as angst ridden about losing the division as a lot of people.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Having to pitch two bullpen games against a Yankees lineup that is nearly 100% right-handed means Smeltzer and Thorpe, two of your three long relievers, are extremely flawed options.

 

If Baldelli can get 5-7 outs from Gibson against that lineup, it’s HUGE.

 

That sounds like a pretty valid rationale to me.

[Old Twins Cap]

Gibson can't throw his curve for strikes.

 

Ergo, the Yankees will wait on the fastball and the change-up, and the change is not going to work on Gibson's arm-side hitters.

 

He's earned a spot on the Twins playoff roster and who he replaces will cause heart-burn on this website.

 

Rocco is a players' manager for sure.

[Platoon]

Because he wants to find out if he’s even remotely a post season option in some form.......and he’s not as angst ridden about losing the division as a lot of people.

double like this! The Twins SP pitching is in tough shape. And Ordorizzi's "day to day" leg issue didn't help it. While I believe that Rocco's pen usage needs some fine tuning, this was an excellent move. Sometime this week they need to know who's in and who's out on the playoff roster. And one of those "who's" is definitely Gibson.

[Blake]

This comes under the heading, "Can't argue with the results."

 

Gibson is auditioning for the post-season and he knows it.

 

Gibson has worked out of the pen, what, three times this year? (I could be wrong) 2 have been decent and one was a disaster, if memory serves.

 

I'm going to add: Expect to see Mr. Gibson on Thursday or Friday if he's truly being considered for the post season bullpen.

[twinssporto]

I actually liked the move. Get Gibby some throws and see how he does. I want as many arms as we can get for the playoffs. After we beat the Yankees Gibby could help a little with the Astros.  

[woolywoolhouse]

Gibson is not terrible for an inning or two; that's been his MO and his scouting report for years. If he can come in on a clean inning and throw a little harder without having to worry about going six innings, maybe he'll be successful? Going to need more right-armed throwers against Yankees and Astros than lefties.

[Riverbrian]

Actions speak louder than words.

 

Gibson isn’t auditioning for the post season roster.

 

He will be on the post season roster.

 

Apparently... he won’t be in a traditional starter role.

[yarnivek1972]

Having to pitch two bullpen games against a Yankees lineup that is nearly 100% right-handed means Smeltzer and Thorpe, two of your three long relievers, are extremely flawed options.

 

If Baldelli can get 5-7 outs from Gibson against that lineup, it’s HUGE.

 

That sounds like a pretty valid rationale to me.

Except that the TIGERS were 4 for 10 against him. The last time he had what I would call a good outing was August 3, and even that was against the Royals. It’s blatantly clear to me that Gibson is a non-factor for the rest of the season and postseason. I’d rather Baldelli try some of the younger guys and see if they might be an option. If they put Gibson back on IL now, the 10 days will be used before the start of the ALDS and they could petition for injury replacement. Ryan O’Rourke is still around somewhere. I think I would rather have him than Gibson, Perez or Thorpe.

[twinsguy45]

I actually liked the move. Get Gibby some throws and see how he does. I want as many arms as we can get for the playoffs. After we beat the Yankees Gibby could help a little with the Astros.

Still hoping yankees finish with the best record so we don't have to play them the first round

[Brock Beauchamp]

Except that the TIGERS were 4 for 10 against him. The last time he had what I would call a good outing was August 3, and even that was against the Royals. It’s blatantly clear to me that Gibson is a non-factor for the rest of the season and postseason. I’d rather Baldelli try some of the younger guys and see if they might be an option. If they put Gibson back on IL now, the 10 days will be used before the start of the ALDS and they could petition for injury replacement. Ryan O’Rourke is still around somewhere. I think I would rather have him than Gibson, Perez or Thorpe.

First, the poster asked why Gibson was in the game at all and you’re talking about whether he was successful. Those are two different sets of questions and answers.

 

Second, why do the Twins need a lefty like O’Rourke? Against the Yankees, he’s essentially useless.

[Dantes929]

 

Except that the TIGERS were 4 for 10 against him. The last time he had what I would call a good outing was August 3, and even that was against the Royals. It’s blatantly clear to me that Gibson is a non-factor for the rest of the season and postseason. I’d rather Baldelli try some of the younger guys and see if they might be an option. If they put Gibson back on IL now, the 10 days will be used before the start of the ALDS and they could petition for injury replacement. Ryan O’Rourke is still around somewhere. I think I would rather have him than Gibson, Perez or Thorpe.

To be fair, I think its quite possible his health was a factor and we don't know where he is in that process.   Maybe he is simply recovering and getting stronger.  Sounded like he was throwing in the mid 90's and he wouldn't be the first guy that wears out in extended innings so can throw harder in a short stint.    That said, I think the staff should be Berrios, Odorizzi, Rogers, Romo, May, Duffey, Graterol, Littell, Smeltzer, Dobnak, Stashak and then you hit the nail on the head on who should be on the bubble.   Pick one of Gibson, Perez and Thorpe.   I would still lean toward Thorpe but am not going to lose any sleep over the last pick as long as the first 11 are in.

[Squirrel]

Except that the TIGERS were 4 for 10 against him. The last time he had what I would call a good outing was August 3, and even that was against the Royals. It’s blatantly clear to me that Gibson is a non-factor for the rest of the season and postseason. I’d rather Baldelli try some of the younger guys and see if they might be an option. If they put Gibson back on IL now, the 10 days will be used before the start of the ALDS and they could petition for injury replacement. Ryan O’Rourke is still around somewhere. I think I would rather have him than Gibson, Perez or Thorpe.

Gibson is an option. He’s earned the right to be considered. And he got the job done. It wasn’t perfect, but he was effective, for now.If in his next outing or two, he’s better, he’ll get a spot over one of the others, and he should. If he’s worse, then some tough decisions will need to be made. Rocco is playing the long game here, while we are all terribly short sighted

[Dantes929]

 

Still hoping yankees finish with the best record so we don't have to play them the first round

Houston has scored 28 fewer runs than the Yankees.  They have given up 85 fewer.   I believe Houston is the better team.   I also think if giving up runs is a concern then an opponent that also gives up a lot of runs would be advantageous.   We are not going to be favored either way but I think I would go with the Yankees.

[yarnivek1972]

First, the poster asked why Gibson was in the game at all and you’re talking about whether he was successful. Those are two different sets of questions and answers.

 

Second, why do the Twins need a lefty like O’Rourke? Against the Yankees, he’s essentially useless.

Didi Gregarious and Brett Gardner are LHB.

[OldTimeTwinkie]

His appearance didn't answer any questions on his effectiveness based on Detroit so lineup/personnel. Kansas City has a far more potent lineup to judge him on this weekend.

[Number3]

"Gibson can't throw his curve for strikes."

By Old Twins Cap.

 

Whether as starter or reliever that is the problem. Plus he can't spot his fast ball either. I think he should just aim for the middle of the K zone and rely on his lack of control to go to the edges. Using him in a critical situation in the playoffs is a scary proposition. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Didi Gregarious and Brett Gardner are LHB.

Gregorius is having a pretty bad season and the Twins will have Smeltzer/Thorpe or Rogers on tap to get out a LHB if they really need it.

 

I'm far more worried about the 7-8 RHB mashers the Yankees with throw at the Twins 4+ times a game than a weathered Gregorius and Brett Gardner.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that Rogers should not be anywhere near the ninth inning in a close game against the Yankees. If there is a time when he should be used in a flex role, it's against the Yankees.

[Puckett34]

Personally, equal parts seeing where he is conditioning-wise, seeing if he would be suited for a piggyback roll with a opener (most likely), and not wasting all the good relievers on the Tigers.

 

Would I prefer this kind of auditioning/experimenting be done after the magic number is down to zero or in a wider margin of score? Absolutely. But its probably his bullpen session day anyway, lets see if he sinks or swims. Wasn't pretty, but eh, won the game.

[markos]

It certainly seems like I am in the minority, but I think the coaching staff and front office have done a great job of doing everything they can to get Gibson back on track. The results haven't been great, obviously, but the process makes sense to me. My only major complaint is that they probably should have shut him down earlier in August once he had multiple low-velocity starts in row. But his velocity is back, and given that they don't have the option for a rehab assignment (minor league seasons are over), their only option has been to ease him into real games as best they can. There is definitely tension right now between what is best for the team versus what is best for Gibson, but I think they are walking that line pretty well. And longer term, it is clearly in the team's best interest to have an effective Gibson in the playoffs.

[Rosterman]

Gonna be interesting to see the nine names chosen to be the Twins bullpen in the post season. Picture one game, and maybe two, being relief pitcher games against the Royals. At best, Odorizzi may start and pitch three innings in the finale on Sunday. I imagine they have to look at Perez again, although I would rather they did what they did with Gibson and see how he does as a middle inning relief guy.

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Gonna be interesting to see the nine names chosen to be the Twins bullpen in the post season. Picture one game, and maybe two, being relief pitcher games against the Royals. At best, Odorizzi may start and pitch three innings in the finale on Sunday. I imagine they have to look at Perez again, although I would rather they did what they did with Gibson and see how he does as a middle inning relief guy.

They'll look at Perez again simply because they don't really need to win and the rest he provides to the guys who will actually make the postseason roster is valuable.

 

Soak up those innings, Martin, I don't even care what they look like.