Front Page: Setting the Twins' Bullpen Pecking Order for 2020

[MMMordabito]

That often empty "connected" word is still being used with the Twins and Will Harris.

 

I'm not sure if that is interest is still there or if an offer still exists, especially now that Romo and Clippard are in the fold.

 

If a Harris union occurs, I wonder where he would fit in this pecking order.  Is he in the May/Duffey section or the Romo/Clippard section (his age would place him there, if that matters).  

 

Talk about bullpen depth!  I'd guess Stashak would be ticketed for Rochester in that scenario.  The popular take might be to just cut Wisler, but I think that idea is probably only popular outside the walls of the FO.

[ashbury]

Talk about bullpen depth!  I'd guess Stashak would be ticketed for Rochester in that scenario.  The popular take might be to just cut Wisler, but I think that idea is probably only popular outside the walls of the FO.

It's not just cutting the major league roster. We currently have 23 pitchers and 18 position players on the 40-man roster. Pineda is protected due to his suspended status. But if Harris were added, then someone needs to be removed from the 40-man, either by trade or exposure to waiver-claim. Ticketing Stashak for Rochester via an option doesn't do the trick. Harper or Wisler would seem like the only candidates for a DFA in favor of Harris.

 

[DocBauer]

 

Because of the last man in the bullpen?

 

I'm actually really interested in seeing Wisler this spring. I love bullpen guys with a wipeout slider.

 

What is so interesting here, to me, is not the slider. I mean, the numbers sort of speak for themselves, but his FB. Unless I just missed something, the velocity seems to be there, but location or deception seem to be the issue. I don't recall if he normally throws a 2 seam or 4 seam, but something has to be found or corrected. Is it his grip? Does he need to slide to one side of the rubber? Is he just inconsistent with his delivery? Seems to me if Johnson can do the things we think he can do, add a tick or two, help him "tunnel" and find that consistent approach, we could end up finding something here.

 

Just because no-one has yet doesn't mean this isn't the time and place and coaching point in his career to make something happen. I mean, the problem with most pitchers isn't the FB, right? It's usually their breaking pitch or change.

[DocBauer]

This may or not be the right place to broach this, but I don't know if it deserves a separate OP, and he's already been mentioned. At least by me, lol.

 

What is the issue with Romero? I think he could be a huge surprise in 2020 and going forward if his arm and stuff can be harnassed. And his stuff is electric. I don't pretend to have the eye or knowledge of Parker or many contributors here. Is he just that inconsistent in his delivery? MY OPINION watching him last season is it felt like he pitched almost "scared". It felt, to me, like he was trying to be too perfect and "aim" the ball vs just throwing within the zone and allowing for natural velocity and movement to do what it does.

 

Love to hear other opinions on the matter.

[Jham]

This may or not be the right place to broach this, but I don't know if it deserves a separate OP, and he's already been mentioned. At least by me, lol.

 

What is the issue with Romero? I think he could be a huge surprise in 2020 and going forward if his arm and stuff can be harnassed. And his stuff is electric. I don't pretend to have the eye or knowledge of Parker or many contributors here. Is he just that inconsistent in his delivery? MY OPINION watching him last season is it felt like he pitched almost "scared". It felt, to me, like he was trying to be too perfect and "aim" the ball vs just throwing within the zone and allowing for natural velocity and movement to do what it does.

 

Love to hear other opinions on the matter.

Not that my opinion matters, but Romero's best results have been in starts. I think he's a prime candidate for settling down and taking something off. Focus on location. Let some of that run become sink. Lateral run gets crushed in the big leagues.

[MMMordabito]

 

It's not just cutting the major league roster. We currently have 23 pitchers and 18 position players on the 40-man roster. Pineda is protected due to his suspended status. But if Harris were added, then someone needs to be removed from the 40-man, either by trade or exposure to waiver-claim. Ticketing Stashak for Rochester via an option doesn't do the trick. Harper or Wisler would seem like the only candidates for a DFA in favor of Harris.
 

 

I wouldn't lose much sleep over Harper being DFA'd to bring in Harris.  It was a good story to see a 30 year old rookie finally realize his dream and then be effective for a good part of the season, but Harris is proven even if aging.

[ashbury]

I wouldn't lose much sleep over Harper being DFA'd to bring in Harris.  It was a good story to see a 30 year old rookie finally realize his dream and then be effective for a good part of the season, but Harris is proven even if aging.

Welp. Harris signed with Washington, so I guess Harper can rest easy for another day.