Reusse: Put Duensing In The Pen And Leave Him There

[John Bonnes]

Not a lot of new insights, but Duensing has been told that whatever role he has, he's going to have it all year:

 

"All I know is Gardy and Rick Anderson have told me, 'Wherever we put you this time, that's where you're going to stay,' '' Duensing said Friday. "It looks like the bullpen, but I'm not sure. We don't have that many lefthanded starters.''

 

Reusse is very clear that he things Duensing should be in the 'pen. I think most would agree. As short-handed as the Twins might be in their starting rotation for left-handers, they might be even shorter in their bullpen. (That is, if you don't count the closer, Perkins. And I don't.)

 

Duensing in bullpen isn't official ... yet | StarTribune.com

[twinsnorth49]

Well, not exactly MENSA stuff, but he's totally right. No chance they leave him as a starter if the plan is to keep him in one place, at least there better not be.

[nicksaviking]

How could there possibly be any indecision about this? Duensing is clearly a bullpen asset and severe starting liability.

[Willihammer]

Is there any reason to start a lefthander over a righthander anyway? Is there evidence that a rotation L-R-L-R is any better than L-L-L-L or R-R-R-R? This idea that you need to have "balance" in a rotation, is there any foundation for it?

[tmerrickkeller]

Is there any reason to start a lefthander over a righthander anyway? Is there evidence that a rotation L-R-L-R is any better than L-L-L-L or R-R-R-R? This idea that you need to have "balance" in a rotation, is there any foundation for it?

 

I think there is, historically. While no team decides L-R-L-R in any given series during a season (or alternates the 5-man rotation because of it), I think the ability to alternate sides for pitchers is an advantage in the same way that alternating hitters creates situational advantages for hitters. Would rather mix in a lefty in Fenway; would rather throw right arms in Yankee Stadium. (Please note: this is not to advocate Duensing for a starting role, just to reply with my two cents to the previous post).

[Top Gun]

From what I have seen, I'm pretty sure they are thinking of starting him. Pretty poor leadership if you ask me.

[DaveW]

From what I have seen, I'm pretty sure they are thinking of starting him. Pretty poor leadership if you ask me.

What have you seen to indicate this?

[Willihammer]

I think there is, historically. While no team decides L-R-L-R in any given series during a season (or alternates the 5-man rotation because of it), I think the ability to alternate sides for pitchers is an advantage in the same way that alternating hitters creates situational advantages for hitters. Would rather mix in a lefty in Fenway; would rather throw right arms in Yankee Stadium. (Please note: this is not to advocate Duensing for a starting role, just to reply with my two cents to the previous post).

 

The Twins will play what, 8 games in Fenway and 4 in Yankee Stadium? I would have no problem if Gardy wanted to spot-start Duensing (or someone else) as a special case. A good excuse to give a guy 5 days rest or whatever. But I don't think 12 games in those parks is enough to commit 30 additional starts to a guy.

 

But I do wonder, overall, are the AL's parks favorable to RHP or LHP?

 

As for the lineup analogy, I would argue that L-R-L-R lineups only supports my point. Managers go L-R-L-R to avoid mismatches from the opposing bullpen, so they are more or less rendering the handedness of the starter moot. Look at what the Indians did this offseason. They got tired of getting shut down by lefthanded starters so they went out and balanced their lineup by adding righthanders to it. It seems to me that so long as that is the prevailing wisdom, there's no need for "balancing" your rotation by handedness.

[johnnydakota]

From what I have seen, I'm pretty sure they are thinking of starting him. Pretty poor leadership if you ask me.

 

A couple of days ago Gladden commented during the game that he believed Duensing would get streched out and start a couple of games during S.T.( yes i know he is only an anouncer)

[Willihammer]

It would be mildly interesting to listen to Barreiro if Duensing makes the rotation.

 

(He has an outstanding pledge to not mention the Twins for the entire month of April if Duensing is in the rotation).

[Doc Freiermuth]

Since in all reality (regardless of Terry Ryan's company line) the 2013 season is extended spring training, maybe they plan to tie Duensing to Gibson. Keep Duensing in the pen until Gibson reaches his innings limit, then get Duensing in the lineup for the last month or two of the season.

[FrodaddyG]

Since in all reality (regardless of Terry Ryan's company line) the 2013 season is extended spring training, maybe they plan to tie Duensing to Gibson. Keep Duensing in the pen until Gibson reaches his innings limit, then get Duensing in the lineup for the last month or two of the season.

Which goes counter to the "whatever role Duensing is in, he's there all year" line from Gardy.

[Shane Wahl]

How on earth is there even any question about this?

[The Wise One]

How on earth is there even any question about this?

 

If you have to ask you do not understand there are people here that propose all sorts of things.

[twinsnorth49]

If you have to ask you do not understand there are people here that propose all sorts of things.

 

Duensing starting shouldn't be one of the proposals, by anyone.

[bird]

From what I have seen, I'm pretty sure they are thinking of starting him. Pretty poor leadership if you ask me.

 

Exactly what have you seen, top gun?

 

Once again, aren't some of you perhaps reading more into a fairly innocuous comment from Duensing in response to a line of questioning? Exactly what indecision are any of you talking about? Isn't it possible (and entirely reasonable) that the thinking is that Duensing's a bullpen arm unless we have another incredible run of injuries? Exactly how would that be poor leadership?

[Willihammer]

What we are reading into is this

 

"All I know is Gardy and Rick Anderson have told me, 'Wherever we put you this time, that's where you're going to stay,' '' Duensing said Friday. "It looks like the bullpen, but I'm not sure. We don't have that many lefthanded starters.''

 

They don't have any lefthanded starters, by my count. Evidently that is something GardyAndy are concerned about.

[jokin]

If you have to ask you do not understand there are people here that propose all sorts of things.

 

It's not so much the "people here" and their proposals that are bothersome, it's Twins management. That they still are proposing to possibly pull out this Duensing LHSP Chestnut, shows they don't understand sabre-reality and have failed in the offseason to secure a cheap rotational depth option at LHSP, while potentially leaving the Bullpen short a genuinely-proven valuable asset from the port-side.

 

These guys were all very gettable with just a hint of urgency on the part of the Twins: Joe Saunders, John Lannan, Jeff Francis for $1.5M, (Paul Maholm last year- the Twins could have locked him up for 2 years cheaper than Correia).

[stringer bell]

I probably regard "handedness" more than most and hence I have held out hope for Duensing as a starter longer than most. He was okay or better as a starter until 2011 IIRC. I have finally given up on the prospect of BD being a regular starter. However, stretching him out might be needed with the number of suspects in the rotation. They will need a long man perhaps most often of all teams in the big leagues and several of those games could be had if they get capable long relief in lineups most likely stacked with LH hitters. With either zero or one LH starter (Diamond when he's ready), it would be good to have at least three lefties in the 'pen, one of whom (Duensing) who can go three or more innings routinely.

[gunnarthor]

The Twins will play what, 8 games in Fenway and 4 in Yankee Stadium? I would have no problem if Gardy wanted to spot-start Duensing (or someone else) as a special case. A good excuse to give a guy 5 days rest or whatever. But I don't think 12 games in those parks is enough to commit 30 additional starts to a guy.

 

But I do wonder, overall, are the AL's parks favorable to RHP or LHP?

 

As for the lineup analogy, I would argue that L-R-L-R lineups only supports my point. Managers go L-R-L-R to avoid mismatches from the opposing bullpen, so they are more or less rendering the handedness of the starter moot. Look at what the Indians did this offseason. They got tired of getting shut down by lefthanded starters so they went out and balanced their lineup by adding righthanders to it. It seems to me that so long as that is the prevailing wisdom, there's no need for "balancing" your rotation by handedness.

 

I'm not sure this answers your question but a few years ago, the Twins had Liriano pitching in front of Santana for a few weeks but changed it up b/c the Rangers hit Santana pretty hard after facing Liriano the night before. The Twins thought that Liriano gave the Rangers a good look for how Santana would pitch them so split them up.

[Shane Wahl]

I probably regard "handedness" more than most and hence I have held out hope for Duensing as a starter longer than most. He was okay or better as a starter until 2011 IIRC. I have finally given up on the prospect of BD being a regular starter. However, stretching him out might be needed with the number of suspects in the rotation. They will need a long man perhaps most often of all teams in the big leagues and several of those games could be had if they get capable long relief in lineups most likely stacked with LH hitters. With either zero or one LH starter (Diamond when he's ready), it would be good to have at least three lefties in the 'pen, one of whom (Duensing) who can go three or more innings routinely.

 

I don't agree at all. Duensing is used best against lefties and has no business pitching more than inning or so in the role of a lefty specialist.

[Willihammer]

I'm not sure this answers your question but a few years ago, the Twins had Liriano pitching in front of Santana for a few weeks but changed it up b/c the Rangers hit Santana pretty hard after facing Liriano the night before. The Twins thought that Liriano gave the Rangers a good look for how Santana would pitch them so split them up.

 

I understand the fear. I am dubious that there's any truth to it. I haven't been able to find anything on the interwebs that tests the hypothesis of a primer effect when there are multiple same-handed SPs in a rotation pitching back to back.

[stringer bell]

I don't agree at all. Duensing is used best against lefties and has no business pitching more than inning or so in the role of a lefty specialist.

If he's facing a lineup with 6-7 LH hitters, he could/would do just fine, I think. I think making Duensing into a specialist is the waste of a versatile arm.

[snepp]

If he's facing a lineup with 6-7 LH hitters, he could/would do just fine, I think.

 

So it's your assertion that a pitcher who excels against left-handed hitters, would in fact do well against a lineup stacked with left-handed hitters?

 

 

Hell of a limb you're heading out on there.

[edavis0308]

Every time I hear talk of using Duensing as a starter again, something like this comes to mind:

 

MLB - Detroit Tigers/Minnesota Twins Box Score Tuesday August 14, 2012 - Yahoo! Sports

 

Opposing lineup gets stacked with as many right hand bats as possible. Oh yeah, and that Fielder guy.

[Nick Nelson]

Some of us were saying this in spring training 2011.

 

Just sayin.

[Mike Sixel]

I find it disconcerting this is still a question....he is a good reliever, and a bad starter. How is this up for debate?

[Guest USAFChief]

So it's your assertion that a pitcher who excels against left-handed hitters, would in fact do well against a lineup stacked with left-handed hitters?

 

 

Hell of a limb you're heading out on there.

He also seems to be asserting that a guy who only does well against LH hitters is "wasted" as a "specialist."

[stringer bell]

Let's see if I can clarify. I have abandoned the Duensing in the rotation bus, probably later than most. The Twins figure to have either four or five righthanded starters depending on Diamond's health. It figures that there will be short starts from the starters early in the year because of health concerns and ineffectiveness. Having a lefty like Duensing, who has been in the role, available to go multiple innings against lineups that might have maxed out on their lefthanded hitters makes sense to me. While Duensing hasn't done well against RH hitters, I don't think he should be relegated to LOOGy just yet.

[FrodaddyG]

Let's see if I can clarify. I have abandoned the Duensing in the rotation bus, probably later than most. The Twins figure to have either four or five righthanded starters depending on Diamond's health. It figures that there will be short starts from the starters early in the year because of health concerns and ineffectiveness. Having a lefty like Duensing, who has been in the role, available to go multiple innings against lineups that might have maxed out on their lefthanded hitters makes sense to me. While Duensing hasn't done well against RH hitters, I don't think he should be relegated to LOOGy just yet.

Do you know what "starting" pitcher means?