For the life of me, I can't understand this one.
The Twins have a decent team, and a chance to contend this year, even in the meatgrinder that is the AL Central. So why, I ask you, did they name Sidney Ponson as a member of their starting rotation?
The last time Sidney Ponson was anything close to even an average pitcher was in 2003. His struggles since then (on the field ... I won't even get into the ones off the field) have been worrisome:
2004 (Orioles) - 11-15, 5.30 ERA
2005 (Orioles) - 7-11, 6.21 ERA
2006 (Yankees) - 0-1, 10.47 ERA
2006 (Cardinals) - 4-4, 5.24 ERA
Predictably, Ponson has struggled mightily in his time with the Twins:
2007 (Twins) - 2-5, 6.93 ERA
Now ... it would be one thing if the Twins had no minor-league pitching to replace Ponson. Except they have two of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball who are currently toiling at Rochester (AAA ball):
Kevin Slowey - OK, so it's a horrible name for a pitcher. But he's completely ready for the bigs:
41 innings, 24 Hits allowed, has struck out 38 while walking 2 ... yes, *two*.
Matt Garza - probably has a higher ceiling than Slowey, but only pitching 'fairly well' instead of 'out of his mind' -
29 innings, 35 Hits allowed, 35 strikeouts against 13 walks.
If the Twins don't call one of these kids up, and I mean this week, without giving Sir Sidney another chance to fail, they'll continue to dramatically hurt their playoff chances for 2007.
Ashley Allen
Ariel Meredith
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Yeah, Ponson sucks something fierce. Garza didn't do so hot in his callup last year, so maybe they want to wait a while to bring him back up. But I think Frank Liriano could pitch better right now than Ponson, and he has no arm.
Andrew_J
Lincoln , NE
Total Comments (126)
It's scary when ESPN's Rob Neyer starts blogging on MY subjects. :-)
http://myespn.go.com/conversation/story?id=2868887
GalaxyJim
Campobello , SC
Total Comments (183)
seems like terry ryan is a good guy and all but it also seems like every year they have a sidney ponson deal. (tony batista last year).
anyways.
JACK CUST!
s.jay
Minneapolis , MN
Total Comments (8)
Garza needs to come up
BrewCrew
Total Comments (56)
How much is Ponson making this year?
Kevin McGuire
Souderton , PA
Total Comments (223)
"Only" $1 million. Typical Twins frugality.
They officially designated him for assignment, yesterday, May 13 ... partial victory is achieved! I say 'partial' because the reports are that Scott Baker will be the pitcher called up to replace him, not Garza or Slowey.
Baker is still better than Ponson ...
GalaxyJim
Campobello , SC
Total Comments (183)
nice to see an educated al central post, you will be my official twins info man.
i have also heard great things about garza (as a tigers fan he definantly scares me), and ever since i watched ponson live in baltimore i have been wondering how he stays in the bigs
PantherFan90
Lynchburg , VA
Total Comments (36)
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