10:36am: The Twins have selected the contract of right-hander Matt Magill in a corresponding roster move. Magill owns a 6.47 ERA in 32 major league innings between the Dodgers and Reds; remarkably he’s walked more than a batter an inning at the game’s highest level.
8:38am: The Twins have designated right-hander David Hale for assignment, according to a team announcement. A corresponding roster move is expected at some point today.
Minnesota had claimed Hale off waivers from the Yankees less than 48 hours ago. Recent comments from GM Thad Levine suggested that his club had shown interest in Hale as far back as the offseason, when they made attempts to sign him to a minors pact and ultimately lost out to the Yankees in those efforts. Whatever interest the club had was clearly tempered last night after they watched him walk four hitters and allow four earned runs in just three relief innings against a cellar-dwelling Cincinnati ballclub.
While Hale’s short leash certainly tells a clear story about the capacity in which Minnesota views the 30-year-old, it’s fair to imagine that the club might still be hoping they can keep him by sneaking him through waivers. Levine went on record saying that the club likes his pitch profile; the righty throws a four-seamer, sinker, change-up and slider, though it should be noted that all of those pitches are negative throughout his career in terms of weighted runs above average per 100 pitches.
For the Twins, it’s the latest development in a story of bullpen despair early on in 2018. As a group, their relievers own the second-highest ERA and FIP in the major leagues, second only to the Royals. It’s fortunate that they’ve been asked to shoulder the fifth-smallest workload in terms of innings thus far, but the Hale experiment now looks like yet another shortcoming in a desperate search for bullpen stability; he’s already the twelfth reliever to make an appearance for them Twins in 2018.
Here we go again with the Twins…
I thought they improved their pitching
Sadly, they did.
His line for the Yankees, the day he got DFA’d: 2.0 IP, 3H, 0.00 ERA, 0 walks, 3K
His line for the Twins game, the day he got DFA’d: 3.0 IP, 4ER, 4 walks, 2K
Called it the day he got DFA by NYY… Stats can Lie.
“Stats can Lie.”
In what way are stats lying here, xabial? I’d further argue that stats can’t lie if you understand context, what each stat tells you and doesn’t tell you. Not sure where you’re going with this attack on statistics, perhaps you could toss me a clue?
The Yankees DFA’d him after 1 game with them, he pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowed 0 walks, while stricking out 3.
I saw that game. Despite his awesome stat line for that game, Hale’s performance wasn’t impressive. Here’s my exact quote I was referencing to in the “Yankees claim A.J Cole, DFA Hale” thread:
“I saw Hale today. He had 2 scoreless innings, in a 8-1 game that turned into 14-1 game, but I wasn’t impressed with his performance. Puts you on the Edge as a Reliever.”
mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/yankees-acquire-a-j-col…
So it should come to no one’s surprise, his 2IP, 0ER, 0walk, 3K performance in mop-up was a mirage and Yanks were right to DFA (AJ Cole still not the answ.)
Well it was a one game sample, so nobody thought he was going to be the next big thing because he had one scoreless outing…
I know you’re excited that your bold prediction that Hale would continue to be a dime a dozen up and down fringy pitcher came true but I’m worried about you fracturing your scapula or something patting yourself on the back this hard
Nah, quantitative numbers can be unreliable. The stats are right. It just proves that a waiver wire type player can pitch two scoreless innings… which isn’t news to me.
Screw the cellar dweller comment, they will return
This isn’t the NBA, where the number one overall pick can usually change a franchise (excl. Strasburg and Harper)
Baseball tanking is different than basketball tanking as baseball is more of a team sport whereas a basketball team can be carried by one player.
That being said, first overall picks certainly have a decent shot at making a huge impact. Its not a guarantee, but it isnt in basketball either (Anthony Bennent, Andrew Wiggins)
Anybody can tank, but it doesn’t always work (a la Cincinnati, Miami (12-15) and I would argue Minnesota as Im not very high on their core besides Berrios (and LaMonte Wade in terms of prospects))
Big NBA fan. even though out of all 4 sports, I believe it’s the sport with least parity because one person can make a difference (See: LeBron) but I’ll still watch this year’s finals, even though, in all likelihood, it’s going to be Warriors/Cavs for the fourth straight year.
Anthony Bennett is the biggest bust of all time. Bigger bust than Kwame, Darko etc. And at the time, Bennett wasn’t expected to go #1 but around 10. Cavs gambled, and lost. In the words of Ex-Cavs GM David Griffin: “You **** up, sometimes”
Andrew Wiggins is far from a bust. (I believe that was your point) He was the main-piece, the blue-chip prospect, used to pry Kevin Love from Wolves, and Cavs got a championship from it, while Wolves got a good player in Wiggins, whom they re-signed to a 5-Year $146.5M.
Unlike Bennett, Wiggins came with plenty of hype as the unanimous #1 overall pick, in all mock drafts selections. Wiggins wasn’t a reach. Any other pick, other than Wiggins, would’ve been a colossal failure. And, Wiggins actually justified getting selected #1.
Most NBA prospects are also more readily available to help right away whereas in the MLB, have to spend years in minors leagues, and some never even make it.
Tyler Duffey should be DFAd as well. There is nothing there. Two pitches is all he has, and even though his curve is good, it’s obvious when hes throwing it, so hitters can sit on the below average fastball and have extended batting practice. Time for Fernando Romero.
Per Rhett Bollinger of mlb.com, Twins selected the contract of RHP Matt Magill from Rochester.
OMG the sh*t I can’t unread. He’s the 26th man on a 25 man roster. If the Twinkies covet him then sign him. Sweet Jesus.
I’m not going to say “he sucks.” He’s a pro ball player-far better than any of us. But please look at him for who he is.
I was at the game last night. Four. Hours. Long. Mostly thanks to Tyler Duffey and Hale’s struggles. Wish the Twins would trade for more solidified relievers… Rodney should really just retire, whereas everyone else is too young to be good or just isn’t good at all. Because of the bullpen, the Twins gave up 10 unanswered runs to the worst team in baseball. C’mon, Twins.
This is getting old fast. Not one arm to trust in the bullpen. Even Reed has been ok. Rogers and Hildenberger were awful all spring. Moya was the only bright spot and he struggled here. Can’t hold a 5-1, 8-4 lead against the worst team in baseball at home.. to lose 8 straight.. so much for 87 wins… tough year to be a Minnesota sports fan.
Magill? Are you kidding me? Making me miss Buddy Boshers.