Could Joe Beimel be a possibility for the Minnesota Twins?
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at candidates to throw into the bullpen mix for the Minnesota Twins. Ideally the candidates would be a lefty and as a bonus, would have a great strikeout rate. Names like Antonio Bastardo and Matt Thornton are still available but would most likely be out of the Twins’ price range. We’ve been focussing on more inexpensive relievers who still could be valuable. Of those still available, we’ve looked at Franklin Morales (here), Randy Choate (here) and Manny Parra (here). Today we’ll take a look at the possibility of Joe Beimel.
The 38 year old Beimel was drafted in 1998 by the Pirates. Three years later, he made his debut as a starter. By 2003, he was a full time reliever and has never started another game since. He found his stride as a reliever with the Dodgers in 2006. His best season came in 2008 when he posted a 2.02 ERA, 3.30 FIP and a 0 HR/9 over 71 appearances. Beimel struggled with injuries from 2011-2013 and did not play at all in 2012 and 2013. He put up one of his better seasons upon his come back in 2014.
Last year, things didn’t work out quite as well. His 3.99 ERA was decent but his 5.48 FIP was ugly, his strikeout to walk ratio shrunk and his 1.5 HR/9 was concerning.
In his career as a reliever, he has a 3.71 ERA, 4.43 FIP and a 1.44 WHIP. He’s fared better against lefties but hasn’t typically been used a LOOGY. Strangely, in 2015 he displayed a reverse split. Against lefties he had a 4.05 ERA, 5.63 FIP and 1.8 HR/9. It’s difficult to peg in Beimel in a defined role after a confusing 2015.
Beimel is not a strikeout pitcher with a 5.12 K/9 over his career as reliever. His career walk rate is 3.55 BB/9. In 2015, those figures were 4.2 K/9 and 3 BB/9. Beimel pitches to contact and relies heavily on his defence. His home run rate is 0.83 HR/9. He features an 87 MPH fastball, an effective slider and curve, and a change up. The velocities of his pitches are roughly at his career averages.
Beimel is only one year away from posted 1.1 WAR but 2015 saw some concerning trends develop. Beimel made $0.6 million in 2015. Beimel won’t get a major league contract—especially with the far better Cesar Ramos signing a minor league recently. Beimel doesn’t have the strikeout capabilities that the Twins are craving either but a minor league contract with an invite to spring training couldn’t hurt. Beimel could compete for a spot, serve as useful bullpen depth and be a veteran presence to call up if needed.