MLB.com: Cole De Vries Thinks He Can Make This Rotation...

[glunn]

Ah....and here I thought it was a stroke from my brain intentionally cutting off its own blood supply to try and mercifully end my pain before enduring that group for the next 6 months.

 

If two or three of them can perform at a league average level and Diamond can come back and be at least 90% as good as last year, then I am hopeful that the Twins can win 70+ games this year.

[snepp]

If two or three of them can perform at a league average level and Diamond can come back and be at least 90% as good as last year, then I am hopeful that the Twins can win 70+ games this year.

 

Still nauseous.

[luke829]

I feel tingly with excitement.

 

Have faith my friend, if the Bad News Bears can find a way to win, surely the Twins can as well

[PseudoSABR]

And add Diamond when he is ready?

Yup. That seems to be how things are breaking down.

[Thrylos]

Diamond

Worley

Correia

Hendriks

DeVries/Pelfrey

 

 

would work for me out of the gate.

 

This assumes that Diamond will be ready in 3 weeks and a bit without throwing a single pitch in a game so far and having only 2 bullpens this Spring.

 

I doubt it. Pelfrey is a question mark also, since if he makes it, he will have one of the shortest TJ recovery times in history.

 

So I think that only 2 SPs are 100% sure (barring injuries) : Correia (your opening day starter) and Worley. The others are up in the air and DeVries has as a good chance as anyone else to grab a spot.

 

Add the facts that a. there is no way that Swarzak starts the season in the Twin Cities and b. DeVries was a lights out closer in New Britain (after Slama was promoted) before he returned to a starter the season after and c. he is on the 40-man roster, I think that DeVries has the upper hand in getting a job in the 25-man either as a starter or as a reliever to start the season. He just has to earn it and if he keeps pitching the way he has been, I don't see it otherwise...

[TheLeviathan]

If two or three of them can perform at a league average level and Diamond can come back and be at least 90% as good as last year, then I am hopeful that the Twins can win 70+ games this year.

 

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts......

 

When that's your A group (minus Diamond, but even he is a wildcard to a degree) it is really discouraging.

[Shane Wahl]

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts......

 

When that's your A group (minus Diamond, but even he is a wildcard to a degree) it is really discouraging.

 

Have you forgotten how god-awful the starting 5 was last year for the first 6 weeks? This is a significant improvement already.

 

And (to all): fair enough about Diamond. Then it seems pretty clear that Worley-Correia-Hendriks-Pelfrey-DeVries (with Deduno as the 6th) should be the way to go. Hopefully Correia is the 5th best out of that group.

[TheLeviathan]

Have you forgotten how god-awful the starting 5 was last year for the first 6 weeks? This is a significant improvement already.

 

And (to all): fair enough about Diamond. Then it seems pretty clear that Worley-Correia-Hendriks-Pelfrey-DeVries (with Deduno as the 6th) should be the way to go. Hopefully Correia is the 5th best out of that group.

 

Considering Pelfrey's healthy is a major question mark too, I'm not so sure our pitching staff really looks that different. Worley is encouraging and I have a lot of confidence in Hendricks (more than some) but this is not a group to be excited about. If it's an improvement, it's probably a marginal one.

 

Also, from what I can see, the pitching was awful start to finish. All we did was rotate the characters.

[Top Gun]

Cole has been our best pitcher this spring, that's something you will have to look at.

[PseudoSABR]

Cole has been our best pitcher this spring, that's something you will have to look at.

Not really. Maybe in comparison to someone like Deduno, but the Twins probably aren't going to pick their rotation based on the statistical output of spring training games; especially at this point.

[twinsnorth49]

Cole has been our best pitcher this spring, that's something you will have to look at.

 

Blackburn was our best pitcher last ST, try looking at that.

[snepp]

Blackburn was our best pitcher last ST, try looking at that.

 

And the Royals are routinely one of the spring training "winners."

[Thrylos]

Blackburn was our best pitcher last ST, try looking at that.

 

Nope IIRC Blackburn pitched only 2-3 games last ST because he was bothered with stuff. The best (starting) pitcher last ST was FranKKKKKKKKKKKKKKie. The best relief pitcher last ST was Casey Fien, but he did not make the cut

[twinzgrl]

NONE of the Twins pitchers pitched deep into games....some didn't make it past inning 3....I looked for stats to back this up, but couldn't., only found that the average start in MLB was 5.98 innings per start...someone more tech savvy than myself probably can find the Twins pitchers stats on this...I just know that I was extremely frustrated last year with the # of innings that our bullpen had to pitch because the starters couldn't hang in there. I also remember what the projected staff was SUPPOSED to be last year at this time, and what it ended up to be, were TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS. It's early, lots of stuff can and will happen, but I like Cole's attitude and I wish him the BEST!! Good luck!

[jokin]

Considering Pelfrey's healthy is a major question mark too, I'm not so sure our pitching staff really looks that different. Worley is encouraging and I have a lot of confidence in Hendricks (more than some) but this is not a group to be excited about. If it's an improvement, it's probably a marginal one. Also, from what I can see, the pitching was awful start to finish. All we did was rotate the characters.

With a positive nod to the long-term, I strongly concur on Worley and Hendricks, especially because they still have great potential to be long-term solutions- while ably serving as short-to- medium-term bridges to 2015. And there's some reasonable hope that Diamond can evolve into a later-blooming, left-handed version of Brad Radke. But realistically, as far as 2013 goes, they all come with their own set of nagging question marks amidst the collective SP staff, seemingly assembled with duct tape, baling wire, spit and chewing gum and 6th SP-level reclamation projects.

 

 

I was struck with a sense of dread by your metaphor, "Rotate the characters?" For 2013 it sounds like the Twins re-arranged the deck chairs on the General Belgrano.**

 

 

**Some assembly required.[ATTACH=CONFIG]3409[/ATTACH]

[twinsnorth49]

Nope IIRC Blackburn pitched only 2-3 games last ST because he was bothered with stuff. The best (starting) pitcher last ST was FranKKKKKKKKKKKKKKie. The best relief pitcher last ST was Casey Fien, but he did not make the cut

 

You're right about Frankie, forgot about him (not that it makes the Devries arguement any different). Blackburn did appear in 4 games and pitch 17 innings though, almost as much as Frankie and posted a 2.12 ERA, so just as irrelevant.

[johnnydakota]

DeVries may not crack it out of spring training, but I would be shocked if he doesn't get at least 12+ starts for the Twins this year.

 

Lets take a closer look at your 12 start prediction, 2 tommy johns 3 chip removal and 1 shoulder injury, Im guessing you could pencil in 12 starts for about 9 pitchers this year ....

[johnnydakota]

Harden is not going to get a rotation spot right after spring training. Pelfrey might not be ready. Cole DeVries has a chance to make the rotation. Gibson and Hendriks should make the rotation.

 

2 out of 3 aint bad....if history has taught us anything it is that.... David Evil (st) Pete will pinch a dime till 3 nickles fall out....

so im guessing niether Hicks or gibson are quiet polished enough till after ther super 2 status has evaporated...

[johnnydakota]

Ok, I can understand that route.

 

I'd just like us to start with the rotation that gives us the best chance to win games now. Like I said, if there are no injuries, AAA will have a real solid rotation. I just don't want to be giving games away early to fall back and have an excuse for trading off Morneau and Willingham mid season.

The powers that be have already made up there minds as to who and when players are traded this year and next...Aint no amount of wins going to change that...

[darin617]

...and I'm not sure he's wrong.

 

Christina De Nicola (who I'm assuming is the backup Twins beat reporter for MLB.com) covered today's game and got some quotes from Cole De Vries about his two perfect inning, two strikeout, no walk, outing today:

 

 

 

De Vries didn't get the hype Deduno did last year, but his overall numbers might surprise you: 87.2 innings, 6 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, 4.11 ERA. What hurt him most were home runs (1.6/9). That seems fixable. He doesn't have the most upside, but I'll take a steady back of the rotation starter at this point. For instance, Hendrick numbers in the majors: 108.2 IP, 5.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9. 5.71 ERA.

 

De Vries vies for spot in rotation | twinsbaseball.com: News

 

Les Straker could almost make the rotation now.

[johnnydakota]

Have you forgotten how god-awful the starting 5 was last year for the first 6 weeks? This is a significant improvement already.

 

And (to all): fair enough about Diamond. Then it seems pretty clear that Worley-Correia-Hendriks-Pelfrey-DeVries (with Deduno as the 6th) should be the way to go. Hopefully Correia is the 5th best out of that group.

 

Your 100% correct

We went from a giant steaming pile of horse ploop to

A runny pool of dog poo.

 

That is an improvement

[johnnydakota]

Not really. Maybe in comparison to someone like Deduno, but the Twins probably aren't going to pick their rotation based on the statistical output of spring training games; especially at this point.

 

Agreeing, since Ronald has been manager , we have never seen the guy with the best spring win a job ... the decisions were made the previous October in most cases

[johnnydakota]

And the Royals are routinely one of the spring training "winners."

 

And so far this spring they are 10-0-1

[jokin]

Agreeing, since Ronald has been manager , we have never seen the guy with the best spring win a job ... the decisions were made the previous October in most cases

 

Or in the case of Florimon, the previous August.

[old nurse]

Agreeing, since Ronald has been manager , we have never seen the guy with the best spring win a job ... the decisions were made the previous October in most cases

Because spring training numbers as a whole are meaningless. A body of work pitching to the second string is meaningless. Too bad more fans do not understand that.

[Brandon]

The whole rotation is an if then rotaion of scenarios.

 

If Diamond is healty he will start

If Pelfry is healthy he will start

If Corriea can be effective he will continue to start and will be a default starter to open the season unlessor until he proves otherwise.

If Gibson starts the season at AAA he will eventually make the team this year at some point or he will start the season with the team and be shut down.

If Harden can start he will be up around the all star break and take a spot (Corrieas?)

If Hendricks can hold it together he can start if not he'll be back at AAA a lot faster then last year as we have more options this year.

 

I could keep going but i will make this prediction that the 6th and 7th starters will make 30 starts this season.

 

I see DeVries getting 10-20 starts and 20-30 long relief appearances this year.

[jokin]

The whole rotation is an if then rotaion of scenarios.

 

If Diamond is healty he will start

If Pelfry is healthy he will start

If Corriea can be effective he will continue to start and will be a default starter to open the season unlessor until he proves otherwise.

If Gibson starts the season at AAA he will eventually make the team this year at some point or he will start the season with the team and be shut down.

If Harden can start he will be up around the all star break and take a spot (Corrieas?)

If Hendricks can hold it together he can start if not he'll be back at AAA a lot faster then last year as we have more options this year.

 

I could keep going but i will make this prediction that the 6th and 7th starters will make 30 starts this season.

 

I see DeVries getting 10-20 starts and 20-30 long relief appearances this year.

 

Ifs and Buts are Candy for Nuts.

[Shane Wahl]

Look, a better way to approach the whole damn thing is probably in terms of figuring out the division of the 162 starts. This is more important than who, what, where, and why.

 

So here goes:

 

Worley 30

Correia 25

Hendriks 25

Diamond 25

Pelfrey 18

Gibson 15

Harden 14

DeVries 5

[glunn]

The whole rotation is an if then rotaion of scenarios.

 

If Diamond is healty he will start

If Pelfry is healthy he will start

If Corriea can be effective he will continue to start and will be a default starter to open the season unlessor until he proves otherwise.

If Gibson starts the season at AAA he will eventually make the team this year at some point or he will start the season with the team and be shut down.

If Harden can start he will be up around the all star break and take a spot (Corrieas?)

If Hendricks can hold it together he can start if not he'll be back at AAA a lot faster then last year as we have more options this year.

 

I could keep going but i will make this prediction that the 6th and 7th starters will make 30 starts this season.

 

I see DeVries getting 10-20 starts and 20-30 long relief appearances this year.

 

I like your analysis, and would add that if Deduno could improve his control, he could be effective.

[jokin]

Look, a better way to approach the whole damn thing is probably in terms of figuring out the division of the 162 starts. This is more important than who, what, where, and why.

 

So here goes:

 

Worley 30

Correia 25

Hendriks 25

Diamond 25

Pelfrey 18

Gibson 15

Harden 14

DeVries 5

 

Bagger has 23 and 25 in his first two years, he gets to 30 this year by default (don't blow out his arm, Gardy!).

 

On Chick, I hope you're overshooting it a bit, as the Twins ultimately come to realize what Pitt figured out last year.

 

On Hendriks, you're as optimistic as me (keeping all fingers crossed).

 

On Harden, you're trying to remain optimistic about that Lotto ticket in your pocket.

 

On Gibson, you're less optimistic than me, I'm hoping for 18-20.

 

On Pelfrey, I wish it was 18- at the deadline- and on an unprecedented TJ Miracle Comeback story, making him a valuable asset to acquire a prospect (I used up all my fingers on my Hendriks wish, so not holding my breath on this one).

 

Speaking of optimism, you forgot about Gardy's boundless optimism for Duensing, who is thus "bound" to get a 10 appearance SP run- to ineptitude- just shortly after showing quite well as the 3rd best BP option.

 

On DeVries, you could just as well make the category, "DeVries and the Rest" as Blackie ( he is likely due for a Nishi-like farewell tour at some point in '13), Deduno and Walters are bound to give us a trip down the 2012 nostalgia lane at some point in 2013, with Raffie Perez getting a make-up-game DH start, thus fulfilling that pre-season, "stop the presses", Rob Antony oh-so-eager ("he's fully healthy!") optimism.