Jackson Kowar....

[SteveLV]

rather than Framber Valdez.  I knew we were going to use that open spot for a pitcher, and it is a toss up which might be more effective. :)

Career ERA of 9 over 91 innings.  Good arm, just no control, and no options.  Rather have Lawerson back quite frankly....

[LewFordLives]

I don't see how he's an improvement over any pitcher currently on the roster, which makes me wonder what the plan is. I guess they can try and sneak him through waivers.

[stringer bell]

I wonder if they are planning on putting him on the 60-day IL as soon as Spring Training starts. He could rehab in the minor when he's ready to throw in games and they could have a while to evaluate him. 

[nicksaviking]

Does making a waiver claim just entail pressing a button?

Because if that's the case, then I get it. It's quick, it's just a reflex, plus, pushing buttons is fun.

If making a waiver claim entails analysis, evaluation and extra paperwork, then I don't get why the Twins spend 100x more effort doing this activity than they do all the rest of baseball activities combined.

[Danchat]

Injuries aside, his major league numbers last year weren't terrible and are good enough to make our major league bullpen... it does look like he has a serious issue with walks, over 6 BB/9 in his last two years at AAA. Yikes.

[LewFordLives]

22 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Injuries aside, his major league numbers last year weren't terrible and are good enough to make our major league bullpen... 

But is he good enough to make our bullpen? Would you take him over Adams, Klein, or Festa? I don't think I would. I guess some competition wouldn't hurt, although if they add someone else it means someone will need to be DFA'd.

[nicksaviking]

34 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Injuries aside, his major league numbers last year weren't terrible and are good enough to make our major league bullpen... it does look like he has a serious issue with walks, over 6 BB/9 in his last two years at AAA. Yikes.

Yeah, the Twins bullpens (prior to August's bullpocolypse) had been featuring guys who could miss bats AND avoided control issues. We can criticize the Twins for a lot of bad baseball, but they had figured out what made for good bullpen pieces. It was why Jovani Moran and Jorge Alcala stood out like sore thumbs. 

Grabbing Kowar looks like back in the day when the Twins thought they could fix fireballers with control issues. No, no you can't. Randy Johnson's happen once a life time.

[Danchat]

7 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

But is he good enough to make our bullpen? Would you take him over Adams, Klein, or Festa? I don't think I would. I guess some competition wouldn't hurt, although if they add someone else it means someone will need to be DFA'd.

I'd rather not bother throwing DFA / AAAA relievers out there, but they're going to play some of those kinds over the likes of the three you mentioned. I wouldn't be shocked if Kowar and Altavilla are in the opening day bullpen, with maybe Festa as a longman and Adams/Klein get chances later on.