The Twins announced that they’ve designated right-hander Blake Parker for assignment. His spot on the roster will go to veteran righty Carlos Torres, who signed a minor league contract last month and will have his contract selected from Triple-A Rochester. Minnesota has also optioned right-hander Kohl Stewart to Rochester and recalled lefty Devin Smeltzer in his place.
Parker, 34, was non-tendered by the Angels last fall despite putting up a 2.90 ERA in his two seasons there. The Minnesota org scooped him up for a $1.8MM guarantee. There were a series of roster bonuses that kicked off beginning 130 days into the season, a point less than two weeks away. While the Twins won’t owe any of the extra contemplated cash, they’ll be on the hook for the remainder of the salary unless another club takes over the contract or partially offsets what is owed by eventually bringing Parker onto their roster at a league-minimum rate of pay.
Though Parker seemed a reasonable risk for that rate of pay, he was probably miscast from the outset as a part of the team’s closer mix. He did pick up ten saves before being elbowed out of the ninth for good. Befitting a club that is turning over relief arms at a rapid pace in advance of the trade deadline, Parker was still trusted to work the eighth of a tight game just days ago.
After picking up a hold on Saturday against the A’s, Parker owned a 3.25 ERA on the season. But he was shredded for four earned runs while recording just one out yesterday, in what was in all likelihood his final appearance for the Twins this year. That left Parker with a cumulative 4.21 ERA through 36 1/3 innings on the season. The peripherals never inspired much confidence. He’s carrying 8.4 K/9 against 4.0 BB/9 with seven long balls on the ledger. As it did last year, Statcast identified a worrying volume of hard contact. The batted-ball profile indicated that Parker has actually been somewhat fortunate (.333 wOBA vs. .360 xwOBA).
The 36-year-old Torres is back in the bigs once again after forgettable and brief stints in each of the past two seasons. He’s a ten-year MLB veteran but hasn’t had a full and effective campaign since 2016. Torres has been generating good outcomes this year at Triple-A, though, with a 2.79 ERA in 48 1/3 frames at the top affiliates of the Tigers, Padres, and Twins.
As a Twins fan I’m jumping for joy! Long overdue, not to excited about his replacement, but still a step in the right direction.
You’re excited about designated a guy ranked as the 40th best reliever in the league? Move seems downright stupid to me
If he was ranked 40th the league is in trouble, he was argueably the shakiest arm in the bullpen, which after Rodgers is among the worst in the league
40th best by what metric?
Stupid? Seriously? His Fip was 5.33…check out what that means and see how bad he was…5.33 is awful and take into account his inability to prevent HR, walks ect…the bullpen is bad how bad was he to be let go?
Reliever metrics are a little different because their job is different. Parker gave up earned runs in 9 out of 37 games this year. That’s not…terrible. He only got really lit up twice, vs Yankees (who hasnt) and Indians (yep they got some good hitters).
If anything this is Minn trying to raise the floor of their pen, which is another newish method GMs are doing now. 100% expect the Twins to add a RP who’s having a better season than Parker by end of week (probably).
Guy was horrible and statcast refers to him as fortunate…his Fip was bad at 5.33…he had to go…his hard contact rate was exploding. Had to go
Twins: “You get designated for assignment! And you get designated for assignment! And you get designated for assignment! And you get…”
Seriously, they’re just dumping ALL of their relievers! They’re going to burn Taylor Rogers and Ryne Harper out before they get to October.
My guess….showing that their rookies can pitch somewhat..then hoping they can use them as trade bait….who knows with this office though…Duffy is next :/
The Twins keep subtracting pitchers without adding anything valuable while the season slip-slides away.
Still 8 days a way from Deadline but theirs got to be a Trade tonight by some team.
Twins bullpen must be a beast if he’s not one of their top 7-8 options.
Figured they would have kept the “M” theme going (Mejia, Magill, Morin) and got rid of May.
That’s still a possibility……
also Moya earlier in the year
ERA+ of 109
There are a ton of teams that can use that.
Yeah but it’s still a product of luck. Not a great predictor of what his ERA will be over the next few months. His FIP is well over 5. Relievers have small sample sizes; a few runners here and there who didn’t score, or a few line drives caught in the field, can hugely affect ERA. Doesn’t mean the pitcher is going to continue to be great.
Bet the Phillies scoop him up.
you can have Morin back for him.
This might seem a bit silly, but I really liked him as a Cub. I wouldn’t hate it if they brought him back, especially with all their bullpen struggles this season.
You too sentimental!
Probably, but I’d take a dice roll on him over Brach at this point.
I know it’s weird but I played with him on fortnite and he said he loved playing for Chicago and that was the place to be in the summer. If the Cubs wanted him I’m sure he would go back if that was an option.
Throw anything against the wall! See what sticks but above all SPEND NO MONEY!
Parker will get scooped right up. There are way worse on competing rosters.
As much as I hate watching him, this just doesn’t make sense to me.
Obviously the Twins are clearing roster space for Stroman and Giles. And Bumgarner and Smith and Trevor Bauer. And Boyd.
Love your bourbon, sir!
At this point, I’m assuming Harper and Duffey are next…
I mean, how much are they even worth?? I’d imagine either Boston, Chicago, or Philly would be willing to give up an okay-ish prospect for them, but I wouldn’t count on that.
Someone may want him and the Twins May get something for him…or someone may just claim him and they save some $$
It’s amazing how much better the Twins are this year. They have been getting rid of guys that could be #3 reliever on most teams. Last year they were huge disappointment.
Future Phillie
Welcome to Detroit Blake Parker
What is going on!? I have faith and am wondering what kind of magic they have planned this week..