Article: ...and Then There Were Three

[Steven Buhr]

Not to drag this too far off topic, but since Ryne Sandberg's name was brought up, it may be relevant to note that he had 6 years of management experience in the minors, 5 of which were winning seasons and 3 of which were at the AAA level, before being named the Phillies manager. A year ago, I don't know many Twins fans who wouldn't have jumped at the chance to hire him to replace Gardenhire. Just goes to show, nobody is a sure thing and no manager can overcome really stupid moves by the front office.

[Steven Buhr]

Now, contrary to what LEN3 of the Strib reported, Terry Ryan is saying he has talked to everyone he has to about the manager search and a decision will be coming shortly. "There is no timeframe, but we are in the home stretch."

 

Interesting.

 

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Twins_GM_Terry_Ryan_We_are_in_the_home_stretch_of_manager_search102314

[powrwrap]

Great article, well written.

 

If they're not going to interview Dave Martinez or Charlie Montoya for the job, of the three candidates mentioned, I'd go for Lovullo. I'm just sick and tired of the "Twins Way." The Twins Way is losing the last 4 years. It's slow to embrace analytics. Slow to adopt power pitching arms. Slow to do just about everything that winning teams have/are doing.

 

I think an outsider would have more guts to stand up to Ryan and Pohlad, if needed.

 

My question is--why is this process taking so long? Seriously. Are they going to wait until the World Series is over before making an announcement so as not to be seen as trying to steal its thunder? (As if naming the Twins manager would deflect anyone from the WS!)

Edited October 23, 2014 by powrwrap

[shimrod]

I have no idea which of the three will make the best manager, but I'd like to see the Twins get back to playing strong fundamental baseball. A recent article included a quote from an ex-twin during the WS era, something to the effect of "we knew when we took the field we would be fundamentally better than the opponent".

 

That has not been the case for a long time, and I'd say the fundamentals have deteriorated as long as Gardenhire has been managing. Defense, base running, pitching....we are bested at fundamentals on a regular basis. We know the ownership isn't going to outspend anybody...the only hope is to play better baseball. If we don't improve on the basics we're doomed to mediocrity.

[DocBauer]

Great article, well written.

 

If they're not going to interview Dave Martinez or Charlie Montoya for the job, of the three candidates mentioned, I'd go for Lovullo. I'm just sick and tired of the "Twins Way." The Twins Way is losing the last 4 years. It's slow to embrace analytics. Slow to adopt power pitching arms. Slow to do just about everything that winning teams have/are doing.

 

I think an outsider would have more guts to stand up to Ryan and Pohlad, if needed.

 

My question is--why is this process taking so long? Seriously. Are they going to wait until the World Series is over before making an announcement so as not to be seen as trying to steal its thunder? (As if naming the Twins manager would deflect anyone from the WS!)

 

Please don't confuse "the Twins Way" as being some all encompassing thing based simply on the past 4 years. The "Twins Way" when employed properly, is sound all around baseball. It's a solid rotation, usually anchored by a couple studs, and a quality bullpen. It's quality defense, and a mix of aggressive hitting and base running with a blend of power, speed and hitting while also employing situational hitting. Yes, it's easy to dismiss this as "just good baseball". And that is true, but only to a certain degree. There has been conversation and debate, for instance, of the Royals way or the Orioles way of doing things lately. Historically, there has been the AL power, station to station game vs the NL speed and defense and situational way of doing things. At their best, winning seasons, the Twins have found a nice mix of all approaches.

 

And it's usually been accomplished with smart baseball moves, relying on the milb system, using key trades and FA signings to augment the roster, and even some key waiver-wire FA acquisitions. There have been years, certainly, where the Twins just didn't have the horses to make it work. But TK won 2 World Series with it, and while Gardenhire never won one, and trails TK in overall wins, he also produced, I believe, more winning seasons and playoff appearances.

 

Don't dismiss what the "Twins Way" really is just due to 4 disappointing seasons.

[Steven Buhr]

My question is--why is this process taking so long? Seriously. Are they going to wait until the World Series is over before making an announcement so as not to be seen as trying to steal its thunder? (As if naming the Twins manager would deflect anyone from the WS!)

Generally, MLB teams are not permitted (or at least strongly dissuaded by the MLB office) from making any newsworthy announcement during the World Series. They MAY be allowed to make announcements on off-days during the Series.

[DocBauer]

I confess to not knowing much about Martinez, other than knowing him as a solid ballplayer, but I am confused and a bit disappointed he apparently didn't get an interview. Especially consider his experience with Maddon and the Rays. But, maybe there was no permission given.

 

I think the search, thus far, seems to be pretty thorough. I don't believe Ryan has simply been giving lip service to a well rounded search. Lovullo's candidacy is proof of that, in my opinion. But I am confused as to continued angst to the Twins looking "internal" for their final choice.

 

Sure Molitor has spent the past few years coaching in the Twins system, and drawing rave reviews from the very players he would be expected to manage, but he also coached for Seattle, spent the majority of his HOF career in Milwaukee, and spent three seasons with Toronto before his three seasons with the Twins. So what exactly makes him solely a Twins insider? (Even though that's not necessarily a bad thing)

 

Dougie M was drafted and developed by the Twins, but also spent time with the Royals, Mets, Pirates, Red Sox, Dodgers and Yankees. He played 12 years, or at least parts of, 7 with the Twins. But because he started with the Twins, then was well thought of enough to come back to the organization as a milb manager, he's exclusively an "insider"? (Again, I don't know that that's necessarily a bad thing)

 

I actually find that kind of funny and kind of insulting, both because it suggests the Twins are somehow inept on all levels, which is most definitely not the case, but also because it seems to indicate the Twins cloning a certain type of coach/manager.

 

Let me ask you, if Molitor and/or Mientkiewicz coached last season for another organization the way Redmond and LeCroy did, would that make them a better candidate?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Sure Molitor has spent the past few years coaching in the Twins system, and drawing rave reviews from the very players he would be expected to manage, but he also coached for Seattle, spent the majority of his HOF career in Milwaukee, and spent three seasons with Toronto before his three seasons with the Twins. So what exactly makes him solely a Twins insider?

Outside of that one disastrous 2004 season with Seattle (a year which presaged a decade-long absence from the dugout), Molitor is farther removed from working in another organization than Gardenhire was when he became Twins manager.

 

I don't think of him as too much of an insider, though.  Actually, at this point, I worry less that the Twins might seek the comfort of the familiar Molitor, and more that Molitor only seems to seek the comfort of the familiar Twins.

 

(Also, can Molitor be fun and interesting?  Genuinely curious.  I think the entertainment factor of managers is being way under-rated around here. )

[Senior Softball Guy]

Torey Lovulla is not going yo sell tickets! I think the organization thinks Dougie  is impetious and rubs the likes of Ryan and Kelly the wrong way at times. Molitor may not be "one of the boys" either, but they respect him and the casual fans may be inclined to buy tickets in the short term. By 2016 the Twins exciting new talent will sell plenty of tickets on their own!

[Mike Sixel]

I do agree that you want a manager in there ASAP after the World Series, so that FA and others have some idea what they are signing up for.....

[70charger]

Posted four minutes ago by ESPN - 

 

Tampa Bay Rays manager exercises opt-out clause, leaving the team

 

What!?

[USAFChief]

Posted four minutes ago by ESPN - 

 

Tampa Bay Rays manager exercises opt-out clause, leaving the team

 

What!?

he must not have gotten the "no news during the WS" memo.

[JB_Iowa]

Other than Ozzie (whom I would not want), I don't think any manager would have that much impact on ticket sales. And with Ozzie, I'd only be interested in seeing the train wreck.

[powrwrap]

Posted four minutes ago by ESPN - 

 

Tampa Bay Rays manager exercises opt-out clause, leaving the team

 

What!?

This is the guy I really want. This would be huge!

[JB_Iowa]

Other than Ozzie (whom I would not want), I don't think any manager would have that much impact on ticket sales. And with Ozzie, I'd only be interested in seeing the train wreck.

 

....OK, I think Maddon would sell tickets -- just had no idea he'd be available.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Whoa, what's up in Tampa?

 

Even if the Twins can't lure Maddon, maybe they will turn their attention to some of the Tampa bench coaches now?

[Steven Buhr]

Whoa, what's up in Tampa?

 

Even if the Twins can't lure Maddon, maybe they will turn their attention to some of the Tampa bench coaches now?

We were discussing on some thread somewhere (I lose track) the fact that Dave Martinez not only wasn't interviewed for the Twins job, but really never mentioned for any other manager opening. Maybe we just found out why. Since Maddon had a 2 week window after their GM left to opt out of his contract, it might make some sense that the Rays would not grant permission for other teams to talk to him, just in case this sort of thing happened. Have to assume he would be a front-runner for the Rays' job now.

[JB_Iowa]

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 5m5 minutes ago 
GM meetings start Nov. 10 in Phoenix, but Terry Ryan said new mgr doesn't have to be in place by then. By winter meetings in December, yes.

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 14m14 minutes ago 
Terry Ryan on Maddon: "Everybody was hoping I would hurry up and get a manager. 'What’s taking so long?' Now everybody sees this." #MNTwins

 

 

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 21m21 minutes ago 
Terry Ryan said he has yet to offer #MNTwins managing job to anyone.

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 20m20 minutes ago 
Nor has Terry Ryan received outside requests to interview any holdover coaches.

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 18m18 minutes ago
Terry Ryan also said #Rays have not asked permission to interview any #MNTwins employees for newly vacant mgr job.