Juicy Juice: Juan Rincon

Over the weekend, between innings of getting our asses whooped in Chicago, I was reading a solid Time Magazine article entitled "How to Survive a Disaster" which felt a timely perusal in relation to the wealth of recent Twins' pitching -- specifically in regard to the plight of reliever Juan Rincon.

A picture says a thousand runs

A Saturday Pi Press piece by Kelsie Smith reported that Twins' staff has noted that Rincon has developed a habit of "jumping" in his delivery. Hell, from my stance, the only thing I see jumping is opposing dugouts once Juan enters the ballgame.

A few years back, Rincon was rightfully regarded as one of baseball's top set-up men. However, it's truly astounding to track the woeful decline of his numbers since he was busted --then suspended for ten days-- back in '05 as a result of testing positive for an illegal substance. His overall statistics from that year in question were solid, although I've long found it notable to reflect on Angel skipper Mike Scioscia's comments at the time that, "He's still going to have benefits. In 10 days, I guarantee you that Juan Rincon doesn't become a mere mortal."

Well Mike: We're in 2008, and Juan has come back to earth. Actually, he's sunken below the surface at this point, instilling fear in both teammates and family that he may emerge as one of those morbid C.H.U.D. figures in ensuing days.

The numbers spin the yarn. Here are some pivotal pitching statistics, further detailing Rincon's career growth, and overt regression since that 2005 season of yore:

Rincon ERA from 2001- 5/2/2005 (suspension date):

3.62

and Since:

3.99

Rincon's WHIP (Walks and Hits allowed per inning pitched) over his career:

2001- 2.12
2002- 1.85
2003- 1.31
2004- 1.02
2005- 1.21
2006- 1.35
2007- 1.56
2008- 1.75 (through 6/10/08)

And here is Rincon's respective ERAs, listed by year:

2001- 6.35
2002- 6.28
2003- 3.68
2004- 2.63
2005- 2.45
2006- 2.91
2007- 5.13
2008- 6.11

Lastly, here are Rincon's Inherited Runners/Inherited Runners Scored numbers over the years:

2001- 1/0 (0% allowed)
2002- 0/0 (0%)
2003- 41/13 (31%)
2004- 52/14 (26%)
2005- 20/3 (15%)
2006- 29/9 (31%)
2007- 30/12 (40%)
2008- 7/7 (100%)

This last number is the one I find most alarming. Every damn time Rincon has entered a ballgame with another pitcher's runner(s) on base, the dude has scored. You just can't trust that. And while the Inherited Runners/Inherited Runners Scored numbers are not considered an official statistic, and are furthermore considered shaky by some in that they don't take into account that exact whereabouts of said runner(s) -- this is a stat that I personally refer to in every box score. To me, it's says that you've either got your teammates' backs, or you don't. Those runners don't effect the respective reliever’s ERA, but they sure can hurt your boys'. And your team.

The Twins presently have 13 pitchers on their active roster. However, with interleague games in Milwaukee this weekend, followed by a trip to N.L. San Diego the week of the 22nd, the club will need an extra bat on the bench to pinch hit. Even though the club seemingly needs all the extra arms they can get right now, an extra batsman, in my mind, outweighs that last arm for games in N.L. parks, sans the DH.

Someone in the bullpen has to leave. That aforementioned Time article included a valuable sidebar that noted the following "5 Ways to Improve Your Disaster Personality": Attitude, Knowledge, Anxiety Level, Body Weight, Training.

Rincon's recent seasons and performances have displayed so few of these tenets that for my money, come the weekend, Juan will be gone.