Minnesota Twins’ RHP Scott Baker Out For The Year
April 12th, 2012
The Minnesota Twins got some bad news in regards to RHP Scott Baker on Wednesday. Baker will miss the remainder of the season because he needs surgery to repair his flexor pronator tendon in his right elbow. That’s major elbow surgery for those of you scoring at home.
Baker is no stranger to injuries as he has only made 30 starts just once in his five-year career. It’s a shame he’s always been hit by the injury bug because when he actually is on the mound, he’s pretty good. Baker has a 7.2 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and a 4.07 xFIP in 958 career innings. He’s a perfect No. 3 starter.
Baker has a $9.25 million club option for 2013 and if I was still in college and still a betting man, I would lay heavy wood that his option is not going to be picked up. My guess is a big market team like the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox take a chance on Baker in the offseason as a very solid low-risk, high-reward free agent.
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Speaking of the BoSox, what did you think of Daniel Bard’s first start?
I think he is going to need to develop a quality third pitch in order to get through a lineup two or three times. His fastball and slider were pretty good, but he doesn’t have anything else. His change up isn’t that good…yet