Neshek
Claimed by Padres
The news came
across shortly after noon on Sunday. On his Twitter account, Pat Neshek wrote, “I just got news that I am now a member of the
San Diego Padres, packing up & heading west.”
Immediately the
Twitter discussions were traveling in several directions. The prevailing theme
of most comments was that the Twins are evil. There was a lot of confusion,
predictions and even anger. Understandably, there are a lot of dueling emotions
that all Twins fans feel due to this transaction.
Where does it start?
Twins fans feel
a connection to Pat Neshek
in many ways and for many reasons. Although he was born in Madison, Wisconsin,
he grew up in Minnesota and attended Park Center High school. He’s one of us.
The Twins drafted him out of high school and then again in the 6th
round of the 2002 draft out of Butler University. He moved all over the place
for the next two seasons, but after a 2005 season in which he posted a 2.19
ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings at Double-A New Britain,
he was added to the 40 man roster. He began the 2006 season at Triple-A
Rochester. He went 6-2 with 14 saves, a 1.95 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and 13.1
strikeouts per nine innings. Thanks to a large and loyal blog following, he
easily won an internet vote and was named the Triple-A All-Star relief pitcher
that year. Unfortunately he was not able to pitch in the game because he was
promoted to the Twins, and on July 7, 2006, he made his big league debut in Texas
against the Rangers. In 32 games with the Twins, he was 4-2 with a 2.19 ERA and
a 0.78 WHIP. He struck out nearly 13 batters per nine innings. In 2007, he was
7-2 with a 2.94 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and more than a strikeout per inning.
Beyond the
playing field, there has never been a professional athlete better with the fans.
He was always willing to do a Q&A at SethSpeaks.net, or join a podcast. He
wrote regularly of his travails through the minor leagues at his blog, On the
Road with Pat Neshek. He has a great message
board there, and his willingness to exchange sports memorabilia and willingness
to sign autographs for all fans. In 2007, you may recall, there was the “Vote
for Pat” campaign when Neshek was one of five players
on the internet ballot for the final spot on the All-Star roster.
We like the
person. We liked the statistics. We like the side-arm delivery, the bounce in
his step, and the finger point toward the hitter on his arms recoil. With
players like Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Joe Mauer
and Justin Morneau on the roster, a case could be
made that Pat Neshek was as popular as any of them.
Then in early May
of 2008 while on the mound in Chicago, Neshek left
the mound after hearing a pop in his elbow. The Twins decided rest and rehab
was the right course of action, but a setback in October of that year led to
Tommy John surgery in November. He missed all of the 2009 season and worked
really hard in Ft. Myers. So hard, in fact, that he made the Twins opening day
roster. And, as you know, there was the hand injury and the option to
Rochester.
Where are we now?
Neshek came to camp this year after
signing a $625,000 contract in the offseason. All of the talk this spring has
been about his velocity. When I saw him pitch in Ft. Myers last week, his
fastball topped out at 84-85 mph. His slider was around 78 mph and his changeup
was around 69 mph. Depending upon the radar gun, he was anywhere from 84 to 89
mph.
He was in a competition for a bullpen spot this spring. When camp started,
he was competing with Jim Hoey, Jeff Manship, Eric Hacker, Anthony Swarzak,
a starting pitcher and a slew of left-handers for three or four spots. The
assumption was that Neshek would have a real chance
to make the team this year, but even if he didn’t, he has an option left, so he
could head to Rochester and move back and forth between AAA and the Twins
throughout the season.
That the Twins were willing Designate Neshek for
Assignment now, with a full option year left, leads to one conclusion. They do
not believe that he will ever get back to what he was in 2006 and 2007. And
because of that, they are not worried about that option year or losing him. That
is the business side of baseball.
Beyond that, it is easy to see that the Twins now view Kyle Waldrop and
Carlos Gutierrez ahead of Neshek. Waldrop, who has
been terrific the last two seasons after coming back from shoulder surgery, is
pitching well again this spring. He is a major ground ball pitcher who, at 25
years old, is ready. Carlos Gutierrez, who has yet to give up
a run this spring, is going to be a major contributor to the Twins bullpen for
years to come. I don’t think he would start the season with the Twins as
he has pitched just two games in AAA and was a starting pitcher during the
first half of last year again. Both appear to be ahead of Neshek
in the eyes of the organization at this point. Both are not on the 40 man
roster right now, and if they were to make the opening day roster, they would
first need to be added to the 40 man roster.
By taking Neshek off the 40 man roster, a spot is
open up for Waldrop or Gutierrez. They could be added next week. Could Jeff
Bailey be added to the 40 man roster and be on the opening day roster as
protection if Justin Morneau can’t play every day and
Michael Cuddyer isn’t ready right away? Other teams
will also be making roster cuts and other players will be available to claim. And,
of course, there have been plenty of trade rumors. Or, there could be something
in the works that will surprise us.
Some have said that the Twins did Neshek a favor
by letting him go at this time. That may be true if they knew that he would be
claimed by the Padres, but the Twins likely would have been very happy if he
had cleared waivers and they could have sent him to the minor leagues. However,
the opportunity with the Padres could be great for Neshek.
Pitching in pitcher-friendly Petco Park is never a
bad thing. The Padres should be a solid team. He does still have that option
year so he can continue to work. All things considered, it could be a good
opportunity for him.
Hopefully this turns into a Craig Breslow thing
and Neshek regains his form with the Padres. We all
want to see that. But the Twins were not wrong in the decision either. It is a
business, and in their minds there are several pitchers ahead of Neshek on the depth chart including a couple who are not
currently on the 40 man roster.
If you like, please feel
free to comment.