Where are they now? Ex-Twins in 2020

[Twodogs]

But that's just the problem with bringing back old players, the fans who remembered him fondly and the former teammates who are happy to see him back will make it that much more difficult to cut bait with him when needed.

 

As a human who enjoys reminiscing, I get a sentimental feeling about such reunions. As a robot who is cold-hearted due to a 30-year World Series drought, I resist sentimentality so as not too temp the humans into making decisions based on feelings.

Yes I agree, it was more of a what if.

[jkcarew]

 

Lewin Diaz is up and getting some PT for the Marlins. 

Unclear what's going on with Diaz at this point. Don't see any reports of injury or demotion...but he hasn't played for over a week now after getting action his first few games. Marlins have used Logan Forsythe as the backup to Jesus Aguilar at first during this stretch. Has to be hurt, right?

[jkcarew]

I thought there'd be more Brusdar Graterol obsession here, based on initial reaction to the trade. Maybe because the guy we got is doing "ok" ? 

 

Graterol seems to be progressing nicely; headline numbers not what you might expect (low K and BB rates)...and results have been spotty with some L's, etc....but the underlying numbers look very good. Apparently, a lot of soft contact against the powerful sinking FB. Seeing some leverage. Meanwhile, no indication/talk that the Dodgers want him to be a starter 'some day'. But plenty of talk that he'll be the franchise's next Kenley Jansen or Eric Gagne.

[John Kelsey]

 

Unclear what's going on with Diaz at this point. Don't see any reports of injury or demotion...but he hasn't played for over a week now after getting action his first few games. Marlins have used Logan Forsythe as the backup to Jesus Aguilar at first during this stretch. Has to be hurt, right?

 

Starting at first and batting fifth today. 

[Danchat]

 

I thought there'd be more Brusdar Graterol obsession here, based on initial reaction to the trade. Maybe because the guy we got is doing "ok" ? 

 

Graterol seems to be progressing nicely; headline numbers not what you might expect (low K and BB rates)...and results have been spotty with some L's, etc....but the underlying numbers look very good. Apparently, a lot of soft contact against the powerful sinking FB. Seeing some leverage. Meanwhile, no indication/talk that the Dodgers want him to be a starter 'some day'. But plenty of talk that he'll be the franchise's next Kenley Jansen or Eric Gagne.

There would be obsession here if Maeda was struggling, but right now it looks like a great move for the Twins. Good starters are so rare these days that it's worth giving up a potentially elite reliever for one. I do think Graterol will be a very good reliever for the Dodgers, but I don't think he will return to being a starter.

[Vanimal46]

I thought there'd be more Brusdar Graterol obsession here, based on initial reaction to the trade. Maybe because the guy we got is doing "ok" ?

 

Graterol seems to be progressing nicely; headline numbers not what you might expect (low K and BB rates)...and results have been spotty with some L's, etc....but the underlying numbers look very good. Apparently, a lot of soft contact against the powerful sinking FB. Seeing some leverage. Meanwhile, no indication/talk that the Dodgers want him to be a starter 'some day'. But plenty of talk that he'll be the franchise's next Kenley Jansen or Eric Gagne.

This trade could wind up being a win win for both sides. Maeda fills a clear need right now as a stalwart in the rotation, and the Dodgers have a ridiculous amount of depth to bet on Graterol’s upside.

 

The only loser out of the deal is Boston, who weaseled their way out of the original agreement.

[Danchat]

 

 

Giants designated RHP Dereck Rodriguez for assignment.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Rickard. Rodriguez had a surprising rookie season in 2018 but has struggled since then.

 

I remember a few folks here getting upset that Rodriguez never got a shot here, but it appears that his rookie year (19 starts, 2.81 ERA 1.1 WHIP) was a fluke.

[John Kelsey]

Kyle Gibson's ERA sitting in the 6s for Texas. 

[Danchat]

 

Kyle Gibson's ERA sitting in the 6s for Texas. 

Sounds about right. At the moment, this makes them 1 for 2 on former Twins starters, with Lance Lynn having a dominant season.

[Shaitan]

 

Kyle Gibson's ERA sitting in the 6s for Texas. 

 

And locked into a 3-year deal.

[bighat]

 

And locked into a 3-year deal.

Just baffled at that contract - did Texas not do their homework? All they needed was a Twins fan whispering in their ear in the offseason: "Don't do it"....

 

Just goes to show you how, when teams get in trouble with SPs, they'll just throw money at it and hope for the best. Reminds me of the Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey era.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

And locked into a 3-year deal.

 

 

Just baffled at that contract - did Texas not do their homework? All they needed was a Twins fan whispering in their ear in the offseason: "Don't do it"....

 

Just goes to show you how, when teams get in trouble with SPs, they'll just throw money at it and hope for the best. Reminds me of the Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey era.

 

Gibson hasn't been good in 2020, but remember it's only been 9 starts under really weird circumstances. And 3/28 isn't that big of a contract for a pitcher with Gibson's track record (inconsistent, but 10.2 bWAR, 13.1 fWAR in last 7 seasons). MLBTR predicted 2/18 for him, a Fangraphs writer predicted 3/45, their crowdsource 2/20 -- 3/28 doesn't seem out of line by those measures either.

 

The Rangers gave virtually the same contract to Mike Minor and Lance Lynn the last couple years, so if they're just doing it blindly they've gotten pretty good results on it overall. (Not that I expect Gibson to turn out as well as those two.)

[bighat]

From Phil Miller today (9/16/20):

 

"Former Twins AAA OF Adam Brett Walker was named Player of the Year by the independent American Association, the only minor league to play in 2020. Walker, Twins’ 3rd-round pick in 2012, hit .268 w/ 50 RBI and league-best 22 home runs for his hometown team, the Milwaukee Milkmen."

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

the Milwaukee Milkmen

 

[ashbury]

 

"Yes, but I came here for an argument."

"OH! Oh! I'm sorry! This is milkmen." (under his breath) "Stupid git."

 

[bird]

Saw earlier where the Cubbies called up the venerable Jason Adam to anchor their pen. For those of you with faulty memories, Jason is the haul we received for Josh Willingham a half dozen years ago.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Saw earlier where the Cubbies called up the venerable Jason Adam to anchor their pen. For those of you with faulty memories, Jason is the haul we received for Josh Willingham a half dozen years ago.

That is a blast from the past! Adam has actually been fairly effective last year (for the Jays) and this year -- 17 Ks in 9.1 IP for the Cubs this year, albeit in very low leverage work.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

 

Wonder if Ronnie Soak is there...

[Shaitan]

Ronald Torreyes designated today.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/phillies-designate-ronald-torreyes-for-assignment.html

[Otto von Ballpark]

Jason Adam update: picked up a win for the Cubs last night with a scoreless 10th inning vs Cleveland, including a strikeout of Lindor.

[John Kelsey]

John Curtiss has been pretty lights out for the Rays. Between him and Nick Anderson, the Rays might have the two most upsetting "ones that got away" in their bullpen (not including guys that left in trades).

 

They've also gotten some decent innings from Aaron Slegers this year. 

[Vanimal46]

[Danchat]

Checking up on Brusdar Graterol... he's been great for the Dodgers with a 3.10 ERA / 2.90 FIP and 0.984 WHIP, but the weirdest thing is that he's not striking anybody out! He's got a 5.3 K/9, but a phenomenal 1.3 BB/9. It's just so odd to see Brusdar striking out guys like he's Kevin Correia, but is otherwise getting outs similar to how Dobnak was (before the regression came).

[Twodogs]

Checking up on Brusdar Graterol... he's been great for the Dodgers with a 3.10 ERA / 2.90 FIP and 0.984 WHIP, but the weirdest thing is that he's not striking anybody out! He's got a 5.3 K/9, but a phenomenal 1.3 BB/9. It's just so odd to see Brusdar striking out guys like he's Kevin Correia, but is otherwise getting outs similar to how Dobnak was (before the regression came).

Maybe the Dodgers are preaching a pitch to contact method unless the strikeout is absolutely needed?? I noticed that Dustin May throws 100 but only has 34 K's in 47 innings?? You'd think a guy with as much swing and miss stuff as Dustin May has that he'd K a few more people?

[big dog]

Kyle Gibson getting shelled again today. 8 R (7 ER) in 4 IP, with 5 hits and 5 BB. His ERA is up to 5.87, and stands to be 2-6 at the end of the day. I thought he was a decent candidate for a small deal to come back, but the Rangers came heavy. Oops.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Kyle Gibson getting shelled again today. 8 R (7 ER) in 4 IP, with 5 hits and 5 BB. His ERA is up to 5.87, and stands to be 2-6 at the end of the day. I thought he was a decent candidate for a small deal to come back, but the Rangers came heavy. Oops.

Gibson had a complete game shutout in his last start, vs a decent team in the Astros, no less. But yes, it appears that any Lance Lynn style transformation for him is a work in progress, at best.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Ryan Presley and Liam Hendriks both closed out first round playoff series in the last 24 hours or so. Hendriks hit 100 in the 9th today.

 

As an aside, the AL Central teams went 1-6 in the opening round.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Aaannnd Brusdar Graterol saves the series clincher for the Dodgers, clocking 101.5 on his first pitch. Three of the eight playoff series were saved by former Twins.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Granted only six series have actually concluded so far. There is still a decent chance Brandon Kintzler will close out the series for the Marlins against the Cubs. (Now if HE tops 100...). Not sure their are former Twins in the Padres or Cardinals bullpens.

[AlwaysinModeration]

And there it is—Kintzler saves the second win for Miami.

 

Presley

Hendriks

Graterol

Kintzler

 

Has the makings of a pretty good bullpen.