Bullpen Boof blasted

Boof Bonser's career relief debut was a miserable one, as he gave up 5 earned runs in 3 innings relieving Scott Baker, who was hit by a line drive. After the game, Ron Gardenhire blasted Bonser for being rusty after having two weeks off. That's right, said it was Boof's fault.

I've always thought Gardenhire had it "out" for Bonser. After every outing, positive, negative, or neutral (and I'll be the first to say Boof has had more of the second two than the first), Gardenhire always made some sort of critical remark.

Anything can happen during the course of a season, but Boof does not have a good ranking at all on the organizational depth chart heading into the 2008 season. If any team still values him, I say look for Boof to be traded. Otherwise, it may take a ST injury to another prospect to avoid a trip to Rochester.

Boofpen

It's official. Boof Bonser is now a member of the Minnesota Twins bullpen.

This will be Boof's first time ever as a regular member of a bullpen. He has one career relief appearance, his professional debut, for Salem-Keizer back in 2000.

UPDATE: The same article now states that Bonser is back in the rotation, taking the spot of the injured Carlos Silva. No matter what is going on, Boof's next start is crucial to establishing himself as a starting pitcher to remain competitive for a rotation spot in 2008, which is by no means a sure thing.

Surely it hasn't come to this

Boof's recent starts have been, well...not so good, we'll say. It's gotten to the point where Ron Gardenhire had to actually state that Boof really will get another start. But with the Twins calling up more young starting prospects, there will be guys waiting in the wings if Boof falters again.

In other words, Boof's spot in the rotation very well could be decided by his performance in his next start.