Boof Bonser

[piccione88]

What do you guys think of taking a flyer on Boof Bonser, for some depth. Bonser would be cheap because obviously he has not pitched very well the last two years. Bonser has had some pretty bad luck this year, when he posted a 5.93 ERA. Bonser had a good K/9 of 7.0, BB/9 of 2.6, and a decent HR rate of 1.16, although his career numbers indicate that will be going up a bit. While his BABIP was .325, and he only left 57.9% on base.

 

I am not saying that he will turn it around, or that I even necesarilly want him. It just seems that he is a decent candidate to turn things around with a change of scenery. If the Brewers fail to get a top of the rotation guy, it might not be bad idea to pick up Bonser, he could be a long man, and if something happens or he is pitching well, you can slot him into the rotation. It would probably only take a mid level prospect, someone like Haydel, and he has one more pre arby year in 2009.

[dadofandrew]

As SP depth, he's a very good pickup...does he have options?

 

Supposedly, he and Nate Robertson were the unluckiest pitchers in MLB last year.

[And That]

The Brewers wouldn't trade Haydel for Bonser. Haydel is an athletic freak, and might bust out soon.

 

I don't think the Twins would trade Bonser for Haydel. Bonser is still pre-arby and might bounce back... selling low on pre-arby guys doesn't happen a lot.

[piccione88]

I just threw Haydel out there as an example. As far as Bonser not being traded, the twins were rumored to be shopping him pretty aggresivley when they needed to make room for Liriano in late july. They will not give him up for nothing, but with all of their pitching prospects they will have to make room for them pretty soon.

[And That]

As far as Bonser not being traded, the twins were rumored to be shopping him pretty aggresivley when they needed to make room for Liriano in late july.

Right, but with the 40-man roster good until opening day, there's not the crunch there was.

 

I like Bonser a bit - with his stuff, he could become a good late inning guy if he keeps his weight in check. I just don't think the Twins will give up on him right this moment. He might be a piece to a larger deal, but he won't be a deal in and of himself, unless they get blown away. Say, like if the Brewers offered Green.

[MNBrew]

I've gotten to see Boof Bonser a whole lot more than I'd ever want to again over the past 2.5 years he's been on the Twins. You're right, some of his numbers aren't all bad (good K & BB rates, for instance). And some of his luck could've been better. BUT while some stats indicate he should've been better than he was...

 

...the fact is that most of the year he was downright horrible. The Twins waited an eternity to yank him from the rotation. And his ERA never improved a whole lot in the 'pen, either. You can cite bad luck all you want. Bonser also created his own bad luck way too much of the time, and in the end did deserve what his ERA was. Until the last month-plus of the year, Bonser's entry into the game, whether as a starter or reliever, signaled the end of the Twins' chances that day.

 

He was pretty good his first half-year. The guy is capable. But for the last two years, basically he's been significantly worse than Jeff Suppan.

[dadofandrew]

That's why he may be available cheaply. Projecting involves looking at the future, not the past. Given his age and skills, he screams out "sleeper" to me.

 

It's like in another thread we had someone asking about Span...the time to get Span was when he sucked in '07, not when he broke out in '08.

[bamberger]

He's gotta drop the nickname. How can anyone named "BOOF" be taken seriously?

 

After that, I'd offer one or two of our minor league lefty pitchers other than Braddock or Nieves.

[brwrsfan]

I don't think it's a nickname. I'm pretty certain he legally changed his name to Boof.

[Ennder]

He really struggles going deep into games. He lost a bunch of weight before the season but it apparently didnt' help. I pegged him as a breakout guy this year and that obviously didn't work out to well, heh.

[MNBrew]

That's why he may be available cheaply. Projecting involves looking at the future, not the past. Given his age and skills, he screams out "sleeper" to me.

Al, I tend to agree with you a lot, but watching Bonser for the past two crappy seasons, he screams out "Matt Kinney" to me.

[dadofandrew]

Well, if his floor is Matt Kinney, that's not a bad starting point.

[JohnBriggs12]

I'd have to assume Bonser is out of options? If that's the case, it might make sense to deal one of your out of options guys (Gwynn or Nelson) who isn't assured of a roster spot to take a flyer on Bonser. Otherwise, no thanks.

[And That]

Just looking at his career stats, it looks to me like he would have an option left. He's also not arby eligible yet.

 

While I don't see them having a use for Gwynn, the Twins might be interested in a Nelson for Bonser swap. That's an interesting idea, JB12.

[MNBrew]

The Twins are loaded with OFs and have the very inexpensive Randy Ruiz and his RH power (which they sorely lack) to back up Morneau at 1B. I doubt the Twins would have any use for Nelson.

 

As I've said, I don't think the guy's worth obtaining. For the Twins, who need more and better relief pitching, if Boof's not among their best options, at least they know what they have in him as a fall-back.

 

In Melvin-speak, in other words, I don't think they're motivated to move him unless the deal makes them a better overall team. Brad Nelson wouldn't do so because they don't really have a clear need for him.