Scott Baker Returns Wednesday

by Jesse on Apr 12, 2009 6:31 AM EDT in News

Who gets bumped?

When the Twins get back to Minneapolis, Scott Baker will be waiting for them. He has one bullpen session scheduled for today, and then will be jumping a flight back to the Twin Cities. There isn't much debate over who he'll be replacing in the rotation, as admirably as R.A. Dickey pitched in Friday's series opener, but there is some question as to which pitcher will get sent away.

Veteran Dickey isn't likely to accept an assignment to Rochester, and it's unlikely the Twisn are willing to part with him at this point in the season. Likely the axe will fall on Brian Duensing, with financial committments and options eliminating any other bullpen options.

The move will be made Wednesday, likely prior to the third game against Toronto.

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I found it interesting how...

…many sources/writers are telling us that Dickey did well in his first start. That isn’t what I saw. What I watched was painful. He wasn’t in the strike zone all that much and every inning seemed long as I was just waiting for the ChiSox to explode. Now to his credit they didn’t and we eventually won. But it was slow, heart wrenching watching him out there. I do agree however, that until the Twins figure out what to do with Humber (trade?) Duensing will go down to Rochester where he will battle with Mijares for the first call the Twins need to make for the bullpen later this summer.

by roger13 on Apr 12, 2009 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah I wouldn't say he did well,

but for being put into a position he wasn’t expecting to be in, he did alright. And he certainly did better than most of the starting performances we’ve had so far this year.

by Jesse on Apr 12, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Duensing

makes the most sense…for now. He’s basically a long relief guy, not going to be used in high leverage situations to get a tough lefty out. I’d send him to AAA, let him continue to work and get innings down there, then come up once we figure out what we have with Ayala, Guerrier and Humber.

For now, Dickey could be a good change of pace in long relief, act as a 6th starter if one of our guys makes a short start.

Of course, much of this may be moot whenever Mijares shows he’s ready for another shot at the big time. We need his lefty arm in the back of the bullpen…

by Adam Peterson on Apr 12, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

For now

But Humber’s clock is ticking. He has until the all-star break at most to prove he belongs in the majors. Then, if they can’t trade him, he gets cut.

by snolls on Apr 12, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Do we have to wait until the All-Star break?

The talk around baseball has been that teams will be ready to trade earlier this year, maybe even end of May/beginning of June. Executives are worried about attendance imploding this season (the economy sucks, remember?). There might be some significant shuffling this summer, and if the Twins are in those deals at all, I’d bet Humber is part of any package they discuss. I know, I know, the Twins aren’t likely trade, based on historical evidence, but maybe this year is different. The more teams that are trading, the cheaper the trades.

In closing: TRADE HUMBER.

by Evan Nelson on Apr 12, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Duensing

If Duensing is sent down, will he get added to the Rochester rotation?

by East Coast Twin on Apr 12, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

When you look at who the Rochester...

…With the top three being Jones, Mulvey and Swarzak…right now it looks like the #4 and #5 guys are Carmen Pignatiello and Reid Santos, two 6-year minor league free agents (both lefties) the Twins signed this winter/spring. So yes, Duensing will immediately go into their rotation if he is the one sent down.

by roger13 on Apr 12, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions