Article: Vance Worley Demoted to AAA-Rochester

[Halsey Hall]

Hard to complain about the move. He has an option so I understand the decision but I wonder if yesterdays rain delay helped Pelfrey avoid an 8-0 deficit after three and spared him from being exposed to waivers.

 

The Rochester rotation is far from exciting outside of Gibson, still, it would at least make things exciting for about two weeks if they just swapped them all out.

Yesterday I was thinking this could be Pelf's last chance. Saved by the rain! But his leash is very short also.

 

Maybe we should just start Perkins or Burton, just to see if we could put a zero on the board in the first inning.

[jokin]

Yup, Ryan still hasn't learned his lesson. Go big or go home in free agency. Use all of you money on one or two quality players. If you nickle and dime a half dozen guys all you end up doing is paying players free agent prices when you could get the same results from the below average talent in AAA.

 

Excellent, except the Twins had the money to do a little of both!

(A topline starter for big bucks- an inexpensive MI and CF and an additional cheap SP)

[Cap'n Piranha]

If we're only looking at 40 man options, then it's Gibson or Hendriks. As far as who gets moved from the 40 man for Deduno?

Here are a few options:

B.J. Hermsen (who's struggling in AA and doesn't have much potential)

Tim Wood

Tyler Robertson

Liam Hendriks

Drew Butera

Chris Herrmann

Joe Benson

Wilkin Ramirez

 

Two of those guys would have to be kicked off the 40 man if it's Albers. I think Benson,Hendriks, Herrmann, and Ramirez would be very unlikely. Butera would surprise me a little too, but those guys should all be in line. Probably 2/3 of Robertson, Wood, and Hermsen.

 

Of those guys, I think Butera can be put on waivers without the risk of him getting claimed. All the other guys might get claimed, so I would put Ramirez and then Wood on waivers if I had to. Those are two guys that don't figure in the Twins plans now or in the future.

[Halsey Hall]

How long before some what to see Blackburn again?

[jokin]

Yesterday I was thinking this could be Pelf's last chance. Saved by the rain! But his leash is very short also.

 

Maybe we should just start Perkins or Burton, just to see if we could put a zero on the board in the first inning.

 

I think it's worth reopening the debate about having a couple of 3x3IP pitching options in place of the 7.00+ ERA guys.

[Mike Sixel]

I think it's worth reopening the debate about having a couple of 3x3IP pitching options in place of the 7.00+ ERA guys.

 

the guy that keeps typing that is a genius, but I don't see the Twins thinking outside the box that much*

 

*assuming you mean my idea of having lots of relievers that pitch every few days, in lieu of starters, if not, then that guy is not a genius really....

[Rosterman]

Hendriks is on the disabled list..........

[Rosterman]

Optioning Worley means if he stays down, perhaps at least 30 days, the Twins escape arbitration with him, I think.............

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

You want stats? Check Gibson and Walters stats. They're virtually identical.

 

Though I'm not a PJ fan, I think you're wishcasting Albers' chances for success as Albers is basically Slama in the Twins way of thinking.

 

Basically I don't see how Walters is a better pitcher than Albers. The Twins can go 2 directions. They can reward potential with Gibson or they can reward results with Albers. Walters isn't the #1 guy in either of those categories. Comparing Gibson and Walters is pretty silly because we know who is superior.

[jokin]

Basically I don't see how Walters is a better pitcher than Albers. The Twins can go 2 directions. They can reward potential with Gibson or they can reward results with Albers. Walters isn't the #1 guy in either of those categories. Comparing Gibson and Walters is pretty silly because we know who is superior.

 

We all know it, but Twins management insists that they need to see more consistency from Gibson before he's worthy of the call. No such "criteria" is needed for Walters, you know what you're going to get from Walters provided he's healthy.

 

Regarding Albers, I'd like nothing better than to see him called up and succeed, but his current stuff (FB in the mid-80s?) apparently doesn't translate to the majors, ala Slama.

[Highabove]

It appears, Worley has a good attitude regarding his demotion.

Quoted in the Bollinger Beat

I just need to work on being myself and getting back to what I was doing,” said Worley, who had a career 3.50 ERA in three seasons with the Phillies. “They haven’t seen what I’ve been capable of doing. Ever since I’ve been here, it’s been a battle so I need to figure it out.”

[Monkeypaws]

Good move - he's young enough to still figure this out.

 

But man, he has been brutal.

 

If he flames out, maybe the Twins can hire him as a coach to throw batting practice.

 

Now, Gibson time! Give this young man some major league innings before he turns 30!

[clutterheart]

2015 can't come soon enough

[Jack Torse]

They are yet again an absolutely unwatchable ball team. It's as bad as watching the Wolves play mid-season. Blame Gardy or whichever player you want but this in on the Pohlad family. Winning will never be more important than beating last year's profits. I hope Gibson gets called up. He's 25! If they're waiting for more consistency out of him I can only wonder what they are waiting for with their current rotation.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I suspect the Twins are waiting to hear from Worley's agent as to whether or not he'll accept the assignment (his option was exercised by the Phillies in his rookie year).

 

It seems unlikely he'll decline the assignment, but if he does, that opens a spot on the 40-man; otherwise, he'll likely just be replaced on the 25-man.

 

If he had an option year remaining, he can't decline assignment (at least not until he has 5 years of MLB service time).

 

Are you perhaps thinking of being outrighted, off the 40-man? That can only happen once without your consent.

[Otwins]

Of those guys' date=' I think Butera can be put on waivers without the risk of him getting claimed. All the other guys might get claimed, so I would put Ramirez and then Wood on waivers if I had to. Those are two guys that don't figure in the Twins plans now or in the future.[/quote']

 

I think they will just move Wood to the 60 day DL and not risk losing anyone.

[Kwak]

Worley to Rochester, Pelfrey to ?, if Correia sputters to Blackburn level is anyone/thing also on their/its way out?

[Craig Arko]

If he had an option year remaining, he can't decline assignment (at least not until he has 5 years of MLB service time).

 

Are you perhaps thinking of being outrighted, off the 40-man? That can only happen once without your consent.

 

Right, it's Pelfrey who has an option remaining but could refuse it based on the 5 year clause.

[Mike Sixel]

Don't forget, they will be playing meaningful games in September.

[Guest USAFChief]

I don't care if I ever see Worley in a Twins uniform again. Actually, I do care...I hope I don't.

 

He quickly cemented a place on my "all time least favorite Twins" list in April, and has been steadily moving up since. He passed Tommy Herr long ago.

 

The lack of stuff is one thing, but what I hated most:

- the haircut

- the "you owe me that call" look every time a close pitch didn't go his way

- the "you owe me that play" look every time a tough play wasn't made behind him

- the impression I got that he was pissed at the world because he ended up in lowly Minnesota, rather than pitching for the Phillies, which was his birthright

 

Good riddance.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Worley was optioned in 11 and 12, so he has an option left. The only time you couldn't option a player who has options left is if he has 5+ years of service. Worley doesn't. It was mentioned above that the Twins could avoid arbitration if he spends a month in AAA; that's true. The believed cutoff for Super-2 status is 2.133 years. Worley had 1.152 coming into this season. You can spend 11 days in the minors and still get credit for a full 172 and Worley would need 20 less than that... so June 23 would be the day that would *presumably* be the day that leaves him 1 day short of Super-2 status.

 

Also, there was a write-up on Fangraphs about Worley earlier today. (It looks like something Parker would do, if that's up your alley.)

[robbie111]

We all know it, but Twins management insists that they need to see more consistency from Gibson before he's worthy of the call. No such "criteria" is needed for Walters, you know what you're going to get from Walters provided he's healthy.

 

Regarding Albers, I'd like nothing better than to see him called up and succeed, but his current stuff (FB in the mid-80s?) apparently doesn't translate to the majors, ala Slama.

 

The last scouting report I saw from 2011 had Albers hitting 90 with his fastball, since when did his velocity decrease to mid 80's?

[TKGuy]

I'm happy that no roster spots are guaranteed.

[cmathewson]

It has to be Gibson. They used Mastro's spot for Colabello. They will likely use Woods' spot for Deduno. They are running out of 60-day DL candidates. I suppose they could DFA someone. But whom?

[jokin]

The last scouting report I saw from 2011 had Albers hitting 90 with his fastball, since when did his velocity decrease to mid 80's?

 

The report I got was from 2012 and said his FB was hitting in the mid-80s.

Here's an excerpt from ESPN1500 from May 12, 2013:

 

"Ryan said Albers has "left-handed funk" and that he "relies a lot on deception."

That could be said for a lot of successful left-handers in the game, past and present.

But what the Twins organization likes about Albers is that he's not afraid to throw strikes -- even as a soft-tosser -- with an arsenal that isn't the traditional sinker-slider that one might expect out of a contact pitcher.'

 

That shouldn't make anyone comfortable that Alber's stuff automatically translates to the majors.

[snepp]

You can spend 11 days in the minors and still get credit for a full 172

 

 

A player on an optional assignment will get credit for a full season of service unless they spend at least 20 days in the minors.

 

It would be 11 days if the player is not on an option (DFA'd), or didn't start the season on the 40-man (Wil Myers).

[stringer bell]

Ironic that Worley's two worst starts were against NL teams, including one with no DH. Then again, maybe not so ironic since both the Mets and the Braves had seen him multiple times.

[stringer bell]

A serious question. Do the Twins alter their rotation a bit here? Deduno was supposed to pitch yesterday, I believe. Maybe he should go right away on Thursday, giving Diamond an extra day. Also Pelfrey could probably go any time between Friday and Sunday since he only worked two innings thanks to the rain. Gibson's scheduled day would be Friday, but if he's called up, Saturday would be a good day to start him.

[IdahoPilgrim]

A serious question. Do the Twins alter their rotation a bit here? Deduno was supposed to pitch yesterday, I believe. Maybe he should go right away on Thursday, giving Diamond an extra day. Also Pelfrey could probably go any time between Friday and Sunday since he only worked two innings thanks to the rain. Gibson's scheduled day would be Friday, but if he's called up, Saturday would be a good day to start him.

 

Why? What would be the goal?

 

I would just assume whoever replaces Worley (Gibson?) would pitch Monday, in Worley's normal spot. Is there really a reason to change, other than tinkering?

[cmathewson]

The report I got was from 2012 and said his FB was hitting in the mid-80s.

Here's an excerpt from ESPN1500 from May 12, 2013:

 

"Ryan said Albers has "left-handed funk" and that he "relies a lot on deception."

That could be said for a lot of successful left-handers in the game, past and present.

But what the Twins organization likes about Albers is that he's not afraid to throw strikes -- even as a soft-tosser -- with an arsenal that isn't the traditional sinker-slider that one might expect out of a contact pitcher.'

 

That shouldn't make anyone comfortable that Alber's stuff automatically translates to the majors.

 

Watching Hernandez get shelled reaffirmed in me the notion that, in today's game, if guys don't respect your fastball, they just sit offspeed, keep their hands back and hit ropes. I don't want Albers. I don't want Walters. I want Gibson. Then Meyer.