Article: There is a lot wrong with Mike Pelfrey right now

[Parker Hageman]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1623-There-is-a-lot-wrong-with-Mike-Pelfrey-right-now

[clutterheart]

I think his agent did him a huge disservice and not stepping in and convince him to take it slow.

He could have started on a pitch count at AAA and keep his innings down, and regain his stuff than came out strong for the 2nd half of the season. Then he would be set up to sign a bigger mufti-year deal next offseason.

I can't understand why he is pushing so hard to get back when it looks to only hurt his future vale.

[troyhobbs]

I agree. Don't think he'll be effective until late in the year, by then it might be too late. Hope we're wrong, I thought he was a good pick up when we first signed him

[Grady Kruse]

Joe Nathan said there was a point where he could physically feel the last bit of scar tissue break off. That was about month 14 and he was back to himself after that point. Pelfrey just needs more time.

[cmathewson]

Great analysis. If this keeps up for two more starts, they'll make a change, regardless of what Gardy says. Option him out (assuming he accepts). Let him work on staying taller, getting that "good downward plane," working quicker, and not having to horse the ball up there. Shades of Nick Blackburn, who pitched worse the harder he threw the ball.

[Old Twins Cap]

This is a hell of an impressive article. I like the depth and context you provide from other professionals. It really rounds it off nicely. Keep up the great work. It's excellent content.

[DK]

Very good article. Tempo and command seem to be his biggest problem. What he really needs is a few weeks working on those two things. Would he qualify for the 15 day DL, based on his previous injury?

[Mike Sixel]

How good was he, really, before the injury? I think he's here until Gibson is ready, then they have a choice to make. Until then, I don't see him coming out for at least a month.

[Riverbrian]

Sinkers need to be down in the zone. They tend to come in flat if you leave them up. You produce more of a drop and produce more ground balls with the downward plane.

 

A flat sinker left up in the zone... Tends to make a solid loud sound when they come off the bat because they get tagged. Miami bats (Even on outs)... produced that loud sound over and over again on Tuesday Night.

[TheLeviathan]

Damn what a good piece - clear, well argued, and highly informative. Parker, I'd pay to read your analysis, it is just excellent.

[Guest USAFChief]

Parker, I also want to chime in and say how much I appreciate all that you add to this site. Thanks!

[Brock Beauchamp]

Parker, I'd like to chime in and call you a hack.

[twinsfan214]

I was shocked when he made the starting lineup out of ST. As I recall, he wasn't that sharp then either and such a short timer after TJ surgery I assumed he'd go to Rochester.

[ashbury]

I'd pay to read your analysis, it is just excellent.

 

Someone in a position to pay a good deal more than you or I can afford probably would too.

[mako83]

You do notice that his worst starts are against the NL east otherwise he serviceable.

[Oxtung]

Parker, I'd like to chime in just to let you know that Brock is green with envy.

[PopRiveter]

One of the great luxuries of being a team with looooow expectations is that you can let a Mike Pelfrey get back to MLB form by grinding it out in the majors. By allowing him a long leash and keeping him in the rotation (despite the bad results,) they are paying forward. When he turns the corner and starts pitching like he used to, this patience will pay off. I don't think we're 1/2 way to point where they should consider moving him out of the rotation.

[Oxtung]

One of the great luxuries of being a team with looooow expectations is that you can let a Mike Pelfrey get back to MLB form by grinding it out in the majors. By allowing him a long leash and keeping him in the rotation (despite the bad results,) they are paying forward. When he turns the corner and starts pitching like he used to, this patience will pay off. I don't think we're 1/2 way to point where they should consider moving him out of the rotation.

 

Pays off how?

[TheLeviathan]

Someone in a position to pay a good deal more than you or I can afford probably would too.

 

I hope so for Parker's sake!

[70charger]

Pays off how?

 

When he turns the corner and starts pitching like he used to, this patience will pay off.

 

 

"But why male models?"

[PopRiveter]

Pays off how?

Sorry, I thought the pay-off was obvious- some quality production from a cheap, veteran pitcher.

I would additionally hope that could lead to the inside track on signing him for a healthier (but still reasonable) 2014 but that isn't even necessary. Remember when Cleveland signed Carl Pavano and watched him rehab in their rotation and then traded him to Minnesota to watch the Twins benefit from his recovery? If Pelfrey works out his issues (I believe he will,) then he will accrue value as either a trade chip or a healthier piece of the 2014 staff.

In a way, that is trading innings (which you can spare today) for future value.

Payoff.

[ashbury]

Sorry, I thought the pay-off was obvious- some quality production from a cheap, veteran pitcher.

I would additionally hope that could lead to the inside track on signing him for a healthier (but still reasonable) 2014 but that isn't even necessary. Remember when Cleveland signed Carl Pavano and watched him rehab in their rotation and then traded him to Minnesota to watch the Twins benefit from his recovery? If Pelfrey works out his issues (I believe he will,) then he will accrue value as either a trade chip or a healthier piece of the 2014 staff.

In a way, that is trading innings (which you can spare today) for future value.

Payoff.

 

1. Sign rehabbing pitcher

2. Suffer through several wretched starts

3. ????

4. PROFIT!!!

 

/ sorry, couldn't resist trotting out an old meme

[PopRiveter]

I love your avatar, ashburyjohn. Cracks me up every time I see you comment.

You suffer through wretched starts because the guy that comes out on the other side is a valuable commodity!

If not for his injury, a pitcher with Pelfrey's track record would've been either very much more expensive, or unobtainable.

If you suffer through the bad starts, and he returns to form, you now have that very valuable commodity for a relatively small financial cost. What you've "paid" to offset the difference is innings in games that aren't likely to mean much.

Let him pitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unless Deduno's healthy.

[Brock Beauchamp]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3879[/ATTACH]

 

"But why male models?"

 

Well played.

[Oxtung]

Sorry, I thought the pay-off was obvious- some quality production from a cheap, veteran pitcher.

I would additionally hope that could lead to the inside track on signing him for a healthier (but still reasonable) 2014 but that isn't even necessary. Remember when Cleveland signed Carl Pavano and watched him rehab in their rotation and then traded him to Minnesota to watch the Twins benefit from his recovery? If Pelfrey works out his issues (I believe he will,) then he will accrue value as either a trade chip or a healthier piece of the 2014 staff.

In a way, that is trading innings (which you can spare today) for future value.

Payoff.

 

If the Twins want to flip Pelfrey then "patience" can't be part of the equation. If the Twins want to trade him he needs to turn things around within the next month or so allowing him to build a track record of success that other teams would find desirable.

 

While it is possible Pelfrey is a part of the rotation next season I think the Twins are hoping that he isn't. Diamond, Worley, Correia seem to be locks. I would guess the Twins are hoping Gibson and or Hendricks show they are a piece of the future at some point this year and that May or Meyer are ready to go at the beginning of next season much like they thought Hicks was this season.

 

So unless Pelfrey really improves quickly, negating the needed patience, I don't think there will be a payoff.

[Jim H]

There doesn't seem to be anybody at AAA right now banging on the door with good performances. Henricks and Gibson need to pitch better and deeper into games. Deduno and DeVries aren't pitching at AAA yet. Pelfrey needs to pitch better, but he is probably safe for awhile.

[kab21]

Pelfrey wasn't a great pitcher before TJ so I don't understand what this potential payoff is. There certainly isn't any reason to suffer through a 5.00+ ERA if this goes on past May. Or maybe not even that far.