Comments on: Twins Smartly Reject Gagne

By: sirsean

sirsean — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:29:28 +0000

I've read that Nathan did try to explain that to Boof and is doing what he can to help him adjust and accept his new responsibility.

But even Nathan recognizes his limitations here -- at the end of the day, it is Boof and only Boof that can make a real difference. HE has to make the adjustment and accept his role. Only then can success come.

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:09:55 +0000

Exactly. Boof failed as a starter- he needs to accept it and move on, even if the bullpen feels like a demotion. Joe Nathan signed a pretty lucrative contract before last season, so Boof can get paid if he just PITCHES.

Actually, Boof could learn a lot from Joe, since Joe was a struggling starter who became wildly successful in a relief role.

By: sirsean

sirsean — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:54:06 +0000

Also, aside from "coolness," starters make the most money. Because they're the most valuable to the team. Closers can also make a bunch of money, though that part of the market may be drying up. Middle relievers make jack shit.

That's probably a significant reason why Boof (and all other pitchers) don't want to be kicked out of the rotation, especially by a team with a dominant closer.

That said, his contract says he has to do what the Twins say. So he'd better suck it up and pitch out of the bullpen. And if he continues to suck, he'll be out of baseball pretty quickly.

By: sirsean

sirsean — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:52:19 +0000

Hired goons?

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:51:43 +0000

I really hope Boof isn’t worried about being “cool”. If he is I am going to have to slap him upside the head and remind him he isn’t in middle school. I think all that can be accomplished before the hired goons drag me out of the clubhouse.

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:41:43 +0000

Breslow can handle it if Mijares can’t- I’m not worried about the lefties in the pen (knock on wood). I really hope Boof accepts the role he has been given and decides to concentrate on becoming a lights-out reliever. He needs to realize that 8th-inning guys and closers are just as cool and valuable as starters (hello, Joe Nathan).

By: sirsean

sirsean — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:42:42 +0000

Well I'm sure plan B is sending Mijares to the minors and bringing up Korecky, giving the full load against lefties to Breslow.

The backup plan for Humber and Bonser is scarier, because they're stuck on the roster and we can't send them down.

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:41:31 +0000

What I’m worried about is we are assuming Mijares won’t struggle and therefore have no plan B is he sucks right off the bat.

By: MarkW

MarkW — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:39:34 +0000

Yeah, Humber and I would imagine we see Korecky at some point during the year...

I'm not as worried having a young guy w/ little experience struggle as opposed to bringing in someone you know will fail and over pay for them as well (Livan H.) ahem

By: sirsean

sirsean — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:33:52 +0000

I'm sure we won't just cut Humber loose even if he fails.

And you're right -- we should be a lot more wary about Mijares than we are. He certainly showed promise, but that doesn't mean he's going to be successful THIS year.