The Twins may have their Set-up Guy

[catman]

The team reached an agreement with Luis Ayala on a 1-year deal today. Here is a story:
http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/...nt-with-ayala/
Could be an OK signing. He has decent stuff, but needs to have a breather now and then. Between Guerrier and Ayala (and Mijares later in the season), the 8th inning should be OK.
Not a block-buster by any means, but at least its something positive.

[Kingdom]

Not sure you want a guy who had a 5.77 ERA with the nationals, 5.50 ERA with the mets, as your setup man. You're bound to have something else.

[mntwinsfan]

Not really Koz, my club is a cheap team. We rather build from within than make a trade or sign a top free agent. It's a signing that I did not expect. Here is hoping this works out!

[Kingdom]

Breslow, Crain.. do you guys still have Reyes? Neshek is coming back right.. You're a lot better off trying those guys for the time being.

[henks]

Neshek is out for this year due to his TJ surgery. IIRC Reyes left to FA, Crain is alright, and Breslow is still pretty young.

Wasn't expecting this either, but at least it's something.

[ljshorty89]

Ayala isn't as bad as everyone thinks he is. I know they're gonna say this is just another example of me being in love with him, but he actually demonstrated a pretty good GBP with the Mets, and his velocity was starting to rebound a little. He won't be great, but he'll be decent.

[catman]

Ayala had some pretty good years. His career ERA is 3.44, including last season. He doesn't strike many hitters out (227 in 350 career innings), and doesn't walk many either (78). He allows hits at a higher rate than I'd like to see, but not too bad (361) and he allows a homer about every 10 innings. Also, he has made 1 error in his career, and that was when he was a rookie, so he can field his position pretty well. He is 31, so he could have a few good years left.
Lets see what happens. If he does well, the Twins could bring him back, along with Neshek, in 2010 and beyond. If he does poorly, he has not cost the team a lot of money.

[catman]

One more stat -- he has a career .286 BA, not that that makes a lot of difference (4/14 with a double).

[catman]

I just wonder who gets taken off the 40-man roster to make room for him? That could be a bigger deal than actually signing him is.

[love_that_reefer]

Better late than never for the Twins to pick up their first free agent. Too bad it was just Ayala. Twins would have been smart to retain Reyes.

[catman]

Reyes isn't out of the club's view yet. Nothing but rumors or conjecture, but he could be coming back.

[Kiluckzle]

As a Phillies fan, besides Wagner and Smith, Ayala was the next guy (reliever) that I did not want to see pitching against the Phillies. But of course that's really not saying much on the Mets. Relievers are fickle though, he could be good.

[Luis Ayala]

As a Phillies fan, besides Wagner and Smith, Ayala was the next guy (reliever) that I did not want to see pitching against the Phillies. But of course that's really not saying much on the Mets. Relievers are fickle though, he could be good.

not only am I good, I am excellent. I am happy to be a Twin.

[browntown653]

Mwahahahaha...