Contemplating a Bullpen Reunion with One Former Twin

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins need to scour the free-agent market to upgrade the bullpen. One under-the-radar option may be a former Twin coming off a solid second half. 

 

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

In 2012, the Twins made a series of moves to rebuild a rotation that had struggled for two consecutive seasons. At the beginning of December, Minnesota sent Ben Revere to Philadelphia for starter Vance Worley and prospect Trevor May. Worley and Revere haven't played at the MLB level since 2017, so May will end up being the last active player associated with the deal. 

May debuted in 2014 as a starter for the Twins but struggled in his first taste of the majors. He allowed 40 earned runs in 45 2/3 innings (7.88 ERA) with 44 strikeouts and 22 walks. May started the 2015 season in Minnesota's rotation, and there continued to be ups and downs. He had a 4.37 ERA as opponents posted a .753 OPS in 15 starts. The Twins decided it was time for a change, and he moved to the bullpen for the remainder of the season. 

As he adjusted to his new role, May saw improved results. In 34 1/3 innings, he had a 3.15 ERA and a 39-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio while earning seven holds. The 2016 season marked May's first full year as a reliever, but he dealt with multiple injuries on the way to a 5.27 ERA in 44 appearances. Minnesota decided that May should switch back to a starter role heading into 2017, and his performance looked to have him on track to be the fifth starter. Unfortunately, an elbow injury meant he needed Tommy John surgery, and he missed the entire season.  

May returned in 2018 and became one of Minnesota's best relievers. From 2018-20, he made 113 appearances with a 3.19 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 113 innings. The Twins won over 100 games in 2019, and May was an integral bullpen piece on one of the best teams in Twins' history. Also, May struck out a career-high 14.7 batters per nine innings during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Following the campaign, May headed to free agency as one of the best available relievers, and the Mets signed him for two years and $15.5 million.  

His first season in New York was his best as he compiled a 3.59 ERA with an 11.9 K/9 in 68 appearances. May suffered multiple injuries during the 2022 season, including an arm injury and a triceps injury. He was limited to 26 starts, but he finished the year strongly. In his final 18 appearances (16 2/3 innings), he posted a 3.24 ERA (2.75 FIP) while striking out 25. When healthy, May proved he is still an effective big-league reliever. 

May used his slider and changeup more regularly in 2022 and saw improved results. He held batters to a .182 BA versus his slider and a .222 BA against his changeup. His four-seam fastball had been a dominant pitch for him in 2021, but his arm injuries this season made it less effective. Batter's slugging percentage increased from .371 in 2021 to .582 in 2022. May's results at the season's end might point to his fastball being back on track, and that can help him as he heads to free agency for the second time in his career. 

Now 33 years old, May is in a very different free agent position. He is likely looking for a one-year deal that pays significantly less than he made over the last two seasons. Relievers can be inconsistent, with some burning bright before quickly flickering out. Minnesota should consider adding him on a one-year deal that allows May to prove he can return to his dominant self. 

Does a reunion with Trevor May fit Minnesota's offseason plan? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

 

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[ashbury]

tl;dnr summary: Following his TJS in 2017, Trevor was a workhorse reliever 2019-2021, with nary a trip to the Injured List according to his page on mlb.com.  2022 was a different story, with a 60-day IL stint May-July and then another 15-day stay in September. 

So I'd be leery.  In a vacuum he could be a good gamble, but this Twins pitching staff needs to skew healthier for 2023, not riskier. 

I hope they have better analytics for pitcher health than the "next year is best predicted by the most recent season" rule of thumb that I use.  "When healthy" should be banished from the FO's jargon.

[DocBauer]

I'm only interested in a milb deal, or a cheap ML deal with incentives. Maybe $1-1.5M with incentives? You can't predict injuries, but we need at least ONE good arm for the pen that is experienced and we feel will be reliable. That's Fulmer or better. Healthy and solid. A gamble that might pay off makes some sense for a second arm, but not as a primary signing.

[umterp23]

Twins have to close the front door to the house of reclamation projects.  

[Rosterman]

Bring back Matt Wisler!

[troyjuhn]

Would not mind bringing someone like him back, but we really need someone "Elite" other than Duran in the bullpen and not just fill it with guys declining in age. Really hope they go aggressive this offseason in terms of the bulpen

[Karbo]

they need multi inning guys, not more 1 and done! If the starters are limited to twice through the order thats usually 4-5 innings a game to cover, They have to get a couple of guys that can go 2-3 innings in the pen, or change the starters plan!

[CRF]

Please NO!

[MGM4706]

Why Why Why do we always have to go looking for pitchers with prior injury history!! I know they are cheaper but look at the results!! Playoffs showed quality pitching wins games. Unless of course WINNING is not a top priority?

[TwinsAce]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I for one would love to see Trevor May back on the Twins next year.  Isn't any pitcher a health risk?  I guess I don't see May as a crazy health risk and it sure seems like he'd be better than Fulmer if not Alcala.

[gil4]

20 hours ago, TwinsAce said:

I guess I'm in the minority, but I for one would love to see Trevor May back on the Twins next year.  Isn't any pitcher a health risk?  I guess I don't see May as a crazy health risk and it sure seems like he'd be better than Fulmer if not Alcala.

I agree. Every pitcher is a gamble.  May doesn't seem like an unusually risky option. If the price is right, sure. If he's a big splash, I'd prefer to splash elsewhere.

[gil4]

On 11/10/2022 at 10:41 AM, MGM4706 said:

Why Why Why do we always have to go looking for pitchers with prior injury history!! I know they are cheaper but look at the results!! Playoffs showed quality pitching wins games. Unless of course WINNING is not a top priority?

What pitcher doesn't have an injury history?  I'm more concerned about guys who have unresolved injury histories (Paddock, Mahle, Maeda) than guys who have had TJ surgery and are back throwing like they did before.

[ironball]

18 innings in 26 starts? Didn’t the twins learn from the archer fiasco?  Why sign an opener?

 

why is he even starting?

 

hard pass