Opportunity is what Maloney has waited for

FORT MYERS, FLA. - They were simple conversations between a forgotten pitching prospect and a hidden baseball executive, but they meant the world to Matt Maloney.

Looking back now, while making a strong push to make Twins bullpen, Maloney still is grateful for the encouragement Wayne Krivsky gave him.

Back in 2007, when he was Cincinnati Reds general manager, Krivsky acquired Maloney from the Phillies for Kyle Lohse. So Krivsky knew Maloney had potential, even if the lefthanded pitcher felt pigeonholed at Class AAA Louisville.

By last summer, Maloney was becoming Louisville's all-time leader with 35 career victories -- a record no aspiring big league pitcher really wants -- and Krivsky was biding his time as a scout for the Mets.

"I told him I still felt he was a prospect and was ready to pitch in the big leagues right then," Krivsky said. "It was just a matter of timing and being in the right spot."

Fortune brought them together again last fall. Krivsky rejoined the Twins as a special assistant, and one of his first recommendations was claiming Maloney off waivers.

A few weeks later, two of Maloney's former Louisville teammates -- Jared Burton and Daryl Thompson -- cleared waivers, and the Twins signed both to minor league deals.

The 6-5 Burton was an effective setup man for the Reds before an arm injury and a thyroid condition derailed him the past two years. The 6-4 Maloney is versatile enough to start or pitch in long relief and has given up two runs in 15 1/3 innings, with five walks and 18 strikeouts.

"We always liked his ability to throw strikes," Krivsky said. "He's durable. He's got deception in his delivery. He's not going to light up the radar gun, but the guy really has a feel for pitching."

Maloney, 28, has mostly started since the Reds made him a third-round pick out of the University of Mississippi in 2005. But the Twins could stash him in a long-relief role, knowing they have potential rotation openings coming with Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker all potential free agents at season's end.

"I just feel really comfortable here," Maloney said. "I felt like that from Day 1, and that says something about the guys on the team."

Maloney got a taste of the big leagues with the Reds in 2009 and again in September 2010. He made their Opening Day roster last year, but was optioned back to Louisville after posting an 8.49 ERA in five games, including four relief appearances.

Maloney got called up again May 23 and was thrust into relief duty against the Phillies. During an at-bat against Cole Hamels, Maloney cracked a rib on a swing, but he stayed in the game and gave up one run over 3 1/3 innings.

"It was tough because I was starting to pitch really well," Maloney said, "but you try to make the best of a bad situation."

The Reds re-instated Maloney from the 60-day disabled list in mid-August but optioned him to Louisville again, keeping him in minor league purgatory. After Louisville's season ended, he made two inconsequential relief appearances for the Reds in September.

When the Twins claimed Maloney on waivers, he was delighted, knowing he had Krivsky behind him.

"I'm grateful he gave me an opportunity to come over here," Maloney said. "You almost want to prove to him that he did the right thing and not let him down."