Twins to promote Michael Tonkin

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Tonkin will join the Twins on Thursday in New York. He will be taking the roster spot of Caleb Thielbar. Thielbar will be placed on the 3-day bereavement list to attend his grandmother's funeral.

 

Tonkin was told he has the chance to stick with the team for longer than the three days.

[Danchat]

Ooh, sounds interesting! I hope he sticks. I wonder who goes down if he plays well. Maybe we see Perkins or Fien get traded?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm guessing a trade is in the works.

[Seth Stohs]

This doesn't signal a trade or anything else. He's getting a chance and told if he does well, he could stick. Of course, over 3 days, he'll pitch once, maybe twice.

[Seth Stohs]

Also, best wishes to the Thielbar family.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

...or Swarzak gets another shot in the rotation.

 

Hard to say at this point.

[ThePuck]

Also, best wishes to the Thielbar family.

 

Does anyone know when he found out about the loss of his grandmother?

[drjim]

I'm guessing a trade is in the works.

 

I wouldn't read that much into it. But it could open the door down the line.

 

I hope he sticks. Another young guy who will play a key role in the upcoming years.

[Danchat]

...or Swarzak gets another shot in the rotation.

 

Hard to say at this point.

 

Swarzak has been horrible whenever he's started... I sure hope it won't be him.

I'd much rather see Pedro Hernandez or Liam Hendriks.

[stringer bell]

I've been surprised how low Tonkin has been rated as a prospect. I think he has an excellent chance to be a high-leverage late-inning guy.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Swarzak has been horrible whenever he's started... I sure hope it won't be him.

I'd much rather see Pedro Hernandez or Liam Hendriks.

 

I'm not going to argue that there aren't other options, but if you took Swarzak's 2011 - when he started 11 games - and stuck those numbers into the current rotation... he would be an upgrade over the most of the current staff.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm not going to argue that there aren't other options, but if you took Swarzak's 2011 - when he started 11 games - and stuck those numbers into the current rotation... he would be an upgrade over the most of the current staff.

 

An upgrade, sure... But the Twins shouldn't be looking for marginal upgrades in 2013. They should be looking at guys who will help the team in 2014.

 

And Swarzak probably isn't that guy. It makes way more sense to give Hendriks or maybe even Albers a shot (though I understand their hesitancy to shuffle the 40 man again).

[nicksaviking]

Tonkin has been discussed as a future replacement for Glen Perkins on this site. While this move clearly does not signify a trade, a solid performance **small sample size disclosure** could help convince management that there are options for the team's future.

[gunnarthor]

Tonkin's numbers are nice. Anyone have any scouting reports on him? Is he another Slama or does he have better stuff?

[drjim]

Tonkin's numbers are nice. Anyone have any scouting reports on him? Is he another Slama or does he have better stuff?

 

Legit stuff. Power arm. Fastball/slider guy. Misses bats. Slama would be a terrible comp.

[Siehbiscuit]

With all due respect to the guy that suggested Pedro Hernandez...boo! Twins fans are looking for upgrades and Hernandez is Brian Duensing 2.0!

[iastfan112]

Feels like Tonkin's been in the system forever, glad he's getting a shot.

[Riverbrian]

I love MLB Debuts... I look at those players and just imagine the core shaking process they are going through. Career, Hopes, Dreams, it's all on the line. This is the first impression moment.

 

It's reality TV at it's best... While my wife is watching Survivor and wondering who is going to get that immunity thing-a-ma-jig. I'm watching baseball and baseball just beats it tenfold.

 

A pitcher with a baseball in his hands facing a guy with a bat in his hands. The critics are assessing, the sabrematricians are calculating and the scoreboard is keeping score. Will this guy head down the path of a baseball career or future bar owner.

 

Why would anyone watch Survivor, The Bachelor, American Idol or Chopped when a baseball game is on... is beyond me.

 

Go get em... Mr. Tonkin.

[jorgenswest]

Sample size applies to data. While an appearance or two won't be enough, the Twins can evaluate his pitches and command as he performs and make a determination on his need for more AAA time.

 

Even if he were on the team the remainder of the season (given a reliever's limited innings), any assessment we make based on data would not be very reliable.

 

If they determine he is ready, I'd chance parting ways with either Roenicke or Duensing even if it meant designating for assignment. Both are 30 and essentially replacement level. Neither is part of the solution.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

This is great news!! I've long been awaiting his promotion this season. He has great Triple A numbers, size, and velocity. I knew he had to be next in line as far as relievers go and it was only a matter of time until a spot opened up. I'm curious as to who will be sent down/released when Thielbar is back, however. Duensing and Roenicke are probably the most expendable. While Duensing is worse than Roenicke, Tonkin is not left handed. Unless Gardy finally feels comfortable giving Dunce's innings to Thielbar, it may be Roenicke. Or this could just be a cup of coffee for Michael. I'm not at all sure.

[Kwak]

"Stick with the team for longer than three days"? DONEsing is at the top of my list of next to DFA, so darn right Tonkin got a chance to stick!

[Guest USAFChief]

There is zero chance Duensing gets DFA'd. Zero.

 

I know he's hasn't pitched well recently, or this year actually. But he's lefthanded, throws relatively hard, and up until this year has been pretty tough on lefties.

 

He would get claimed by pretty much every team in baseball.

[jokin]

Does anyone know when he found out about the loss of his grandmother?

 

Don't know that answer, but KSTP is reporting the funeral is Friday, with Thielbar on Thu-Sat. bereavement leave.

[jokin]

I'm not going to argue that there aren't other options, but if you took Swarzak's 2011 - when he started 11 games - and stuck those numbers into the current rotation... he would be an upgrade over the most of the current staff.

 

But that was then, and this is now. Swarzak has been absolutely horrible over the last 30 days-

 

5.29 ERA

1.71 WHIP

.352 OBA

 

Gotta go with any other option that points towards the future instead of the past.

[Otto von Ballpark]

There is zero chance Duensing gets DFA'd. Zero.

 

I know he's hasn't pitched well recently, or this year actually. But he's lefthanded, throws relatively hard, and up until this year has been pretty tough on lefties.

 

He would get claimed by pretty much every team in baseball.

 

Actually, Duensing hasn't been that tough on LHB since 2010. And as hard as you say he throws, he's always been a ~5 K/9 guy, which is not that promising for a reliever. Oh, and he is going to be second time arb eligible this offseason, and should make a couple million next year.

 

He may well get claimed, but certainly not by every team in baseball. Not that I would endorse waiving him right now.

[Brandon]

None of the relievers deserve to be demoted at this time so it would have to be that Gibson might get demoted and Swarzak could move to the rotation or someone could be traded but I don't see why anyone would be traded. No one is worth a lot of prospects except Perkins and I don't see Minn trading him now. He's home town, allstar and locked in cheaply for the next few years. Roenecke is arbitration eligible next year, and not worth too much in a trade and no other reliever is eligible for free agency any time soon and they are all inexpensive even if they all make 1 to 2 million next year they are still underpaid for their production. so the basic assumption is that someone is going to the rotation or Tonkin is going back down in a few days.

[TheLeviathan]

I like it when relievers find roles that work for their skill set and have value, so let's leave Swarzak right there until he prices or plays his way out of it.

 

Looking forward to seeing this kid, hopefully the Twins can find a buyer for one of their other arms and he stays.

[jokin]

None of the relievers deserve to be demoted at this time so it would have to be that Gibson might get demoted and Swarzak could move to the rotation or someone could be traded but I don't see why anyone would be traded. No one is worth a lot of prospects except Perkins and I don't see Minn trading him now. He's home town, allstar and locked in cheaply for the next few years. Roenecke is arbitration eligible next year, and not worth too much in a trade and no other reliever is eligible for free agency any time soon and they are all inexpensive even if they all make 1 to 2 million next year they are still underpaid for their production. so the basic assumption is that someone is going to the rotation or Tonkin is going back down in a few days.

 

Barring some complete and utter collapse or injury, Gibson is not being demoted. And the era of Swarzak as a spot starter has also come to an end. Young arms and second chance arms will man the breaches in the rotation, if Tonkin performs well in his short opportunity in the spotlight, he has a very thin chance of sticking (highly unlikely that a trade will create that opening by Saturday), but I'd bet a nickel he'll be back in Rochester on Sunday.

[beckmt]

Tonkin will get a chance, What he makes of it will determine if the Twins think they could part with a reliever. Burton could be one, or Duensing could be another. Will have to see what TR has in the works. Many of the contenders need bullpen help, so the Twins have a chance to move some pitchers. Expect Tonkin will be back to Rochester, but could be not for long if he does well. This is audition time.

[Red Holstein]

"Stick with the team for longer than three days"? DONEsing is at the top of my list of next to DFA, so darn right Tonkin got a chance to stick!

Gardy isn't gonna give up Duensing without a fight. He loves his rubber armed, soft tossing lefty's.