In a tweet from his personal twitter account, LHP Matt Maloney said, “thanks for everything reds…..but i am now a Minnesota Twin!!! looking forward to a great new opportunity!!”
How did the Twins acquire the left-hander? We don’t yet know. My assumption is that the Reds took him off of their 40 man roster and the Twins claimed him. Of course, it is also possible there was a trade or some other method of acquisition. We will certainly find out soon.
So, what do we know about Matt Maloney? Here are some notes:
- Will turn 28 years old in January.
- Former 3rd round pick of the Phillies in 2005.
- Debuted with the Reds in June of 2009 and gave up two runs in six innings against the Cubs.
- In 22 games (11 starts) with the Reds over the past three seasons, he has gone 4-9 with a 5.40 ERA. In 80 big league innings, he has walked just 17 and struck out 54.
- In parts of five AAA seasons, he went 39-23 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. In 516.1 innings, he has walked 108 and struck out 435 (7.6 K/9).
- According to a tweet from Nick Nelson, his fastball averaged 87.1 mph in the big leagues in 2011.
- Missed time in 2011 on the Disabled List with an oblique injury and with broken ribs.
- Full Circle – Maloney was traded by the Phillies at the July 2007 trade deadline for former Twins SP, Kyle Lohse.
Thoughts? Based on the scouting report and his minor league and major league numbers, he profiles a lot like Scott Diamond did a year ago. There are similarities to Dusty Hughes and Chuck James as well as the RH Eric Hacker.
Obviously this isn’t a move that will excited any Twins fan. No, he wasn’t suggested as an option in the TwinsCentric Offseason GM Handbook. He would have used options in 2009, 2010 and 2011, so that’s more reason to believe that he was just removed from the 40 man roster.
There’s certainly no negative about this move at this point. Obviously he is a guy with some talent who moved quickly up the Phillies system before moving to the Reds. He has fought some injuries in his time. It’s hard to garner too much negativity about the move. That said, if it was a trade, that is subject to change.
Any thoughts?
SethSpeaks.net 
6’4″ lefty at end of rotation.. why not!!
Not exactly earth-shattering. Sounds more like filler for Rochester, which could use lots of help.
1.) the purpose of these claims was not to be earth-shattering.
2.) Rochester does need pitcher, but
3.) both are out of options, so if/when they don’t make the Twins opening day roster, they’ll have to clear waivers. Not sure either would.
Maloney, 27, was 7-1 with a 2.99 ERA in 14 games this season for Triple-A Louisville. He was Louisville’s all-time leader in wins (39), starts (86), strikeouts (435) and innings pitched (516 1/3).
“It’s hard to garner too much negativity about the move. ”
Seth, I think you underestimate your readers.
Well played.
point well made.
Maybe, but as a reader of the posts, I’d love it if DH stopped commenting on the commenters every post, and instead talked about the content. But, he’s certainly free to do what he wants.
Meh, neither the end of the world, not a savior. AAA was bad last year, so if this helps Rochester, and offers a tiny chance of success at the MLB level, it hurts no one other than the guys they already dropped off the 40 man…..assuming they don’t pass on trading for or signing another guy “because we already have a full 40 man roster”….which I doubt they will. No harm, no foul.
Lot of hopeful assumptions, not necessarily borne out by previous management decisions
Seth,
I read up on both Maloney and Gray before I ended up here. I thought Maloney’s background paralled much closer to Duensing’s than any other Twin, albeit without any sucess. Gray doesn’t do anything for me. He’s another “power” pitcher (if 96 can be considered power) that the Twins will kick the tires on. Both players are out of options, but I think Maloney could stick around as a spot-starter/long-relief lefty, and help out in Rochester if the Twins can get him there.
Similar to Duensing, and yet Duensing throws several mph harder. He might be a Chuck James type. Maybe Scott Diamond.
I would consider 96 to be a power arm, yes.
Since I directly quoted the content I don’t get the complaint. Of course, since the poster does nothing but complain . . . well, what did I expect? (He is, afterall, free to do whatever he wants.)
Me? Like where I said I’d assume the Twins would not use this as an excuse to keep someone off the roster, and someone replied I was too optimistic in that statement? The part where I predicted up until late July that the Twins would win 85+ games? The part where I said I liked the Nishi signing (up until they traded hardy)? How about the post where I said I liked the Boer pick? Really, if that is aimed at me, you missed by a mile in stating that I “do(es) nothing but complain”. If it was aimed at someone else, I doubt that person also only complains.