A week ago I wondered whether the Twins should go after reliever Cody Allen after he was released by the Los Angeles Angels. Despite struggling with the Halos for the past two seasons, Allen still had seven (OK, make that five) sensational seasons with the Cleveland Indians.
Now, the Twins will reportedly sign Allen to a minor league deal, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Allen will now reunite with Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey, who was in the Indians’ front office for a large portion of Allen’s Tribe tenure. Now 30, Allen pitched to a sterling 2.98 ERA/3.17 FIP with 11.52 K/9 and 3.53 BB/9 in 440 2/3 innings as a member of the Indians from 2012-18. He also converted on 149 of 172 save opportunities in that span, though a down 2018 helped convince the Indians to move on from Allen last offseason.
Why do the Twins need Allen when they are running away from the competition in the AL Central? The bullpen needs help, says MLB Trade Rumors.
At 50-26, Minnesota boasts the American League’s leading record. However, there’s room for improvement in its bullpen. The Twins’ relief corps ranks 12th in the majors in FIP and K/BB ratio, and 16th in ERA. Perhaps Allen will be able to help the unit’s cause down the stretch.
I don’t expect Allen to be in the minors for long. Another shaky outing by Matt Magill, or Mike Morin, or Zack Littell and Allen is going to get the call.
Meanwhile, the Twins made it back-to-back wins over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday with a 5-3 victory in extra innings. The Twins scored early, the Royals rallied to tie the game and then the Twins scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning to win it.
The Twins go for the series win on Sunday. Michael Pineda gets the ball.
Extra innings…
-The Twins are the first team in the American League to get to 50 wins.
-Jose Berrios gave the Twins a quality start on Saturday but he had to leave the game after the seventh inning due to a blister on his pitching hand. Reliever Taylor Rogers had the rare blown save, but Trevor May and Blake Parker pitched two innings of scoreless baseball to get the win and save.
-C.J. Cron had three hits, including his 17th home run. Miguel Sano hit his ninth home run, and perhaps most important, didn’t strike out, and outfielder Jake Cave hit his first dinger of the season.
-The Twins turned two more double plays to give them seven so far in this series.