Thursday, July 21, 2016

Brandon Kintzler, closer -- and other bullpen notes

So ... Wednesday's game was tied after eight innings, and when the Twins were hitting in the top of the ninth, Fernando Abad started warming up. Then Max Kepler homered -- and Abad sat down and Brandon Kintzler started to loosen.

Why? Obviously, because it was now a save situation -- and Brandon Kintzler, with or without a public declaration from manager Paul Molitor, is now the closer. This was, really, a more decisive announcement than saying something to the beat writers. Managers frequently say one thing and do something else. This action spoke loudly.

Abad got a save shortly after Kevin Jepsen, now departed, was removed from the glory job, but the bulk of the save opportunities have gone to Kintzler, and he's done something with it -- six saves in six tries, plus a hold. He hasn't coughed up a lead yet. (He's now one behind Jepsen for the team lead.)

The Twins made a small adjustment to their bullpen after the game, announcing that Neil Ramirez had been outrighted to Rochester -- meaning that he'd cleared waivers -- and Buddy Boshers had been recalled. I registered a mild beef when Boshers was optioned out earlier this month, but I also predicted he's be back before August. And so he is.

Boshers gives the Twins three lefties in their seven-man bullpen: Abad, Taylor Rogers and Boshers. The righties are Kintzler, Trevor May, Ryan Pressly and Michael Tonkin. I don't know who Molitor considers his long man in that crew, but this formulation is unlikely to survive the month anyway. 

3 comments:

  1. I am hopeful that Rob Antony will flip Kintzler and Abad for some modest minor league assets before August 1st. I don't want to extend them, but it would be ok to communicate with them in the wake of a trade an interest to negotiate after the season. Neither is an outstanding reliever, but a functional asset worthy of a middling major league contract on the off season.

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  2. I am hopeful that Rob Antony will flip Kintzler and Abad for some modest minor league assets before August 1st. I don't want to extend them, but it would be ok to communicate with them in the wake of a trade an interest to negotiate after the season. Neither is an outstanding reliever, but a functional asset worthy of a middling major league contract on the off season.

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    Replies
    1. Let's add Dozier, Nunez, Ploufle, both Santanas, Gibson, Milone, and Rosario to the list of tradeable parts (can't really call them assets). Clear some space for younger guys like Planco and make an attempt to usher in an actual youth movement. Problem is that I can't imagine Ryan's disciple/crony spearheading such a movement. . . .

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