Braves rumors: The (Possible) Return of Mike Minor
By Adam Herbert
Braves rumors are in full effect. Is a reunion in the cards with former Braves lefty Mike Minor?
Watching the Atlanta Braves bullpen in 2017 was about as enjoyable as going to the dentist. With a buzz of Braves rumors this offseason, maybe the bullpen will be more of a walk in the park in 2018.
Jim Johnson, Luke Jackson, and a motley crew of otherwise subpar relievers compiled a collective 1.1 fWAR. This was good for 27th in MLB. Brian Snitker was never shy about summoning the bullpen earlier than he needed to, and adventure often followed.
Braves pitching after the 6th inning was often reminiscent of the Bad News Bears.
Granted, Snitker did not construct this pen himself, so the blame is not all on him. The front office didn’t do him any favors with the cobbled together collection of re-treads. New Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has a chance to set Snitker up for success, at least a little bit. One of the answers for 2018 could come in the form of an old friend.
Should the Braves call on Mike Minor for a reunion?
Minor, the Braves’ 2009 first-round pick, spent two years rebuilding strength in his surgically-repaired shoulder. Upon his return, his arsenal proved deadly out of the ‘pen, as he posted a 2.1 fWAR — second only to Andrew Miller among lefty relievers. He pitched his way to a career-high 10.2K/9 rate, and career lows in home run rate (.58 HR/9) and walk rate (2.55 BB/9). The 2.62 FIP indicates his 2.55 ERA was not a result of smoke and mirrors.
Some of Minor’s success is attributable to decreased reliance on his fastball (career-low 46.1%) and an uptick in slider usage (35.7%). His curve and change-up were still used at approximately career standard rates. Meanwhile, his fastball velocity, historically in the low 90’s, averaged 94.4 mph with KC. As he altered his approach, he altered his results.
He was subject to a $10MM mutual option with the Royals, which he declined to test the open market. Minor should cash in this season to the tune of approximately 4 years, $30M (projections = MLBTR and Jon Heyman).
More than anything, this makes me wish I was left-handed and knew how to throw a slider. Maybe I can find myself in the thick of these Braves rumors?