Unexpected Offseason Trend Re-Opens Questions Surrounding Jhoan Durán

[Trov]

This is not some new trend.  Many guys have made the switch back and forth in history.  The fact that there are many in one off-season may be a little bit odd, but nothing new. 

[mikelink45]

We are in an era where we depend on the BP everyday.  Let him pitch multiple relief innings and stay with what is working. 

[JD-TWINS]

16 hours ago, Brandon said:

If the Twins do decide to let Duran start they should sign him to a contract extension while he is still a reliever so they can base the future earnings off of reliever pay instead of ace starter pay.  

The big concern is injury of course.  Duran was not known as durable before making the switch to the pen.  in fact, I think that is why he made the switch.  

Assuming he has an agent & there would be caveats - getting him for cheap isn’t going to happen in any case.

Risk of injury & then zero upside is the concern, as you point out.

[JD-TWINS]

No change.

Effectiveness in a role is King! All relievers were starters at some point. Nobody is suggesting Hader, or even Jax, move back to the rotation. Guys have been swung back and forth between long relief & starter forever. Guys doing it now are Martinez from San Diego (now Reds) - Lorenzen from Philadelphia, etc etc.

Twins aren’t desperate for innings from starters.

Having a great closer and relying on that for 45-55 games is a big deal!!

It’s like suggesting Royce Lewis should be shoved back into CF…….he’s played there before ……….there’s a need……..,Bad Idea!

[Otaknam]

Generally speaking, moving a pitcher with an history of injury concerns from the bullpen, where he excels and has been injury free, to starter isn’t wise. And it creates a large bullpen hole that would have to be filled. You’d only experiment with this if your bullpen was already strong, even without Duran, where you could slowly build up his innings as a starter. 

[DJL44]

15 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I'm reminded of Aguilera and Perkins both as I read here. Aguilera was an OK but not great SP. But he WAS a great closer. Then the Twins got a little cute and tried him as a starter again and it didn't go well. So he went back to the pen and was good again.

Good example. I think part of the problem is they moved him back to the rotation at age 34. They might have been better off with Aguilera in the rotation in 1990 instead of David West.

[terrydactyls]

17 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Tell me how I'm wrong. 

It will be my pleasure.  Someone (or several someones) will tell you that you are wrong because your opinion is not the same as their opinion.  I see that happen everyday.

[terrydactyls]

In order to appease people on both sides of this discussion, how about starting Duran every sixth game but returning him to his reliever role on the in-between days?  Problem solved!  Everybody happy now?  😇