Pitching decisions on the way

The Twins are currently carrying 13 pitchers, almost unheard of in Major League Baseball, but will make a move if Nick Blackburn officially is declared healthy and makes his next scheduled start on Tuesday, as expected. Both Blackburn and Glen Perkins have been battling injury, which necessitated the need for temporary pitching depth.

Given the news that Scott Baker, perhaps the staff’s best pitcher when healthy, has undergone season-ending Tommy John Surgery, one would think the team would be struggling for arms. While the team’s pitching as a whole has been inconsistent, no individual pitcher is a clear candidate to be demoted. In fact, when Jason Marquis returned from a minor league tune up, the team went as far as to designate Luke Hughes for assignment, even though he was one of the team’s best players in spring training. That only leaves Trevor Plouffe as a backup middle infield option, though he has struggled with the infielder’s glove and has been groomed as an outfielder this Spring.

Ultimately, a couple of misplays at second base in Hughes’ limited playing time may have sealed the deal. On a team with so little margin for error, they would probably prefer the better-hitting Plouffe unless his defense was flawless.

Currently, the Twins are carrying only three reserve position players. Their backup catcher, Ryan Doumit, is also one of the team’s best hitters and has been getting the majority of time in right field. In truth, the team probably needs to bring up a third catcher and a middle infielder, both of whom would ideally be strong defensive players.

With Blackburn coming back, the Twins’ first decision will be whether to keep Liam Hendricks or Anthony Swarzak in the starting rotation. Swarzak is out-of-options, but Hendricks is perhaps the better pitcher. In fact, in his first outing of the season, Hendricks showed more command and pitching savvy than perhaps any pitcher on the staff. Swarzak, meanwhile, is more of a fastball pitcher that must rely on pitching aggressively and hard inside. He may be better suited as a reliever, and could potentially benefit by growing a beard, getting a tattoo, or other means of intimidation.

Assuming Hendricks wins the rotation spot, and Swarzak is sent to the bullpen, that leaves the team with a whopping eight relievers. One or two need to be cut, and likely lost through the waiver wire. Alex Burnett could be demoted without going through waivers, but hasn’t allowed a run all season and should be safe. Capps, Perkins, Duesnsing and Burton look to be safe as well. That leaves either Matt Maloney or Jeff Gray, both of whom the Twins like and have pitched decently. Gray is a ground-ball pitcher, good to bring in with runners on base. Maloney has been somewhat underused, but doesn’t deserve to be sent down either.

Prediction? I’ll say the Twins bring up third string catcher, Drew Butera, and try to sneak Swarzak trough waivers. It’s a risk, but he has lost all three starts this year and is 7-17 for his career. The Twins would still have Maloney and Duensing capable of long relief and spot starting, and Jeff Gray has proved he can pitch multiple innings if needed. It’s unlikely they could find many innings for Swarzak, and the older veterans might be better suited in most key relief situations. Francisco Liriano has a 11.91 ERA in three starts, but the Twins are generally very patient with him and should give him time yet.

Ideally, the team would eventually add another infielder, as Trevor Plouffe is risky in key defensive situations. That could eventually signal a return of Tsuyoshi Nishioka, although he’s only hit for a .200 average in AAA. Brain Dozier has played well, but with Alexi Casilla coming into form lately, there may be little opportunity of the young player. Unless Luke Hughes remains in the organization, Nishioka might be the best reserve option.

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d.anderson
April 19, 2012