Monday, July 18, 2011

Another Relief Option

Shuffling the roles for Joe Nathan and Matt Capps at the back end of the bullpen may help alleviate some of the frustrating ninth-inning meltdowns, but -- as Ron Gardenhire noted -- the Twins are still going to have Capps lined up to throw a lot of high-leverage innings. If he can't get on track the team will still be hurting for right-handed relief late in close games.

The Twins recognize this, and reports that they "have had internal discussions about bringing back Jon Rauch," whose personality they couldn't get rid of fast enough during the offseason, would seem to offer a glimpse into their desperation.

Without a doubt, the front office is going to need to identify a reliable right-handed arm to serve in a setup role, and unless he can find his command Capps won't be adequate. As the Twins scour the trade market for palatable options, they ought to give consideration to one option that's already within their organization: 23-year-old Kyle Gibson.

Gibson, who emerged as a top pitching prospect last year with a spectacular season in the minors, impressed the coaching staff so much during spring training that some felt he was ready to pitch in the majors.

Instead, he headed to Rochester with the expectation that he'd be up to help the big-league club at some point during the summer.

As it turns out, while their lineup has been ravaged by a staggering number of injuries, the Twins' rotation has (knock on wood) remained mostly healthy. For his part, while he's doing a good job of getting strikeouts and grounders, Gibson has turned in short start after short start in Triple-A. Only once in 16 turns has the righty completed seven innings, and he's gotten through six just twice in his past 10 starts. For an organization that strongly emphasizes starters pitching deep into games, that's not a good way to force yourself into the rotation picture.

Could Gibson make an impact in the bullpen, though? His lacking stamina would not be an issue there, and he might be able to maximize his stuff in short stints the way Glen Perkins has. Gibson's repertoire has played well in Rochester, as he's averaging a strikeout per innings and has been especially tough on righties, holding them to a .266 average with a 52-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The Twins view Gibson as a starter in the long term, but they've often worked their best pitching prospects into the majors in relief roles in the past. If they feel that this approach wouldn't hurt Gibson's progression, it would make an awful lot of sense to give his highly touted arm a shot before trading more assets away for a guy like Rauch who probably isn't any better.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I posted that idea on the Twins ESPN message boards. Gibson could fill the role that Slowey should have. Hope they do that.

Anonymous said...

I think this makes a lot of sense Nick and it would be great to see Gibson get some big league experience this year. Frankly, trading for Rauch is a clear admission by Smith that he screwed up by not keeping at least 1 of his experienced BP righties last off-season. I read that Gardy doesn't want Heath Bell because it gives him 1 more guy who expects to close out games. I hope this isn't true because this is complete nonsense. I'd say this team needs another closer option right now and I would much rather have Bell than Rauch - even if his price is higher. With this team only 5 out now, it's time to make a decision and fix this bullpen.

cy1time said...

There's always a risk trying to have a starter slide into a bullpen role as we saw with Slowey. Gibson is a guy that the Twins project in their rotation for years to come. I think it is more likely that when the call comes, it will be to start. Don't we have a couple more double-headers scheduled?

I'm trying to understand why the Twins are going with Scott Diamond for the spot start in today's double header. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see how he gives us much hope for a win. I'd much rather have seen Gibson given this shot over Diamond. It would be easy enough to find room for him on the 40 man roster.

SadPanda said...

I like this idea. Liriano and Johan Santana both spent a little time coming out of the bullpen before they began starting. Letting Gibson get some big league experience before he's ready to start in the majors seems like it would be a good thing.

We could use the help now and I don't like a trade for either Rauch or Bell. Also coming out of the bullben in the majors might take some of the pressure off of him when he eventually makes a start.

Matt said...

I don't like a trade for either Rauch or Bell.
I couldn't have said it better. Don't trade assets away in a year like this. For the Twins to win any post season series, they need guys like Morneau and Mauer to be 100% healthy and productive. This year, that's probably not going to be the case (although there is some hope Mauer's coming around), so get Gibson up here and try to win the division with the guys you have today.

Anonymous said...

I still haven't heard one compelling argument why this team still isn't a seller. This roster as it currently sits has zero chance of even being competitive in the playoffs even if they pull off a miracle and get there. Why would you let Cuddy, Kubel, Nathan, Capps, D Young, and Slowey stay on the roster when they aren't part of the teams long range plans?? You will be giving them up for nothing at the end of the year (aside from Young). Without Morneau and Mauer playing at 100%, an ace, and at least 2 bullpen guys these guys are sellers. I know it suck to give up on the season but realistically being 6 games under .500 isn't contending.

Ed Bast said...

Nick, first of all, the Twins as an organization don't emphasize going deep into ball games. They stress going 100 pitches, nothing more. This is a club who pulled a pitcher out of a no-hitter because he'd reached 100 pitches. What kind of pitch count do they have Gibson on?

Also, if they traded for Rauch, Bill Smith should be fired immediately. Don't compound one mistake (or many mistakes, i.e. resigning Capps but not any of their better, cheaper relievers) by making another - and given how much Bill Smith values average to below average relief pitching (Wilson Ramos, JJ Hardy), I shudder to think what he'd give up for Rauch.

Also, I notice you seem to be in the "Twins should be buyers" mode. Do you really think giving up a few more prospects so we can BEST CASE be slaughtered by the Sox or Yankees in the ALDS is the right thing for this organization?

SadPanda said...

Another homerun given up by Capps. Good stuff.

Nick N. said...

Also, I notice you seem to be in the "Twins should be buyers" mode. Do you really think giving up a few more prospects so we can BEST CASE be slaughtered by the Sox or Yankees in the ALDS is the right thing for this organization?

I think if there are opportunities to upgrade areas of need without giving up major assets, you do it. They entered the day five games out of first place, there's no question that they're in contention at this point.

If you have a chance to win the division, you go for it. It'd be an upset if they got past one of the big boys in October, but that's pretty much always true.

Matt said...

It'd be an upset if they got past one of the big boys in October, but that's pretty much always true.

If that's the case, then it has to change. There's no reason that they can't build a team to compete with the "big boys" with over $100 million to play with...
That being said, "going for it" this year seems short sighted and hurts them from making a real playoff run in the future.

Buy this year, and be first round exits for the next three. Sounds like a pretty crappy plan to me...

Stew Mayhem said...

Gibson seems more over-hyped than adam johnson. Why wouldn't they just give carlos Guiterrez, an actual reliever a chance?

Nick N. said...

Why wouldn't they just give carlos Guiterrez, an actual reliever a chance?

Because he's hurt and he hasn't been very good.

Buy this year, and be first round exits for the next three.

"Buying" doesn't necessarily mean parting with highly valuable pieces. I prefer the avenue of dealing lesser prospects for players like Rauch, Fuentes and Cabrera.

Derrick Ray said...

I think the most obvious answer is to recall Chuck James. Why was he went down to the minors anyway? Also, adding Tyler Robertson and Cole DeVries to the 40-man roster could be a good idea. Some of our relief pitching has been atrocious thus far and now would be a good time to try some other relievers out.
Drop Hoey, Keep Gibson in the minors leagues for right now.
If the Twins could find a seller for Slowey and Fatty Crapps that would be wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Slama?!?!!?

Anonymous said...

What about trading for Jim Johnson of the Orioles... look up his stats he has been effective.