Positional Battles: Who’s In The Pen For The Twins
Jul 19, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Blaine Boyer (58) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Like Stauffer, Blaine Boyer comes to the Twins from the San Diego Padres. Signed to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, both Boyer and the Twins have little to lose. He has bounced around the National League for parts of eight major league seasons, and this is his first trip to the American League.
Last season, Boyer pitched to a 3.57 ERA across 32 games for the Padres. His 1.8 BB/9 ratio is something that any team would be more than willing to welcome into their bullpen. He’s given up more than three home runs in a season just once in his career, and he should be a guy the Twins can count on to come on and get out.
Boyer will need to separate himself from some of the other competition if he hopes to make the bullpen this spring. With a lesser upside than some of the other options, and at 33 years old, it would appear the deck may be stacked against him.