Minnesota Sports Forum

JasonIsDaMan wrote:I have a question about the Willingham deal and I thought I would post it here rather than start a new thread:

According to BSPN, the Royals are making room for JW by waiving Wilking Rodriguez, a 24 y/o relief pitcher who has yet to give up a run in the bigs. Now I know the bullpen is not their most pressing concern, but Guerrier is definitely not coming back, and it wouldn't surprise me if Burton, Swarzak, and Tonkin are all gone by 4/1/15, and you really can't have enough pitching, so why not just take that guy as well as that somewhat mediocre AA pitcher they got?

Pretty sure we would have to claim him on waivers, if no other teams that have worst records didn't, then we would have three days to work something out with the Royals.

Twins got guys like Nick Burdi who throw 100 mph coming up through the system as well. The one thing the twins are loaded with is pitching talent in the minors it's just there all a year or two years away. Also the have a surplus of outfielders as well making the Hammer expendable, it'll be interesting who gets called up for September call ups.

Jester1534 wrote:

JasonIsDaMan wrote:I have a question about the Willingham deal and I thought I would post it here rather than start a new thread:

According to BSPN, the Royals are making room for JW by waiving Wilking Rodriguez, a 24 y/o relief pitcher who has yet to give up a run in the bigs. Now I know the bullpen is not their most pressing concern, but Guerrier is definitely not coming back, and it wouldn't surprise me if Burton, Swarzak, and Tonkin are all gone by 4/1/15, and you really can't have enough pitching, so why not just take that guy as well as that somewhat mediocre AA pitcher they got?

Pretty sure we would have to claim him on waivers, if no other teams that have worst records didn't, then we would have three days to work something out with the Royals.

Twins got guys like Nick Burdi who throw 100 mph coming up through the system as well. The one thing the twins are loaded with is pitching talent in the minors it's just there all a year or two years away. Also the have a surplus of outfielders as well making the Hammer expendable, it'll be interesting who gets called up for September call ups.

Yeah, I thought it was a strange move by KC... the guy has pitched well for them in the minors. I would be surprised if someone doesn't put out a waiver claim.

LST: It just surprises me that they like all their guys in the majors and at AAA more than a guy who gave up ZERO runs. But it is the Royals, and they are not one of the great front offices, no matter what anyone says.

Jester: While I agree that on August 12th, year of our Lord 2014 all is looking good in the Twins Farm system, things can change quickly. Guys get hurt or don't advance through the next "level" quite as anticipated. That's why I believe you can never have enough. The Twins sent Guerrier, Burton, Swarzak, and Tonkin to the hill for 139.2 excruciating innings and they responded with a 4.38 ERA. Now maybe Detroit can pull that off with their Cy Young and triple crown winners, but the Twins need to fire on all cylinders (for the time being) if they are going to compete. And if things are going so well that MIN risks losing pitchers to "Rule 5", they can trade them.

My only point was if their was a way to make the trade happen by MIN taking that guy, they should have. But I can totally see this being because KC screwed the pooch and didn't put that guy on waivers on 8/1 even though they knew they didn't want him.

Good question Jason. This may explain the situation more. Here is what I can tell after a bit of reading.

He pitched 2 inning in the big leagues and this season signed as a minor league FA after being in the Rays org and had arm issues (I don't think he pitched in 2013). A few months ago anyone could have had him. Seems like he is probably a reliever now and from what I understand the Royals have a very good pen so they may not need him and its his first year back after missing a yearof pitching... The guy the Twins got is younger throws heat and they are sending him back to being a starter at AA.

JasonIsDaMan wrote:LST: It just surprises me that they like all their guys in the majors and at AAA more than a guy who gave up ZERO runs. But it is the Royals, and they are not one of the great front offices, no matter what anyone says.

Jester: While I agree that on August 12th, year of our Lord 2014 all is looking good in the Twins Farm system, things can change quickly. Guys get hurt or don't advance through the next "level" quite as anticipated. That's why I believe you can never have enough. The Twins sent Guerrier, Burton, Swarzak, and Tonkin to the hill for 139.2 excruciating innings and they responded with a 4.38 ERA. Now maybe Detroit can pull that off with their Cy Young and triple crown winners, but the Twins need to fire on all cylinders (for the time being) if they are going to compete. And if things are going so well that MIN risks losing pitchers to "Rule 5", they can trade them.

My only point was if their was a way to make the trade happen by MIN taking that guy, they should have. But I can totally see this being because KC screwed the pooch and didn't put that guy on waivers on 8/1 even though they knew they didn't want him.

I agree with you Jason you can never have to many arms. Yet with Berrios Meyer May Stewart Gonsalves Thorpe and that's just naming the top guys we need to just hit on 50 percent of these guys to have them live up to expectations, especially with Gibson and Hughes throwing as well as they are lately.

Monster: I have my concerns about this guy. But I trust Ryan, far more than I trust Spielman, Flip, or whatever bean-counter is making personnel decisions for the Mild. They may teach him a changeup. He may win 2 Cy Youngs (and he may lose a third to Bartolo Colon even though his ERA is a full run lower). He may demand a trade. He may be traded to the Mets for a future all-star centerfielder. That all-star centerfielder may be traded to the Brewers for a future all-star shortstop. That all-star shortstop may be traded to the Orioles for a reliever who was out of baseball 15 months later. Nope, that's too weird.

Jester: Without knowing the full story and all the rules, here's how I would have like to see that trade go down. The Twins get both pitchers. They waive Burton, try to get that guy 35-40 innings to see what he has (Burton is not coming back anyway). If he has it, bring him north in April. If not, don't resign him. If he is somewhere in-between, sign him and keep him at Rochester for years on end ala Oliveros. That's all.

I really want it all. 117 regular season wins and a World Series. The best way to make that happen is to win every transaction.

Speaking of Burdi Call ups to today for Burdi promoted to Fort Meyers, Buxton has been promoted to Double A and former first round pick Levi Michael has been promoted as well after a nice come back season after his first two being abysmal.

Second is pretty locked up. Can Michael play short in the bigs? Is 3rd an option with Plouffe moving to Left? Is Left an option for Michael? And how much will St. Louis Park love a player named Levi?

JasonIsDaMan wrote:Second is pretty locked up. Can Michael play short in the bigs? Is 3rd an option with Plouffe moving to Left? Is Left an option for Michael? And how much will St. Louis Park love a player named Levi?

Tbh Jason we would be lucky if Levi makes it as a Utility player in the Majors someday.