An ode to the Big Sweat
Posted on January 22nd, 2009 – 12:38 PMBy Joe Christensen
First, I want to say thanks for all the congratulatory remarks on the birth of Baby Noe. A few of you had me laughing out loud with references to her arbitration status, revised zone rating and slugging potential. Mom and baby are doing great.
With TwinsFest and the Diamond Awards upon us, I had hoped to return with a flurry of insight and analysis, but the best I could think of is this: I’m going to miss the Big Sweat.
Former Twins LHP Dennys Reyes (aka Big Sweat) remains a free agent, reportedly drawing interest from the A’s, Mets and Dodgers.
It would be impractical for the Twins to re-sign Reyes, of course, since they already have LHPs Craig Breslow and Jose Mijares returning to their bullpen. Reyes, who posted a 2.33 ERA in 75 games for the Twins last year, probably would have commanded a three-year, $12 million deal in a better economy.
Now, he’ll probably get a two-year deal for about half that price. Still, it wouldn’t make sense for the Twins to sign him. If they spend money on a reliever, he should be an eighth-inning specialist.
It’s been a foregone conclusion that Reyes is gone, but I should mention that he’s been one of my favorites in the Twins’ clubhouse. Reyes hails from Mexico and would routinely greet me by saying, “Que pasa?” What’s up? What’s happening? He wanted to know what Twins news I was hearing behind the scenes.
I know some German but almost no Spanish, so it became our running gag, the way I would grapple for a proper response in Spanish. ”Nada,” I’d usually say. Nothing. Fortunately, Reyes’ English is excellent, and he tells some great stories about pitching for Jack McKeon’s Reds.
(Funny, we could have had that same conversation every day this offseason, and it would have been the same. Any Twins news? Nada.)
Anyway, Breslow was a tremendous pickup for the Twins last season. He posted a 1.63 ERA in 42 appearances after getting claimed off waivers from Cleveland in late-May. The Twins began turning to him in tougher situations, and Breslow made 13 appearances in September, spanning nine innings, without allowing an earned run.
Meanwhile in September, Mijares became an overnight sensation, posting a 0.87 ERA and taking over the primary setup duties. In 10 1/3 innings, Mijares allowed one run and three hits. In the 1-0 tiebreaker loss to the White Sox, Mijares relieved Nick Blackburn, faced four batters and retired them all.
Mijares has better overall stuff than Reyes and Breslow, which adds to the Twins’ confidence. Breslow is far from overpowering, but he’s extremely savvy. Keep in mind, he has a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale.
Here’s the thing: Reyes, who turns 32 in April, is a 12-year major league veteran. He usually got the call, when the Twins were about to face a tough left-handed batter in a close, late-inning game.
Mijares handled just about everybody he faced in September. Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo, Nick Markakis, A.J. Pierzynski and Jim Thome combined to go 1-for-6 against him.
Against Breslow, the following batters combined to go 2-for-22 (Thome, Markakis, Pierzynski, Choo, Sizemore, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano and Alex Gordon).
Breslow held lefthanded batters to a .183/.230/.232 line last season. Mijares held major league lefties to a .143/.143/.143 line in September after allowing lefties to bat .217 last season in 28 minor-league appearances.
Reyes held lefties to a .202 average last year (and .148 during his amazing 2006). What the Twins will miss is his history of success against some of the toughest lefthanded hitters in the American League.
It seemed like Reyes got the ball in every close game at Cleveland, with the Indians staging a rally, and that drum beating in the left-field bleachers.
Grady Sizemore is 5-for-15 lifetime against Reyes, Travis Hafner 4-for-14. Victor Martinez, a switch-hitter, would turn around and bat righty against Reyes. He’s 2-for-15.
Thome has 13 career plate appearances against Reyes. He’s 3-for-10 with two home runs (OK, not a great example). Curtis Granderson 8 PAs (1-for-8, 1 HR), Gordon 8 PAs (1-for-8, no HR).
You get the picture. The Twins might like Breslow and Mijares, but they’ll miss Reyes’ experience. I’ll miss our conversations.
61 Responses to "An ode to the Big Sweat"
Welcome Back Joe!!
congrats on the baby and great to have you back. i was worried you’d been caught up in the media pink slip frenzy going on.
Welcome back, Joe. It’s not like you missed anything so it shouldn’t be too hard to climb back in the saddle.
Indeed, welcome back Joe and congrats! As you noted, you have not missed much, nothing really, for reporting in Twins’ land.
Joe -
any word on moving Young to RF and Span to LF? It seems to be incredibly obvious move, but I do not think I have heard anything about it.
didn’t gardy say in fargo that cuddy will be in right and span in left with dy on the bench?
I will also miss Reyes! Very sad to see him go…
Welcome back, Joe.
Good point about Reyes’ ability. I always laugh when a lefty relievers comes in, throws one or two pitches for an out, and then exits: mission accomplished.
But I was extremely impressed with Breslow last season. He was a great pick-up, no question. I think he and Mijares (at least one or the other) will be able to fill Reyes’ role competently in ‘09.
[…] Around the Majors – […]
Joe…
Welcome back! Congrats again on the baby… being a dad is the greatest thing in the world. Kind of like being a Twins fan during the offseason in reverse.
The one thing you didn’t mention was that Reyes didn’t seem to be clutch… he put up overall very good number in 2008, but in big moments he dropped the ball where Breslow and Mijares didn’t.
I worry about them going after Gagne… that guy is about toasted.
Why not go after Tom Gordon or Jason Isringhausen? Brian Shouse, or even take a flier on a guy like Jamey Wright who I think could be converted into a reliever quite easily by a guy like Anderson.
If Mijares becomes the 8th inning reliever;
and Breslow progresses to become another multiple-batter pitcher:
Then the Twins could still use a LOOGY like Reyes to get out a single LH hitter, just like he has been doing.
Noe? That’s a foghorn from Joe S.
Welcome back Joe and congratulations to you and your wife! Maybe you could give us your thoughts on the Twins possibly pursuing Crede, Lyon, Cordero, and Gagne. A healthy Crede and Gagne on our roster would look great to me.
He will not be missed on the field. He was terrible last year. He was great for allowing inherited runners to score, and he was always putting runners on only to get bailed out by the next pitcher. That’s the only reason he had a respectable era.
I’ll root for him if he becomes a Twin- but I agree with BC that Gagne’s done. I think he would continue to struggle at the Dome. Maybe Gagne will do okay if he doesn’t have the pressure of being the official “closer”- but watching him blow game after game in Milwaukee was painful.
Kudos on your daughter — and you can still have those Dennis Reyes-type conversations. Your wife will ask, “Joe, are you read to change Noe’s diapers?” And you can say, “Nada!” Welcome back!!
I like Denny Reyes and I have no doubt that he’s a good influence in the dugout. However, I don’t think that your argument that he’s awesome against the Indians tough hitters holds much water. You mentioned that Grady Sizemore was 5-15 against him and Hafner was 4-14 — that’s .333 and .285, respectively. I wouldn’t say that they’ve struggled against Reyes considering those numbers are both above their career averages (it’s over 50 pts above Sizemore’s career .279 average).
Joe, congratulations to you & your wife. A child brings completion to a family & are a joy…… Do you think the Twin’s will make some kind of move in the next 48 hours to bring a “buzz” to TwinsFest? Maybe sign Mauer to an extension, if not adding another player? Thanks for your thoughts. Note: a “buzz” will sell more season tickets & more merchandise, not that the team will be so crass as to try to manipulate the public’s perception. 
Everything I have heard about Reyes is that he is a great guy, but his statistics are vastly overrated. I can’t even count the number of times he came into the game to face one batter and that guy drove in a run, it didn’t affect his ERA but it killed our other pitchers ERA.
“According to Ken Rosenthal, the A’s, Twins, and Dodgers are pursuing Russ Springer. Rosenthal adds that the Twins prefer Springer to Eric Gagne”
sane,
this too from Rosenthal’s column:
Asked Thursday if he might sign more than one reliever, Twins general manager Bill Smith told FOXSports.com, “it could be one or two or zero. We’re pursuing guys that can help us get better. And we’ve got some people within the organization we want to give opportunities to as well.”
I have a hard time to see one extra reliever fit, much more two…
Russ Springer does absolutely nothing to help this team.
I am a person that wants to see some OUTSIDE help brought in. This isn’t an alabama trailer park… this keep it in the family approach the Twins are going with just can’t be healthy when it comes to competing for a World Series.
But if the options are the kid reliever out of AA ball, or the rookie Hunt, and put them in that position it’s better to do that than Springer or Gagne.
thrylos98,
They wouldn’t all fit, but competition at Spring Training would eventually thin out the herd.
BC,
How is Springer not OUTSIDE help?
competition at Spring Training would eventually thin out the herd.
not sure about that. Not with Gardy as a manager. Cases in point from last year’s spring training:
a. Ruiz outplayed Monroe (heck, he outplayed everyone and put ridiculous numbers: .393/.433/.679) but Monroe was handed the RH DH job and Ruiz ended up in AAA
b. Punto put a .125/.162/.197 line and still made the team over Casilla and Watkins who had better springs
c. Humber had a 1.29 ERA and 0.86 WHIP but was passed over for Guerrier (5.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP) and Perkins later (7.50 ERA 1.92 WHIP)
Gardy knows who Gardy wants no matter how they perform, esp. if they are veterans and are one of his favorite boys… I guarantee that if they sign Gange and he pitches at the rate of 8.00 ERA and 2.50 WHIP and Delaney pulls off a 1.00 ERA 0.90 WHIP, Gagne will be the one in the team.
Springer is only outside help if you think he will help.
“competition at Spring Training would eventually thin out the herd.”
There are other competitions at Spring Training.
There is one field set aside for the #ss-kissing competition.
Springer’s ERA’s the last two seasons are 2.18 and 2.32.
That wouldn’t help?
Chew Bill Smith’s butt for no signings, then chew his butt for trying to sign a guy with those numbers?
You guys are not happy unless you are miserable!
If you didn’t suggest it first, it must be a bad idea.
sane… I am having major computer problems… so I am in and out all the time here today.
Right now I look at Russ Springer as NOT BEING HELPFUL. Just bringing someone in from outside doesn’t mean that he is helpful.
I personally think Springer would be an okay addition, but nothing to get real excited about. I was jokingly pointing out that there are two components to the “outside help” statement.
BC,
Bringing in a guy with 2.18 and 2.32 ERA’s the last 2 years, doesn’t mean that he will NOT helpful.
IMO, bringing in Springer and NOT Gagne, is a WIN-WIN decision, for both sides of that equation.
Springer>>>>>>>>>>Gagne
SANE…
Russ Springer is not an 8th inning reliever though.
This is the problem…
If we needed a guy to replace Guerrier… Springer would be a GREAT PICK. but for the 8th inning… I don’t see Springer as that kind of pitcher. How many holds did he have the last two years.
So this isn’t about me wanting to be miserable. I am not sure how Springer handles stress time.
Sorry that I overreacted, and sent you off again Sane… I am not here to piss you or anyone else off.
BC,
I’m not angry.
Just amazed.
But I am not a big fan of Gagne either…
I said I would rather that the Twins go with one of our two stud minor league relievers, or even bring up Shooter Hunt to do the 8th inning before I would want Gagne.
And as I look over the roster… the idea of Springer in the bullpen over Boof or Humber is completely fine by me, but if we lose Humber… I think that’s got to really be held against Bill Smith on the Santana trade. Don’t you?
Springer would be fine. At worst case scenario as a 4-seamer/cutter pitcher he would be a decent change of pace from the rest of the RH in the pen who are mostly 4-seamer/curve or 4-seamer/slider pitchers.
As long as the right person (based on performance & potential) goes too if Springer gets on board.
But if we end up having to cut Humber… doesn’t this play more into the hand that Bill Smith didn’t do a very good job on the Santana trade?
BC, imo, the only way we come out even in the Santana trade is if we land a legit future HOF candidate. If we start losing guys who barely have any major league service time this soon after the deal, it just magnifies the disaster. In fairness to Smith, though, it was Ryan’s handwringing and inability to be proactive that painted Smith into a corner. Smith might have overplayed his hand, but no one has really been able to verify the Red Sox deal was actually on the table and the Yankee package was just atrocious (anybody still want Mellky?).
Re: Santana trade:
the whole equation needs to be in place:
Santana for Gomez, Mulvey, Humber, Guerra + $20 Mil a year to spend on other players.
The last one is a biggie and usually ignored and already has resulted in extending Nathan, Morneau & Cuddyer last year, Kubel this year and will result to several more signings, extensions and acquisitions through the life of Santana’s contract.
Big picture
I’d be inclined to agree with you thry, if payroll wasn’t less than what it was when we traded Santana. We haven’t spent any of that $20 million on someone who wasn’t here when Santana was here.
Sorry, got distracted. What I mean is, we haven’t brought in anyone of value with that “extra” $20 million since Santana left. Besides, the true differential isn’t $20 million.
Good point, thrylos98. Another point would be if the Twins end up with TWO starting players/pitchers (or more), that would also be a plus. One or more of the players might also be spun into another trade.
TWO starting players/pitchers don’t equal Santana (not even close) unless they are pretty special. We haven’t acquired anyone special since the trade. Further, the savings was really only about $7 million since the Twins were already paying Santana $13 million. The payroll savings have come primarily though letting Hunter go ($12 million is what the club was paying him). Looking at the big picture, would the Twins have been better off with Santana or with Gomez et al? I concede the club could take the payroll savings and improve the club, but they’ve shown they are unlikely to do that.
Yes, but TWO or more players might also be playing beyond Santana’s career. Or they could be part of a blockbuster trade 5 years from now. Or Santana could blow out his elbow in spring training…etc. There are A LOT of variables to consider before a final judgment on the trade can be made. It is WAY too soon to say if it was a horrible trade, poor trade, o.k. trade, good trade or great trade. Same with the Delmon Young trade. Let’s wait & see how it develops.
its like it is with the wolves - people are judging the trades way too early. Foye has gotten much better and Love is coming around as well.
I think Crain can be the right handed set-up guy if he comes in and throws only the 8th. I think he gets in trouble when he throws more then one inning. So I don’t have an issue bringing in someone like Springer or Gagne to pitch the 6th or 7th.
TWO starting players/pitchers don’t equal Santana
just for fun (and I posted that little factoid last year after everyone was screaming about the Santana trade):
in 2007 in games that Santana started the Twins were 16-16
here are a couple of supplements after the 2008 season:
When his replacements in the Twins’ rotation started (Livan and Liriano after he replaced Livan) the 2008 Twins were 21-14. When Santana started for the Mets last season, the Mets were 21-12
Not that much difference.
Let’s see if this time the post works. coco, I agree the trade can’t be judged quite yet. The point of my original post was that if we are going to break even in the trade, the players we got have to be special. Perhaps Gomez and Guerra will be special (it’s unlikely the other 2 will be, though). If those players aren’t special, they certainly won’t be the driving force behind the future blockbuster you mention. The bottom line is, there is no substitute for talent.
NO STARTING PITCHER is worth 20+ million per year if your total payroll is less than 150 million. Too much payroll tied up in a player who only appears in about 30 games per year. Santana was not going to stay with the Twins. Two 1st round picks vs. 4 prospects from Mets. With the Twin’s recent history of 1st round picks, it seems like a no-brainer to me. We really traded away ONE YEAR of Santana.
Must we rehash the Santana thing again. The fans got screwed.
[…] Joe C will miss Dennis Reyes. […]
Setting aside Santana, I take issue with the notion that starting pitchers appear in “about 30 games per year.” A starter will face something in the neighborhood of 750 batters per year. That’s more AB than a position player gets. The traditional notion that pitchers affect the season substantially less than a position player just doesn’t hold true. ture aces really affect a short series, too. Just for the record, I never said the club should have paid Santana what the Mets paid him.
[…] · It is good to see that Joe Christensen is back to blogging after taking some time off to be with his wife and their new baby Noe. Here is a posting on why he will miss Dennys Reyes. […]
I’ll admit that i had never heard of Springer until the other day.Dave Duncan seems to have unlocked something in Springer.Rick Anderson seems of the same mindset as Duncan.At the end of the day,Anderson will have a large imput on who the add to the pen.His track record dictates so!
I’ll admit that i had never heard of Springer until the other day.Dave Duncan seems to have unlocked something in Springer.Rick Anderson seems of the same mindset as Duncan.At the end of the day,Anderson will have a large imput on who the add to the pen.His track record dictates so!
sorry for the repeat!
Congrats again and welcome back Joe.
Congrats JC!
According to my best friend, who is a die-hard Astro fan - Springer will be an outstanding addition not only to the bullpen, but to the entire pitching staff and the rest of the ballclub. Watch how he teaches the young arms we have, and shows them how to be ball players. Lastly, it’s sad to see Denny go… I got to watch him in AA ball here in San Antonio way back when…
Good to have you back Joe C. Now go get us an 8th inning set-up man…
