Replicating the Relief Success in Minnesota

Enjoyed this article. Stewart has a place on this team IMHO and you seem to have nailed it.

Since we decided to go the cheap route by signing Schoop and Cron, I’m really hoping they’re now setting their sights on signing 1-2 of the big bullpen arms on the free agent market.

However, when it comes to Stewart, I say you give him a shot to start in ST, but unless something drastically changes about the situation or his performance, just put him in the pen; In similar role that the Astros put Colin McHugh and Brad Peacock (former starters).

Even if we don’t sign any of Parker, Herrera, Britton, or Allen, looking beyond 2019, I’m confident that the Twins could potentially have a strong homegrown bullpen with young young arms like Jovani Moran, Derek Molina, Cody Stashak, and (especially) Jorge Alcala starting to reach the upper levels of the minors. And depending on how the rotation situation plays out, Thorpe, Mejia, and Stewart could be included as well.

I'll be curious to see how Stewart "develops" in the next year or so. I thought Ted's use of stats to show how much more effective he was when he didn't start a game was an eyebrow raiser. Hmm  ... maybe the bullpen MAY be his best landing spot.

I also like the idea of signing Soria. His injury history is a bit of a worry, but if he's healthy and in shape he can also be a valuable arm in the bullpen.

Kohl deserves a chance, depending on whether the Twins sign any starters in free agency.

Hildenberger was overused. Hopefully more situational next season.

What more amazes me is all these high/drafted relief pitchers that never panned out for the Twins.

Yes you make fringe starters into relief pitchers: Mahoney Perkins Nathan Aguilera and good old Fast Eddie come to mind!

Ted, always enjoy your articles - one of main reasons I'm a daily visitor to this site.  But when I read the headline "Replicating Relief Success....", I thought this was a tongue-in-cheek headline.

Do you really believe the Twinkies have been successful in developing relievers?  C'mon!!  This area has been one of the biggest failures of Twins teams, especially in 2011 - today.  Last year we added three FA relievers and this year we should add another three from outside.  With the sole exception of Rogers, this organization has utterly failed top develop shutdown relievers(and even Rogers has not had sustained success especially as a late-inning reliever).  Hildy was absolutely a disaster last uyear, particularly in pressure situations) and May's "success" was very limited (26 IP in 2018).  The rest of the bullpen is just middle inning filler material, at best.

The list of failed draftees for the bullpen over the past decade is as long as my arm:

Reed, Chargois, Duffy, Jay, Bard, et.al.  Do you really think Kohl Stewart is the answer with his 92mph fastball and mediocre success in the minors?  For the Twins to have a chance for even a decent bullpen, I think everyone sees the need for two top FA closers this offseason to slot ahead of Rogers and Reed.  Even then, this is not a championship-caliber bullpen.

It is disheartening how badly Ryan and company failed to develop any pitching despite having many high draft choices.  And falvine has gone after positionn players in their two drafts, understandably, considering past disappointments from the Ryan era.  Still, as things stand today, does anyone see an ace-in-the-making in the minors?  Judging from the rankings, only Graterol seems possible and he has an awful long way to go.  

Hate to be such a pessimist here, but past performance in this organization provides little hope that difference-making relievers are on the way from the minors, especially not the likes of Kohl Stewart.

What do you guys see in Gonsalves that makes you think he could be a viable MLB starter? It sure didn't look like it last year. He looks like a AAAA starter or trade bait. Wouldn't it be better to try him as a reliever and hope he becomes Taylor Rogers?

 

Also, let's not forget Mejia as a starter. ISn't he the one who has had the most actual success? I think Romero is better, but Mejia is better than the rest. I would say Romero > Mejia > Thorpe > Stewart >>>>>> than Gonsalves or Sleegers . Try the last two in the BP or trade them for prospects or as part of a package.

I know I already posted about the possibility of building a “homegrown” bullpen, but since we’re on the topic of “who’s a starter” and “who’s not” (specifically Stewart/Mejia); Why not just cash in on Gibby’s career year (Odorizzi too) and start the season with a rotation of Berrios/Pineda/Romero/Mejia/Stewart and the occasional use of the “opener” strategy??

I know it’s not what we would’ve hoped for going into the offseason, but with Schoop and Cron likely being the “big additions” of the offseason, we might as well give young arms like Stewart/Romero/Gonsalves/Thorpe/Mejia/Graterol/Alcala and whoever we get back for Gibby and Odorizzi plenty of chances to prove themselves in 2019. Might not give us the best chance at being competitive, but who knows?? The Rays made it work.

I hate the opener strategy. Its stupid . And i dont want to pay to go to a game they do this.

Hildy should not be considered a lock in any way. Nor should we count on any of the prospects that haven’t done a thing. They need to add at least two good bullpen arms this winter. As far as Stewart he’s 24 and made it to the majors. I think people discredit him some because he doesn’t strike people out and that is what everyone wants. He has eventually succeeded at every level so let’s just give him a chance

Excellent article...and a heap of mind-bending comments to boot.

Thanks everyone!