Twins Sign Livan Hernandez

cybsball20 · 02-12-2008, 01:03 PM

Looks like the Twins got the innings eater they needed. What do you think Twins fans? I actually think this is a pretty good sign...

drmwevr08 · 02-12-2008, 01:06 PM

Provided he doesnt get too fat to pitch it certainly wont hurt... Hardly makes up for who they lost but, then again who would.

mwitt · 02-12-2008, 01:07 PM

Just a stop gap signing. They don't plan on contending in 2008, and this is just keeping them from throwing some of their pitching prospects to the wolves.

DevilDog · 02-12-2008, 01:12 PM

Before my Mets got Santana we were projected to sign him. I was ok with it as long as the contract wasn't too hefty. He is still a durable arm to put out there. I think its not to bad of a pickup.

jdoggivjc · 02-12-2008, 01:13 PM

Not a permanent solution, but a nice one to allow all of the prospects a chance to develop and take some of the pressure off of Bonser, Baker, and others.

And yes, he's not Santana, but can us Twins fans stop pretending that we were going to win even the Wildcard if he was still on the roster and that he was going to still be on team after this season?

Wx4Cy · 02-12-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Just a stop gap signing. They don't plan on contending in 2008, and this is just keeping them from throwing some of their pitching prospects to the wolves.

Forgive me but that makes no sense. If you don't plan on competing, you don't sign a free agent pitcher. At least not one for $5 million. You put your young prospects out there and get them a year of experience.

cj0227 · 02-12-2008, 01:13 PM

What were the terms of the deal? I had heard he wanted to be in Washington, but they wouldn't give him a 2yr deal.

Wx4Cy · 02-12-2008, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by cj0227

What were the terms of the deal? I had heard he wanted to be in Washington, but they wouldn't give him a 2yr deal.

the Twins have signed Hernandez to a one-year contract in the range of $5 million to $6 million, according to major-league sources.

jdoggivjc · 02-12-2008, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Wx4Cy

Forgive me but that makes no sense. If you don't plan on competing, you don't sign a free agent pitcher. At least not one for $5 million. You put your young prospects out there and get them a year of experience.

We're likely not going to compete this season - not with how stacked Detroit and Cleveland are. This is a move to take some of the pressure off of the young guys - we now have a guy in the lineup who isn't still in his first rodeo like Liriano, Baker, and Bonser are.

mwitt · 02-12-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Wx4Cy

Forgive me but that makes no sense. If you don't plan on competing, you don't sign a free agent pitcher. At least not one for $5 million. You put your young prospects out there and get them a year of experience.

Sure it does. Why does Tampa Bay ever sign free agents? The Pirates? Why did the Royals just sign Jose Guillen to a $36 million deal (a lot more than $5 million for Livan)?

Anyone who thinks this signign was made in order to make a push at the playoffs, you're mistaken. As pointed out earlier, Livan is an innings eater, and that will be a nice addition for the Twins with so many young pitchers. It will remove the size of the burden placed upon the bullpen.

Livan is declining, and that was in the NL. Now he's going to have to face lineups like the Tigers, Indians, White Sox (assuming they don't go through a season long slump again), Yankees, Red Sox, etc. He'll give them innings. There is value with that (about $5 milliion, apparently). That doesn't mean they'll necessarily be good innings.

Wx4Cy · 02-12-2008, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

We're likely not going to compete this season - not with how stacked Detroit and Cleveland are. This is a move to take some of the pressure off of the young guys - we now have a guy in the lineup who isn't still in his first rodeo like Liriano, Baker, and Bonser are.

Certainly some truth to the pressure release and certainly should provide a good mentor to a young staff. That said, I don't think you can assume they don't intend to compete. My only point.

cybsball20 · 02-12-2008, 01:20 PM

He wanted three years originally at Washington. In theory it would be great to just throw the young pitchers to the wolves but confidence plays such a huge roll in baseball, especially pitching. Not to mention the contractual issues (starting a guys clock, etc). There have been some guys that can come in and compete right away and stay, but for every one of them there are three can't miss guys who have a hard time bouncing back.

Ficklone02 · 02-12-2008, 01:20 PM

Considering the Twins pitcher with the most experience is Boof.....I'd say this is a good sign, as long as Cheesburger Hernandez can stay away from McD's.

Ficklone02 · 02-12-2008, 01:27 PM

The main reason other than the free-agency clock for why you don't throw your young pitchers to the wolves, is because you need to build up there arm strength.....the minor league seasons are not near as long. If you started a rookie all year, he might go from 120 innings to 200+, that puts alot of stress on the arm....which is why teams not in the penant races sometimes shut down there rookie pitchers before year end.

mwitt · 02-12-2008, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ficklone02

The main reason other than the free-agency clock for why you don't throw your young pitchers to the wolves, is because you need to build up there arm strength.....the minor league seasons are not near as long. If you started a rookie all year, he might go from 120 innings to 200+, that puts alot of stress on the arm....which is why teams not in the penant races sometimes shut down there rookie pitchers before year end.

Exactly right. $5 million for a starting pitcher is absolute chump change. The Twins are undoubtedly building for the future. Smart move.