3:50pm: The Reds announced that the Twins claimed Maloney off of waivers (Twitter link).
1:08pm: The Twins appear to have acquired 27-year-old lefty Matt Maloney from the Reds, as Maloney tweeted today, "Thanks for everything Reds…but i am now a Minnesota Twin!!! Looking forward to a great new opportunity!!"
Maloney spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a 2.99 ERA, 5.6 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 81 1/3 innings, missing much of the season with a cracked rib. Baseball America ranked him eighth among Reds prospects a few years ago, noting that his ceiling was that of a back-of-the-rotation starter.
“The Twins appear to have acquired 27-year-old lefty Matt Maloney from the Twins”?
Maybe they traded him to themselves for cash?
Put a smile on my face. Very funny.
And here I thought the Lowe trade was surprising. Silly me.
I think the Twins gave up far too much
The Twins appear to have acquired 27-year-old lefty Matt Maloney from the Twins
Tim, it should say “from the Reds”
Do the Twins have an evil twin team based in St. Paul?
Pitch to Contact!
Another back of the rotation starter? Weird…
Good control – fly ball pitcher – change-up specialist. Won’t miss nearly as many bats in the majors as he did in the minors, but should be a serviceable back of the rotation type.
They said the same thing about Kevin Slowey.
They said the same thing about every Twins pitcher other than Liriano
edit: but then I remembered Scott Baker. Crap.
So the twins traded for a Duensing/Slowey/Blackburn/Diamond/Swarzak clone? What is Bill Smith’s fascination with soft throwing “pitch to contact” back of the rotation starters?
You forgot Manship.
or Wimmers, Bromberg and even Gibson.
Not sure why? Does anybody have an idea where he’ll fit? Bullpen or fighting for a rotation spot?
The last couple years, he was a swing man when he was on the reds 25 man roster. So, figure somewhere in between.
Who did they trade to get him?
He’ll fit right in with Scott Diamond, Phil Dumatrait, Jose Mijares, and Brian Duensing.
This is actually a pretty solid pick up for the Twins. A couple good moves today. This could be a prelude — like a prelude prelude to other moves – which result in trading Liriano. Regardless, its smart for a few of these teams to stock up now if the moves come cheap and workout things over the next two months. Rather be deeper with a few decent pieces now instead of being empty handed in Jan. He could even become an appealing target for other teams for lefty bullpen help and just by having a guy like this, his value could rise just in two months for lack of other options available. I like how the Twins did this.
Don’t get too excited, Maloney was the Reds #9 starter. Good chance he wont ever make the 25 man roster.
That’s probably correct, but a youngish lefty that can throw decent even if they have him for two weeks could just be filler for a larger move the Twins have in mind.
This will probably be the biggest move the Twins make all winter long.
Anyone remember Matt Maloney from the Houston Rockets?
Maloney will promptly be swapped for a “scrappy” slap hitter with no power at some point this season.
“…his ceiling was that of a back-of-the-rotation starter.”
This is probably the most common phrase used to describe Twins pitchers right behind, “Has the upside of a Brad Radke.”
another back of the rotation starter, wahooooooo, that’s just what we’ve been missing in Minnesota.