Article: Five Key Improvements for 2015

[stringer bell]

The death march to 90 losses for the Minnesota Twins continues today with another doubleheader, this time against the South Side Sox. Sixteen games remain in this frustrating season which produced one, maybe two, rotation pieces and some optimism that the Twins can score enough runs to be competitive.

 

My thoughts have shifted to 2015.Taking a quick glance at the numbers and having watched a lot of Twins baseball this year, I have selected five areas where the Twins need improved play and where the possibility exists that there can be improvement.

 

1) Joe Mauer--The hometown hero has to return to being an All-Star caliber player. I don't know what it has been, but Mauer has been a shadow of his former self. His batting average is down 50 points, and his OBP almost as much. Some, myself included, expected a bit of a power surge moving to the physically less demanding position of first base and the reverse has happened. We've seen flashes, but no sustained great performance. Mauer has had a Hall-of-Fame career to this point, but this year has been pretty close to dreadful. I think he needs to both adjust and train like he never has before. He has to turn on more pitches, hit more balls over the fence and be stronger. Some have made the point that Mauer rested all off-season, waiting for the concussion symptoms to disappear. If they are gone, he needs to be both stronger and more flexible at 32. I believe it can be done.

 

2) Defense--The Strib yesterday pointed out that the Twins defense was ranked 29th out of 30 in some measure. I think that is close to accurate and is almost totally on the outfield defense--and catcher!. There is currently a thread running about the defensive dilemma. I will say that both better athletes and more continuity will move the needle considerably. More reps for Arcia in right field and Santana at whatever position he lands should produce dividends. An improved pitching staff could improve run suppression better than any single defensive change. The crown jewel of the Twins' farm system is a center fielder who could graduate next year and make an immediate defensive impact on the team.

 

3) Rotation--The Twins' staff was supposed to be improved this year. Despite a breakthrough for Phil Hughes, it hasn't happened. Supposed reliable innings-eaters have underperformed and been injured. It would be foolish to expect Nolasco, Pelfrey and Milone to all bounce back to be acceptable starters or better next year, but it isn't out of the realm that one or two them returns to better form than they displayed this year. Trevor May and Alex Meyer will get a chance at some time next year. JO Berrios isn't far away either. Better days are ahead, hopefully supervised by a different pitching coach.

 

4) Home record--The Twins have won more road games than seven teams who have better records than they do. Where's the "home field advantage"? Part of this is roster construction--Target Field requires speedy outfielders and right-handed power and the Twins haven't had enough of either. Part of that is attitude, I believe. For some reason, the Twins don't seem to be convinced they should win every home game and haven't since 2010. Again, maybe a change in the field staff will instill this attitude

 

5) Fundamentals--Know when to take a chance on the bases. Know which base to throw to, and set up and use the cutoff man. When there's a runner on third with less than two out, don't try to hit the ball 500 feet, especially with two strikes. The Twins have fallen off dramatically in all these facets and more, which encompass "fundamentals", and it has cost them on the W-L ledger. Good teams make the right plays at the right time. The talent is there, but the focus sometimes has not been. Again, perhaps a new voice will be able to get through to the players both on how to play hard and be fundamentally sound.

 

That's my five areas. I know there are more. As I wrote this, it occurred to me how nice it would be to have someone else calling the shots from the manager's seat. I guess this is my not-to-subtle call to replace the manager as well.

 

Click here to view the article

[Kwak]

1)  Joe Mauer wasn't, isn't, nor should be considered "the straw the stirs the drink".  True, if his BAVG improves 50 points the team scoring will improve.  But that statement works for every position.  Mauer isn't what's keeping this team from winning 90+ games--but his salary suggests that he should be!

 

2)  Substandard defense has demonstrably hurt.  But how many changes will the Twins make?  Expecting Arcia to improve is wistful.  Better positioning would help--but this management team has yet to tinker much with OF alignment.  CF--who?  We need to remove the rose-colored glasses here, none of the present candidates will defend to the level Twins fans have come to enjoy.  Buxton won't be spending much (if any) time with the Twins next year.  2016, well that's not this thread.  Santana is fast but doesn't have an OF "knack".  Plus his throws, while strong, are far too often inaccurate.  Hicks is just plain overrated.  Schafer can play the field, but has no arm, and is likely the best defensive option--but will the Twin opt for defense or offense?  Or perhaps neither (Hicks).  Anybody would be better than Willingham.

There will be improvement--but how much is TBD.  A top free agent would help--but how likely is that to happen?

 

3)  The amount of improvement to tough to gauge--it will improve but how much will depend on defensive improvement.  Earlier scoring by the offense would probably help too.  I don't think they will be 29th next year, but 19th is in the cards.  I firmly believe that a relaxation of "the pitch count rule" will help and also help the bullpen. 

But can/will the Twins be flexible on this issue?

 

4)  Probably reflects that Twins really were a weak team.  Improve the team, improve the home record.

 

5)  Fundamentals.  It seems to me you really mean playing situational baseball rather than "playing to impress".  Players that "feel secure" of their job (and compensation) [read veterans] are more likely to do this.  Guys looking to "secure a job"--or "a big pay raise" tend to play to impress.  Attitudes are difficult to control.  

[Trautmann13]

Great wright up! Agree one hundred percent! 

[notoriousgod71]

1. Better rotation

2. Better bullpen

3. Better lineup

4. Better manager

5. Better GM

 

Easy.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Excellent writeup, agree 100%.

 

1) Mauer - I think improvement here is possible... even likely given his career. I do agree that he may have to train like he's never trained before to do it, but it is doable and will pay dividends to the offense.

 

2) Defense - OF defense is horrid. A 1 year stop gap in CF should improve on Santana (who I think belongs at SS). LF is a different situation that's been discussed ad nauseum here. As for Arcia. I'd tell him that if he wants a long term contract, he'd be wise to spend a lot of time this offseason working on his OF defense. He is 23, he should improve naturally and should improve a lot more if he puts in some effort.

 

3) The rotation is going to require some patience. We wanted FAs last year, so they got them. 2 of the 3 didn't do so well, which is sadly typical. Hughes and Gibson spots are pretty much earned, and I think Gibson will improve a bit. I'm hoping and praying for a bounce back season by Nolasco as well. I expect improvement from May as he's going to be a lot more comfortable pitching every 5 days and think a season somewhat more in line with what Gibson did this year is quite reasonable. In May's case, he misses bats too, so if he gets around the mental issues, he could quickly be an above average pitcher. I think the last spot is going to Millone for now, who the Twins will likely attempt to trade at the deadline (or if he's pitching well and things break right, next offseason) to make room for Meyer.

 

4) I don't think TF brings quite the same home field advantage that the dome did. I'm not really certain that's on coaching, though the team's construction going forward (with some dead pull hitters) will be beneficial.

 

5) This will require some coaching changes. I agree, they need to get back to that and have been slowly slipping away from that during the Gardy era.

[SarasotaBill]

2015 improvement

1. Sign Lester as a free agent. All good teams need a ace. Team improves because Lester is much better than the #6 pitcher and he helps protect the bullpen.

2. Young players improve. Most players are like Tori Hunter who need time to adjust to the majors.

3. Use platoons. Schafer / RHB in LF and likewise to a lesser extent at CF, SS, and 3B.

4. Sano, Buxton, Meyer, and Berrios will earn their way up sometime in 2015.

[DocBauer]

Baseball is still a team sport, despite 1 on 1 matchups. I don't know that anyone has ever declared Mauer the straw that stirs the Twins drink. However, he can be a hugely important cog in the lineup. And while improved power would be beneficial, he doesn't really have to do so to be effective and important. 140-150 games played at 1B and a few at DH here and there will give the plate appearances necessary to see rises in R's, RBI, as well as some rise in said power numbers simply from being in more games with more plate appearances. Mauer with a .320-ish BA and .400 OB with 40+ Dbls and, probably, low to mid teens in HR's gives the team/lineup an import piece in the 3 hole; someone who can move and knock in runners, as well as start and continue innings himself. Healthy, at 1B, only 32, he can still be that player.

 

2) Defensive improvement can happen simply from internal progression, (Arcia as a prime example), and by simply having a set OF instead of a bunch of patchwork options. No Willingham in LF, a quality offense/defense LF, as has been discussed multiple times already, and an experienced, natural CF to play consistently, even if he isn't gold glove, will improve continuity. (Hicks?)

 

3) Cal me a naive optimist if you wish, I don't think the 2015 rotation is as bad as some project. I believe Hughes is real. Gibson has stunk here and there, but also been very good, and the good has outweighed the bad. He will be better next year. When did we forget this is his first full season? Take emotional disappointment out of the equation, and there is no reason to be so down on Nolasco for 2015. No questioning the talent of May and Meyer. It's just time. May is doing what Gibson did at the end of last season, getting his feet wet. Very strong chance at least one of the youngsters opens in the rotation. Hopefully Milone rebounds to the pitcher has been until now. I guess Pelfrey might be an ok fill in if needed, but, MEH. It's one thing to say "give soandso a 22M per year deal for 6-7 years and give us an ACE", and another thing to pay that much to a pitcher in his mid to late 30's and fading, possibly quickly.

 

4) Better overall team, better overall record. Another RH hitter with power could definitely help, but I don't feel it's a big ballpark mystery.

 

5) Not joining the endless debate on manager and coaches at this point. BIG Gardy fan, think he can still do the job. I just think it's time for that different voice, that different way of doing things now. I'd like to see at least some of the coaches stay. I think we have some good ones.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Nice write up. Can't resist adding my 2 cents:

 

1. Concussion, proud papa, position change, a lot going on this offseason. Joe should rebound.

 

2. I don't know why but I am comfortable with Schafer as LF for 2015. 

 

3. Starting Pitching? No comment.

 

4. Home field advantage will return when the team starts winning. 

 

5. Fundamentals. Coaching. Somebody in the organization, probably Ryan, saw that a guy like Molitor (a HOF infielder) could come in and work regularly with Dozier and Plouffe, and both those guys are completing very good seasons. Maybe Ryan or Molitor can in turn identify a potential outfield coach who might come in and work with Hicks, Santana, Arcia, and others. Not to mention the dire need (imo) for an additional Latin American presence.

[USAFChief]

1.  Mauer put up a .729 OPS (102 OPS+) in an injury shortened 2011. His numbers are almost identical this year.  He came back to put up .861 and .880 OPS's in 2012 and 2013, hopefully he can rebound similarly in the future.  Good, but not great numbers.  

 

2.  I'd hope to see a FA LFer, and Hicks starting in CF, hoping one of those works out and Buxton arrives by midseason.  I can live with Schafer as a 4th OFer, but ideally I'd want someone better for that role, too.  I am pretty confident in predicting everyone currently in love with Schafer will be asking for a divorce if he gets regular playing time next year.  It's too bad pitching staffs have grown to12 or 13...in the old days he'd have been a good 5th OFer...a guy who rarely starts but is useful off the bench.  Alas...it's difficult for teams to carry 5 true OFers these days. As an aside...I don't worry much about corner OF defense.  Plenty of teams have won, and won big, with questionable corner OF defense.

 

3.  I don't see the current options as enough to form a decent starting rotation in 2015.  So either sign someone better than anyone they have now, or accept that the team won't compete in 2015.  I'd like to see a serious effort to sign one of Lester or Scherzer.  I doubt that happens, though.

 

4.  They'll win more...at home and on the road...when they field a better team.

 

5.  The time is long past for new leadership in the dugout.  Maybe that will help.

 

3.  

[Monkeypaws]

Nice article.

 

•Mauer is the obvious question mark, given the disparity between past performance/salary and what he has been this year. Hosken Bombo's points are well taken, but I hope he is young enough to turn it around. I'd hate to see him become the Dany Heatley of baseball and just fall off the planet.

 

•I'd love to see an ace in a Twins uni next season. Who knows, maybe the Earth is round after all.

 

•Speed seems like it would be useful on both sides of the game at Target Field. 

 

•Totally agree on fundamentals - need Tom Kelly to kick some butt in this organization.

[clutterheart]

The injuries to Buxton & Sano + Rosario's disappearance has pushed the rebuild back to 2016.

2015 should be more of the same unless the unexpected happens.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I would add a surgeon to the staff. This team needs someone to remove players' heads from inside their backside, and place it in their shoulders again. Obviously it's tough to run bases or field a baseball with your head up your backside, I think this might help.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Sconnie

[DJL44]

I agree with the poster that mentioned the bullpen. The Twins bullpen may not look like the problem now but they're below average, aging and trending in the wrong direction. Overhauling the bullpen should be an offseason priority.

[Riverbrian]

Good Post String

 

1. Mauer -- I think Mauer is a fantastic ball player... I think he will produce like typical Mauer in the future. I think he has one of the sweetest swings in the game. I'm a happy he's a Twin.

 

However... I feel terrible saying this: "I'm not counting on him". I think Mauer has reached the point where he has to prove he can stay healthy to be counted on. The development of Vargas has become more of a priority to me. The Twins need a 1B/DH like Vargas because he is almost guaranteed to play a month or two at 1B while Joe hits the DL.

 

2. Defense -- I've always considered myself a defensive freak. I've always been willing to sacrifice OPS for a guy who can make defensive plays. I see what defensive metrics are saying but... I see a light at the end of the tunnel. With Plouffe's improvement... The Infield is in good shape. The OF was a mess but Hammer is gone... Santana is getting better each day and Hicks has been encouraging offensively in September and that leads me to consider the possibility of Hicks hitting enough to play and if he can play... His D is pretty good... Also Schafer is pretty good out there.

 

3. Pitching -- This should be #1... In my opinion. Hughes and Nolasco are under big contract so they ain't going anywhere so Hughes needs to keep doing it and Nolasco has to figure it out. Milone and Pelfrey need to pitch like they are interested in staying in the majors. While Gibson and May become what we hope they will be. Eventually Meyer will show up and maybe even Berrios. At some point the Twins may need to take a run at a frontline FA starter like Lester. I just don't think this is the year to do it. What the Twins need is to find someone out of nowhere... Like... Fiers... Carrasco... Petit... Shoemaker... McHugh or Simon. That type of performance from someone. We may have to think outside the box to find someone like Fiers. We may need to replace Rick Anderson. Watching Worley pitch well in Pittsburgh has me ready for a new pitching coach. Not that I know for sure that Anderson is a bad coach. I'm just ready for a new approach in case it's the approach that is causing our pitching woes.

 

4. Home Record -- To me this comes down to Tude. I want my Twins to be tougher. I don't think they pitch tough or run tough. At least not as tough as they can at times. This has been better this year but the team still needs more Tude. I believe we need a new manager in an attempt to get more Tude.

 

5. Fundamentals -- Absolutely... However this is one area where I think Gardy is strong. No worries... We have youth making youth mistakes. This improves with time.

[jharaldson]

I am going to take the contrary opinion here that Joe Mauer can be counted on for some kind of rebound.  If part of his issue this year was recovering from the concussion and adapting to all of the changes in his life then I would expect the further in to this he gets the better he would be doing.  His first 16 games after coming back from his oblique injury he had a .866 OPS and a 11.6% K%.  The following 16 games tell a different story with Mauer logging a .710 OPS with a 25% K%.  Obviously the sample sizes are small but they each total 10% of the season.  My prediction is that we will never see another season where Joe posts an OPS over .800.

[Dantes929]

Increasing strength is always a good thing. I have no problem with saying Mauer should train harder than he ever has before and if he does while also putting more distance from his concussion I think his numbers will rebound but don't expect or necessarily want him to change how he hits. .320 with a .870 OPS would be ok with me but it should be from the #2 spot.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I mostly agree with RB but for one minor tweak. 2. Pitching should be 1. I wasn't one ace type front line starter, if he's not that guy that the other teams says "not that guy" about I'm not interested. They already have a bunch of ok pitchers, they don't need another Nolasco type.

3. Defense should be 1b. Hughes went 7 innings with 11 strikeouts on Saturday, still gave up 5 runs(only 3 earned) against a team that went 7 for 31 on the game. 5. Fundamentals should be 2(or 3 depending on his you count 1/1b) and is very much in line with defense.

 

I agree with his take on Mauer 100%. I would go so far as to say the Twins organization and Mauer's career are on different trajectories. When he's healthy he will be a good hitter, but the health part will continue to be a question. Mauer is not and has not ever been in his career a player coach, but that's the direction this team is headed with the requirements of its veterans. On the other hand it appears Kurt Suzuki does kind of fit that mold. He's supposedly the vocal coachy leadery type.

[Hammer of Killebrew]

I don't know if I could rank these.  There all pretty important.  I'd rank Mauer's issues last.  Mauer is a proven all-star so we know he deserves to be in the lineup.  But Mauer could hit .400 and we would still be bad due to the other 4 problems.  Mauer needs to fix Mauer.  The Twins organization needs to fix everything else.  

 

1. What Joe Mauer does from here is on his shoulders.  Our coaches should be focused on improving the younger call ups.  Mauer is an all star caliber player at his best.  He should know his game to the point where he can make adjustments and train on his own.

 

2./3.  I think these are closely tied together.  We all know the Twins philosophy has been pitch to contact .  This requires an all star caliber defense.  Its possible there long term goal is sacrificing defense to get more power in the lineup.  And that obviously requires less contact and more strikeouts.  We are either bad at what we are trying to do, or waiting for the minor leaguers that fit this plan to show up.  After 4 years of 90+ loses, either way, we are bad at what we are doing.

 

4.  Home Field advantage comes with winning more and designing an organization towards winning games in a field you play majority of your season in.  I watched the Home Run Derby this year and was shocked by the Twin's lack of right handed pull hitters.  We have seen guys like Willingham, Dozier, and Plouffe take advantage for short stretches.  Why do we not see more consistent hitters like this?  

 

5.  I think this has been the biggest difference between the winning years and these past 4.  We seem lost in all aspects of the game.  I'm not sure what to say about this.  The organization knows how its developing players.  So either they are trying to do something different that is still in development, or the players cannot execute what the Twins are teaching.  Maybe its both.  Its up to the organization to figure out why this is an issue.  If they can't, its time to bring in new people. 

[Monkeypaws]

My one hope would be continued improvement on the part of everybody. 

 

Much has been made lately of Plouffe's arrival as a respectable MLB 3rd baseman, and Dozier's all-around game, and even Escobar's as a reasonable MLB SS - if Arcia, Hicks, Gibson see similar improvement next season, and guys like Vargas and Santana continue their current level, they could at least become a middle of the pack team and set the stage for the uber prospects' arrival.

[Thegrin]

• I think Mauer's years as a .300 hitter are done.  He should be moved toward the back of the lineup where Suzuki is hitting.

As others have pointed out, more balls will be caught in LF with Willingham's departure, no matter who plays out there. Also, a number of balls have been misplayed due to the extra padding on the outfield walls. 

The newly padded walls should give the Twins a marginal home field advantage because the bounce is now difference from most other outfield walls.  Also, the Twins need better fans.  They should support this young, exciting team no matter what the record is. 

The Twins now have the pitchers to compete in 2015.  I would take Gibson, Nolasco, Milone, Pelfrey, May & Meyer and put them on notice that they have a 2 bad game limit.  2 bad games and they go to the bullpen and the next pitcher is brought in.  This would be true for Hughes too if he starts out badly. 

Molitor was supposed to help baserunning and bunting, and both have been terrible this year.  I see no reason to continue Molitor's employment in 2015. 

[Brandon]

1.  The Twins offense is good now despite Mauers production.  But a better Mauer is more fun to watch.

2.  Mauer, C and the OF is where defense is lacking. We have defensive C at high A on the way and the low A C wasn't too bad either.  wont help in 2015 but help is coming.  Buxton, Hicks and Schaefer can get to anything in the OF, Parmelee can hold his own as a 4th OF/DH/1B/PH.  Buxton wont be up till late next year if we are lucky but we wont be as bad next year by default.  The solution is in our system.  Mauer just needs more repetition to be average out there. 

3.  The rotation has pieces with more coming.  We could go out and sign Santana/ Shields or wait it out.

4 and 5. no real comment on the last 2 home record and management are not something you can really pinpoint for improvement.  yes we can get better OF defense and RH power.  and Gardy is fine as a manager.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

1. Remember that scene in Rocky IV where Rocky goes into the mountains and trains like crazy while Ivan Drago is getting pumped up with the best Russian pharma can buy?  Mauer should return to camp with a giant beard and a montage video of him running around the lakes, chopping wood, and doing one-handed pushups with his twins sitting on his back " .298, .299, .300!" There ya go Twins PR department, that first idea's free.

[stringer bell]

 

1.  The Twins offense is good now despite Mauers production.  But a better Mauer is more fun to watch.

2.  Mauer, C and the OF is where defense is lacking. We have defensive C at high A on the way and the low A C wasn't too bad either.  wont help in 2015 but help is coming.  Buxton, Hicks and Schaefer can get to anything in the OF, Parmelee can hold his own as a 4th OF/DH/1B/PH.  Buxton wont be up till late next year if we are lucky but we wont be as bad next year by default.  The solution is in our system.  Mauer just needs more repetition to be average out there. 

3.  The rotation has pieces with more coming.  We could go out and sign Santana/ Shields or wait it out.

4 and 5. no real comment on the last 2 home record and management are not something you can really pinpoint for improvement.  yes we can get better OF defense and RH power.  and Gardy is fine as a manager.

I was with you until the last six words.

[tobi0040]

Good Post String

 

1. Mauer -- I think Mauer is a fantastic ball player... I think he will produce like typical Mauer in the future. I think he has one of the sweetest swings in the game. I'm a happy he's a Twin.

 

However... I feel terrible saying this: "I'm not counting on him". I think Mauer has reached the point where he has to prove he can stay healthy to be counted on. The development of Vargas has become more of a priority to me. The Twins need a 1B/DH like Vargas because he is almost guaranteed to play a month or two at 1B while Joe hits the DL.

 

2. Defense -- I've always considered myself a defensive freak. I've always been willing to sacrifice OPS for a guy who can make defensive plays. I see what defensive metrics are saying but... I see a light at the end of the tunnel. With Plouffe's improvement... The Infield is in good shape. The OF was a mess but Hammer is gone... Santana is getting better each day and Hicks has been encouraging offensively in September and that leads me to consider the possibility of Hicks hitting enough to play and if he can play... His D is pretty good... Also Schafer is pretty good out there.

 

3. Pitching -- This should be #1... In my opinion. Hughes and Nolasco are under big contract so they ain't going anywhere so Hughes needs to keep doing it and Nolasco has to figure it out. Milone and Pelfrey need to pitch like they are interested in staying in the majors. While Gibson and May become what we hope they will be. Eventually Meyer will show up and maybe even Berrios. At some point the Twins may need to take a run at a frontline FA starter like Lester. I just don't think this is the year to do it. What the Twins need is to find someone out of nowhere... Like... Fiers... Carrasco... Petit... Shoemaker... McHugh or Simon. That type of performance from someone. We may have to think outside the box to find someone like Fiers. We may need to replace Rick Anderson. Watching Worley pitch well in Pittsburgh has me ready for a new pitching coach. Not that I know for sure that Anderson is a bad coach. I'm just ready for a new approach in case it's the approach that is causing our pitching woes.

 

4. Home Record -- To me this comes down to Tude. I want my Twins to be tougher. I don't think they pitch tough or run tough. At least not as tough as they can at times. This has been better this year but the team still needs more Tude. I believe we need a new manager in an attempt to get more Tude.

 

5. Fundamentals -- Absolutely... However this is one area where I think Gardy is strong. No worries... We have youth making youth mistakes. This improves with time.

 

I agree that pitching should be #1.  By far.

 

Absolute best case, this team is better in four places through young players.  Sano, Buxton, Meyer, and May.   They  need more talent than this. My ideal offseasn would involve signing a top pitcher and good LF.  These have to be clear upgrades.  No signing is better than a re-tread. Hoping a guy we signed on a minor league deal gets back the guy he was 3 years ago is not good enough. Hope is not a strategy.

 

Absolute best case, this team is better in four places through young players.  Sano, Buxton, Meyer, and May.   They  need more talent than this.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I generally have no problem with a team signing players to the low-risk high-upside minor league deal. It becomes a problem with that signing is made in a position of need and the minor league deal is secretly (or not so secretly) the "solution" to the problem (see Kubel, Jason).

 

It's awesome if a team signs a guy to a minor league deal and he plays his way onto the 40-Man and then the 25-Man roster. It's another thing entirely to have to use that player out of desperation.

[tobi0040]

I generally have no problem with a team signing players to the low-risk high-upside minor league deal. It becomes a problem with that signing is made in a position of need and the minor league deal is secretly (or not so secretly) the "solution" to the problem (see Kubel, Jason).

 

It's awesome if a team signs a guy to a minor league deal and he plays his way onto the 40-Man and then the 25-Man roster. It's another thing entirely to have to use that player out of desperation.

 

Yeah, they just need to give spots to young players and see what we have, or sign clear upgrades and let the younger guys compete for fewer roles.

[Brandon]

 

I was with you until the last six words.

Can you pinpoint why you don't like Gardy as manager?  I see lots of blame going his way for a talentless roster. I hope its not 4 losing seasons.  If its in game management then I can appreciate that or if its something else. The Twins are about set to go on an 8 season winning streak or so.  If Gardy manages those seasons he will be back to being a good manager and close to a 2000 win manager too.  Might even bee a Hall of Fame Manager.  The question is if he'll want to manage until e's close to70.

[tobi0040]

Can you pinpoint why you don't like Gardy as manager?  I see lots of blame going his way for a talentless roster. I hope its not 4 losing seasons.  If its in game management then I can appreciate that or if its something else. The Twins are about set to go on an 8 season winning streak or so.  If Gardy manages those seasons he will be back to being a good manager and close to a 2000 win manager too.  Might even bee a Hall of Fame Manager.  The question is if he'll want to manage until e's close to70.

 

Not that this was intended for me, but I think the difference between a good manager and a bad one is 3 wins a year, max.  The question is, is Gardy the good manager that will add 3 wins?  I don't think he is.  I believe he is behind the curve in platooning, playing guys out of position, advanced metricss, and lineup construction. And then you have the losing the DH fear.

 

I personally don't see anyone blaming Gardy for 100% of the last four years.  The lion share of our issues has been starting pitching, without question.  But I just think people think that Gardy is closer to the problem than the solution.  That is certainly what I believe and given the threads, believe that lies within the majority.

Edited September 16, 2014 by tobi0040

[bird]

I don't see Mauer as a top five problem per se, but I do wonder how many players making $20M in a season fail to ever carry their team on their back for at least some short stretch during a season. We need our best hitter to be someone who looks to hammer a pitch when runners are on base, not look to coax a damn walk.

 

I'd re-phrase the problem as a situation where we don't have that player- yet. Maybe Arcia can grow into that, as he seems to have a fire in his belly that's been missing from all outward appearances. Or maybe we have to wait for someone like Sano or Buxton.

[Mike Sixel]

He walked the bases loaded. Ugh. He is playing Suzuki right now, and not Pinto. Ugh. He, like most managers, is stuck in the past on managing to the "save" stat. ugh. He pinch runs with two outs all the time, with a runner on first. That guy is very much not likely to score. ugh. He sacrifice bunts early in games too often. He gets mad at the press for asking him strategy questions (part of his job is talking to the press). They have been worse and worse at the "little things" the longer he has been in charge. Ugh. He seems, to me, to prefer plucky veterans over unknown younger players. He appears to be unable to fire one of his coaches, even if that guy is not doing his job well (he is, after all, the manager, not some flunky). That's part of your job, holding others accountable and being able to make hard choices, not just about players, but coaches too. How long of a list do you want, about how people feel about Gardy?

 

There are a lot of evidence and management studies out there in the world, they all say that management needs to be refreshed every 10 years or so......new voices and thoughts are needed.