Changes coming

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

The next week should result in several changes to the Twins structure. Here are a few I'm reasonably confident will happen:

1) I don't know who, but at least one Twin should be traded today or tomorrow. Most likely candidates are Correia, Suzuki, Willingham, Duensing and Fien. I don't look for too much in return, but maybe Ryan can get lucky with a prospect or two.

2) Trevor May made his last AAA start last night. He has been consistently impressive and will join the Twins for good next start. Alex Meyer has been overpowering but inconsistent (17 walks in his last 27 innings), and since the Twins also have him on an inning restriction, I don't foresee him in the majors this year. Next year though, but he needs to improve his control.

3) Aaron Hicks is hitting at AA, from both sides of the plate, and should be promoted to AAA next week. Byron Buxton has been red hot, and may take his place in AA.

Mostly positive developments. We're not going anywhere this year, so it's time to take another look at Pinto behind the plate.

[Jester1534]

The next week should result in several changes to the Twins structure. Here are a few I'm reasonably confident will happen:

1) I don't know who, but at least one Twin should be traded today or tomorrow. Most likely candidates are Correia, Suzuki, Willingham, Duensing and Fien. I don't look for too much in return, but maybe Ryan can get lucky with a prospect or two.

2) Trevor May made his last AAA start last night. He has been consistently impressive and will join the Twins for good next start. Alex Meyer has been overpowering but inconsistent (17 walks in his last 27 innings), and since the Twins also have him on an inning restriction, I don't foresee him in the majors this year. Next year though, but he needs to improve his control.

3) Aaron Hicks is hitting at AA, from both sides of the plate, and should be promoted to AAA next week. Byron Buxton has been red hot, and may take his place in AA.

Mostly positive developments. We're not going anywhere this year, so it's time to take another look at Pinto behind the plate.

I kind of want to talk about Meyer we keep saying his control is problem. I don't understand if he has overpowering stuff why is giving up a few walks an issue? Is this not the same case we gave for Deduno?

[Jester1534]

My guess is where ppl will end up at
If traded

Kurt will be in Baltimore
Willingham a Yankee
Correa could go anywhere but I could see him as a bridge gap starter for the Yanks as well in a willingham deal

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

The problem with Meyer's control, jester, is that walk rates almost always go up when a pitcher gets promoted to the bigs. Right now he is doing okay despite a per 9 walk rate of 4.5, but that rate is artificially low because opposing hitters are striking out on a lot of high fastballs and sliders in the dirt. Big league hitters have more discipline and will take that pitch more frequently, leading to an even higher walk rate and more unfavorable counts. He needs to get his BB rate down before they're going to feel comfortable promoting him.

It is similar to the Deduno situation, but Anderson actually helped Deduno's control by suggesting that his catchers set up right down the middle rather than on the corners...led to a great year last year.

I'm confident Meyer is going to figure it out and have a great career. Lefties in general struggle with their control early in their careers...heck, Sandy Koufax (who never pitched in the minors) was much wilder than Meyer until he got to about age 26. Compounding Meyer's control issues is his height...taller pitchers are slower to develop great control because their height makes consistent mechanics more challenging. But when Meyer figures it out, he is going to be a front of the rotation pitcher.