The Twins have signed right-hander Hansel Robles, The Athletic’s Dan Hayes reports (Twitter link). The deal has been officially announced by the team. Robles will earn $2MM on the one-year contract, as per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Twitter links). He could make up to $500K more in incentives, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News tweets.
Robles was non-tendered by the Angels on December 2, as the team chose to cut Robles loose rather than pay him a projected arbitration salary in the $4MM range. The decision wasn’t entirely surprising in the wake of a pretty disastrous 2020 season for the 30-year-old, as Robles posted a 10.26 ERA over 16 2/3 innings for the Halos, in large part due to a 2.2 HR/9.
Though Robles has been somewhat susceptible to the long ball throughout his career, he still posted some solid numbers for the Mets from 2015-18, and it seemed like Robles had turned a corner after the Angels claimed him off waivers in June 2018. Robles had a 2.97 ERA in 36 1/3 frames for Anaheim during the remainder of the 2018 campaign, and then seemed to fully break out during a 2019 season that saw him emerge as the Angels’ closer.
Robles had a 2.48 ERA, 4.69 K/BB rate, and 9.3 K/9 over 72 2/3 innings for Los Angeles in 2019, and he racked up 23 saves. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams observed back in April, Robles thrived after greatly increasingly the use of his changeup, and altering his approach when challenging right-handed batters with his fastball. According to Statcast, Robles’ change was still an effective pitch in 2020, but batters absolutely teed off on his four-seamer to the tune of a .447 xwOBA.
Minnesota certainly hopes its coaching staff can get Robles back on track next season, as the Twins bullpen has some holes to fill. The Twins have already lost a couple of notable names in Trevor May and Matt Wisler, and Sergio Romo and Tyler Clippard are still free agents. It has been a pretty quiet offseason overall for the reigning AL Central champions, perhaps due to the ongoing uncertainty around whether or not Nelson Cruz could re-sign with the Twins, a situation that may not be resolved until it is known if the DH will be used in the National League next season.
Sign Gretel and there’s your new bullpen
They’ll get eaten alive (by the AL Central).
Very Nice… frosting on the house so to speak ( that has a double meaning in Minnesota..)
Yup, -6 below this morning, 6 inches of snow tonight
Great bounce back candidate. Robles was a guy who used to crowd to get that extra little pump when on the mound and had a tough time without it.
His Undertaker entrance wasn’t the same without fans
little risky at that price, but the upside is there
Huh? Risky at 2mil?
That’s kind of like Darksides go to post. State how over paid an acquired player is no matter how much they are paid. He’s the Robert Nutting of commenters. =D
Shrewd move for Minnesota.
I agree. All upside on a big arm. Was hoping my Cubbies might take a flier, given their usual bullpen shopping style….however, it appears we’re going a different direction…
Seems like they let Matt Wisler walk for less money and he looked like the better reliever…
Exactly this. Has me scratching my head as well.
The only reason you would be convinced Wisler is the better pitcher is if you base that opinion on the 25 innings he pitched during the 2020 season.
As Homer Simpson would say: Doh!
He’s pointing towards those homers at the very moment
Like the move and hope its the first of several to come. Go ahead and rip me, but I still believe signing Liam Hendricks has to be a top priority. Yes, it may take a 3-year $25 mill offer, but if accomplished this goes a long way to improving this club as it allows Baldelli to shift Rogers back into a 8th inning set up role. You can slot Robles with Duffey for the 7th. Still need to improve starting rotation and decide what to do at DH and SS.
I thought Hendriks was looking for something closer to 4/$50. That may be a little high, but no way 3/$25 is going to get it done.
Hansel so hot right now Hansel
Wish I could give you multiple upvotes for the usage of Graham Chapman as your avatar
Epic
Beat me to it. Cheers.
But can he break dance fight?
One mans trash is another’s treasure
If you havent seen it, his walkup music/video for the Angels may have been the best Ive ever seen for a closer. Nothing beats the first. time WTF you get when watching it.
Big time art.
Id rather have Gretel over Hansel. He blows more games than I blow my nose
You must have REALLY bad allergies!
Nice buy low option.
Should have kept Wisler.
So they didn’t make a move on Snell… who are they going to get for a starter?.. another run of the mill middle of the pack.. we have seen it all before arm… They have needed an ace since Santana was traded.. still do.. but that record setting 18 straight losses in the post season hasn’t phased their mediocrity one iota or taught them a thing… ( HINT: Pitching is the key to long post season runs.. and while it may not Always be the case .. that is where the smart money bets..)..
Maeda? He was an ace last year and probably top 10 in all of MLB. He was underrated pre-Twins and I believe he’ll be really good again. As good as he was in 2020 will be hard to top but should still be the Twins best pitcher.
I agree they need more really good pitching, that is obvious, but their hitting has massively failed in the postseason too (I’d dare to say more often than their starters).
Non tendering wisler to sign a guy who put up over a 10 ERA last year is absolute nonsense. Give this signing an F on paper
SIGN BRAD HAND!!!!! Ughhhhh
If Robles can regain some of the nice numbers he posted in 2019 this may work out for the Twins. I do agree that the Twins may have been better off re-signing Matt Wisler but I, for one, am willing to give Robles a mulligan for his “work” in 2020.
Personally I think his one good year with the Angels was the outlier. He hasn’t been a good pitcher outside of that.. Only year he had a WAR above 1 was in 2019.
Twins, please call the reds and make a splash for Sonny Gray or Luis Castillo! You need another frontline starter, you’re fools if you think you can go 162 with a roll-a-dex 4th and 5th starter the likes of Randy Dobnak et al. Fortify the pitching staff, fortify the infield, the time is now! You have the prospects, use them. You have the money, spend it!
Dont worry, I dont think we’ll be going 162 in 2021, unfortunately…
This guy will be this year’s Matt Wisler and Ryne Harper. He’ll surprise early then fade with time and get cut, traded or not resigned. I’d love to see the Twins get Brad Hand, bring back Clippard or go after Hendriks (another ex-Twin). They will need a strong bullpen since none of their starters go deep into games.
Twins replace the fortnite God with the Undertaker. Not bad
maybe the twinnies can sign ilhan omar next shes obviously not working out as a congresswomen
She’s working out quite fine as my representative to House, thank you.
I heard that Hansel was angry that the Angel’s FO couldn’t get Mugatu’s Derelicte campaign for him.
I hope there’s a clause in his contract prohibiting him from riding razor scooters.
He signed to pitch in the Gopher State…seems like a good fit.
is ilhan omar a twins fan?
You seem hung up on Rep. Omar. Perhaps you think this is a different type of forum?