Projects Vs. Prospects

[Cody Pirkl]

 

Odorizzi is a pretty good pitcher when at his best. But, he’s certainly not one of the dominant upper-echelon guys. If he’s “outside of the Twins payscale,” what the heck are we even doing here?

I don't know that he'll be outside of their pay scale. That being said, if we see Duran, Balazovic, Thorpe, Dobnak, Smeltzer etc. have successful seasons, they may make the decision to let him walk. They'll have the 1-3 of Berrios, Pineda, Maeda going into 2021. 

 

Also keep in mind next year's free agent market. The top pitcher is arguably Bauer who's made it known he'll only take one year deals. If he has a down year and Odorizzi puts up 2019 numbers, Odo is the #1 pitcher on the market. The Twins could afford him, but how much does his price get bid up?

[Cody Pirkl]

 

What about Thielbar?

I love Thielbar, he went to my high school of a few hundred people. I think he could pitch himself into a spot, but he'll have to beat out someone like Cody Stashak who's coming off a nice year. Thielbar has the upper hand because he's a lefty, but it's unknown how much that will even play into the Twins decision with the 3 batter minimum. 

 

All that being said, Thielbar is my sleeper to make the squad this spring. He had a hell of a year at AAA last season.

[Cody Pirkl]

 

Could you refresh my memory? I don't recall a single instance of this.

Maybe they're thinking of Perez last year? Didn't get released but for sure got scouted out and exposed after his first 11 starts or so. I think both of these guys are different though. Wisler and Chacin have measurable skills that they still do well. Perez just showed up with a new pitch that had 0 scouting reports on it and wasn't good enough to adjust in response. 

[Cody Pirkl]

 

I am going to be pulling for any pitcher currently on the mound in a Twins' uniform, young  or old, rookie or veteran, minor league contract or 4 year deal, lefty or righty......And Jake Reed.

Very much agree. I just want to see whoever ends up in that spot earn it. I'm hoping it isn't awarded because of the past or what they think of the future. We have enough options that whoever gets it should be judged on how they look in the present. Also love the Jake Reed reference. That's my guy.

[Cody Pirkl]

 

Can we get a list of players with waaaaaaaaay too much talent who have gone away quickly?

Every team has that list unfortunately. The nice thing about the way things fall this spring for the Twins is that the only guys who can "get away" if they don't earn a spot are guys like Chacin and Wisler. All of the young guys can be stashed at AAA.

[Cody Pirkl]

 

I'm a prospect guy, and most of this decade, I would have just said that I support giving the prospects the innings (unless they're overwhelmed).  I'm always for minor league signings... but getting a guy with Chacin's track record on a minor league deal is fantastic.

 

The team is in Win-Now... Chacin has been there, done that, he's pitched in the playoffs. He had one rough year... but love taking a shot on a guy like that. now that said, if Thorpe or Dobnak are better, give them the job. 

 

I assume Chacin has an opt-out at some point early in the year... they can take advantage of that too.

Love that thought process. The Twins are in an enviable spot where if they choose Chacin, these prospects that are in competition with him just go to AAA until they're needed later. There's risk Chacin doesn't work out, but there's no risk of watching younger talent leave the organization.

[jorgenswest]

I think Thorpe needs major league inning to take the next step. The Twins need to develop starting pitching. I would start him in the rotation and keep Chacin in AAA until they need to make an opt out date decision.

 

Give Thorpe those 7-8 starts before Pineda returns and give him a chance win the spot and move Bailey to the bullpen. Even if he struggles he will know what he needs to work on in AAA if he heads there when Pineda returns.

[Cody Pirkl]

 

I think Thorpe needs major league inning to take the next step. The Twins need to develop starting pitching. I would start him in the rotation and keep Chacin in AAA until they need to make an opt out date decision.

Give Thorpe those 7-8 starts before Pineda returns and give him a chance win the spot and move Bailey to the bullpen. Even if he struggles he will know what he needs to work on in AAA if he heads there when Pineda returns.

Chacin is gone if he doesn't come out of the spring with a major league spot I believe. That's the catch 22. I don't think the Twins want to see another Anibal Sanchez situation where a guy could rebound in a big way but they cut him without giving him the chance. Thorpe is definitely ready for a longer look, but the front office will weigh his ability to start at AAA for sure.

[jorgenswest]

Chacin is gone if he doesn't come out of the spring with a major league spot I believe. That's the catch 22. I don't think the Twins want to see another Anibal Sanchez situation where a guy could rebound in a big way but they cut him without giving him the chance. Thorpe is definitely ready for a longer look, but the front office will weigh his ability to start at AAA for sure.

I wasn’t aware that he had an opt out date at the end of spring training. I wrote at the signing that this is a good deal with an opt out date of mid May but a bad deal if the opt out date is end of spring training. The Twins don’t need to give Chacin valuable spring innings to show case himself taking an opportunity from Dobnak, Thorpe or Smeltzer.