Twins Claim Trevor Megill, Outright Jake Cave

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

He's not even on the roster.

There's enough shade to throw on the front office this winter, there's no need to make up and exaggerate more crimes.

Nor is there a need to find things to praise them for. "They paid him just enough that no other team would claim him?" C'mon.

 

He wasn't claimed because 29 other teams didn't think he was a player likely to add wins.

[Doctor Gast]

I wished he was taken, not only for his sake. I would've still preferred having Colina around.

[Otto von Ballpark]

2 hours ago, roger said:

The split contract remains in effect even though he cleared waivers?

Yes, I think the minor league salary of a split contract remains in effect, regardless of whether the player is optioned to the minors or outrighted to the minors. (And I'm guessing it's also what is owed if the player is released.)

[baul0010]

I was hoping to read that we signed Chris Taylor to play short, Stroman to head the rotation, and traded for Montas.  I guess Megill will have to do.  

[DocBauer]

I've always been in favor of taking a look-see at a quality pen arm, or starting arm for that matter, that hasn't achieved great success yet, or, has fallen on hard times. The cost is usually small and once in a while you strike gold.

Honestly a little surprised the Cubs let him walk. He's obviously got good velocity and averaged about 11.5K throughout his milb career. He touched 3 levels in 2019 and didn't pitch in 2020. I agree he might be better off throwing just ONE breaking ball and more often, though I've always found fault with just eliminating a 3rd pitch entirely, unless it was just BAD, so that a RP could at least keep the hitter guessing once in a while. Hard to say if Megill will amount to anything or not, nor can we even predict if he will even remain on the 40 man, but he's probably a good flier look-see.

As far as Cave, I remain split as to whether or not I would have protected initially at all. (Probably wouldn't have). But I think we just need to step back and realize the reason he's still around has nothing to do with the past 2 seasons. While his 2020 was just terrible, his 2021 was basically wiped out due to his back injury. The Twins aren't keeping him around just because he's a "gamer" or nice guy. He's still around because he's under 30yo, and had a combined .795 OPS in 2018-19 with power and solid production and offers solid/decent defense at all 3 spots. And we can argue about being clever/smart with their handling of him, but that's rather pointless really. They just want to keep him in their back pocket because he has some talent/skills and if he returns to his previous form, he could be a cheap and solid depth option. 

I'm OK with that. 

[wsnydes]

That was fun while it lasted!

[mikelink45]

I have been reading all kinds of free agent signings and trades throughout the majors and this is news? This is what the twins have done? Who cares? This is a nothing set of moves. Wake me up when we really do something. 

And then we outright him.  Was this necessary?

[nicksaviking]

What was your favorite Trevor Megill moment? 
 

Probably that time he bumped Jake Cave from the 40-man.

[wsnydes]

6 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

What was your favorite Trevor Megill moment? 
 

Probably that time he bumped Jake Cave from the 40-man.

Mine was when they actually let the ink dry on the deal before they non-tendered him.  That was sweet.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I realize I am the only one, but I like the idea of having Cave available at $300/800. I think Cave has more in his tank than we saw the last 2 years. He  had a bad injury. I think Cave is a major league ready 4th OF who can play adequate CF and hits left-handed  with more pop than our starting SS last year (but so did 99 % of all batters in AAA ). And Cave hustles, has some speed and is encouraging to his team mates on the bench. We have  seen the Twins play worse OF defenders ( Rooker) repeatedly the last 5 years and Cave's bat may come around when he is fully healed and able to get some regular at bats. Come on Jake, prove all these naysayers wrong. Have a great spring and win that 4th OF position. Now about the Twins # 2 and #3 outfielders currently on the 26 man roster?  I contend Cave conceivably could beat one of them out and actually start in the OF in 2022.  OK now it is your turn to counter my argument contained herein.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I like to see 6 foot 8 inch, 250 pound pitchers running in from the bullpen for the Twins when a fight breaks out after some jerk hits Buck with a fastball up and in.

[Five minute major]

The Cave mistake was such an overwhelmingly bad decision from the initial trade to the decision to protect him over other Outfielders that are going to have long, successful careers elsewhere.   I honestly called the Lamonte Wade Jr decision the day it happened.   I am glad they finally bit the bullet and outrighted him, but I have to be honest that I have little faith in this FO because of how long they kept him around.   

[AceWrigley]

7 hours ago, ashbury said:

Megill, A Gorilla.

May the Hall of Forgotten Cartoon Fame make you an honorary member of Peebles Pet Shop.

[awmonahan]

Seems like a decent set of moves on the margins. We had Cave lined up as a depth piece (hopefully 3rd string at least) if things fell apart with Buxton's negotiation. With Buck signed, Cave can sit in St. Paul, figure things out, and be called if if Buck gets hurt. Additionally, they quickly moved to get a project for Wes, which he seems to handle pretty well. 

That all being said, these are band aid moves for a pitching staff that is missing multiple limbs. I hope the Pohlads aren't having them hold back on spending until after the CBA is set. The good to decent options on the market are disappearing fast. 

 

[Whitey333]

Typical Twins off season so far.  Yes it's only December 1st but the Twins history in recent years is to wait until much later to pursue, much less sign, free agents.  This magill/ cave discussion is ridiculous.  Just as ridiculous at not tendering manaya and columbe that had much better seasons at the MLB level.  In my view if we enter the season with no significant Starting pitching upgrade we will probably be looking at 100 losses next year.

[bean5302]

14 hours ago, DocBauer said:

...Honestly a little surprised the Cubs let him walk...

8.35 ERAs and 13.7 hits per 9 at age 28 are pretty compelling reasons to question his ability to provide value at the MLB level. There's also 2019 and 2021 results in AAA with ERAs of 4.47 and 5.14 while allowing a ton of hits there as well. He hasn't been impressive at any time in the high minors.

[AceWrigley]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

8.35 ERAs and 13.7 hits per 9 at age 28 are pretty compelling reasons to question his ability to provide value at the MLB level. There's also 2019 and 2021 results in AAA with ERAs of 4.47 and 5.14 while allowing a ton of hits there as well. He hasn't been impressive at any time in the high minors.

Ya but . . . at 6-8 he has tremendous downward plane. Where's Bert?

[ashbury]

Trevor Megill, claimed when he hit the waiver wire: as expected.

Trevor Megill, non-tendered a day later: as expected.

I really wish I understood what our FO thinks they are doing with these waiver claims.  I know teams make similar moves all the time, but these don't seem to have any rhyme or reason. 

Their one success I can recall in this realm was Matt Wisler who put up numbers that looked lucky and unsustainable, and whom they released after that one year.

"We see something we like", apparently from analytics on spin rates or whatnot, and yet as far as I can tell all they do is ask the pitcher, "have you tried throwing strikes?"  Wait, Wisler's walk rate with the Twins was far higher than his MLB numbers before or after - I guess Wes asked him, "have you tried just throwing as hard as you can? Here's how that's done, you probably haven't been shown."

I should train myself to just ignore these moves of no consequence.  But then I say this each time.

 

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

 

I should train myself to just ignore these moves of no consequence.  But then I say this each time.

 

Well usually at least one of them make the following year’s roster, So don’t ignore all of them, just like 9 out of ten.

[KirbyDome89]

I don't understand the victory lap over a guy who nobody wants to see with the Twins at any point still taking up room on the 40 man...