Post by The Vermont Bombers on Dec 15, 2016 15:58:26 GMT -5
Twins Send Astros New Carroll for Christmas
Shorftly After Trading Catcher Haller to Boston, Twins Ship Reliever to Houston for Prosepct
Shorftly After Trading Catcher Haller to Boston, Twins Ship Reliever to Houston for Prosepct
Bloomington, Minnesota
August 1st, 1973
David Kronell
Mere hours after trading two-time All-Star, franchise Catcher Tom Haller to Boston for a pair of prospects the Twins struck again. Shortly after the Haller trade was announced, rumor came across the wire that the Twins and Astros were in discussions around former Minnesota Closer Clay Carroll. Carroll signed with the Twins in the 1971 off season to a three-year, 21.75 million dollar contract and was immediately brought in to replace declining Closer David Baldwin. In his first year he went 6-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 33 Saves. Through 11.1 innings this season Carroll has posted a record of 1-1 with an ERA of 1.59 and 8 strikeouts. At 32 years old, Carroll is still an efficient and skilled Relief Pitcher and is a proven Closer. While he's been underutilized by the Twins this season, it's expected that he'll see a lot of use with the Astros.
When asked about the trade, GM Adam Costa said this:
"It's always tough to part with a talent and a teammate like Clay. He's been a rock solid addition to our bullpen and our clubhouse. I know that he's been frustrated with his diminished role this year and he's pitched brilliantly in spite of that frustration. Given where our organization is heading right now, we felt it fair to send him to a team where he'd getting plenty of opportunities to pitch. Houston expressed a strong interest in him and the trade came about quickly. We wish Clay all the best in Houston. He deserved to be successful and we'll miss him."
Carroll was unavailable for comment and requested through his Agent, Paul Neuheuser that we contact him at a later date.
In return the Twins are getting 25 year old right handed Starting Pitcher Clay Kirby. Kirby is a ground ball machine whose command of the strike zone is still maturing. Kirby was selected 23rd in the second round of the 1966 Amateur Draft. Houston immediately sent him to Double A Columbus, where he posted a record 22-32 with 321 strikeouts and 11 complete games in three seasons. Kirby only made one start after being promoted to AAA in 1968. He spent all of 1969 in AAA where his numbers were quite frankly ugly. He went 9-11 in 23 starts (25 appearances) with an ERA if 6.35 in 146 innings, surrendering 184 hits while striking out 106 and walking 98. He showed great improvement in 1970. He made 25 starts and posted an ERA of 3.94 and although he still surrendered more hits (182) than innings pitched (178.1), his strikeouts went up (128), his walks went down (90) and he showed signs of increasing confidence to go with his improving control. In the 1971 and 1972 seasons his ERA dropped again, to 3.16 in 1971 to 2.85 in 1972. Both seasons saw him make 20 plus starts, post a combined record of 18-10 and surrendered fewer hits than innings pitched in consecutive seasons for the first time since his final season in Double A. This season had been his best in the Majors yet. Kirby has thus far made 18 starts and posted win-loss record of 8-4 with an ERA of 2.26. Most encouragingly, he appears to be on pace to match or exceed his current highest strikeout total of 159 as he presently has 116 and is expected to make another five to eight starts.
"I've already been informed that Mr. Kirby will likely finish out his year with our Triple A affiliate in Tacoma" Manager Frank Quilici informed us via phone call this morning. "There's no need to rush the kid right now. We don't necessarily need him for this year's playoff push and depending on what Management does next, that may not be a factor either. All in all, we feel that it's better for him if he finishes out there year where our Tacoma staff can get a good evaluation of him."
In spite of that decision, Kirby is expected to be a member of the Twins rotation in 1974.
No one is sure if this is a sign of a larger sell-off for the end of this season. With the Trade Deadline about to expire, any trades that happen will have to evolve rapidly or they'll have to wait for the off season. Minnesota has already stated that it's their intention to do a rebuild after this season has ended. It seems as if both the Clay's will have one thing in common after this season is over.
They'll both have to learn an entirely new clubhouse in 1974.
August 1st, 1973
David Kronell
Mere hours after trading two-time All-Star, franchise Catcher Tom Haller to Boston for a pair of prospects the Twins struck again. Shortly after the Haller trade was announced, rumor came across the wire that the Twins and Astros were in discussions around former Minnesota Closer Clay Carroll. Carroll signed with the Twins in the 1971 off season to a three-year, 21.75 million dollar contract and was immediately brought in to replace declining Closer David Baldwin. In his first year he went 6-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 33 Saves. Through 11.1 innings this season Carroll has posted a record of 1-1 with an ERA of 1.59 and 8 strikeouts. At 32 years old, Carroll is still an efficient and skilled Relief Pitcher and is a proven Closer. While he's been underutilized by the Twins this season, it's expected that he'll see a lot of use with the Astros.
When asked about the trade, GM Adam Costa said this:
"It's always tough to part with a talent and a teammate like Clay. He's been a rock solid addition to our bullpen and our clubhouse. I know that he's been frustrated with his diminished role this year and he's pitched brilliantly in spite of that frustration. Given where our organization is heading right now, we felt it fair to send him to a team where he'd getting plenty of opportunities to pitch. Houston expressed a strong interest in him and the trade came about quickly. We wish Clay all the best in Houston. He deserved to be successful and we'll miss him."
Carroll was unavailable for comment and requested through his Agent, Paul Neuheuser that we contact him at a later date.
In return the Twins are getting 25 year old right handed Starting Pitcher Clay Kirby. Kirby is a ground ball machine whose command of the strike zone is still maturing. Kirby was selected 23rd in the second round of the 1966 Amateur Draft. Houston immediately sent him to Double A Columbus, where he posted a record 22-32 with 321 strikeouts and 11 complete games in three seasons. Kirby only made one start after being promoted to AAA in 1968. He spent all of 1969 in AAA where his numbers were quite frankly ugly. He went 9-11 in 23 starts (25 appearances) with an ERA if 6.35 in 146 innings, surrendering 184 hits while striking out 106 and walking 98. He showed great improvement in 1970. He made 25 starts and posted an ERA of 3.94 and although he still surrendered more hits (182) than innings pitched (178.1), his strikeouts went up (128), his walks went down (90) and he showed signs of increasing confidence to go with his improving control. In the 1971 and 1972 seasons his ERA dropped again, to 3.16 in 1971 to 2.85 in 1972. Both seasons saw him make 20 plus starts, post a combined record of 18-10 and surrendered fewer hits than innings pitched in consecutive seasons for the first time since his final season in Double A. This season had been his best in the Majors yet. Kirby has thus far made 18 starts and posted win-loss record of 8-4 with an ERA of 2.26. Most encouragingly, he appears to be on pace to match or exceed his current highest strikeout total of 159 as he presently has 116 and is expected to make another five to eight starts.
"I've already been informed that Mr. Kirby will likely finish out his year with our Triple A affiliate in Tacoma" Manager Frank Quilici informed us via phone call this morning. "There's no need to rush the kid right now. We don't necessarily need him for this year's playoff push and depending on what Management does next, that may not be a factor either. All in all, we feel that it's better for him if he finishes out there year where our Tacoma staff can get a good evaluation of him."
In spite of that decision, Kirby is expected to be a member of the Twins rotation in 1974.
No one is sure if this is a sign of a larger sell-off for the end of this season. With the Trade Deadline about to expire, any trades that happen will have to evolve rapidly or they'll have to wait for the off season. Minnesota has already stated that it's their intention to do a rebuild after this season has ended. It seems as if both the Clay's will have one thing in common after this season is over.
They'll both have to learn an entirely new clubhouse in 1974.
