The Twins have signed 30-year-old Sidney Ponson to a one-year, $1 million Minor League contract, with a $2 million performance option. They also signed another pitcher, righty Brad Voyles, who spent last season with the Cardinals' AAA affiliate in Memphis.
A career 80-96 pitcher, Ponson went 4-5 with a 6.25 ERA in 2006 with the Cards, who released him in July. He was then picked up by the Yankees, who tossed him after just two starts. He has seen his ERA rise over each of the last three seasons, after going 17-12 with a 3.75 ERA with Baltimore and San Francisco in 2003.
The hope is that pitching coach Rick Anderson will be able to re-mold Ponson into the innings-eating pitcher he once was, to give the Twins more depth to their rotation. GM Terry Ryan believes that maybe just a change of scenery is all that would be needed to help these two players.
Voyles, 30, was limited to just three starts for Memphis last season due to knee problems. He has been pitching in Venezuela during the Winter League and has proven himself healthy, going 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA in five starts. He also has some Major League experience, having spent parts of three seasons with the Royals from 2001-03 with a career 0-4 record and a 6.45 ERA.
The Twins have had some recent success with pitchers who have been shuffled around throughout their career. Dennys Reyes, for example, emerged as one of the best left-handed relievers in the league after struggling to find a fit with other teams.
A career 80-96 pitcher, Ponson went 4-5 with a 6.25 ERA in 2006 with the Cards, who released him in July. He was then picked up by the Yankees, who tossed him after just two starts. He has seen his ERA rise over each of the last three seasons, after going 17-12 with a 3.75 ERA with Baltimore and San Francisco in 2003.
The hope is that pitching coach Rick Anderson will be able to re-mold Ponson into the innings-eating pitcher he once was, to give the Twins more depth to their rotation. GM Terry Ryan believes that maybe just a change of scenery is all that would be needed to help these two players.
"This is an opportunity for him to compete for one of our rotation spots with a host of others, and he is still just 30 years old," Ryan said. "It wasn't too long ago that he threw well over 200 innings. We feel like we are a good fit for him and I thought it certainly was worth taking a shot at bringing in a guy that has the Major League experience that he has."
Voyles, 30, was limited to just three starts for Memphis last season due to knee problems. He has been pitching in Venezuela during the Winter League and has proven himself healthy, going 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA in five starts. He also has some Major League experience, having spent parts of three seasons with the Royals from 2001-03 with a career 0-4 record and a 6.45 ERA.
The Twins have had some recent success with pitchers who have been shuffled around throughout their career. Dennys Reyes, for example, emerged as one of the best left-handed relievers in the league after struggling to find a fit with other teams.
2 comments:
Ponson is definitely an interesting acquire. It is cool how Dennys Reyes was in about the same boat last year as Ponson is this year. I hope it does work out. For the Twins and for Ponson. That it clicks. I think if he found the team for him, he could be a good solid starter.
I'm pretty excited about this pickup. Ponson has shown promise in the past, and I think Rick Anderson will whip him into shape. Like, at least 25 lbs. lighter by Spring Training would be nice.
Post a Comment