Well, so much for Kyle Waldrop or Carlos Guterriez being the reason the Twins cut ties with Pat Neshek…well for now at least. As of today they were both reassigned to minor-league camp. I was surprised by this, actually. I really had a feeling the Twins were going to go with Waldrop. They really seem to like him, but the fact they won’t add him to the 40-man roster makes me think maybe they just don’t like him all the much. The argument can be made that with a bullpen with so many new faces and question marks it wouldn’t make sense to go with a rookie in the ‘pen over guys with experience, like Jeff Manship or Glen Perkins.
Perkins has been pretty good this spring and the fact that he is out of options all but gaurentees him making the club. And I am pretty cool with that, as I wouldn’t want to lose him just yet. I think he can still be a valuable player for the club. Manship is a guy I thought would make the roster. Since spring started I have been preaching how he could be the new version of Matt Guerrier, but even now it looks like he is fighting to make the cut. Jim Hoey has held on longer with the big club than I expected after hearing about his history with control issues, but his last few outing have been good and he brings that power arm the Twins desperately need. The fact that he can hit the high 90s gives him the edge if you ask me. And again, I am cool with that. I like Manship, but if Hoey can keep the walks down he will be pretty darn valuable for the ‘pen.
Dusty Hughes still hasn’t given up an earned run this spring, and he seems like a lock, too. The Twins really liked him after facing him as a Royal last year. Liked him enough to put him on the 40-man roster, so he’s in. I hope he can be this good all year because if so, man, what a steal that would be. But let’s check those crazy expectations at the door.
With Perkins, Hughes and Hoey in the ‘pen that would round it all out. Manship would go back to Rochester and the Twins would have to decide what to do with Scott Diamond, the Rule V draft pick, who would have to go back to Atlanta if he was not on the opening day roster. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them ship a random prospect or some cash to Atlanta and let Diamond go to Rochester to start the year.
Joining my predictions would be Jose Mijares, Joe Nathan, Matt Capps and Kevin Slowey. If you ask me, that isn’t as bad of a bullpen as many suspected. Is it as scary or intimidating as the White Sox ‘pen? No, but these guys can all get outs too, just not with 99 mph fastballs. If this is how the ‘pen does end up looking there will be plenty of reinforcements waiting in the wings. Alex Burnett could make a contribution at some point, and Carlos Gutierrez is bound to be in Minnesota sometime this summer. Don’t count out Anthony Slama just yet either and Waldrop is a very good option, too.
Original Story:
http://www.twinsterritorytalk.com/201...
