Twins claim Breslow to bolster lefthanded relief
Posted on May 29th, 2008 – 1:06 PMBy Joe Christensen
KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Twins have claimed lefthanded pitcher Craig Breslow off waivers from the Cleveland Indians, and he will join his new team in time for Friday’s game against the Yankees, the Twins announced today.
Breslow was 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA in seven appearances for Cleveland this season. He allowed three earned runs, 10 hits and had five walks and seven strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings.
This will give the Twins two lefthanded relievers in the bullpen, allowing them to protect lefty Dennys Reyes from getting overused.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins transferred Pat Neshek (strained elbow) to the 60-day disabled list. They need to make another roster move to make room on the 25-man roster, which will likely involve sending a reliever back to Class AAA Rochester.
119 Responses to "Twins claim Breslow to bolster lefthanded relief"
Interesting… A reliever to AAA or Juanie taking a trip? Bets anyone?
He walks a batter an inning, not exactly what you are looking for in a reliever. But he has a decent ERA and is a lefty… and decently young…
It might be a good move.
I think that Rincon should be on his way out. The Twins have to many arms ready to replace him. He hasnt added stability to the bullpen for a few years now, but doesnt it seem like Gardie really likes him, he continues to go to Juanie all the time
yeah, this in not an exciting thing at all. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. But yeah, if there is a follow up Active roster decision made with Rincon because of this, it could be worse.
Bobby Korecky should stay with the big club.
Rincon or Bass.
Bass is out of options.
I am guessing that Bobby (1.000 batting average) Korecky goes back down. I like the kid, but his inconsistencies will likely get him more time in the minors. I would be surprised if the team is ready to get rid of Rincon.
We shouldn’t be looking for just 1 reliever to be released. With Baker coming back and Boof headed to the pen that leaves another to be released. Also Punto is headed back.
My guess is rincon and Korecky take the walk.
This is the most exciting thing I’ve heard in the last 2 or 3 minutes. We all know the Twins should have let Rincon walk after 07, but I don’t think they are ready to pull the plug on that botched re-signing yet. I think they will keep Bass because of his lack of options, although he would certainly not be a big loss. I guess my money would be on Korecky going down.
Macri or perhaps Casilla will likely go down when Punto comes back, so the pitchers are safe there.
Only 1 reliever needs to go when Baker comes up. Moving Neshek to the 60 day makes room for Breslow. It’s either Rincon (DFA or trade) or Korecky (to AAA) .
It will probably be Korecky headed back to AAA, but it should be Rincon.
JT,
Sure we have room for Breslow on the 40 man, but he needs a 25 man roster spot. Hence the reason 2 relievers will be impacted by the time Baker is called up. One spot needs to open for Breslow on Friday, likely Korecky, then another when Baker comes back as Boofalo moves to the pen. My guess is Rincon, or is it my hope? 
I agree Punto going down likely means Macri is going back down.
as of today it would be a mistake to send down casilla the way he has played and seems to fit with harris at short. macri or the other guy i forget his name will go down. heaven forbid punto comes back and gets a starting job right away.
“One spot needs to open for Breslow on Friday, likely Korecky, then another when Baker comes back as Boofalo moves to the pen. My guess is Rincon”
When Baker comes back, Breslow may be put back on waivers, in hopes of keeping him at AAA.
He got all the way up to the Twins on waivers this time.
He may pass through waivers completely, the next time.
Breslow’s career MLB ERA is 2.95.
He may be a keeper.
*headslap* Of course we need to move 2 guys between now and when Baker comes back. What was I thinking? However, what are the chances that Breslow just hits the ‘pen for the Yankees series because they are notoriously bad at hitting lefties this year, and, if he doesn’t dazzle then get put back on the waiver wire? Then we’re stuck with Rincon.
Or perhaps there’s a trade in the works for Bonser or Rincon? Any chance of that little dream coming true?
If the Twins send Casilla down when Everett or Punto return it’ll be a terrible move.
Harris should remain at short, and Casilla at second. Nobody has hit like Casilla at second in what seems like forever. And I can’t stand thinking about Everett back in the lineup.
A whip of 1.8? That is not exactly exciting stuff. odd claim, but I hope it works. korecky goes down, would be my guess. He hasn’t exactly come in in important situations for the most part.
A Bonser trade wouldn’t surprise me. I’d think there would be some team that would take a chance on him. And he isn’t in the future plans.
I would stick Everett on the 60 day dl and leave him there the rest of the year.
Livian trade? Alot of teams need pitching and he’s a vet.
I would package Livan and Casilla in a trade. I know he (Casilla) is doing good right now, but he is gonna return to being a basket case at at some point. Then he will be sent back to AAA and not be worth anything.
I like that Breslow has a degree in molecular biophysics at Yale.
Maybe he can figure out what is wrong with Juan Rincon at a molecular level.
http://www.projo.com/pawsox/content/sp_bb_jdcol29_06-29-07_T966GDF.35597c6.html
I think Korecky should stay. This is an odd pick up but he actually looks like a decent pitcher and I’m suprised he has been moving around so much…Milwaukee, Boston, Cleveland…
Send Boof down to AAA!
Brian
Trade Casilla? Have you watched him play lately? Do you know his potential? No way the Twins trade Casilla. They have been imagining a one two puch of Gomez and Casilla since we got Gomez via Santana.
On the other hand I would not care if we traded Cuddyer,Livan,Bonser, or Slowly.
“Maybe he can figure out what is wrong with Juan Rincon at a molecular level.”
That’s the best thing I’ve read in these comments in a loooooooooooooooong time! Thanks for the laugh.
Korecky may be the best move to AAA at the moment.
Both Bass and Rincon would be exposed to waivers, and I think the Twins would prefer to move them through a trade if the need to move them arose.
This’ll make things interesting when Baker gets back, as Boof to the Pen means somebody ELSE would need to be sent down.
There’s also Punto coming back, which means Macri will likely be sent down (you can’t justify losing Casilla right now…can you?)
I would not want to be Gardy or Smith right now. Some big decisions to make. Maybe “give up” on a few guys and see if they can be worth something in return? Or if that doesn’t work, hold on to them a bit longer (let Buyers and Sellers better identify themselves) and move then?
RyanW says:
May 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
“I like that Breslow has a degree in molecular biophysics at Yale.
Maybe he can figure out what is wrong with Juan Rincon at a molecular level.”
RyanW, I don’t know you but after that comment, you may be my hero.
T when is Liriano going to be called up. Who do you think will go down
Ben D says:
May 29th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I would stick Everett on the 60 day dl and leave him there the rest of the year.
Is this much different then just releasing him.
jb,
They don’t plan on calling Liriano up until at least after the All-Star Break.
A lot of very narrow minded opinions concerning adam Everett. People should realize that we haven’t seen the “real” Everett or anything close to the real Everett since he’s had a bad shoulder coming out of spring training. For years he’s been a defensive wizard at shortstop in the national league.
With that being said, I think it is best to stick with the current set up with Harris and Castillo in the middle infield. That could be the future and the future is now. Just cut Everett some slack becaause it’s unfair to label him useless…….he hasn’t been healthy.
I recommend reading the article I linked above… it is interesting.
First two paragraphs:
“If Craig Breslow ever gains the same command of his pitches that he has of the English language, he’ll be a Hall-of-Famer.
I say this because, in more than 30 years of interviewing professional athletes, I’d never heard one use the word “elucidate” until Breslow did Wednesday afternoon at McCoy Stadium.”
I hope Casilla does not fall to pieces. I just would not get to excited over 39 AB’s.
Until he was called up this last time, he hasnt looked good in over a year.
Thanks RyanW. It appears from his stats that lack of control and too many baserunners are his weaknesses. Maybe the magic of Rick Anderson will work to make him a good lefty option for us.
“I would stick Everett on the 60 day dl and leave him there the rest of the year.”
“Is this much different then just releasing him.”
If you need him in an emergency, and you have released him - he gone!
You can’t just activate him.
“The 27-year-old Breslow graduated from Yale with a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.”
Maybe he can help Boof with his diet.
dknute
I think we traded Castillo!
“Maybe he can figure out what is wrong with Juan Rincon at a molecular level.”
Maybe Rincon’s competitive heart size is “at a molecular level.”
sid says:
May 29th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
“Maybe he can figure out what is wrong with Juan Rincon at a molecular level.”
Maybe Rincon’s competitive heart size is “at a molecular level.”
juicy, juice is gone gone.
Brian, I agree and you are correct in not getting overly excited about Alexi. I have been a vocal critic. It might be my optimism, but he almost seems to be a different player this time and specifically since he dropped the routine DP throw about 10 days ago (a very small sample size, for sure).
I have never been a Casilla fan, but I would really like him to be one of the answers in the MIF. With his speed and his ability to make spectacular plays, he would be a great solution to half of our MIF problems… if only he can maintain a decent BA and OBP and handle the routine plays routinely.
So, I have put my criticism of Alexi on hold — hopefully for good, but at least through the next couple of months. Time to find out if he can get it done.
if his specialty is in designer steriods that can’t be detected in a drug test he could be a big help to rincon. think he knows clemans?
hold on now I am reading some complaining of players and their performances and advocating out right releasing them.. I thought TRUE Twins fans don’t do that.. TRUE Twin fans should just be quiet… bunch of Pharisees!!!
It would be awesome if Casilla finally stepped up to his potential. We will know alot more by the time Tolbert comes back. Still not to sure about Harris and his fielding.
TRUE Twin fans should just be quiet… bunch of Pharisees!!!
sissy’
I used to elucidate back in the 70’s.
Going to be reat having Nicky back of the field.
“My propensity for Consumption knows no satiaty”
Educated Boofer Simpson
Brian, exactly what I am thinking… Nicky’s return does nothing to Casilla. Might take some starts from Harris and Lamb, but Casilla looks to get a good tryout this time.
I agree if Tolbert makes it back this year, that would be the next time Casilla might be looking at a trip to the minors or if his play hasn’t won him a stay in the bigs.
Howie Clark and Matt Macri will be shipped before Casilla.
So Casilla is OK unless Punto, Tolbert and Everett ALL come back.
[…] to the Star Tribune, the Twins picked up LHP Craig Breslow, who went to my high school in Trumbull, CT, where […]
When was the last time the Twins had a player with a college degree?
I think we should either option Boof if he has options(iv’e heard conflicting reports about that) or cut ties completly.He is to inconsistant.He teases us with 1 good outing out of maybe 5(ie-one game last year he walked the bases loaded and then struck out the side).To cut him would take that trade from one of the top 5 of all time to maybe top 10 of all time.Nathan alone make it a steal.Think of TJ lefty as the best throw in of all time.
Interesting move, esp. given the fact that Mariano Gomez is in Rochester and overall has been a better pitcher than Craig Breslow in the minors (and is 2-3 years younger).
The bullpen and middle infield is in flux (too many people for too few positions) and some decisions need to be made soon.
I can’t help but wonder what a package of Cuddyer, Rincon and Boof could bring back by a team that really is hurting for pitching and OF help, like the Mets…
We all know the Twins screwed up when they were not adamant that the deal with the Rays include Rincon instead of Morlan.
Just one quick note:
Castillo was traded to the Mets last July. CASILLA is the suddenly effective second baseman. I know it is confusing because they play the same position and their names are similar, but give it a shot…
Just thought I’d throw a clarification out there. Almost all of us have it right, but there is still the occasional “Castillo” thrown into the conversation, and, well, it bugs me. Blame the OCD.
a bucket of chicken and endy chavez
“TRUE Twin fans should just be quiet”
That is NOT what I said.
True Twins fans ARE complainers.
I said:
that because I don’t whine and bitch all the time, that does not mean that I am settling for mediocrity and don’t want the Twins to improve.
It means that no one listens to me or anyone else who complains incessantly.
So I pick my spots.
BC of ND…I think Lew Ford (of all people) and Joe Nathan may have college degrees.
Slowey, Neshek, Harris… all college boys. Maybe Cuddy too.
“Mariano Gomez is in Rochester and overall has been a better pitcher than Craig Breslow in the minors”
Breslow’s career MLB ERA is 2.95.
Gomez has no MLB experience.
That’s the great UN-equalizer.
Although… I’m not sure they graduated. Perkins graduate? I know he went to the U of M.
Thanks Sane, I was wondering why everybody had forgotten about Howie Clark. I agree — Clark and Macri first in line to go back to AAA. I hope Casilla stays, he has earned it with his play during this call-up. Anyone who has more HR’s than Mauer and Young combined deserves to stay. And his run production and recent defense aren’t too shabby either. I wonder if having an amigo-go this time around isn’t making a difference for Alexi.
Lefties Cali, Barrett, and Gomez in Rochester sigh and realize their path to the Big Leagues just got a little tougher.
I hope the Twins give Macri 30-50 ABs before they ship him back. For some reason, I think he will be a good ML player and he can be a platoon partner for Lamb, who is hitting better, but only .100 against lefthanders.
wow Slowey is from Winthrop and Neshek went to Butler and good ole Joe Nathan went to Stonybrook not exactly the NCAA power houses. Thanks guys i guess i had a misperception that the majority of all players either came out of HS or were drafted prior to graduating.
sid no one listens to you because you are old and senile and the biggest illogical HOMER in the state
“I like that Breslow has a degree in molecular biophysics at Yale.
Maybe he can figure out what is wrong with Juan Rincon at a molecular level.”
I think you just redeemed these blogs for all time with that little gem.
bring mulvey up, see what he can do, breslow give him a shot, send koreky, and boof down.
If the Twins “rest” Delmon, I still would rather see Kubel in left and Macri at third, with Lamb DHing. Lamb takes a lot of time when he throws and still puts a lot of throws in the dirt.
Also, while Harris does look more comfortable at short, he doesn’t have very good range. I have seen Casilla fielding balls on the third base side of second, when the defense is playing straight away. I just don’t see Harris as a long-time solution at any position. His bat doesn’t make up for his defense at second and short and he isn’t enough of a run producer for third.
BC Tyner was very very smart and I think he graduated
“sid no one listens to you because you are old and senile and the biggest illogical HOMER in the state”
To be fair, I think Dave Mona or Dave Lee are more deserving of the latter honor, MUST GO.
If Casilla keeps producing at all he will stay up. They know how much potential he has. In my opinion next years infield will be Casilla, Tolbert, Harris, Lamb and maybe Hughes or Plouffe. I’m not to mush on Lamb, but I think we signed him to a 2 year contract.
Casilla has the tools to be a good major league middle infielder, perhaps even a star. The mental mistakes were too much last year and he did the same in spring training. I haven’t seen a mental mistake since he dropped the ball tagging out Thames in the Detroit series (no harm because Thames ran off the field, thinking he was out). He has hit well and fielded very well for about a week. I hope he has turned the corner and the Twins won’t have to worry about one infield position.
well, all growing pains aside, flatblade, give me Casilla over Punto any game, any day, any time.
“sid no one listens to you because you are old and senile and the biggest illogical HOMER in the state”
jason,
Why?
I speak very highly of you.
So out of the three major sports which athletes do you think are the most intelligent? I’ve heard that baseball players are some of the dumbest.
Brendan Harris is a college grad… B.A. in Political Science (my major) from William and Mary.
To bad he roots for the wrong side of the asile- I can look past that though.
When I watch Casilla play I think different thoughts as I watch. 1st thing that comes to my mind is throws that pull Morneau off the bag and the second thought is Bumbling the ball. Casilla will make a great stop than over throw Morneau and pull him off the base.
We got a brainier bunch than we thought: listed as at least having gone to college (unclear whether they all graduated) — Blackburn (JC), Breslow, Crain, Guerrier, Korecky, Nathan, Perkins, Slowey, Redmond, Harris, Lamb, and Macri. I do believe based on comments made by game announcers that at least the following did graduate — Crain, Nathan, Perkins, and Lamb. Some good academic as well as good baseball schools too — Yale, UofM, Houston, Notre Dame, Michigan, Cal St. Fullerton…
those weren’t my words sid. besides, i was defending you…Mona and D. Lee are much bigger homers…unlike you, their fame-dom is dependent upon their homerism…those days are long in the past for you; you’re already a legend.
BC I would say the dumbest are bah bah bass-cut-ball
2010 Potential infield.
3B- Hughes
SS- Plouffe
2B- Casilla/Tolbert
1B- Morneau
well Lew Ford has an electrical engineering degree and he did try to iron a shirt he was wearing, so degrees don’t always equal smarts in every sense…
College seniors are the cheapest signees there are.
I wonder why the Twins have so many?
JT - Cuddy was drafted and signed out of high school. Man there are a lot of assumptions made on this blog.
Baker went to Oklahoma St University for at least 3 years.
Brian Buscher played in the College World Series for South Carolina. I believe he graduated.
Phillip Humber pitched the winning game for Rice in the CWS, not sure if he graduated.
sid. besides, i was defending you…Mona and D. Lee are much bigger homers…unlike you, their fame-dom is dependent upon their homerism…those days are long in the past for you; you’re already a legend.
Thanks, Jacob, Jay, James……what was your name again?
Kevin Mulvey went to Villanova. He can probably carry a conversation with Breslow.
haha
Breslow can talk to Birk
Buss-ked-ball
base-gett-bull
Lets not forget Casilla was batting .219 and no Hr’s in Rochester. I hope for the future of the Twins he has turned the corner, but I would not crown him a super star or even a starter or even a permanent spot on the 25 yet.
Jason, you know I recently heard someone on a game broadcast attribute the same ironing the shirt while wearing it urban legend to Tom Glavine. If it IS TRUE that both Lew Ford AND Tom Glavine did the same thing, then baseball players ARE the dumbest athletes, especially since there are many baseball players who look, act and speak a lot dumber than either Ford or Glavine.
I don’t know about Glavine, but I have baseball playing friend who occasionally will mingle with Joe Mauer and apparently Mauer told him personally that the story is true with regards to Ford…imprint on the chest and everything.
Fun fact.
J.C. Romero went to the University of Mobile for two years.
Romero at a Baptist school,who knew?
Breslow’s career MLB ERA is 2.95.
He may be a keeper.
Hooray for ridiculously small and largely irrelevant sample sizes!
I want to hear Bert explain to Breslow what player elasticity is i think that’s what he called it last night.
Mr. Jam:
I made no assumption with respect to Mr. Cuddyer. I recall hearing that he wanted some sort of tuition payment/scholarship as part of his drafting bonus. I don’t know for sure if he went to college or if he wanted that assurance as a fallback - but I do recall that it was important to him. Hence my “Cuddy maybe” comment.
But thanks for assuming I have no intelligent reason for commenting. It helps keep things on par around here.
JASON,
Thanks for the kind words.
Jason..Jason….Jason…got it!
Harris should play 3rd when punto gets back. He can field and throw, but has limited range. Lamb is horrible. Lamb makes morneau work hard at first with his terrible throws and is a shaky fielder. Tolbert while contend for one of the three infield jobs, not sure which one though. I could see casilla and punto at 2nd or short, but punto doesn’t bat well enough to play 3rd. Eventually, Hughes and Plouffe will come up and the infield will be: 1st) Morneau 2nd) Hughes 3rd) Plouffe ss) Casilla!
Breslow’s career MLB ERA is 2.95.
He may be a keeper.
“Hooray for ridiculously small and largely irrelevant sample sizes!”
snepp,
Did I not QUALIFY the statement enough when I wrote “MAY be a keeper”???
I should have said “MAY NOT be a keeper” but it would have been using the same sample size.
I hope you didn’t take that as a prediction.
Small sample size - correct.
Irrelevant sample size?
In what way is that an irrelevant sample size?
2010 lineup continued…
SP:
Frankie
Baker
Blackburn
Perkins
Guerra (wishful) /Slowey/ Humber / Mulvey
Pen anchors:
Crain, Neshek, Korecky, Reyes, Nathan
C:
Mauer
IF:
Morneau, Casilla, Tolbert, Harris/Plouffe/Hughes
OF:
Gomez, DY/Cuddy/Revere
DH:
Kubel/Revere
Miss anybody?
Looks like World Series to me.
CARLOS G DH: Kubel/Revere Kubel’s knees are so beat up I might question this for DH
Carlos G,
I seriously doubt that Reyes & Korecky will be in the pen in 2010. Guerrier is more of a sure thing. I also see a couple of trades (today jason stark reported that Rincon and Crain are names listed by other gm’s as potential targets, for example) to get a LH reliever, maybe a 3rd baseman (not sure about Hughes yet) and a power bat for DH by then. Also, if you look at the list of the potential free agents the next couple of years, it is not impossible that the Twins will sign 1 or 2 at 2010. Tolbert will make a fine utility player, that’s about it and the 3B situation still need to be solved…
I agree, leity - Lamb is the worst defensive infielder (and Everett should be released or traded by the deadline). Let’s go with Harris, Casilla, Punto and Macri/Tolbert, plus Morneau, of course, for this year. Lose John Corner and move Boof to the pen for a few weeks, then lose Boof if he isn’t effective in relief. Time to start getting rid of the dead weight.
I’m also not big on getting rid of Cuddy. He had a BAD slump but may be coming out of it, and we need veteran RH bats this year.
thrylos98,
I was just working with names in the system. Agree that trades and free agents are definitely in our future. I am hoping we get one of the pieces on the left side this way.
If anyone is targeting Rincon in a trade, I wouldn’t wait too long to try to reel that one in. Crain, I think, can be a very valuable piece, so would want much higher compensation.
Yep, I forgot Guerrier.
Any DH’s in the system? Too early to make the call on a young guy like Revere, but so far he sounds like all bat/no glove.
I think that if Cuddy does not improve before July, he should probably be out of here. Just too much money tied up on him for a production that could be equaled or surpassed by Darnell McDonald who is tearing it up at Rochester.
Carlos G,
there are some potential DHs in the system (decent bats, questionable fielding) like Parmalee, Hughes, Ovalle and Valencia but not sure if any of them (other than Hughes maybe) would be ready by 2010
“Too early to make the call on a young guy like Revere, but so far he sounds like all bat/no glove.”
Yes, too early.
Revere is 19-yrs-old and was playing HS baseball one year ago. DH is for proven MLB hitters who can no longer field their former positions. Unless you are Jason Tyner or Luis Rodriguez. (Twins-2007)
Cuddyer hasn’t been hitting, no doubt. However, I think he’ll recover just fine. I’m not a great one for SABR stats, but he actually has struck out less than he did in the last two years when he was a regular, so he should get a few balls to drop in. My major concern is the lack of extra-base hits, and quite a few poor at-bats in “game situations” although he did come through on Tuesday night.
Nice pick up, Twins! Keep contending!!
Cuddyer benefited greatly when he had Morneau behind him in the lineup. If Kubel could ever get steady time as DH behind Cuddyer, Jason would probably improve (his knees aren’t that bad that he can’t DH) and he definitely has power which would again give Cuddyer better pitches to hit. He is taking some mighty ugly swings at offspeed pitches down and away.
I hope Crain doesn’t get traded away. He seems to have recovered nicely from the surgery and is now bringing the heat again. Is he a possible future closer? No telling what shape Neshek will be in when he gets back into the pen.
Just release Boof. Really, who cares about him at this point? He doesn’t deserve to wear the uniform.
Let him go and let’s move on. No more Silva or Mays sagas here. Cut the tie and let’s allow the cream to rise to the top.
RyanW
Great note on Breslow and I think Lew Ford was a braniac with computers but that didn’t translate into a major league baseball player. Perhaps Breslow will have some success in determining what Juanie needs to do to replace the juicy juice in his system with something legal that will bring him back to his level of pitching that he enjoyed while on the juice.
