Twins Pitcher Phil Hughes Sets Record, Misses Bonus

Minnesota Twins fans haven’t had much to cheer about this season, but they can celebrate the fine season right hander Phil Hughes has had. Hughes signed a three year deal as a free agent last December after an awful season with the Yankees in 2013, where his was 4-14 with a 5.19 ERA. The change of scenery agreed with him. This season, Hughes is 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA, and he posted these numbers pitching for a last place team.

The most remarkable aspect to Hughes’ season is his strikeout to walk ratio. In 209 2/3 innings, Hughes struck out 186 batters and walked only 16. That’s 16 walks in the entire season. His strikeout to walk ratio of 11.63 is the best ever. That 209 2/3 innings is significant for something else as well. One of the incentive bonuses in Hughes’ contract was a $500,000 bonus if he pitched 210 innings. There was a 66 minute rain delay in Hughes’ final start of the season on September 24th, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire opted to not put Hughes back on the mound after play resumed. He also said he wouldn’t use Hughes out of the bullpen the rest of the way either. The Twins final game is on Sunday September 29th.

We certainly don’t have to pass the hat for Hughes, who has an $8 million base salary, plus he’s already earned a half million dollars of incentive bonuses. But hey, why not put him in for an inning on Sunday, let him get a nice ovation from the fans for his fine season and that bonus.

Update: The Twins offered Hughes a chance to pitch one more inning, and he declined. If he’s OK with it then we’re OK with it too.

Here’s a look back at Hughes’ first game with the Twins back in April: