Slowey to the Pen

Word this morning from Twins camp is that Kevin Slowey will start out the season in the bullpen, which means the starting rotation will consist of Pavano, Liriano, Blackburn, Duensing, and Baker.  This is the logical choice for Rick Anderson and the pitching staff.  I am a firm believer that trading Slowey would not be the wisest decision, mainly because at some point during a 162 game season we will need a 6th starter.  It's a very good possibility that our starting rotation may even need to go beyond 6, at which point I am as excited as anyone to see Kyle Gibson make his debut at Target Field.


This decision gives us a good idea of what the bullpen will also look like.  Nathan, Capps, and Mijares are obviously locks, with Slowey being added to that list today.  Joe Christiansen of the Star Tribune writes that Dusty Hughes is a very good possibility as well.  If I'm not mistaken, this would leave 2 more spots available in the 'pen.  I am not high on Glen Perkins (sorry, Perk).  Every time I think of Perkins the word "meltdown" comes to mind.  On the contrary, I am a huge fan of getting young fresh arms in there that no one has seen before to compliment the veterans we have in place (Nathan, Capps, Mijares, Slowey).  On that note, I would really like to see a guy like Kyle Waldrop get a shot as well as Jeff Manship.  We have two lefties in Mijares and Hughes already, and I think Waldrop and Manship have shown in years previous as well as this spring that they are ready for a major role in the Twins pen.  Waldrop has been especially solid this spring (10.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, 0.87 ERA).

Overall I think this is a great move by the Twins today.  Kevin Slowey is a solid veteran pitcher with great control, and he is the best insurance policy we can have for our starting rotation.  He is a great guy to have on the team, and will provide a solid veteran option for the Twins in the middle innings.  Also, if a guy like Blackburn or Baker struggles early on, we immediately have a replacement in place to fill the hole in the rotation.