Minnesota Twins Outright Doug Bernier & Yohan Pino
Aug 12, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Yohan Pino (63) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes all good things must come to an end. The good times that Minnesota Twins fans have had with Yohan Pino and Doug Bernier have appeared to be done as they have both been optioned off the 40-man roster.
Bernier has already optioned for free agency. It’s expected that Pino will be doing the same.
The #MNTwins have outrighted Doug Bernier & Yohan Pino off the roster.
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) October 13, 2014
#MNTwins outright Doug Bernier and Yohan Pino to @RocRedWings. Bernier elects free agency. Pino should become 6-year FA.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) October 13, 2014
Nobody should be crying that neither player will be in the Twins organization any longer.
Doug Bernier is a career minor leaguer who’s played in 42 games in the major leagues. The 34-year-old has made appearances for the Twins the last two years. In 2013, Bernier played in 33 games. This last season, Bernier played in seven. Bernier made his biggest impact in 2013 when he started 12 games at short for the Twins.
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Bernier’s positions listed on Baseball Reference are Shortstop, Pinch Runner and Second Baseman. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen anyone listed as a ‘pinch runner’ on BR before.
Yohan Pino is in a similar boat to Bernier. Pino finally broke into the major leagues this past season, starting 11 games on the mound for Minnesota.
The sad commentary on the Twins season that Pino highlights is that his 11 starts were the fifth most starts a Twins starting pitcher made.
Pino had a 2-5 record in his 11 starts this past season with a 5.097 ERA and a 1.326 WHIP.
The moves are not shocking. They should be expected to some extent as both players were older career minor leaguers. The Twins need to be opening up 40-man spots as the young guns get closer to the major league spotlight.