The Red Sox are expected to designate left-hander Danny Coulombe for assignment, and that could open the door for the Twins to bring back a familiar arm.
According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, Boston is moving on from Coulombe after he worked the final two innings of Saturday’s win over the New York Mets. The timing matters.
Coulombe signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Red Sox in the offseason, and the contract included performance bonuses that started at 30 appearances. Saturday was his 29th outing of the season, which makes the financial side of the decision hard to ignore.
Cotillo noted that Coulombe’s bonuses were tied to appearances and active-roster time. MLB Trade Rumors reported that he was due $75 thousand after reaching 30 games pitched, with another $75 thousand at 35, 40 and 45 appearances.
He would then have earned $150 thousand at 50 games, followed by more bonuses at 55 and 60. On top of that, he would have received $250 thousand after 30 days on the 26-man roster or the injured list, so long as the injury was not to his left arm, plus another $250 thousand every 30 days until he hit 150.
For Minnesota, the idea is straightforward: if Coulombe is available, take another look.
The 36-year-old had a rough first few months with Boston, putting up a 6.55 ERA in 11 innings through May. Since June began, though, he has settled in with a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings. The numbers aren’t spotless - he gave up eight hits and nine walks while striking out only two during that stretch - but the Twins may be willing to live with that if it means getting a lefty who has already shown he can help them.
That’s because Coulombe was excellent for Minnesota last season before being dealt to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. In 31 innings with the Twins, he posted a 1.16 ERA and a 2.01 FIP, striking out 31 and walking nine. If he comes back anywhere close to that version, he could give a bullpen in need of help a real boost.
Minnesota’s relief corps has been a work in progress, and the club has already tried to patch it up. The Twins acquired right-hander Woo-Suk Go from the Detroit Tigers and right-hander Tommy Nance from the Toronto Blue Jays.
They also claimed right-hander Jack Anderson off waivers from the Red Sox and optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul, according to the team’s transactions log.
There are other arms moving, too. Right-hander Cole Sands recently resumed his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul, and right-hander Garrett Acton has started a rehab assignment with Single-A Fort Myers, also per Minnesota’s transaction log.
The bullpen still has a long way to go, but the Twins have reasons to think help could be on the way. If Coulombe becomes available, he looks like another move worth making.
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