Puckett's Pond
Fansided

Minnesota Twins: Which Players May Be on the Way Out?

By Jordan Wickstrom

Mar 23, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (15) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (15) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Aug 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen (49) celebrates on the field after earning the save against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Minnesota Twins defeated Baltimore Orioles 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen (49) celebrates on the field after earning the save against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Minnesota Twins defeated Baltimore Orioles 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Jepsen/Glen Perkins

From a personal standpoint, I’d be fine with both being traded away. Jepsen has been anything but an effective pitcher, let alone a closer, as he three blown saves with a 4.96 ERA while allowing nine earned runs in 16 1/3 innings of work.

Perkins’ health has been an issue going all the way back to the second half of last season but may still have some value for any team out there in need of a closer.

But that is contingent on Perkins getting back and getting healthy.

The strategy behind trading one or both of these guys is that the Twins aren’t going to be in playoff contention and a pair of late-inning relievers aren’t going to change that.

The Twins have spent the past few seasons grooming some nice power arms to be keys to the bullpen including the likes of Nick Burdi, J.T. Chargois and Jake Reed.

Bullpen, while being one of the team’s weaker spots recently, is no doubt an asset the Twins have in the future.

Is Perkins and/or Jepsen in the team’s future plans? Probably not, so why not trade them now for any kind of value you can potentially get.

And really, with any reliever, you’d be hard pressed to find any team not willing to take a look at someone who could potentially help bolster its bullpen.

Yes, Jepsen has struggled this year but his past performance may be strong enough for a team to take a look at him. Same with Perkins, the jury is still out on if he is healthy but if he comes back strong, that may be enough for a team to come calling.

Next: Ervin Santana

The Pittsburg Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are all struggling with their bullpen and may look to eventually add a bullpen arm or two down the stretch run but again, this could relate to any team in the majors.

Home/Minnesota Twins News