Article: Your Turn: What Do You Want From A GM?

[Seth Stohs]

I feel no need to call for anyone to get fired. I won’t do it. Yes, I fully understand and don’t necessarily strongly disagree with the overwhelming philosophy that major changes may be needed to right this ship. The grass isn't always greener (though sometimes it really is), and sometimes change for the sake of change can be good. We will never 100% agree with any other person on every baseball topic.

 

So instead of regurgitating the old, tired discussion about why the Twins should fire their general manager or others in the front office, let’s be a little more productive. Let’s not jump to hyperbole and automatically bash everything about the Twins brass. Like all of us, there is good and not-so-good in everybody. People have strengths and areas for improvement.

 

Also, let’s not pretend that this (the Twins shockingly bad 11-33 record) is the fault of just the GM. There is plenty of blame to go around. Ownership warrants blame. The front office deserve blame. Player development can be questioned, if you like. I’m sure the scouts find some blame too. The manager and his coaching staff deserve some blame, and I do believe that the players deserve a large amount of the blame.So, for the sake of important, meaningful discussion, let’s limit this discussion to the general manager role. Today, I’m going to post several qualifications of an MLB general manager. Feel free to discuss the qualifications in the comments, but mostly, use this article to start thinking about who you would like to see replace Terry Ryan (if that were to happen). We may not know the names of specific examples, but think about which qualities are most important to you, and how a candidate stacks up in those categories. Whether the Twins stay inside the system for a replacement or look elsewhere, the same questions need to be asked.

 

Background

 

Do the Twins need hire someone with experience as a big league GM? If so, does it need to be a GM who has put together World Series champions, or could you consider a candidate who wasn’t good in his first GM job but meets many other requirements? Do you prefer a candidate who has been second-in-command in a winning organization? Can the candidate be a former player, or would the negate him as a possibility for you? While we probably couldn’t officially ask, does age factor into the decision?

 

SCOUTING

 

The Draft

 

The draft is less than three weeks away. Scouting is a big part of the draft. What would you want a GM to have as a draft philosophy? Would it be simply best player available? Would you focus on college or high school players? Would you use high picks on pitchers or hitters? How involved do you expect the GM to be in the draft process? Should the GM be very involved in the specific names, or should the GM simply have a plan with the director of scouting and develop a plan that is expected to be followed?

 

International Markets

How do you feel about signing players from around the world? Do you spend more money on scouting in the Caribbean? How do you feel about signing players from Cuba? What should the strategy be on spending slot, going over slot, or even trading draft picks for international slot money?

 

Advanced Scouting

 

The Twins send scouts to watch the teams that they will play next. Should that process continue, or should they just hire a stats company to provide all scouting data

 

ADVANCED STATISTICS

 

This is one that people think that the Twins are so far behind on. I don’t think we really know. However, if there were a change, and you were in charge, how much focus would you put on it?

 

Do you need a group of 30+ statheads or could much of the same work be done with a group of six to eight?

 

How much voice do you give the analytics group compared to the scouting group? Are they on equal group or should it be all about the past numbers?

 

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

 

What are your philosophies on the minor leagues and player development? How do you strategize areas of focus, and development of individual development plans?

 

What should the role of a minor league manager be?

What role should player discipline be for various issues?

What should the role be of a minor league hitting coach or pitching coach?

What should the culture look like in your ideal world? Is it about winning? Solely about developing the top prospects?

What is the responsibility of the GM and the big league team relative to the organization’s affiliates?

What are the expectations for each player in the offseason? Should coaches meet individually with each player throughout the offseason?

 

How much time should the GM spend with each of the affiliates during spring training, and during the season, if any?

 

MEDIA/PRESS RELATIONS

 

The GM is also in charge of the media relations department, including the press releases. Ideally, transactions and news would come through the PR department and to the media via press release. How do you feel about information leaks?

 

And, as a GM, how much should you be telling the media or a listening audience? Do you want them to be an open book, or do you want the information on what is going on to be kept close to the vest?

 

Do you, like Terry Ryan, spend time before each game meeting with the media and answering what he can?

 

FRONT OFFICE

What is important for you in a GM as it relates to hiring the following:

 

What are the expectations for the hiring of an assistant GM?

What are the expectations for the director of player personnel?

What philosophies are important for a minor league director?

How do you feel about keeping Twins “royalty and historical figures” around? Should Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins, Tom Kelly, Ron Gardenhire, Kent Hrbek and the like be involved in the organization, and how so?

 

Of the current group, who stays and who goes?

 

THE ON-FIELD STAFF

 

What is important for you in hiring a GM in terms of his or her philosophy on the role and/or selection of a manager?

How much say do you let a manager have in player decisions, if any?

How much say should a GM have in managerial duties such as lineup construction and in-game decisions, if any?

What are the keys when selecting the coaching staff?

 

THE CURRENT SITUATION

 

That’s all the behind-the-scenes stuff (probably not ALL, but a good portion of it) that a GM has to be responsible for, but now this candidate must step into the current roster and make some decisions.

 

Do you want a manager who makes a bunch of moves on day 1? Do you want a manager who steps in the door and says that he needs to evaluate a few things before making decisions.

 

How do you figure out the outfield situation? Should Miguel Sano be in the outfield, moved back to third base, or DHd. Should Brian Dozier be sent to AAA, keep playing or be traded? Should you trade the likes of Trevor Plouffe, Brian Dozier, Kurt Suzuki, Phil Hughes, Rick Nolasco and Kevin Jepsen for pennies on the dollar? Or, if you can’t trade some of them, are you willing to just explain to ownership why releasing them is the right thing?

 

TRADES

 

What should a GM's philosophy be on trading veterans? Whose opinion counts most when it comes to prospects you are getting in return: scouts, minor league coaching staffs, or number crunchers? How does that same GM feel about acquiring an elite talent and being willing to deal prospects?

 

FREE AGENCY

 

Four years ago, the Twins needed to go from a terrible pitching staff to just a mediocre pitching staff, so Ryan went out and spent money to acquire some solid, mediocre veteran starters. Results have been mixed.

 

Understanding the Twins current starting and relieve staffs, should the Twins have gone after the $150-200 million starters? Should they have stayed away from the $10-13 million starters and focused more on the $5-8 million variety. What is the value of a strong bullpen and quality, reliable relievers. How long is too long for a contract, or how much is too much?

 

What is your philosophy on signing minor league veterans to contract? Good idea, you never know who will develop later, or never sign them and push players excessively rapidly?

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Have them define “Success” in their job? What do you want their answer to be?

What should the clubhouse atmosphere be like?

What should the atmosphere of the front office personnel be?

How does the GM candidate feel about building from within.?

How does that GM candidate create a culture of accountability?

Which current major league and minor league coaches would be let go, and who would you bring back? (I do find it interesting that a lot of people who want to clear house would like to see Doug Mientkiewicz as the next Twins manager, but anywho…)

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 

All right, now it’s your turn? What are the most important qualities that a GM can bring to an organization? I brought up a lot of topics, and how do you go about acquiring those kinds of players?

 

Again, I will not call for Terry Ryan to be fired. I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps down again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he sticks around and says, “I helped make this mess, how are we going to make it better?”

 

You are in the shoes of the Twins owner. You need to decide if you want Terry Ryan to make the July and August trades and then let him go after the season. Or, you need to decide that it needs to happen right now so that a replacement can be established before the draft and before any trades are made so that the new GM’s footprint can be made on those decisions.

Again, I appreciate this thread not turning into yet another negative, bashing thread, but instead, let’s be productive and each of us jot down our thoughts on what makes a good GM, and what type of candidate we would support the Twins signing.

 

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[Rosterman]

You have to build a solid farm system with a philosophy for developing players for major league play. If you look back at the last 10 years of the draft, the Twins are drafting a lot of guys that haven't gone anywhere (or some that have gone to other organizations).

 

You may have a Twins Way of doing things, but how does that reflect into the changing structure of a roster mixed with players essentially playing baseball for the major leagues at some point, with no team loyalty above and beyond pay.

 

You have to set yourself up as a competitive team. Combined with the bosses in the front office, how are you doing this. The Twins fault seems to be a cross between Mike Veeck and Indy Ball (let's have fun at Target Field) and let's just compete solidly in our division and worry about what happens if we do go to the playoffs if that does happen.

 

That hurts the general manager as a signee of free agents. Sure, the Twins wanted a bunch of mid-range (say $6-8) million guys, but they could easily get that elsewhere with teams that ARE more competitive. The Twins essentially had to overpay to get guys to come here after a string of losing seasons. Right now...who wants to come and play with the Twins unless they are on a rebuilding plan for themselves or are vastly overpaid. I even question what it would take to get outside management to come to this team.

 

You have to gamble a lot of money and fail. In the draft, how many millions are spent on failed players. Every year a certain number of player days are because someone is hurt. That's millions. Or you make not one, but two or three bad signings. Can the team afford to eat those dollars or let them walk away (what the Yankees were always able to do).

 

And I do like a general manager that does go dumpster diving and finds a few gems. But also want him to trade of pieces when they are valuable commodities, and not wait to long on pulling the strings on guys that are not in the plans 2-3 years down the road and have come off a good season. But I also want him to seriously look at what a player can bring to a team.

 

Even when dealing with the field staff. Thought things would be totally blown out when Gardy was relieved of duties. Yet we still retain Bruno and Vavra and, in a sense, Molly. We brought a couple of guys up from the minors (Glynn and Hernandez). We did bring in some new blood. Who choose everyone? GM, GM and Manager?

 

Every team seems to operate with multiple general managers. Some have presidents/CEOS with more of a handle in baseball operations with a named general manager and their assistants. The Twins have general manager duties basically shared by at least three people, it seems. In a family run organization that prides itself on a front office staff made up of lifers to this particular team, all seems well when the team DOES compete and that near 2 million paying customers spend on the team. And management can avoid spending what other teams ae throwing at players...in this point they seem like me, a diehard Minnesotan, who is always a few years behind the norm in what I purchase or safely invest in. Is it a Minnesota thing?

 

When I look at so much discussed above in the writer's detailed description of what a general manager should be or do, I see a lot of Terry Ryan in there, from international scouting (although I feel the Twins were surprised that they one the Park auction), to scouting and development, to talking with free agents (Target Field was not only going to allow the Twins to keep their own free agents, but give them revenue to spend).. He has a good grip with the media, is sometimes too honest, and truly loves the game, the way it WAS played, and the concept of people being major league ball players.

 

Every team has ups and downs. We should be proud we didn't have the runs of Kansas City or Pittsburgh. Houston had a heckuva a rebuild. The successful Braves have to work hard to keep their fan base in a rebuild. Boston has ups and downs. Other teams have overspent. Other teams have had troubled seasons (Detroit, White Sox). No one knows what is happening in Cleveland.

 

We do have a "system failure" in this team right now. There is a lot of talent in the pipeline, some obvious needs (catching, defense, hard-throwers compared to soft tossers). 

 

But like the players in the minor leagues, do we have talent in the front office that has been and is being groomed in a manner that will improve the club in the long haul, or just enthusiastic guys who fall into the trap of Twins Way (the address of the team, by the way) and the need to give an illusion of competition rather than go forth 110% into the field of play!

[Seth Stohs]

Great response, Roster... Very well thought out. 

[Thrylos]

I want the Twins to hire a president of baseball operations who is a proven winner in the baseball universe to run the show and want him to hire a younger analytics-oriented GM with passion for winning.

 

Everything else will fall in place.

 

It might require a different owner too.

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I like the premise behind this article.  Not quite sure I can put everything down in a few minutes, but here's a start.

 

I definitely want someone who continues emphasis on the scout/draft/develop side of things.  I think the org as a whole probably needs a bit more work particularly on the development side, so if we are adding/removing staff, that would be side where I would likely start moving people and/or acquiring additional resources.

 

On the money side, like it or not, it's going to be someone who can work under Pohlad's budget constraints, whatever those are exactly.  I would like to see more creativity.  If we need a 1/2 year deal, grab some upside/make good type contracts while using minor league FAs/AAAA guys in Rochester as filler in the event said guy gets traded, doesn't work out, or the prospect you want to fill the role isn't ready.  Don't force a prospect up before he's ready. Please don't.  We've seen enough of that of late to know that there's nothing but bad things that come out of that. 

 

I definitely want an executive that has an analytics bent.  The team needs to modernize rather quick in that area.

 

On drafting, honestly that really falls into a case by case scenario.  I want someone who can be occasionally creative there, as there's a time when the org may say need higher risk higher ceiling HS guys, and has to draft someone underslot somewhere in order to maximize the return (this year is a really good example of that, whereas next year may not be).   

 

On international, this is probably the last year to go all in before a draft.  I think the Twins should do this (though that will fall more on Ryan than whomever replaces him).

 

I really don't care about player/offseason stuff.  That really is governed by the CBA/players/coaches.  Follow the rules, and make sure players do get an offseason. 

 

I do care about trades.  I don't like trades for the sake of making them (we all saw how that worked with Bill Smith), but when there are guys that need to be traded, they get dealt.  Terry Ryan is probably the opposite in that regard as he's not going to move someone unless he gets what he feels is appropriate value.  The only obvious exception there is a bad contract like Nolasco.  Either cut him or trade him at this point, and I don't care the value returned.  I do care if they give up value to get rid of him.  I like that (for the most part), but he ended up hanging on to guys like Tommy Milone, who was redundant, would have fetched something this offseason, and quite frankly was blocking better talent. 

 

On field staff for the short term needs to be able to develop talent.  Young guys are coming up, and we need a staff that can manage that transition.  I thought Molitor was a good fit there, but based on what I've observed this season, I don't see that.  I don't want Gardy V2 here.  We need an onfield staff that can be patient with rookie struggles.  Also, we need a renewed emphasis on fundamentals.

 

As for media, let's dump the passive aggressive stuff about players and the double standard that rookies/vets get. 

 

I do think there's value in trying to build from within, but there should be effort to occasionally bring from without.  Both strategies to an extreme can be dangerous, but there is really good value in a hybrid approach.

[Comrade Bork]

I want the Twins to hire a president of baseball operations who is a proven winner in the baseball universe to run the show and want him to hire a younger analytics-oriented GM with passion for winning. Everything else will fall in place. It might require a different owner too.

How much influence does St. Peter actually have on the on field product? From a business ops standpoint the Twins seem to run pretty well.

 

What I want out of a GM is someone that can correctly pick an impact player out of the first round. Gibson in '09 and Plouffe in '04 are currently the most recent first rounders we have on the 25 man. I know you can find diamonds in the rough but it's been 12 years since we have had a position player stick (on this team) that was drafted out of the first round.

 

The first overall pick in next years draft is not something I want TR deciding on.

Hindsight is 20-20 but we took Gibson 3 spots before all-world Mike Trout.

 

Fingers crossed on Buxton and Gordon

Edited May 24, 2016 by Comrade Bork

[Seth Stohs]

 

How much influence does St. Peter actually have on the on field product? From a business ops standpoint the Twins seem to run pretty well.

 

I would say pretty much none. He's likely kept updated by Ryan on ideas and knows the pulse, but he isn't making baseball decisions in any way. He's doing a lot of the other stuff, and I agree, it's well run. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I like the premise behind this article.  Not quite sure I can put everything down in a few minutes, but here's a start.

 

I kind of think that's the point. A GM oversees so much, and he can't be hands-on in all of those areas, but is in a way fully responsible for all of it. The article is, for me at least, a way to get past the complaining about needing a new GM (or whatever position) and really starting to think about what criteria are important to you if you were to make the decision on the next GM. It isn't easy, and there are a lot of parts to it. It's kind of a fun exercise to see what kind of footprint you'd like to see. And there likely isn't a GM that is going to 100% agree with your philosophies on everything, so which are most important. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

ADVANCED STATISTICS

This is one that people think that the Twins are so far behind on. I don’t think we really know. However, if there were a change, and you were in charge, how much focus would you put on it?

Do you need a group of 30+ statheads or could much of the same work be done with a group of six to eight?

How much voice do you give the analytics group compared to the scouting group? Are they on equal group or should it be all about the past numbers?

I don't think it should have anything to do with the quantity of "statheads". It's about the quality.  And odds are, the most quality "stathead", and the one most capable of leading and directing that department to actually gain a competitive advantage over other teams, may not have emerged from your ticket call center a few years ago.

 

Do the Twins even have a barometer for judging the effectiveness of their current stat department?  Have they ever employed or even interviewed an outside stats person?  At the very least, they should aggressively hire a new outside stat guy or two now, and let them work semi-independently for a while to judge their respective performances and compare them to the performance of the current department.

Edited May 24, 2016 by spycake

[TheLeviathan]

Here would be a few highlights for me:

 

1) More emphasis on modern analytics and an understanding of statistics.

 

2) Early picks on hitters only

 

3) Treat FA as either boom or bust - either go big or go dumpster diving.  Stay out of the middle.

 

4) Use the trade deadline aggressively, don't be too attached to players if the right moves are there

 

5) Emphasize defense and fundamentals

 

6) Emphasize strikeouts for pitchers

 

7) Adjust player's positions and roles early on.  Not at AAA or the MLB level.

 

8) More analysis of their own work, flexibility with outside ideas, and a willingness to move on from people and ideas when they fail

 

9) A genuine effort to be out in front of trends

 

Just off the top of my head.

Edited May 24, 2016 by TheLeviathan

[Thrylos]

 

How much influence does St. Peter actually have on the on field product? From a business ops standpoint the Twins seem to run pretty well.
 

 

He does not and that was my point.  The Twins need someone above both St. Peter and the GM who actually is a baseball person and cares more about baseball than turning the OF into a cowfield after concerts or unrelated to baseball activities at Target Field or to care more about the product on the field vs the food in the ballpark.

St. Peter is fine for what he is.  He is  just not enough.   Plus he opens he mouth on occasion and pretends to talk baseball

[tobi0040]

 

The first thing I would do in my search is sit down with every Twins FO member who thinks they have a shot at the job and tell them I am hiring someone from outside the organization. Since 2011, only the Astros have won fewer games than us and they will likely pass us this year. So we need a new perspective. I would also let them know that the new GM is going to have free reign on who they keep and who they don’t. They would appreciate the candor and we would not waste anyone’s time with a fake interview.

 

The two backgrounds I would be interested in would be a former successful GM or a #2 in a highly respected franchise. Regarding advanced statistics, all I have to go on here is public reports, like unbiased rankings where we are among the lower five in the league. Reports also suggest our department was formed after most teams in the league, is smaller and for a few years was just one person. And while other teams have gone out and hired an army algo traders, folks with NASA backgrounds, Ivy league degrees, etc. we hired a person from within like we always do. So I want someone that can catch us up quickly.

 

A key part of my interview process would be a report from the prospective GM about how the Twins got to where they are and what their 1-3 year vision would be for turning this team around. These reports would go a long way in figuring out who the right person for the job would be. For example, the guy that says you should not have signed Ricky Nolasco is not offering up a ton of value. Meanwhile, the guy that flashes the chart of fWAR by pitcher age and highlights at about 27/28 guys decline, then lists all the guys we have signed well past this point would be helping his case.

[TwinsWonWithHunter]

1. A GM who is not afraid to say, "our plan did not work. Now it is time to start over." The current front office (and manager) keeps rolling with the same tired veterans--Mauer, Plouffe, Dozier, Nolasco, Hughes. Those five players need to be benched/bullpened or removed from the roster. But the current organizational leaders seem to be saying: these guys are getting paid truckloads of money. So they need to play/start." Why? To Justify the money? That makes no sense. The team has hit rock bottom, so we need a GM who is willing to call this S^%$show for what it is: dump the dead weight and move on.

 

2. A GM who tells us what the off-season payroll cap is; or even just a range. Every year, the current GM says, "Payroll is not a problem. If I present the right deal to ownership, they will sign off on it," or words to that effect. OK, maybe if we had known the payroll cap, we could have deduced that perhaps Ryan wanted to sign some relief help this off-season, or a veteran OF. But that Pohlad said, "You can't go over $105 million" (or whatever it is). Let's have some transparency here. Some honesty. Now that still does not excuse the current GM from having not moved, say, Plouffe and Perkins this off-season to free up cash and get Sano to 3B. Who knows, maybe he tried and there were just no deals, and he was all but hamstrung by the budget. Well then, give us a GM who tells us the numbers up front.

 

3. As long as the next GM comes from outside the organization. That is really the main thing.

[alarp33]

 

Here would be a few highlights for me:

 

1) More emphasis on modern analytics and an understanding of statistics.

 

2) Early picks on hitters only

 

3) Treat FA as either boom or bust - either go big or go dumpster diving.  Stay out of the middle.

 

4) Use the trade deadline aggressively, don't be too attached to players if the right moves are there

 

5) Emphasize defense and fundamentals

 

6) Emphasize strikeouts for pitchers

 

7) Adjust player's positions and roles early on.  Not at AAA or the MLB level.

 

8) More analysis of their own work, flexibility with outside ideas, and a willingness to move on from people and ideas when they fail

 

9) A genuine effort to be out in front of trends

 

Just off the top of my head.

 

I agree with all of these.  One trend that the Braves appear to be all in on is basically buying assets by taking on salary.  Just grabbed the Orioles comp pick to take on Matusz's salary, last year I think they got a 1st round pitcher from the Dbacks for taking on Arroyo's contract.  

 

Be creative in acquiring assets, through the draft (3 2nd round picks this year will certainly help the bonus pool), international market, etc.  *And call Dave Stewart once a week to check in and see if he wants to make a deal

 

Edited May 24, 2016 by alarp33

[tobi0040]

It's about the quality.  And odds are, the most quality "stathead", and the one most capable of leading and directing that department to actually gain a competitive advantage over other teams, may not have emerged from your ticket call center a few years ago

I really wish the ticket sales thing was some baseless, outlandish comment. But unfortunately it is spot on.

 

In my process of having the prospective GM provide a report on why we have been so bad and what has failed, I would hope they would highlight the insolar nature of the Twins org. The Goin hire, Rob Antony working his way up from completely odd sides of the business like community relations, etc. I would hope would be identified as red flags that will be addressed.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I want chutzpah, and plenty of it!

[Vanimal46]

Background: The team needs someone who comes from an organization with sustained success, knows how to build a culture, and preferably has worked with a constrained budget before. I'd like to go young with the next hire. Target organizations: St Louis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Oakland

 

Scouting and drafting: Still going to be crucial for this organization. Unless there's new ownership, there will always be a constraint on budget. The most likely way for them to acquire an ace type pitcher or power hitter is through the draft or international signings. I would want the next GM to be more aggressive with international signings. 

 

Advanced Stats: Not really in my wheelhouse. I'd want the next GM to scout out a team of people to handle this department and get it up to speed. 

 

Player Development: Another CRUCIAL part of the success in this organization. Currently I think it's backwards that most players spend more time in the lower levels than the upper levels. I'd like the next GM to create a philosophy of getting players through the lower levels quicker, and spend more time in AA and AAA to prepare them for the major leagues. 

 

On-Field Staff: Has to buy in to the philosophy and culture that the new GM creates. Right now it doesn't appear that TR and PM mesh in what they're trying to do. The current 40 man is littered with young players, and PM doesn't appear to trust or use the young players. 

 

Trades: They need to have free reign on making decisions for who to trade for and whom to trade away. Epstein did a great job with the Cubs trading away vets for upside players. The next GM should have the ability to do the same. 

 

Free Agency: Boom or bust. Go after 1 impact player if it fits the team perfectly instead of hedging your bets with 2-3 mid level players. 

 

Miscellaneous: Clear out some of the people in the organization from the old regime to bring in new people who fit the culture. "Success" at this point is getting this organization healthier by shedding old contracts and actually going through the youth movement. 

[nicksaviking]

What's happening today isn't going to be what's happening tomorrow. I want someone who not only understands that baseball is at the same time evolving AND cyclical, but someone who thrives on change and isn't overly committed to what worked for them in the past.

 

This is going to sound cold-hearted and un-Twin like, but I want a GM who sees the players as a commodity:

 

-Sign free agents to contracts that can be unloaded if the team is struggling.

-Speculate on buy low candidates.

-Don't make the roster redundant, you don't need x many number 3 pitchers or x number of corner/DH types.

-Avoid sentimental signings and picks. If a Joe Mauer is the best player available to pick, go ahead and grab him I guess, but local guys and former players should not be getting deals because they make for good PR. Sentimentality is a killer, it causes bad contracts and it makes it hard to trade guys when they clearly should be traded. If all things are equal, stay away from the local guy and former players.

 

I would like to see the Twins target John Mozeliak or Neil Huntington for the President job and let them woo front office and managerial staff.

 

 

[Brandon]

I look back at the last few off seasons and was happy at the results each time from Terry Ryan. Last offseason we all thought here the best thing to do was stand pat. They brought in new catchers who have not worked out but Abad has been better than expected. Park has been better than expected. and PAlka is a good prospect. The year before we signed the 4th best starting pitcher in free agency and Torii, extended a Cy young calibre pitcher for 3 years and 14 million. We all thought the Nolasco signing was good at the time. This season has been the perfect storm of what all could go wrong. Mauer quit hitting after the first few weeks. Plouffe Gibson Santana, Perkins Escobar have been hurt, none of the young players have stepped up except Duffy. Nunez has come out of nowhere glad Terry Ryan kept him around. Others have slumped. The most questionable move I've seen made was the 2 year extension to Suzuki but I haven't seen many better available options that were reasonable in cost. I think most of the mess will fix itself in time. Provided some of the youngsters bounce back. Plouffe will be a solid player. Mauer will either go back to hitting or get moved to the bench in the next year, Sano will learn to make adjustments, Buxton is the CF of the future, we have bullpen reinforcements on the way plus starting pitcher options. The team has to get over the shock that they weren't ready this year and maximize the opportunities to prepare for next year.

[tobi0040]

I have now converted to the idea of hiring a president from outside and putting him in charge of hiring a GM. Kudos to Thrylos, Nicksaving and others. Because at the end of the day without one it would be Pohlad conducting the search and he has no credibility at all, nor connections outside our team.

[Thrylos]

 

 extended a Cy young calibre pitcher

 

Who?  Phil Hughes at his career season finished 7th in the Cy Young vote with 6 points.  First place had 169 and second 157.  For perspective.  Not.Even.Close

 

Unless you are talking about the Perkins, Pelfrey, and/or Capps extensions...

[DaveW]

 

Here would be a few highlights for me:

 

1) More emphasis on modern analytics and an understanding of statistics.

 

2) Early picks on hitters only

 

3) Treat FA as either boom or bust - either go big or go dumpster diving.  Stay out of the middle.

 

4) Use the trade deadline aggressively, don't be too attached to players if the right moves are there

 

5) Emphasize defense and fundamentals

 

6) Emphasize strikeouts for pitchers

 

7) Adjust player's positions and roles early on.  Not at AAA or the MLB level.

 

8) More analysis of their own work, flexibility with outside ideas, and a willingness to move on from people and ideas when they fail

 

9) A genuine effort to be out in front of trends

 

Just off the top of my head.

1. 100% this, the Twins can talk all they want about their advanced statistics team, but they still are signing guys at their peak (after luck driven half seasons etc....Suzuki) and aren't efficiently finding talent in the FA market (or trade market). I would want the Twins to bring in a PROVEN advanced statistics expert and let him build out his team from there.

 

2. I disagree here. If you have a chance to draft a good arm, you take it. I would avoid RP like the plague though int he first 3 rounds. However, if you have a chance to get another Kohl Stewart you do it in a heartbeat. Shooter Hunt didn't work out, but I like that pick as well, high upside, high risk. No to the next Kyle Gibson or Alex Wimmers first round pick though (or Ben Revere) drafting mid rotation guys that high in the draft is a mistake.

 

3. I agree 100% here. Get an impact bat or an impact pitcher (i.e. an Ace or #2) with the money they spent on Santana, Milone, Hughes and Nolasco the Twins would have been able to sign Cueto (and one of Santana, Hughes and Nolasco). How much better would this rotation look with Cueto at the top for the next 5 years? Ditto with hitters. Get an impact player or don't bother, if you need filler types then your minor leagues should be able to produce you some back up INF, back up C, back up OF. I wouldn't mind some "middle" RP options though.

 

4. Yup

 

5. The Twins used to be very good at this, I think they have lost a few steps since Gardy was let go to be honest.

 

6. Agreed, it's kinda crazy that we are still waiting on this.

7,8,9. Yes yes yes.

 

 

Well put overall and well thought out. Also one thing I would add is to set expectations coming in for the new F.O of the following:

 

First 10 years:

Minimum of 4 playoff appearances. (33% of the teams make the playoffs every year, 40% would be a little above average)

Minimum of 1 world series title.

 

Anything else would be viewed as failure. It might sound a bit harsh, but it's professional sports, the whole point of it is to win championships. Settling for sweeps in the first round of the playoffs (when you are fortunate enough to make the playoffs) doesn't cut it.

[DaveW]

 

I have now converted to the idea of hiring a president from outside and putting him in charge of hiring a GM. Kudos to Thrylos, Nicksaving and others. Because at the end of the day without one it would be Pohlad conducting the search and he has no credibility at all, nor connections outside our team.

Yeah this is the most important part to me. There has been like zero turnover in the FO as a whole. Replacing Ryan with someone else internally (unless they were literally brought on in the last 24 months) is just asking for more of the same.

The one exception to a "former Minnesota guy" would be Andy MacPhail, he has been away from Minnesota for 20 years now or so I believe, and has done a wonderful job rebuilding a Phillies team that was absolutely gutted when he took over.

[alarp33]

 

I have now converted to the idea of hiring a president from outside and putting him in charge of hiring a GM. Kudos to Thrylos, Nicksaving and others. Because at the end of the day without one it would be Pohlad conducting the search and he has no credibility at all, nor connections outside our team.

 

To piggyback on the other thread about when is the right time to replace the GM... going this route also allows  you to start that search for the Team President immediately... Ryan can still handle the draft, trade deadline, etc.  with a new president looking over his shoulder.  That president can clean house in October.  

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

For me, the most important thing the next GM will do is to hire a direct of player development.  The Twins of 10-12 years ago were built from within--Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Torri, etc. were all high draft picks that matured.

 

Since Mauer our top picks have floundered. 

 

If you build a team from within, you don't have to spend the free agent bucks on the big parts, just fill in the weaknesses.

 

Why have our draft picks floundered.  I don't know.  I know that Buxton--considered a top 5 prospect by everybody hasn't been able to develop.  Gibson, Plouffe, etc. have become at best mediocre.  Some (Gomez, Span) have done better with a change of scenery. 

 

A new director of player development working with a new GM must make changes so guys like Stewart, Gonsalves, Gordon, etc. do develop into more than mediocre.

[DaveW]

 

For me, the most important thing the next GM will do is to hire a direct of player development.  The Twins of 10-12 years ago were built from within--Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Torri, etc. were all high draft picks that matured.

 

Since Mauer our top picks have floundered. 

 

If you build a team from within, you don't have to spend the free agent bucks on the big parts, just fill in the weaknesses.

 

Why have our draft picks floundered.  I don't know.  I know that Buxton--considered a top 5 prospect by everybody hasn't been able to develop.  Gibson, Plouffe, etc. have become at best mediocre.  Some (Gomez, Span) have done better with a change of scenery. 

 

A new director of player development working with a new GM must make changes so guys like Stewart, Gonsalves, Gordon, etc. do develop into more than mediocre.

That's a little unfair IMO.

 

Buxton hasn't floundered at all yet, he still is wayyyy too young to say this and he is currently doing very well in AAA. Several top prospects struggle their first time in the majors, Trout comes immediately to mind. Also, Buxton likely wasn't ready to be brought up anyways. If he is still struggling in 3 years then maybe we can talk about him being a bust.

 

Ditto with Stewart, he was a high school arm, those guys take longer to develop then the Jr/Sr college pitchers we have drafted quite a bit in the past. He was a top 30 prospect coming into this season and is pitching well as a 21 year old in A+.

 

Berrios is another first rounder who has worked out "well" so far and has a bright future.

 

Span was a very good CF for us, I don't see how you can include him in this list as well. He is a good player who will have a good career, most teams will take that 7 days a week out of their mid first round pick.

 

Gomez was never picked by the Twins, he was part of the Mets system.

 

Gibson and Plouffe haven't been all stars, but at least they have contributed and are solid players as well. You can't really call them busts.

 

If you want to talk busts, then at least mention the busts like Hunt, Gutierrez.

Overall I think the Twins have done a pretty solid job drafting in the first round IMO.

[operation mindcrime]

Competence!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Be creative in acquiring assets, through the draft (3 2nd round picks this year will certainly help the bonus pool), international market, etc.  *And call Dave Stewart once a week to check in and see if he wants to make a deal

 

To be fair... that deal is looking great for the Diamondbacks to this point... 

[operation mindcrime]

I'd also like someone with an open mind who's willing to change!

[hybridbear]

It sounds like there is an overall need for more creativity. Be more creative with lineup construction based on analytics. Be more creative with contract structure to sign high upside players to deals that reward them very well if they perform, but limit liability if they don't. Be more creative in hiring decisions to go outside the organization & sign a more diverse staff. Be more creative in strategy of signing players from the draft and internationally.

 

The one point made in the article that really caught my attention was about player contact in the off-season. Perhaps this already happens, but I'd like to see the Twins have a specific plan for each player during the off-season. There may be goals relating to conditioning, weight, strength training or other exercise related goals. Or there might be baseball related fielding goals such as better routes on fly balls, improving decision making on throws back to the infield, working to improve first step speed, improving fluidity for double plays or others. Or perhaps there are specific hitting goals such as improving strike zone recognition, learning to lay off more breaking balls, taking the ball the other way, pulling the ball more, hitting less pop-ups, etc. I'd like to see a plan laid out for every player under contract for the next season at all levels. The goal should be to make the players better through these plans. Then the Twins could help the players accomplish their goals by providing resources to them as needed.