Twins Move On From Anthony Swarzak

By Ted Schwerzler | Nov 25, 2014

On a day that the Minnesota Twins have made their coaching announcements, they have also decided to make a small 40 man roster change. As he was up for arbitration, Anthony Swarzak finds himself out in the cold as the Twins have removed him from the roster and will go a different direction in 2015.

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Due around $1.5 million through arbitration, there was little chance that a replacement level reliever like Anthony Swarzak would be worth that kind of a return to the Twins.

In 2014, Swarzak ate innings in both a long relief and starting role. He provided valuable innings down the stretch for a team that was looking for pitching ability from everyone in the stadium, including the fans. Unfortunately, being forced into the starting rotation never meant that Anthony Swarzak had the ability to stick around.

In 440 career innings, Swarzak has compiled a 4.48 ERA. He was drafted in 2004 by the Twins and was a very middle of the road type pitcher.

Considering the amount of money he was due, and the amount of similar long relief talent that the Twins have at their disposal, it only makes sense for the club to move on. The move also opens another spot on the 40 man roster.

With a plethora of options for the starting rotation, and at least one more likely on the way through free agency, the Twins could push fringe starters like Trevor May or Kyle Gibson into a similar long relief role that Swarzak once held for them.

Look for the Twins to continue to form both their starting rotation as well as their bullpen over the winter months, and for a solidified look not to appear until the end of spring training.

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