Terry Ryan Gets Edgy In Twins Interview

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Alex Meyer against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On the Twins starting rotation:

FSN: As far as the roster goes, a lot of people are looking at the starting rotation. How many spots do you feel are still open for competition?

TR: “I would say there’s an opening. I don’t know if I want to get too carried away with two. We have choices here to make, and we have pitchers here that are in competition, which is good. We probably have more depth than we’ve had in quite a while. Whoever doesn’t make the rotation can slip back into the pen, so we’ll have more competition there. There are openings. I don’t know if I want to put a specific number. We’ll have disappointments here, and we’re going to have surprises and we’re going to have injuries. It always happens. There’s plenty of opportunity for whoever’s in camp here to possibly make this rotation, and then I think the bullpen will follow right behind that. We have choices.”

Another interesting answer from Ryan considering how he words things. Without a doubt having competition is a great thing for the Twins pitching staff. For the first time in years, they have depth and quality from a position they have severely lacked it. That said, Ryan quickly mentions the bullpen.

With only one rotation spot open, and roughly four guys vying for it, there’s still not room for all of them in the bullpen. Is Mike Pelfrey or Alex Meyer headed to the bullpen should they lose out on the rotation? Would the Twins really send down a 25-year-old prospect to start the season in Triple-A? There’s not that much room left in the bullpen either, and Ryan hits it on the head when he says that the club has options.