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The Minnesota Twins have signed relief pitcher Cody Allen to a minor league deal worth $500k for the remainder of 2019.
He was signed by the Angels just this last offseason for $8.5 million but he was released after posting a 6.26 ERA, 8.34 FIP, 11.35 K/9, 7.8 BB/9 in just 23 innings this year.
Allen uses two pitches, the fastball and curveball, but the fastball has been declining in velocity over the two years and hitters have been teeing off on it this season (.314 BA, .784 SLG, .506 wOBA, 95.3 Exit velo). The curveball has actually been okay so if Wes Johnson can work his magic to get the velocity back, then maybe Allen will contribute this season.
There is no timetable for when Allen will be on the major league team so the team will take as much time as needed to work with him to see if they can return him to his all star form from 2017.
It is well known around Twins Territory that the bullpen will be needing help and this is the first impactful move of hopefully one or two more to come in the future.