Article: Who Will Be The Next Twins Manager?

[Bark's Lounge]

Much of what I say will mirror most posts on this thread.

 

My first choice, although probably fool hardy is Mientkiewicz. It could be that he does not have the prerequisites of a Mike Matheny or Brad Ausmus, but I like the hiring of youngish Gen X former players. I like that he is a fiery guy and some might see that as a detriment. It appears that he has been great with the farm kids and that may be the ace up his sleeve with our fast approaching next wave of players and the few we have on our active roster now. I would hate to lose Doug, if not now, he feels like the right guy in the not so distant future.

 

2nd place is a tie between Dave Martinez and Molitor. Dave is super intriguing and he would kill 2 birds with one stone with him being bilingual in the spanish department. Dave is probably the most qualified based on his resume and his mentor.

 

What I have a hard time with is the concept of losing Molitor. Maybe some will not share these views, but I really feel his tutelage to guys like Dozier, Santana, Escobar, Plouffe and others helped make the on field product way better this season in all phases of the game except for picthing. If you hire Martinez or some other outsider, my bet is that Molitor leaves or won't be chosen as a coach and the progress that was made this season is a wash for the most part.

 

Although it is not the passion choice I would make for our manager choice, I hope Molitor gets the job if the Twins promote Mientkiewicz to the bigs as a coach to be Molly's understudy. Molitor is 58, chances are he will be in 4-5 years and done, if everything goes accordingly. That way I bet Brunansky is kept on as hitting coach (he deserves to be), Steinbach stays unless he is offered a nice position from the D-Backs and maybe, just maybe Mientkiewicz is our next manager (after Molitor). Also, a Spanish speaking, latino cultured coach is a must.

 

Molitor, Brunansky and Steinbach are not Ullger, Anderson and Vavra, they are all new to this regime (2-years and under) and I guarantee everyone, Molitor will have different way he approaches things than Gardenhire, the team will operate differently under his guidance.

 

In a nut shell I guess I want the Twins to hire Molitor as the manager with Mientkiewicz taking over in a few years.

 

Sorry for my slop...

Edited September 30, 2014 by Bark's Lounge

[pierre75275]

i would like to see dave Martinez has manager and doug mentkayvich as bench coach. Chili davis as hitting coach and bert blyleven as pitching coach suits me fine. after that no preference. ozzie Guillen can keep washing cars are whatever he is doing these days. i prefer leaders who dont feel the need to be a public specticle in order to get their point across.

[one_eyed_jack]

I'd prefer to see someone from outside the organization.  A new voice with new ideas and new perspectives would be a welcome change.

 

As for who that is, I'm open to ideas.

 

I'll throw out a name again that I threw out a while back in a discussion of potential Gardy replacements:

 

Ken Oberkfell.

 

I happened to catch this article on him. 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/26582426/

 

He's not a young guy, but it seems like he's got some ability to work with young players, and is open to blending new school and old school ways of baseball thinking.

 

I dunno, just a thought.

 

I've seen Jose Oqueno's name tossed around, that's an interesting thought.

 

No interest in Guillen.  I think his act wears thin very quickly.  I don't insist on another decade+ run for the next guy, but I also don't want to have to be facing this decision again in a year or two.

[ashbury]

Nobody over the age of 55, please.

[Badsmerf]

I like several of the candidates. Davis, would be my favorite though. I just like saying Chilli Davis, and it reminds me of winning WS tittles. Seems like a cool fit to me. Who cares about the other stuff.

[Old Twins Cap]

Molitor not a great candidate because of the "woman thing" in his recent past.  Martinez seems to bridge some gaps -- young enough, Latino enough, smart enough, with a good enough pedigree. 

 

But, Twins don't really go "outside" the organization very often, as in, not in the last three decades.  That's one of the problems of being an overly insular, cautious organization that doesn't have turnover:  you end up with pretty much the same thing every time.  Who looks, sounds and acts the most like Gardy? 

[Bark's Lounge]

Nobody over the age of 55, please.

You're out of the running then?

[brvama]

Seth I think you did a great job identifying the candidates. My choices in no particular order are Steinback, McEwing, or Mauer.

 

My only negative of Mauer is that he has spent his career in the Twins organization. I think it would be extremely helpful to have at least spent some time outside the Twins organization. Still, it all depends on 'whether that individual has a vision for the future while still be able to address current short comings. Mauer does bring a youthfulness to the position.

 

The interviews and previous experiences are important. Any potential candidate needs to match the club's direction. I am open and will wait to pass judgment. Someone younger would likely bring a new and fresh approach to the position.

 

Regardless of the final decision, I believe that any of the candidates listed represent a change. That, in and of itself, should be considered as progress.

[Craig Arko]

Nobody over the age of 55, please.

I started a new career path at 56. Old guys rock. And sometimes roll.

[Seth Stohs]

There is no way Jake Mauer could be the next manager, right? Conflict of interests anyone?

 

Not at all... Jake is is classy and responsible and respected as it gets.  

[Seth Stohs]

What are the attributes you would personally be looking for if you were interviewing candidates as the next manager. On tonight's TWins Hangouts podcast, I gave six of mine:

 

1.) Ideally speak spanish... not mandatory, but certainly ideal... I'd also want at least 2 members of the coaching staff to speak spanish fluently.

2.) Analytics - I don't want a manager to follow the book all of the time, but I want him (And the bench coach) fully aware of any statistical information that there is and be willing to discuss it.

3.) How does he handle young players?

4.) How does he handle veterans?

5.) How does he handle starting pitchers?

6.) How does he handle a bullpen?

 

Aside from that, you want a guy who will back his players, is good with the media and fans and community, has a lot of integrity and other things that you would want in any employee you would hire.

[ashbury]

You're out of the running then?

I might be the only TD poster whose hat isn't in the ring.

[Champuckett]

I will echo the original poster's thoughts, and I like the idea of Doug if we have to choose from within the organization, which we likely will.  This is based on nothing except he is young and I enjoyed watching him play, especially during 2001.

However, my hunch is Steinbauch is going to be the guy they pick.  For whatever reason, Molitor has not been on the "inside" with the front office for as long as I can recall.  It seems he is slightly ignored or passed over when opportunities arise.  Maybe he wasn't interested in really getting involved after Gardenhire got hired in 2002.

I think the best thing for this franchise would be to look outwards for once.  Martinez doesn't sound like a bad idea.  It would be amazing to get Joe Maddon, but since that isn't possible, I guess this is the next best thing?  Not sure on Chip Hale, but it seems that is basically looking inwards again, as he played a bunch of years for us.  We need to get over this.

Crazy idea here, but what about Mariano Rivera for bullpen coach, or pitching coach if you want to gamble.  I haven't heard anyone talking about this possibility with him, so I'm assuming he is available.  Zero idea if he is interested in ever coaching.

 

He would meet some needs, including this Hispanic connection the Twins are looking for.

[zchrz]

I want Mientkiewicz to get the job.  He was an eccentric, smart, savvy player that succeeded with a less than conventional skill set.  He also had the "fire" "grit" and "leader" qualities that translate well to managing.  His coaching track record is short but he has garnered nothing but praise and sucess so far.  The punching another manager thing is a red flag, but I am willing to file that one in the "fire" category. 

 

It seems like a pretty good situation to be able to bring in a young coach who has worked with the incoming crop of prospects to a team that is going to have at least a year or two of teeth cutting to do.  He will gain needed experience as the prospects do and the nucleus will grow together. 

 

Throw in Molitor/ Steinbach/ Glynn or an outside the org vet as a bench coach, keep Bruno around as hitting coach, and get a outside the org pitching coach.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Gardy laid his cards down in the press conference. He sees himself as a manager, he's not ready to be done managing, and he doesn't give two shakes what this undefined "position in the organization" is that Ryan is offering him. I say Gardy tipped his hand, but honestly the character he showed today, I think I see again what Gardy's supporters through the years never lost sight of. He's passionate, perceptive, speaks his mind, he cares that the Twins start winning again without him, and really cares about baseball players (see Plouffe's goodbye). With a new team, Gardy won't be as stubborn and will have to open himself up to suggestions a bit more - his job will depend on it. Until today I figured Gardy would be done managing, either because of his record the last four years or he might admit he's burned out or whatever, but instead I am almost 100% convinced he manages again somewhere. He could easily be successful again in the right situation too, no doubt in my mind.

 

The ideal candidate, according to Ryan today, will come from within the organization. That continuity for better or worse will be reassuring to the Twins. There will be outside coaches brought in, and it also sounded like some existing coaches would be welcomed back. If a guy like Ozzie were actually hired ( < .00001% chance of that happening) he would not be permitted to Surprise us! with his own coaching hires. Also, a guy as inexperienced as Mientkiewicz would probably need outside help selecting a staff anyway. I'm not opposed to Molitor but would hate to think he is a layup and already has the job. But the advantage of Molitor would be that he is an insider who seems open to outside ideas, and he apparently already has earned deep respect from guys like Buxton and Sano. Bruno has also gotten results and figures to stay in the picture.

 

Whoever this new manager is, he will not get the leash Kelly or Gardy did. This was the worst day professionally for many people in the organization and I bet there will be much less emotion or hesitation in sacking the next guy if it appears he's not working out.

[The Wise One]

I think whoever Ryan hires for manager there will be some history between the two. I don't think Ryan Ryan likes strangers too well.

 

If they hire Dougie Baseball as manager I would think he would have an idea of coaches he would like to work with.  He has been around baseball to know people.

Edited September 30, 2014 by The Wise One

[patmcgauley]

I hope that the 'purge' goes deeper inside the organization.  And, I believe that whoever comes in must not be a Tom Kelly clone nor allow #10 unlimited access to his office.  Go outside . . . too bad that Mike Redman isn't available.

[drjim]

What are the attributes you would personally be looking for if you were interviewing candidates as the next manager. On tonight's TWins Hangouts podcast, I gave six of mine:

 

1.) Ideally speak spanish... not mandatory, but certainly ideal... I'd also want at least 2 members of the coaching staff to speak spanish fluently.

2.) Analytics - I don't want a manager to follow the book all of the time, but I want him (And the bench coach) fully aware of any statistical information that there is and be willing to discuss it.

3.) How does he handle young players?

4.) How does he handle veterans?

5.) How does he handle starting pitchers?

6.) How does he handle a bullpen?

 

Aside from that, you want a guy who will back his players, is good with the media and fans and community, has a lot of integrity and other things that you would want in any employee you would hire.

 

I want to push back on #1 a little. Speaking Spanish is not all that significant, all the Latin American players in the majors can speak enough English. The bigger need is someone who grew up in the DR or Venezuela or another Latin American country. It is a cultural issue, not a language issue.

 

Not sure if saying speaking Spanish was shorthand for that, but to me it is a significant distinction.

[drjim]

Molitor not a great candidate because of the "woman thing" in his recent past.  Martinez seems to bridge some gaps -- young enough, Latino enough, smart enough, with a good enough pedigree. 

 

But, Twins don't really go "outside" the organization very often, as in, not in the last three decades.  That's one of the problems of being an overly insular, cautious organization that doesn't have turnover:  you end up with pretty much the same thing every time.  Who looks, sounds and acts the most like Gardy? 

 

Part of the issue is that there have only been two managers and two GMs in that time. Not a huge sample size.

 

I stand by Molitor or outside the organization. And even if it is Molitor, I suspect a significant amount of coaches would be from outside the org.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Molitor or Dougie please.

My first choices as well. At first, I was deep into the pro-Molitor camp but after considering it a bit more, I've started to warm up on Mientkiewicz. He's young, can definitely relate to the young core of players, and was in the same situation as a player in 2000 when the Twins emerged from obscurity.

 

Either is fine with me and I don't envy Ryan having to make this decision.

[Mike Sixel]

Having never interviewed, met, or even discussed any of these people before, this post seems a bit silly, but whatever......also, I am not a fan of Ryan making this decision. I just don't feel he is at all "hip" to how baseball teams are managed from the FO to the field in this era. I want a team that believes that people in the FO can help the field staff, that the strategies of types of players and tactical decisions are aligned, etc. I don't get that vibe from Ryan at all.

 

I think I recall reading that Jake Mauer sacrifice bunted in early innings this year......if so, I have no interest in him.

 

I think Dave Martinez makes a ton of sense. He's been sitting next to a pretty good manager for a while, he speaks Spanish (I think speaking it is an improvement), and I think KLAW tweeted yesterday that he hears very good things about him.

 

My second choice would be someone that coaches/manages for a team that understands the stuff I typed above, about the FO and field staff being aligned, about using modern analytics to inform decisions, about a willingness to try new and innovative approaches to the game.

 

My next choice is dougie baseball, except I refuse to learn how to spell his last name....and I have no rational reason for this choice, frankly.

 

Here ends my nearly completely uniformed post advising Mr. Ryan what to do....

[twinssouth]

Twins will continue to get younger, with more talent.  Mientkiewicz (man I hate spelling that name) and Martinez of Tampa Bay  are my choices.  Either one would work for me.

 

Ok, I read Souhan's article on making a case for Molitor and I'm adding his name and expanding from 2 to 3 my final choices. At Spring Training, you really see the1 on 1 Molitor has with players and you see the excitement Mient has doing drills. What struck me about him was he' s quick to praise the players when they do well. Mient seems like a positive guy.

 

Now that the discussion has begun; since I can't stand typing Dougie M's last name, I am officially changing it to Mient, you know kinda like gold mints. And, an executive decision has been made, twinssouth is officially withdrawing from the candidate list. Ever since baseball has banned my play, "the flying torpedo home plate buster upper " I can no longer with good conscious, take the job.

[djsuperguy]

Personally I'd like to see Dougie Baseball get a shot if for no other reason than his personality.  How in to a game is he, he's willing to back his players with his fists.  The Twins need someone with that kind of intensity to get this back on track, if Redmond can score a Major league managerial gig, so can The Mint. 

As for those seeking Ryan's head next on a platter, I blame Bill Smith for Gardy's firing.  When Ryan retook the reigns I figured it would take 4 years before this thing got turned around, he didn't have any chips to work with and essentially has started from fresh as exemplified by his comments last year on not being able to provide Gardy with a quality roster.  He went after quality free agents in Nolasco, Hughes & Willingham and although Nolasco has been a bust so far at least it's not Santana's Mets contract which Ryan didn't sign.  The question we'll never have the answer to was would he have resigned Mauer?

[Thegrin]

My vote goes to Manny Acta.  His Cleveland teams always seemed to play above their talent level.

[Seth Stohs]

I want Mientkiewicz to get the job.  He was an eccentric, smart, savvy player that succeeded with a less than conventional skill set.  He also had the "fire" "grit" and "leader" qualities that translate well to managing.  His coaching track record is short but he has garnered nothing but praise and sucess so far.  The punching another manager thing is a red flag, but I am willing to file that one in the "fire" category. 

 

 

Sounds like a good description of one Ron Gardenhire. He's just 18 years younger. And, I mean that in the most positive of ways.

[gunnarthor]

I hadn't really thought about this before yesterday, and I don't really have a view on who should be our next manager (although Souhan's Pro-Molitor article intrigued me).  But this is what sorta surprised me as I thought about it - this is a big time plum job.  A lot of guys would love to be the next Twins manager.  They have an incredible amount of minor league talent coming up, a GM and FO with a reputation for loyalty.  Would you rather manage the Twins or Astros right now?  The Twins are (as ML teams go) pretty stable.  The next manager will have to develop young players but that's true in most rebuilds.  Ryan has an incredibly good reputation in baseball circles.  I bet guys like Dave Martinez are really hoping to get interviewed for this job.  

[ericchri]

I think Martinez would be my first choice.  Working for Maddon for a few years is a great place to start with for a new Twins manager.  I would be OK with Mientkiewicz.  Others on the list seem fine as well.

 

I don't want Steinbach.  That seems like perpetuating the "Twins Way" to me, nothing about him indicates anything but old school and same old same old.

 

Ozzie seems like a disaster waiting to happen.  He had that little bromance going with Twins fans for a while which made him seem charming, but his personality seemed to get out of control eventually.  Once upon a time he would've seemed like the obvious choice, but that was probably 10 years ago.

 

I don't doubt Jake Mauer would theoretically make a great candidate and manager, but I think it would be a PR disaster for this team right now.  Joe is massively polarizing already, why would you want to double down on that?  It might not be fair to Jake, but we all know life isn't always fair.

[cgreuling]

If they hire Dougie as the manager, what are the chances he can talk Johan or Radke into being his pitching coach?

 

Maybe get Torii back as a player/hitting coach? Get Knoblauch to just hang around the clubhouse so the guys can throw hot dogs at him? Why wouldn't that increase clubhouse bonding? Little Nicky Punto as a bench coach?

 

I'm only partially serious, the Knoblauch thing HAS to happen!

[Seth Stohs]

I want to push back on #1 a little. Speaking Spanish is not all that significant, all the Latin American players in the majors can speak enough English. The bigger need is someone who grew up in the DR or Venezuela or another Latin American country. It is a cultural issue, not a language issue.

 

Not sure if saying speaking Spanish was shorthand for that, but to me it is a significant distinction.

 

Tremendous point... I do agree with this. The language is a piece of the cultural issue. So thank you for bringing that up.

[DJL44]

I like the suggestion of Jose Oquendo. If you're going to steal from another organization why not the Cardinals organization?