As of this writing the Minnesota Twins have made just one
move to solidify their bullpen for 2019. Snagging non-tendered reliever Blake
Parker on a one-year deal, Rocco Baldelli’s relief corps hasn’t been overhauled
by any means. Knowing the innings will need to be allocated across the group in
the season ahead, there’s plenty of uncertainty when attempting to determine roles.
From a traditional sense, that’s a fine determination. For those concerned with
such things however, we’re left wondering who closes things out?
On January 14 the Parker deal was made official. It is a
$3.2 million pact, but the oddity is that only $1.8 million is guaranteed. The
former Angel receives a $1.4 million sum if he is on Minnesota’s active roster
for 160 days. It’s a weird stipulation that needed to be agreed to for a guy
who’s put up solid numbers over the past two years. Being non-tendered is one
thing, but this almost makes it look like Parker didn’t have great prospects
elsewhere either. Regardless, I believe he can help Minnesota’s pen.
Pitching for Los Angeles each of the past two years Parker
earned 22 saves. Never tabbed the closer from the get-go, he’s filled in during
times of need and done so admirably. A high strikeout and strong command
pitcher, Parker has the makings of a guy able to succeed in the 9th
or a setup role. From there, things get less certain.
If there’s a “proven closer” among the current bunch it’s
Addison Reed. Signed to a two-year last winter, Reed was expected to be a
difference maker for the Twins. He flopped and battled injury in Minnesota but
has always shown so much more. He was far too hittable last season but remained
relatively strong in terms of limiting walks. With 125 saves to his credit,
operating as a closer is something he’s familiar with. In talking with Reed
last spring, he told me he could care less about the save aside from grabbing
some prior to arbitration. Should Minnesota be able to right the 30-year-old on
a path that he had previously been on, they’ll have a strong late inning reliever
no matter where he’s used.
From an internally developed standpoint Minnesota has only
two options. Trevor May and Trevor Hildenberger look like the most logical
fits. The former is a converted starter that seems to be able to amp it up in
relief, why the latter is a crafty reliever who’s used deception and stuff to
fuel a level of dominance out of the pen. I’d suggest May as profiling more
towards your prototypical closer, but it’s clear that Hildenberger has found
success in that arena as well.
The Twins watched a further breakout from Taylor Rogers in
2018, and while his numbers are spectacular, I think he continues to slot in
best during optimal high leverage. Being called upon situationally late in
games allows for him to dictate matchups and utilize his best stuff for getting
opponents out. Fernando Romero looks like he could be headed to the pen this
year, and the blazing fastball would certainly play up in relief. Over time I’d
be far from shocked if he doesn’t force himself into high leverage. Initially,
Minnesota may be cautious to keep him stretched out, and even if not, asking
him to immediately work the most important innings could be a tough ask.
From here Baldelli won’t have much to turn to. J.T. Chargois
is gone, John Curtiss was just DFA’d, Jake Reed has yet to be promoted, and
Tyler Jay is still on the farm. If there’s someone outside of the previously
mentioned big league names ready to reign in the closer role for this club,
they aren’t currently on the roster. Cody Allen continues to be a name that
makes so much sense, and I’ve heard rumblings that the interest is mutual.
Until that deal comes to fruition however, it’s a wait and see sort of scenario.
Even with an Allen marriage in Minnesota, this collection is
setting up like a group that will rotate the hot hand rather often. Allen has
recorded at least 24 saves in each of his five seasons operating as the Indians
closer, but the Twins could see something like five different players record
marks in that category. From both a developmental exercise to a best fit
scenario, the Twins relievers possess a wide spectrum of potential outcomes for
the 2019 season. The best-case scenario looks to be a collection that succeeds
by being quality over the sum of its parts. There probably isn’t going to be a
runaway fireman called on at every opportunity but being able to adequately
operate together gives this group promise.
Right now, today, it’s hard to envision the Twins front
office feeling good about where the relief corps is at. The bulk of the work
has been done, but another signing seems almost necessary. We’ll know more
about who takes what role, when, as spring training gets underway. There’s
going to be uncertainty for this group regardless, but I think it’s less damaging
than immediately may be assumed.
