Randy Dobnak’s Journey Back: A 2025 Role in Sight?

[Linus]

Let’s put it this way. If he pitches well in St Paul (better than last year) he will get a chance at some point. Teams need upwards of 8 starters and 10-12 relievers. 

[djm24]

7 hours ago, Otaknam said:

The Dobnak signing was always a head scratcher. He did little to earn that contract, and has done even less since then. He has always been a four inning pitcher, so it’s unrealistic to think he is more than that. Another mistake by the front office.

For clarity are you referring to 4-inning games pitching for the Twins? Or 4-innings pitched including his time with the Saints?

In checking, I found the following dates for games he pitched this year for the Saints in which he pitched at least 5 innings:

4-27/5.0.   5-10/6.0.  5-16/5.0.   6-2/6.0

   6-15/6.0.  6-21/5.0.  6-27/5.0.   7-2/5.0.

7-13/5.0.   7-19/5.0.   7-25/7.0.   8-23/5.0

9-10/5.0.(pitched innings 5 thru 9)   9-15/5.2.   9-4/6.0 (piggybacked this game and pitched innings  4 thru 9)  

It guess it was Gardenhire 's decision to limit starters to 5 innings or a pitch count. They sometimes pitched longer if they were on top of their game.

 

 

[djm24]

3 hours ago, Verified Member said:

Jeff K’s response is a respectful disagreement. Good on you.

Personally I expect Dobnak to shuttle up to the Twins this year, pitch a few innings and then be waived yet again. Except this waiver will coincide with a KC pitching injury and the Royals will claim him, turn him into a stud pitcher  and Dobnak will have three wins against the Twins with a 1.47 ERA!!! Or maybe not😀

It's always nice to hope and dream. I especially like the part you said about Dobnak having three wins against the Twins. What a great feeling of satisfaction that would be for him.

[djm24]

7 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

I'm a huge Dobnak fan! By all accounts, he is a great guy and teammate!

I'm glad he got paid... and no, his salary is not holding the Twins back compared to MANY other issues. 

But, I do have eyes wide open that he is unlikely to contribute to any playoff caliber Twins team. 

 

[djm24]

Just now, djm24 said:

Huge Dobnak fan!!?  Hey, fantastic!!  There's no guarantee that the Twins will be a playoff caliber team next year. And after next year, who knows where Dobnak will be.

 

 

[djm24]

6 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I won't criticize you.  I simply disagree.  There has been ample evidence that his pitching doesn't get enough outs in the majors.  He will do a nice job this season in Rochester.

 

[Fatbat]

10 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He can open for Raya in St. Paul then.

Not a bad idea.

[djm24]

6 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I won't criticize you.  I simply disagree.  There has been ample evidence that his pitching doesn't get enough outs in the majors.  He will do a nice job this season in Rochester.

 

[djm24]

Did the Nationals acquire Dobnak? I thought he was playing for the Saints!!

[Doctor Wu]

On 10/21/2024 at 4:01 AM, djm24 said:

First of all, I never wanted to leave my "two cents" on a comment board such as I his. But I've had a change of heart and these will undoubtedly be the ONLY comments I will ever make here. So, you great authoritarians can criticize me all you want.

Thank you, Cody, for your very respectful article about Randy.. I enjoyed reading it. However, it appears that when ANY article about Dobnak is written, it draws out the Dobnak naysayers, criticizers and, of course, the haters, who just LOVE to leave their negative comments. Randy, like all of us, is not immortal. He is not the Twins "miracle worker". None of the players nor anyone employed by the organization are. I give him much credit for attempting to establish himself as a quality major league pitcher; one who is respected by the organization as well as the fans. Yes, he was given a nice contract and tried to prove to all that he was worthy of that contract. Obviously he did not intentionally injure his finger.That type of injury could have end the careers of other pitchers. But Randy was and is persistent in "working his way back".

It is really sad that there are Twins players who are being paid salaries MUCH larger than Randy's and, according to some fans, have not "performed up to expectations". You know who they are. But do they receive as much criticism as Dobnak? You have to agree that, given the opportunity, most people would have been foolish not to accept the contract that Dobnak was offered. The amount of his contract - $9 million-,plus is miniscule compared to that of the SUPPOSEDLY superstar players who underperform and/or are frequently injured.

So, as a Dobnak fan since he first signed as an undrafted player, I say, give the guy a chance. I would LOVE to see him given a "change of scenery" and a chance with another team. Obviously unlike many Twins fans, perhaps the fans of another team would appreciate him more.

I realize all of you people have a right to your opinions and to post your comments. But please try to make them respectful.

I apologize for my rambling here. But the hat do you expect from a woman? 😒

So, criticize me all you want. But actually I don't care!!!

I hope this isn't the only comment you will post. I think most of us appreciate a variety of comments and opinons (and ramblings especially!) about the Twins. Dobnak is a fascinating story and like many others, I hope he can still find a role with the Twins. I have no stats-based opinion on whether or not that will happen, but I can only hope he thrives in a role somewhere. 

[djm24]

Thanks, Doc. I'm not sure how much I'll be posting on this board. But for sure you'll see my two cents whenever an article on Dobnak is written. Also, I'll continue to read other comments posted on various articles, as I find people's viewpoints interesting.

As for Dobs, who knows what 2025 holds for him. It would be great if he found another pitch, or just improved in general. He does need better command to lower his walks rate. Hopefully he'll get a chance next year as a long reliever and spot starter, as I know, like most pitchers, he wants to be a starter.

A lot of people feel that he is not "earning," the money from his good contract. And perhaps had he not been injured his performance would have been better. So, based on his good contract and less than stellar performance, it seems he's unfairly become a "punching bag" for many posters and fans in general. This is one reason why I would like to see him get a "fresh start" with another team. Actually I would very much like for him to be a part of the Twins 26 man roster next year. But the reality is that he'll probably be given only a slight chance at that, since the Front Office is into a ,youth movement" and is promoting the young prospects.

I guess I better get off my rambling bandwagon. Hopefully the new coaching staff will help the team get to the playoffs next year and let us all forget about the blown playoff chances that happened this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Linus]

21 hours ago, djm24 said:

Thanks, Doc. I'm not sure how much I'll be posting on this board. But for sure you'll see my two cents whenever an article on Dobnak is written. Also, I'll continue to read other comments posted on various articles, as I find people's viewpoints interesting.

As for Dobs, who knows what 2025 holds for him. It would be great if he found another pitch, or just improved in general. He does need better command to lower his walks rate. Hopefully he'll get a chance next year as a long reliever and spot starter, as I know, like most pitchers, he wants to be a starter.

A lot of people feel that he is not "earning," the money from his good contract. And perhaps had he not been injured his performance would have been better. So, based on his good contract and less than stellar performance, it seems he's unfairly become a "punching bag" for many posters and fans in general. This is one reason why I would like to see him get a "fresh start" with another team. Actually I would very much like for him to be a part of the Twins 26 man roster next year. But the reality is that he'll probably be given only a slight chance at that, since the Front Office is into a ,youth movement" and is promoting the young prospects.

I guess I better get off my rambling bandwagon. Hopefully the new coaching staff will help the team get to the playoffs next year and let us all forget about the blown playoff chances that happened this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I have no heartburn about his contract. It’s not much in MLB terms and was done in good faith. He got hurt - it happens. Considering the guys that they have run through the back of the pen it’s not out of the question we see him again.   Anyway good for him - I hope he put a couple million in the stock market when he got paid. He will be just fine. 

[Fred]

Didn't read the comments, but Dobnak is to pitching as Cave is to the outfield. Looks decent enough at AAA to keep being considered as a call up. Sometimes flashes in the bigs, but it's a flash in the pan.