Gonsalves Claimed by Mets

[Vanimal46]

 

Wow. Didn't see that coming.

[Seth Stohs]

I did see it coming... and I don't think he'll be the only "surprise" DFA that we'll see this offseason.

 

It's tough because I'm a big fan and a huge fan of the person. He's a terrific guy, very open, and he is quite talented. Unfortunately, he was hurt in 2019 and I assume the Twins thought this might be a good chance to get him through waivers... Nope. 

[nicksaviking]

Geez. I'd like to hear more about this one. There wasn't a 40-man roster crunch or anything.

 

Though maybe we should have smelled this one coming considering that he was the only pitcher on the 40-man that didn't get a September call up even though he was a lefty and had a bit of MLB experience.

 

The powers that be must have thought his command was never going to come around? Or at least it was enough of a long shot to take the chance removing him form the roster?

[twins_89]

Before last season's injuries he looked ready to be a back of the rotation option. I'm going to be curious to see who the Twins think is more deserving of a 40 man roster spot.

[DannySD]

Usually it seems that they know what they are doing, but this is head scratching as he definitely has potential. I'm sure we will instead claim a bunch of ever-journeying relievers with a career 6+ ERA that will be cut before opening day. 

[Dman]

First let me say I always loved Stephen as a draft pick and his stats coming through MiLB.  However, given what I have seen of him MLB so far he looks like a 5th starter similar to Popen, Smeltzer, Littel, and Thorpe.  In fact I think all those guys except maybe Smeltzer throw harder than Stephen.  His control issues plus lack of velocity was always going to be tough to overcome IMO.

 

Honestly I don't hate this move.  I was hoping we could get one last look at him to see if he could improve an make the jump but with so many other arms in the system that appear to have more upside I can see why the Twins tried to move him off the 40 man.

 

I will say I was surprised by the move especially this early but looking at it harder can understand them taking the risk.  I wish Stephen well and I still believe he can be a solid major league pitcher it doesn't look like it going to be with Twins though.

[operation mindcrime]

Good luck to him!

[insagt1]

He didn't get a callup because he couldn't pitch. Twins know about his injury history so I suspect they felt he wasn't worth the risk for 2020. Too bad they couldn't have traded him instead of trying to sneak him thru waivers (if that was their plan). but he was truly in their plans, they wouldn't have exposed him.

[bighat]

 

I was hoping we could get one last look at him to see if he could improve an make the jump

 

Same here. His 2018 debut was just so terrible - and was a huge letdown for the Twins to see him absolutely crash and burn at the MLB level.

 

It would have been great to be able to give him a few more starts in a Twins uniform and give him a mulligan. Alas, that injury just didn't make it possible.

 

Gonsalves should probably feel pretty good that he's getting a fresh start and will likely get a look from the NYM.

 

Reading the tea leaves: maybe the Mets are bolstering up their depth because they've bowed out of the Wheeler sweepstakes?

[operation mindcrime]

He didn't get a callup because he couldn't pitch. Twins know about his injury history so I suspect they felt he wasn't worth the risk for 2020. Too bad they couldn't have traded him instead of trying to sneak him thru waivers (if that was their plan). but he was truly in their plans, they wouldn't have exposed him.

Maybe we could've traded him to San Francisco for Jaylin Davis!

[Mike Sixel]

A friendly reminder of why it is ok to trade prospects.....

 

I gotta admit I'm surprised that a pitching STARVED team would do this......

[Danchat]

There goes yet another top pitching prospect, barely making any impact on the Twins roster. It seems like the last 7-8 years have just been failure after failure for minor league pitchers in this system. At least I think we can say we finally can have some hope for the minor league system after a strong 2019, now that Falvine has [almost] fully revamped things.

 

Oh, and yes, I do mean "top pitching prospect". He was Twins Daily's #1 prospect a few years back. To be totally honest, I was completely underwhelmed when I saw him throw for the big leagues last year - his fastball tops out at 90 and his secondary pitches are just OK. He's put up respectable stats in the minors, but IMO he doesn't have MLB-caliber pitches. 

[Thrylos]

He fell behind Smeltzer and Thorpe in the chart of AAA/MLB LHSP.  Moving him off the 40-man roster was natural...  Good luck in Vegas next season

[Doctor Wu]

 

First let me say I always loved Stephen as a draft pick and his stats coming through MiLB.  However, given what I have seen of him MLB so far he looks like a 5th starter similar to Popen, Smeltzer, Littel, and Thorpe.  In fact I think all those guys except maybe Smeltzer throw harder than Stephen.  His control issues plus lack of velocity was always going to be tough to overcome IMO.

 

Honestly I don't hate this move.  I was hoping we could get one last look at him to see if he could improve an make the jump but with so many other arms in the system that appear to have more upside I can see why the Twins tried to move him off the 40 man.

 

I will say I was surprised by the move especially this early but looking at it harder can understand them taking the risk.  I wish Stephen well and I still believe he can be a solid major league pitcher it doesn't look like it going to be with Twins though.

I pretty much feel the same way. Seems like a player that might have stuck with the team if the Twins were patient, but probably nothing more than a 5th starter. I don't feel like it's too big of a loss, the Twins should easily find a similar pitcher, but best of luck to him.