Why Emilio Pagan Remains a Crucial Asset in the Minnesota Twins Bullpen

[Mike Sixel]

Alcala, Stewart, Thielbar all hurt. Sands ineffective. Henriquez just back. De Leon hurt. That's 4 decent to good RPs hurt, and two that likely aren't that good, though Henriquez at least intrigues me.

Look, we can look at all the anecdotes we want, but Gleeman has posted very compelling stats. Pagan has been the worst RP in baseball for four years when it comes to adding value in indiividual games and relative ERA. There is no reason to have him on the roster. He's PROVEN to be bad for four years now. 

I don't care which minor leaguer they call up to replace him. That person has not proven to be the worst in baseball. WInder and Balazovich should be in MN, either thriving or failing. This team is NOT a good team, so find out what those two have. Put them in positions of stress, and see what happens. 

[farmerguychris]

16 hours ago, Hunter McCall said:

No, that's why I explicitly talked about how important he is as a low-leverage reliever. In the post-season, your best relievers are always available. That's not the way it works in a 162 game season. He's done a very good job filling his role this year.

In your opinion, what 'role' should he have as our highest paid pen pitcher?  His salary is 50% of the total pen expense.

[farmerguychris]

6 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

I think it goes back to one of the things Tom Kelly is known for saying: put your players in situations where they can succeed. In Pagan's case, it's lower leverage situations. Avoid late and close. He usually does OK as the earliest reliever. Try to limit him to that. We can quibble about verbiage, but while this role isn't necessarily an important one, it's still necessary to have a pitcher who can succeed in that role so that the high leverage guys can be available when needed.

I think about LaTroy Hawkins. The Twins knew he could be a good major league pitcher, and they first tried to use him as a starter. That didn't work. Then they tried him as a closer. That didn't work. Then they tried him in other roles in the bullpen. He succeeded. When he went to the Cubs after leaving the Twins they tried him as a closer. Again, that didn't work. But once he was put in situations where he could succeed he wound up having a really good career.

I'm not saying Pagan can be the next LaTroy Hawkins. But with the pitches that he has he should be able to fill a role in a major league bullpen if he is used properly.

I think he could have a great role if playing for Cleveland.

[John Belinski]

He may be a OK pitcher in some games, but he just can not pitch under pressure. His yearly salary could be used on a better pitcher. He seems to be over paid based on his performance.

[lars]

Its just same as sano 1 out 0f 10 games your good ....this is professioal baseball we have right to expect way better. We have many more viable options he is one of the pieces of trash that need to go in this housecleaning that is needed