The Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins may have found some answers regarding the future of their pitching. Young relievers and starters could greatly help the teams' staffs moving forward.
Somehow the Phillies and Padres have found young, alternate options for their closer position when they already have pitchers effectively getting the job done. This means they can save themselves some money. The Phillies owe Jonathan Papelbon $26 million over the next two years with a $13 million vesting option in 2016 and the Padres have closer Joaquin Benoit under contract next season for $8 million with a vesting option in 2016 also worth $8 million.
But Ken Giles and Kevin Quackenbush are here to save the front office. Giles has appeared in 28 games for the Phillies, and in 29 1/3 innings he has amassed a 1.27 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 44 strikeouts and just six walks. His fastball also hits 100 mph frequently. In San Diego, the 25-year-old Quackenbush has appeared in 42 games and in 39 1/3 innings he's posted a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and one save during Joaquin Benoit's absence due to a shoulder issue. Although this injury could drastically lower Benoit's trade value, Philadelphia shouldn't have too much trouble trading Papelbon for a team in need for a perennial closer.
In Minnesota, the Twins hope to add starting pitcher Alex Meyer to their rotation by September to join other young starters Tommy Milone and Trevor May along with the impressive Phil Hughes (14-8 with a 3.65 ERA). Meyer is currently in Triple-A Rochester where he has a 6-6 record with a 3.43 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 149 strikeouts in 123 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old had a successful season in Double-A New Britain last year before being promoted. Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press said the chances of his promotion to the majors are also very good.
"Meyer makes his 25th start of year for Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, with a maximum of two additional starts remaining before the Red Wings' regular season ends on Sept. 1," he wrote in this article. "With 117 2/3 innings under his belt, Meyer should end the season right around 135 innings. That would leave ample room for a September audition with the Twins should the Red Wings miss the International League playoffs, as it appears they will."
The MLB rosters expand in September to allow for some room for prospects, so expect to see some new faces within the next few weeks.
