Article: Joe Maddon is Out in Tampa. Could Twins Get Him?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Is MLB pissed off that this news broke during the World Series?

[toosweet64]

If you are Twins management and marketing and you're seeing the anticipated season ticket holder base declining significantly, you must feel the need to do something to bring back interest. If you don't anticipate a "big splash" in free agency, what better way to significantly raise interest in this lackluster ballclub than to get Madden to manage? (assuming he even would be interested). Open the pocketbook and don't miss this opportunity. 

[twinsfan34]

Twins or Cubs.

 

Have the best set of prospects coming up. Cubs have no pitching.

 

Albeit, Buxton isn't exactly thriving in the AFL again.

 

Rosario is doing awesome though!

[D. Hocking]

Is MLB pissed off that this news broke during the World Series?

I am not not happy the news broke during a busy work afternoon, so I cannot properly be distracted by it and can only sparingly check the sharp insight and predictions by the minds of Twins Daily.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Will fans be more interested in Molitor or Maddon as manager? Certainly people that follow other teams in the league know Maddon's reputation, a lot of casual fans in MN may be more familiar with Molly. 

 

I definitely think Maddon would make a great addition to the Twins organization. I hope the Twins make an effort to contact him and gauge his interest.

[IowaTwin346]

This would be my number one pick for manager.  I know it doesnt turn the team around magically but I would love this hire. A true outside with a forward way of thinking and a change that this organization could use.   I know everyone is pointing every other direction for where he might go instead of Minnesota, but get it done Terry

 

Give him "a 3-year deal, 18 million, a house, a golf membership at fair oaks, a dog, and a ferarri testarossa."  That deal has been on the table since Rickey Henderson turned it down in 1994 in Little Big League

 

And for the record I dont think this happens, but it is fun to dream

[nicksaviking]

I don't see how Molitor could be labeled as bull-headed. He has shown a knack and openness to altering his strategy to improve results throughout his career, both on the field and in the dugout.

 

He has, I agree and that's why I would prefer him most out of the internal candidates. I do think he's open to new baseball ideas.  That doesn't change the feeling that he also has the air of a "my way or the highway" kind of guy.

 

Though perhaps his, standoffish? stoic? icy? demeanor betrays him to some degree.  I don't even know how to describe him exactly.

Edited October 24, 2014 by nicksaviking

[JB_Iowa]

What if Triple-A Rochester manager Gene Glynn, who spent five seasons as a Rays scout while Maddon was leading them to unimaginable heights, vouched for the quality of the Twins organization and future talent? Would that interest Maddon?

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/10/24/twinsights-joe-maddon-next-twins-manager/

 

 

C'mon Gene ...you can be the next bench coach if Martinez stays in TB.

[Brock Beauchamp]

He has, I agree and that's why I would prefer him most out of the internal candidates. I do think he's open to new baseball ideas.  That doesn't change the feeling that he also has the air of a "my way or the highway" kind of guy.

Fair enough.

[jokin]

This would be my number one pick for manager.  I know it doesnt turn the team around magically but I would love this hire. A true outside with a forward way of thinking and a change that this organization could use.   I know everyone is pointing every other direction for where he might go instead of Minnesota, but get it done Terry

 

Give him "a 3-year deal, 18 million, a house, a golf membership at fair oaks, a dog, and a ferarri testarossa."  That deal has been on the table since Rickey Henderson turned it down in 1994 in Little Big League

 

And for the record I dont think this happens, but it is fun to dream

 

You wrote much of what I was thinking- it was like I awakened to a potentially fleeting and repeating dream that somehow magically appeared possibly close to reality .  But given that Maddon will be the Masahiro Tanaka of FA managers, I sadly and dejectedly doubt that Ryan is up to the task of getting this done.

Edited October 24, 2014 by jokin

[jokin]

What if Triple-A Rochester manager Gene Glynn, who spent five seasons as a Rays scout while Maddon was leading them to unimaginable heights, vouched for the quality of the Twins organization and future talent? Would that interest Maddon?

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/10/24/twinsights-joe-maddon-next-twins-manager/

 

 

C'mon Gene ...you can be the next bench coach if Martinez stays in TB.

 

How much sway does Gene actually have with the Twins braintrust?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Why do people think he's a good manager?  I'm not saying he isn't but I'm wondering what they are basing it on.  His teams actually under perform their pyth w/l records.  He shifts a lot but most of that is supposed to come from the FO and he just implements it.  His record in one run games changes a bunch year to year (like most managers).

 

Success with a small payroll team?  Good clubhouse atmosphere?  Development of young players?  Developing scrappy teams that fight? I think all of those things have their pros and cons.  

"Never been swept in the playoffs" looks good to this Twins fan.

 

Although a closer examination does show a Gardy-like "win 1, lose the next 3" routine in the 2011 ALDS, he also has a full 5-game ALDS loss in 2010, and in the 2012 ALDS, they actually won a game when down 2-0 in the series (in addition to the 2008 WS appearance, of course).

 

He's also won more games over the last 7 seasons than Gardy did in his first 7, with a greater per-season win average than Gardy in our glorious "6 division titles in 9 years" run too, despite playing in a much tougher division.  From 2008-2014, 3 WS participants (and 2 winners) have been from the AL East, and 7 ALCS participants.   From 2002-2010, only 2 AL Central teams made the series (1 winner), and only 4 even made the ALCS (all 4 franchises except KC).

 

So to answer your questions, I don't know.

[jokin]

Will fans be more interested in Molitor or Maddon as manager? Certainly people that follow other teams in the league know Maddon's reputation, a lot of casual fans in MN may be more familiar with Molly. 

 

I definitely think Maddon would make a great addition to the Twins organization. I hope the Twins make an effort to contact him and gauge his interest.

 

You make it sound like this would be equivalent to adding a screened-in porch to your summer home...  a Maddon hire would be earth-shaking to the Twins current culture.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Little Big League

Has no one brought this example up in our managerial search yet?  "Billy" Pohlad could be the next Billy Heywood!

[Mike Sixel]

To fans, IMO, this would be an indication that they aren't stuck in the 1990s, and are willing to embrace newness. I also think it would be a good hire.

 

It would also give them a chance to say.....this is why we didn't spend 52% of our revenue last year, so we'd have the flexibility to do something like this when given the chance. And we just did. So shut up about the budget already.....or something like that.

[JB_Iowa]

How much sway does Gene actually have with the Twins braintrust?

 

I don't know what sway he has but I think he is pretty well respected by the organization and I think there is a good chance he'll be at TF next year instead of Roc just not as manager.

 

Hope there is good phone service from Venezuela to Maddon.

Edited October 24, 2014 by JB_Iowa

[jokin]

"Never been swept in the playoffs" looks good to this Twins fan.

 

Although a closer examination does show a Gardy-like "win 1, lose the next 3" routine in the 2011 ALDS, he also has a full 5-game ALDS loss in 2010, and in the 2012 ALDS, they actually won a game when down 2-0 in the series (in addition to the 2008 WS appearance, of course).

 

He's also won more games over the last 7 seasons than Gardy did in his first 7, with a greater per-season win average than Gardy in our glorious "6 division titles in 9 years" run too, despite playing in a much tougher division.  From 2008-2014, 3 WS participants (and 2 winners) have been from the AL East, and 7 ALCS participants.   From 2002-2010, only 2 AL Central teams made the series (1 winner), and only 4 even made the ALCS (all 4 franchises except KC).

 

So to answer your questions, I don't know.

 

I don't think there's any doubt that Andrew Friedman built an organization that kept a pipeline going to give Maddon the pieces to work with, and that the timing for Maddon taking the Rays job originally was fortuitous.  But Gunnarthor's point diminishing Maddon's career falls flat in the face of the evidence of his continued success versus the overwhelming perennial power and financial strength of the AL East relative to the rest of the league (2014 nothwithstanding).  I think it's fair to say, there is plenty of evidence to justify why there is a consensus of baseball experts who consider Maddon the most respected manager in the game.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here's a couple examples I ran across of Maddon's in-game strategy:

 

 

 

Game Four 2013 ALDS - With the Rays facing elimination and Jeremy Hellickson looking rough he went to the bullpen after just six batters and wound up using nine pitchers. He lost the game but he managed it like there was no tomorrow. Contrast that with some of the shenanigans we've seen this October.

 

September 24, 2011 - The last Saturday of the season his starter gave up two runs in the first. Rather than wait around he went right to his bullpen to start the second inning. It was a lot more aggressive move than most managers make and they won that very necessary game.

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsstand/discussion/buster_olney_on_twitter_sources_manager_joe_maddon_has_exercised_an_opt_out

[jharaldson]

I was just looking at the Maddon Twitter feed and it is amazing how he down to earth he seems.  His bit with the t-shirt promoting either individual causes or organizations is a nice way to connect with the community and he actually put some baseball thoughts out there as well.  I looked at the 5 managers on twitter and he is the only guy actually doing something with it:

 

https://twitter.com/MLB/lists/managers/members

https://twitter.com/RaysJoeMaddon

 

This is obviously of minimal importance to his skills as manager but I think it does show he definately is a unique voice among MLB managers.

[Otto von Ballpark]

He is definitely a personality, and in a good way.

 

"Why Joe Madden is the craziest person in baseball"

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-joe-maddon-is-the-craziest-person-in-baseball-2013-5?op=1

[mbents]

It's not going to happen but it's fun to imagine what things could be like if it does. My guess is that once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs, Terry Ryan will say something about the Twins coming in second place in the bidding for Maddon.

[jokin]

It's not going to happen but it's fun to imagine what things could be like if it does. My guess is that once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs, Terry Ryan will say something about the Twins coming in second place in the bidding for Maddon.

 

And Doogie Wolfson getting the "Scoop".

[Brock Beauchamp]

It's not going to happen but it's fun to imagine what things could be like if it does. My guess is that once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs, Terry Ryan will say something about the Twins coming in second place in the bidding for Maddon.

Think about what you just said for a moment.

 

"once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs"

 

Pretend you're Joe Maddon for a second. Under what situation would you choose the Twins over the Dodgers or Cubs?

 

Let's check the options:

 

- You can choose beautiful LA, which is baseball crazy and has a payroll roughly equivalent to the GDP of Spain

 

- You can choose Chicago, which is even more baseball crazy and has a fantastic farm system, smart ownership, and you'd be a golden god if you brought a championship to Wrigley Field

 

- You can choose Minnesota, which has a great farm system, kinda mostly likes baseball when the Vikings aren't playing, and has a pretty sweet stadium when it's not snowing

 

Makes the choice pretty easy. If the Dodgers or Cubs open their managerial position, I don't see the Twins nabbing Maddon if they back up a Brinks truck and promise him half of Edina.

[jokin]

Think about what you just said for a moment.

 

"once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs"

 

Pretend you're Joe Maddon for a second. Under what situation would you choose the Twins over the Dodgers or Cubs?

 

Let's see... You can either choose beautiful LA, which is baseball crazy and has a payroll roughly equivalent to the GDP of Spain, you can choose Chicago, which is even more baseball crazy and has a fantastic farm system and smart ownership and you'd be a golden god if you brought a championship to Wrigley Field, or you can choose Minnesota, which kinda mostly likes baseball when the Vikings aren't playing and has a pretty sweet stadium when it's not snowing.

 

Makes the choice pretty easy. If the Dodgers or Cubs open their managerial position, I don't see the Twins nabbing Maddon if they back up a Brinks truck and promise him half of Edina.

 

All of this is on point, but Doogie will still tweet out his "scoop" a few weeks from now, in "disclosing" that an Twins insider told him it was really close and came down to between the actual  signing team and the Twins.

Edited October 24, 2014 by jokin

[big dog]

Think about what you just said for a moment.

 

"once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs"

 

Pretend you're Joe Maddon for a second. Under what situation would you choose the Twins over the Dodgers or Cubs?

 

Let's check the options:

 

- You can choose beautiful LA, which is baseball crazy and has a payroll roughly equivalent to the GDP of Spain

 

- You can choose Chicago, which is even more baseball crazy and has a fantastic farm system, smart ownership, and you'd be a golden god if you brought a championship to Wrigley Field

 

- You can choose Minnesota, which has a great farm system, kinda mostly likes baseball when the Vikings aren't playing and has a pretty sweet stadium when it's not snowing

 

Makes the choice pretty easy. If the Dodgers or Cubs open their managerial position, I don't see the Twins nabbing Maddon if they back up a Brinks truck and promise him half of Edina.

Yeah, my guess is he might like to try on some large-market challenges for a change.  I used to enjoy buying used cars because they were a good deal.  Now I sometimes buy new cars.  I like them better.  If it weren't my money, I'd always buy new cars.  And it's not his money.  He's 60 years old, he's gonna get paid.  Why should he take the most money?  I think he's going to take the best opportunity.

[Mike Sixel]

He doesn't strike me as an Edina guy.Typical Twins offering the wrong thing......

[nicksaviking]

Well the Twins have the advantage of not being in a precarious position with an existing manager.  If they are interested, they need to get out front of this NOW.  Don't allow the Cubs, or whoever else may be interested, to hide in the shadows and try to work out a deal subversively.  If the Twins make a bold move, these other teams aren't going to have a lot of time to decide if alienating their current manager and his supporters on the team is going to be worth the chance at getting Maddon. 

 

Don't disregard the fact that any other team that wants Madden is takng a risk that he'll say no.  That will be damaging considering the existing manager is still under contract.  Just think how awkward the situation with Mattingly would be if the Dodgers made a play for Madden but he instead chose the Cubs.  The Twins need to make these teams decide now if they are willing to show their hands, or fold altogether.

Edited October 24, 2014 by nicksaviking

[h2oface]

It would be great to have Maddon as the manager just to break free from ey/y/ie name endings.  No Tony or Luvy or Dougie or Paulie or Mollie............. I can't see calling him Joey or Maddy.......... just Joe or Maddon.  That type of change would be welcome in itself. ;-) 

[jharaldson]

Makes the choice pretty easy. If the Dodgers or Cubs open their managerial position, I don't see the Twins nabbing Maddon if they back up a Brinks truck and promise him half of Edina.

 

I sure would like to see the Twins try though.  Make an offer to him and make it public so the fans know that we put our best effort into this.  If it comes out that Ryan made a 5 year/$30 million offer and Maddon rejects it then I praise the Twins for trying.  

[Squirrel]

Think about what you just said for a moment.

 

"once Maddon is hired by the Dodgers or Cubs"

 

Pretend you're Joe Maddon for a second. Under what situation would you choose the Twins over the Dodgers or Cubs?

 

Let's check the options:

 

- You can choose beautiful LA, which is baseball crazy and has a payroll roughly equivalent to the GDP of Spain

 

- You can choose Chicago, which is even more baseball crazy and has a fantastic farm system, smart ownership, and you'd be a golden god if you brought a championship to Wrigley Field

 

- You can choose Minnesota, which has a great farm system, kinda mostly likes baseball when the Vikings aren't playing, and has a pretty sweet stadium when it's not snowing

 

Makes the choice pretty easy. If the Dodgers or Cubs open their managerial position, I don't see the Twins nabbing Maddon if they back up a Brinks truck and promise him half of Edina.

Chicago isn't really that crazy of a baseball town. It's a Bears town first and foremost. Yeah, I don't get it either, but it is. Followed by the Blackhawks ... a Chicago team that actually wins. Then maybe baseball, after the Bulls.