Comments on: Mijares Freaks Out and Further Bullpen Analysis http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/ Mismanaging games since 2002 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:37:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Fire Gardy » Mijares and the Adventure in Venezuela http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1676 Fire Gardy » Mijares and the Adventure in Venezuela Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:28:03 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1676 <p>[...] morning FunBobby alerted me to the Mijares situation, and it was the first I’d heard of it. My initial reaction was to take a bit of  a [...]</p> [...] morning FunBobby alerted me to the Mijares situation, and it was the first I’d heard of it. My initial reaction was to take a bit of  a [...]

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1675 sirsean Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:40:16 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1675 <p>Yes, other guys have been signing for reasonable contracts -- assuming that they stay healthy and effective. But as everyone should know by now, relievers are extremely unpredictable, and a guy who's great one year can be terrible the next. And vice versa. So handing out contracts to guys that just had a good year (even if the contract seems reasonable given that level of production) can backfire pretty quickly.</p> <p>I'd have liked it if they moved on Bradford or Hawkins last summer, or Lyon or Nelson this winter. But given the unpredictability of relievers and our surplus of arms that could be just as good, it's hard to really fault them for passing.</p> <p>And I'd say Guerrier's another 7th inning guy. He as a 6th inning / long reliever earlier in his career, but he's improved a bit. I just fear his career may be over after the 2008 debacle.</p> Yes, other guys have been signing for reasonable contracts — assuming that they stay healthy and effective. But as everyone should know by now, relievers are extremely unpredictable, and a guy who’s great one year can be terrible the next. And vice versa. So handing out contracts to guys that just had a good year (even if the contract seems reasonable given that level of production) can backfire pretty quickly.

I’d have liked it if they moved on Bradford or Hawkins last summer, or Lyon or Nelson this winter. But given the unpredictability of relievers and our surplus of arms that could be just as good, it’s hard to really fault them for passing.

And I’d say Guerrier’s another 7th inning guy. He as a 6th inning / long reliever earlier in his career, but he’s improved a bit. I just fear his career may be over after the 2008 debacle.

]]> By: Kushnick http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Kushnick Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:02:54 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1674 <p>Listen, I know I sound overly critical. My patience is just wearing thin.</p> <p>I have so much hope for this team and actually give credit to Smith and Co. for not wanting to part with the starting rotation and/or guys like Span.</p> <p>I understand it's important to play the market and be patient at times, but when you drag your feet almost the entire offseason, you are stuck with the Gagnes and Ayala's of the world. This, despite a payroll that is currently below '07 levels I believe.</p> <p>I just feel that Crain is a prototypical 7th inning guy, Guerrier is best suited for 6th inning and/or long inning relief, and that Bonser is a total question mark. </p> <p>It is certainly maddening that the best relief free agent options like Nelson have signed elsewhere for reasonable contracts.</p> Listen, I know I sound overly critical. My patience is just wearing thin.

I have so much hope for this team and actually give credit to Smith and Co. for not wanting to part with the starting rotation and/or guys like Span.

I understand it’s important to play the market and be patient at times, but when you drag your feet almost the entire offseason, you are stuck with the Gagnes and Ayala’s of the world. This, despite a payroll that is currently below ‘07 levels I believe.

I just feel that Crain is a prototypical 7th inning guy, Guerrier is best suited for 6th inning and/or long inning relief, and that Bonser is a total question mark.

It is certainly maddening that the best relief free agent options like Nelson have signed elsewhere for reasonable contracts.

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1673 sirsean Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:56:04 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1673 <p>Oh, and "firegardy.com" rolls off the tongue much more easily than "firebillsmith.com" ... and we started the site before Smith had really done anything.</p> Oh, and “firegardy.com” rolls off the tongue much more easily than “firebillsmith.com” … and we started the site before Smith had really done anything.

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1672 sirsean Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:55:28 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1672 <p>With the news that the Twins are looking at "options" like Ayala, I think it's time to start hoping they DON'T make any moves, as he would be a downgrade from everyone in the pen.</p> <p>I think everyone's going to end up a little surprised by the bullpen this year. No need to panic, we've got some good arms in there.</p> <p>I'm worried about this news about Mijares, but I don't think the Dominican league is all that important and I don't want to jump to conclusions. It's possible that he had a disagreement with the manager, who may have wanted to increase/decrease his role against his will, and he didn't want to endanger his actual major league career for the sake of his Dominican team. It's also possible that he had a Silva-walking-off-the-mound moment and will get his head straight again. Again, no need to panic, but I certainly hope he talks to the Twins about this and gets everything straightened out.</p> With the news that the Twins are looking at “options” like Ayala, I think it’s time to start hoping they DON’T make any moves, as he would be a downgrade from everyone in the pen.

I think everyone’s going to end up a little surprised by the bullpen this year. No need to panic, we’ve got some good arms in there.

I’m worried about this news about Mijares, but I don’t think the Dominican league is all that important and I don’t want to jump to conclusions. It’s possible that he had a disagreement with the manager, who may have wanted to increase/decrease his role against his will, and he didn’t want to endanger his actual major league career for the sake of his Dominican team. It’s also possible that he had a Silva-walking-off-the-mound moment and will get his head straight again. Again, no need to panic, but I certainly hope he talks to the Twins about this and gets everything straightened out.

]]> By: FunBobby http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1671 FunBobby Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:24:33 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1671 <p>This really is how I have felt all along, it seems the Twins have failed at every turn to solidify the bullpen. Competent setup men have been on sale all winter, and the Twins have been window shopping. I am not saying that the internal options CAN'T provide us with an upgrade, but assuming they will is not wise. We should at least sign some guys to compete for jobs. Nothing brings out the best in athletes like intense competition for survival.</p> <p>If it was called firebillsmith.com we'd have to come up with a new name sooner rather than later. </p> This really is how I have felt all along, it seems the Twins have failed at every turn to solidify the bullpen. Competent setup men have been on sale all winter, and the Twins have been window shopping. I am not saying that the internal options CAN’T provide us with an upgrade, but assuming they will is not wise. We should at least sign some guys to compete for jobs. Nothing brings out the best in athletes like intense competition for survival.

If it was called firebillsmith.com we’d have to come up with a new name sooner rather than later.

]]> By: Kushnick http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1670 Kushnick Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:22:24 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1670 <p>Whatever the case may be, Gleeman has a fun piece today and correctly called the Twins inaction on the bullpen "maddening." That's the right word. And also correctly pointed out that Smith's first good acquisition this offseason, if it were ever to happen, will be his first ever.</p> <p>Maybe this site should be called "firebillsmith.com?"</p> Whatever the case may be, Gleeman has a fun piece today and correctly called the Twins inaction on the bullpen “maddening.” That’s the right word. And also correctly pointed out that Smith’s first good acquisition this offseason, if it were ever to happen, will be his first ever.

Maybe this site should be called “firebillsmith.com?”

]]> By: FunBobby http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 FunBobby Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:14:22 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1669 <p>That was not me, I believe it was my colleague. But since this is the internet, I reserve the right to flip-flop whenever I damn well please.</p> That was not me, I believe it was my colleague. But since this is the internet, I reserve the right to flip-flop whenever I damn well please.

]]> By: Kushnick http://firegardy.com/2009/01/29/mijares-freaks-out-and-further-bullpen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 Kushnick Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:12:49 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=336#comment-1668 <p>Wait a second...Didn't you just put up a post that you felt pretty good about the bullpen as is??</p> <p>The Mijares story is just further proof that it is appalling the Twins haven't already added a solid veteran option for the back innings (i.e. Nelson, Affeldt, etc.)</p> <p>The kid has great upside, but simply relying on him for the full-time role is risky business.</p> Wait a second…Didn’t you just put up a post that you felt pretty good about the bullpen as is??

The Mijares story is just further proof that it is appalling the Twins haven’t already added a solid veteran option for the back innings (i.e. Nelson, Affeldt, etc.)

The kid has great upside, but simply relying on him for the full-time role is risky business.

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