The Twins have brought reliever Trevor Megill back to the organization on a minor league deal, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North. Megill was claimed off waivers from the Cubs last week and then non-tendered a few hours later.
The deal is a birthday present of sorts for Megill, as he is turning 28 years old today. Drafted by the Padres in 2015, Megill was selected by the Cubs in the 2019 Rule 5 draft, but was then returned to San Diego and reacquired by the Cubs for cash considerations.
He made his major league debut in 2021, logging 23 2/3 innings of the Cubs’ bullpen. The results weren’t there for the righty, as evidenced by his 8.37 ERA. But the Twins were surely intrigued by his 26.1% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate, both of which are better than the league average. His Triple-A numbers are even more impressive, with a 4.62 ERA in 64 1/3 innings there. He also has a 32.2% strikeout rate at the highest level of the minors, though a slightly elevated walk rate of 9.5%.
Megill still has a couple of option years and less than a year of service time. If the Twins can figure out how to transfer some of that Triple-A track record into success at the major league level, he could be a useful bullpen piece for the long term.
That non tender sure was important…
Megill originally had a 40-man roster spot. The non-tender and re-sign keeps him in the organization but without a 40-man spot now.
They did this in anticipation of the lock out. Even more important than saving the 40 man spot, players on the 40 are covered by the collective bargaining agreement so they can no longer work with team personnel. By resigning him to a minor league deal he’s able to immediately go to Fort Myers and start working with coaches on the changes the team identified to make him successful. From his numbers last year he needed to change something, and this gives him months more to work on that before spring training (or summer or fall training depending on how long this drags on)
When he was a Cub I wondered if he called himself Lil.
How are they are still able to sign guys to minor league deals during the lock out? Sorry if that seems like a stupid question, just thought the league was closed for all business.
MLB is locked. The minors aren’t part of the MLBPA so business as usual for them. Only players impacted are on the 40-man roster.
Same thoughts.. thought nobody could sign. Unless they’re just reporting it now.
Article here yesterday explaining it. not trying to be snippy, but it said can sign guys to MiLB deals *without* ST invites only.
Looks like we can expect some news despite the lockout with retread signings.
Just makes this site rather boring. abo disrespect to the people at MLBTR who do great work, it’ s just another casualty of the lockout.
This deal was completed before the lockout began. Since Megill spent time in the majors last year, he would’ve been ineligible to sign any contract after the start of the lockout.
Duplantier agreed to a minor league deal yesterday and he spent time in the majors in 2021
His deal was submitted to MLB prior to Dec 2 as well.
His contract was submitted to MLB prior to Dec. 2 as well.
That’s not true, the MLB transaction log has it being official on Friday the 3rd.
I see a abundance of MLBTR chats in our future. The players are millionaires. They have a War Chest.
Let’s just hope in the end, us fans get something too. On my wish list are:
1. Limit staff to 11 pitchers.
2. Remove the extra inning, man on second rule.
3. Remove the three batter rule (not needed if the staff is limited to 11).
4. Allow more shifts with no mandatory infield or outfield setting (reward players who adapt, not those who don’t).
5. Make every play reviewable but require a challenge within 10 seconds of the original play ending or that it be done by MLB with a person in the booth or in NYC calling for it
6. Pitch clock with no one on base absent special cause (umpire discretion) or an automatic ball.
7. Absent special cause (umpire discretion), batters allowed a maximum of one step out per AB. Otherwise they have five seconds to return to batters box or the pitcher is allowed to throw the next pitch. Reasonable time after foul balls to return is also allowed
8. Fire Clownfred
DH and Pitcher in same Lineup.
All-Star Game in none MLB city.
Draft before NFL one like Monday thru Wednesday and at site of NFL one or all rounds on Deadline day with no games that day so Trading up into Mirnight.
Some kind of geographical Realignment.
Who cares about a draft of prospects that not many have heard of when they take years to develop? Drafts are big in the NFL and NBA because players can provide immediate impact and due to the draft day trades that seem to always occur.
11 pitchers is only 6 in the pen. That wasn’t the norm on 25 man rosters. Definitely not happening now that we have 26.
Especially if they make a universal DH. No need to carry 5 position players on the bench when there’s even less emphasis on in game switches.
If the fans would go on strike and mean it, we might get somewhere.
Don’t purchase ANYTHING contains am MLB logo. No Spring Training tickets and No regular season tickets. They are all millionaires because we made them millionaires.
and what if most of us dont care to do that?
You’re gonna need to think a lot bigger than that. Everybody would have to cancel their mlbtv or cable or satellite tv contracts, no more going to any mlb-affiliated websites to drive down traffic which would affect advertising income. Stop buying products from companies that advertise with your team. The list goes on. Not advocating this course of action but it would need to be much more comprehensive.
Agreed. The problem is most fans will come back and buy then. Real issue to me is length of the strike or lockout. Should the world not be limited by the pandemic, a long delay could allow fans to pick up other hobbies.
And it wouldn’t take much for that to happen. As long as it gets settled before spring, they’re probly ok. But it gets into late spring and games get cancelled they will most definitely lose people.
Happy birthday Trevor!
How about me? mine was yesterday!
Happy late birthday!
I know it would difficult to do even with the internet. But it’s too bad we can’t set up a “ Boycott Day”. Actually their would have to be 2 so it happens to every ballpark and owner. A Sunday where no fan shows up . No money to be made. These ball players are the best 600 or so in the world. But these contracts are getting absurd. If these owners can afford these salaries then they can lower the $15 beer. They proved can survive with no attendance in 2020.
Good luck. 98 MPH is nice but not when it’s hit-able