Article: The Benefits Of Badness

[Nick Nelson]

This Twins team is terrible. That's not breaking news. We're through more than a third of the season and they're on pace for the most losses in franchise history. They consistently fail at every aspect of the game. To further solidify their standing as the worst team in the American League, they went and lost six of seven games last week to the AL's other last-place clubs.

 

But being terrible in major league baseball is not without its silver linings.In an effort to find the bright side of this miserable season, let's take a look at a few of the advantages that come along with Minnesota's status as an outright cellar-dweller.

 

1) Top waiver priority

 

Robbie Grossman is looking like he might be a player. Granted, he wasn't a waiver acquisition, as the Twins signed him to a minor-league deal after he opted out with the Indians, but he's the type of player that tends to pop up on waivers – a youngish guy who might have some untapped potential but was the victim of an in-season roster crunch. The Twins have the worst record in the league so they'll have first dibs on any such player to be dropped by an AL club. It's a sneaky way to add some decent talent.

 

2) Top draft pick in 2017

 

I know, it's tough to get excited about such a long-term proposition. But the 99-loss season in 2011 – worst for a Twins team since 1982 – resulted in the opportunity to draft Byron Buxton. A 93-loss clunker in 2000 got them Joe Mauer. In this respect, a truly rotten season can be a franchise-altering blessing. While it's impossible to get a clear picture of how the top amateur talent will stack up a year from now, there are some intriguing names already emerging. University of Florida catcher J.J. Schwarz is currently viewed as the likely No. 1 pick, and he obviously plays at a position of extreme need for Minnesota.

 

3) Clear seller status

 

During their stretch of losing campaigns from 2011 through 2014, the Twins were often in a state of ambiguity around this point in the early summer, in terms of their contending status. No general manager wants to sell off key parts in June when his club still has a reasonable chance at getting in the postseason mix. This year, there are no such illusions at play. Terry Ryan can and should make anyone who is not a clear long-term piece available, and by trading with more of the season remaining, he might be able to slightly enhance his return. As I wrote on Monday, the timing is particularly favorable with regards to Trevor Plouffe and the third base market.

 

4) Low-pressure youth auditions

 

At times, there are concerns about throwing a young and inexperienced player into the middle of an intense MLB race. The second half of this season will provide the Twins with an opportunity to ease any prospects in that they'd like to take a look at, with virtually nothing at stake in terms of wins and losses. This may be especially helpful with some of the system's minor-league bullpen arms, because the coaching staff really needs to get a handle on which ones are going to be able to help out in 2017.

 

5) Deep introspection

 

When things get this bad, an organization must look inward with a critical eye and scrutinize every individual that they have in place at a high level. No front office exec, coach, trainer or scout should feel safe from a harsh evaluation at the end of this disastrous season, whereas in better times, ineffectiveness might get overlooked.

 

In the spirit of searching for glimmers of positivity within the wreckage, are there any other benefits to being brutally bad that you would add to this list? Sound off in the comments.

 

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[tobi0040]

Pretty good article Nick.

 

It does remain to be seen whether the Twins will use this time to clean the vets out and provide reps for the future.

[gil4]

3) Clear seller status

4) Low-pressure youth auditions

5) Deep introspection

 

It's like Venezuela - plenty of willing shoppers but nothing on the shelves.

 

Twins have struggled with the low-pressure part of the auditions.  It's been good to see Buxton start to hit some.

 

We've had way too much deep introspection the past few years - still not sure how it has been a benefit.

[jud6312]

It'll be nice to be first to the scrap heap as opposed to last for a change #glasshalffull

[The Wise One]

Berrios, Chargois, Walker, and  Jason Wheeler should then all be spending from August on with the Twins after they have traded a bunch of veterans.  Garver, Turner, Granite might also fit in the audition category for September.  Anyone on the 40 man roster older than 26 ought to be trade bait.  There are 13-14 players that fit that demographic.  Abad to a contender would fetch the most but a couple others might bring back more than a tuna can.  The more of them they trade, the more people can post in 2 years how stupid the Twins were to trade them. Here is hoping some notoriously bad trading teams are on the edge  of the playoffs in July.

[Platoon]

Good piece. And all basically relevant. The sad part, for me and I imagine quite a few others, is the hopeless feeling that virtually nothing significant will be done. Everything you have listed is valid and needed. But nothing in this owners or FO history allow optimism that any of the following will take place with enough impact to change the face of this team drastically:

1. Trading beloved vets. See Dozier, Suzuki, and add Nunez, Grossman, Escobar. Plouffe might be the exception, and if he doesn't go, the rest of your article is bird cage lining.

2. Eat contract money. The big three SP. And if things don't change, I would add Park. If that's the kind of hitting it takes to get to thirty solo HR's, I will pass thank you.

3. Introspection. I can look in the mirror everyday, and think I should get a haircut! I can tell my wife, "I need a haircut". I can even issue a press release. But until I go to the barber, my hair is still gonna be too long.

 

The best the optimist in me can do is hope what you wrote happens. The pessimist in me thinks little will.

[Blackjack]

Its going to be interesting between now and the trade deadline.  The problem is, how many veterans has Terry Ryan traded away in past years before the deadline?? Not very many.... 

 

Also, can you get more for a player now or closer to the deadline, when teams are desperate and the available players thin out?

[Craig Arko]

The notion of drafting a stud catcher with the #1 overall pick does sound mighty appealing.

[wsnydes]

Good read.  Like others have touched on, I'm worried that the necessary changes won't be made.  A failure of this nature has to result in changes, but this team isn't one to make those decisions.  

 

 

[tobi0040]

I think it would be criminal to wait to the trade deadline, or Terry's usual August to move guys. The extra two months would be very nice for the young guys.

 

I have a sneaky feeling we are not going to win 70% plus of the remaining games to make a run here. Especially on the backs of a rotation with Ricky Nolasco, Pat Dean, etc.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Berrios, Chargois, Walker, and  Jason Wheeler should then all be spending from August on with the Twins after they have traded a bunch of veterans.  Garver, Turner, Granite might also fit in the audition category for September.  Anyone on the 40 man roster older than 26 ought to be trade bait.  There are 13-14 players that fit that demographic.  Abad to a contender would fetch the most but a couple others might bring back more than a tuna can.  The more of them they trade, the more people can post in 2 years how stupid the Twins were to trade them. Here is hoping some notoriously bad trading teams are on the edge  of the playoffs in July.

You can audition rookies in August and September in almost any season, but it doesn't give you a whole lot of useful data to prepare for next year (see Kennys Vargas, Chris Parmelee, etc.).

 

The Twins epically poor start has given them an advantage that they already know, at this early date, that they can start to look to the future.  No sense delaying it until August to try buoying modest trade values.  There is absolutely room today for Chargois in pen without waiting for Abad to be dealt, there is room for May and/or Berrios in the rotation without waiting for a SP trade, innings for Wheeler to see if he is worth protecting on the 40-man again this winter, etc.

[blindeke]

Good list. Can't argue with any of it! I especially hope they bring up some young pitchers and let 'em learn the hard way.

[Comrade Bork]

Another benefit of being terrible is that the Common Man on kfan has plenty of funny talking points if you are the type of person that would rather laugh than cry . Biblicaly bad gg

[troyhobbs]

Considering how sterile the FO has been w/ transactions in their past 90+ loss seasons there is not much reason to believe this year will be any different.

[gocgo]

One additional benny.  Pretty tough to raise ticket prices or any other prices after a year like this.  Now whether you want to pay the current price to go is another subject.  Once could even make the case that they should drop ticket prices if they want to get people in to the park.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

The notion of drafting a stud catcher with the #1 overall pick does sound mighty appealing.

 

I'm just hoping there's a without question once in a generation talent like Strasburg or Harper in 2017.  If he's a catcher, even better.

[Craig Arko]

 

One additional benny.  Pretty tough to raise ticket prices or any other prices after a year like this.  Now whether you want to pay the current price to go is another subject.  Once could even make the case that they should drop ticket prices if they want to get people in to the park.

Coupon days.

[Taildragger8791]

Good list. Unfortunately it's fantasy to believe Terry Ryan will change his stripes and suddenly start clearing out vets, dumping expensive contracts, or trading someone at their peak of value (Abad). This is going to be the same roster next year except for the pieces that we let walk away for nothing. No creativity or gumption.

[tobi0040]

You can audition rookies in August and September in almost any season, but it doesn't give you a whole lot of useful data to prepare for next year (see Kennys Vargas, Chris Parmelee, etc.).

 

The Twins epically poor start has given them an advantage that they already know, at this early date, that they can start to look to the future.  No sense delaying it until August to try buoying modest trade values.  There is absolutely room today for Chargois in pen without waiting for Abad to be dealt, there is room for May and/or Berrios in the rotation without waiting for a SP trade, innings for Wheeler to see if he is worth protecting on the 40-man again this winter, etc.

The problem is I just expect terrible decisions to continue until they completely clean house, if they do at all.

 

Nolasco, Hughes, Ervin Nunez, Plouffe, Dozier, Abad, Jepsen etc. Expect one trade on 7/31 and another for cash in mid August. No meaningful DFA's. And May will remain in the pen all year.

Edited June 8, 2016 by tobi0040

[d-mac]

 

One additional benny.  Pretty tough to raise ticket prices or any other prices after a year like this.  Now whether you want to pay the current price to go is another subject.  Once could even make the case that they should drop ticket prices if they want to get people in to the park.

 

Basic organizational economics says they should lower prices. The variable cost of putting additional butts in the seats is pretty small. Operating a sports stadium is almost entirely fixed cost. Plus with those additional butts in the seats there is the knock-on revenue of concessions and merchandise that won't be sold without people to buy them. 

 

In other words- since the number of seats at a stadium is fixed, the revenue maximizing point should be trying to sell as many seats as possible. 

[HitInAPinch]

Interesting. 

 

Are the Twins not auditioning players right now?  The list:

 

Sano, Buxton, Polanco, Kepler, Centeno and a host of players on the pitching staff like Duffey, Dean, Tonkin, Pressely, Rodgers.  Probably missing a few more.  MiLB players that were on the opening roster or added.

 

5 of that group played last night.

 

Granted, it's not a conscious effort.  It's a litany of players who somehow came out of Spring Training in less than optimal condition and ending up on the DL.  And others [or same] came out of Spring Training seemingly lacking skills on the mound or at the plate and field.  I still question what the hell happened there.

 

I like Molitor, a brilliant baseball mind.  But at age 60, with no Managerial experience, is/was he the right choice for this team?  This team needs a young, energetic manager that's more in-tune with the young, energetic modern players. 

 

Direction comes from the top.  After Jim Pohlad shot off his mouth with the stupid "Total System Failure" comment, what has HE done?  Nothing.  Not even context on what was wrong.  Just a "well, not the team, but an individual to step up".  Oy vey.

 

 

[ToddlerHarmon]

Until #5 results in front office changes, the rest of these benefits are worthless. I hear nothing that sounds like ownership understands how bad this situation is

[David HK]

 

The problem is I just expect terrible decisions to continue until they completely clean house, if they do at all.

Nolasco, Hughes, Ervin Nunez, Plouffe, Dozier, Abad, Jepsen etc. Expect one trade on 7/31 and another for cash in mid August. No meaningful DFA's. And May will remain in the pen all year.

I don't wanna like this- but I can see it happening.  I think TR does things these days now just to p*** me off.

 

And may I add-----  that #4 reason, which should be maybe the best one, only works if a certain field manager actually puts those kids in a game.  He's been forced to play Bux because of the injury situation, and by gum, when DanSan comes back, I don't want to see him taking Bux's ABs away.  Gee, we're getting Mastro back soon too, that probably means Kepler goes down in favor of a "vet."  We've probably seen the last of Alex Meyer for another year, most likely due to Molly's mishandling of that whole affair, and where the heck has Arcia been the past couple of weeks?  Molly needs to go, but quick, if any of that #4 option is going to happen.

[mattkummer]

It is nice to get great seats for cheap. Was there Saturday. Row 1, Section 120. $30.

[toosweet64]

To add to #2, you might want to think about how "bad" this draft has been called by scouts and talking heads like Keith Law. There isn't a whole lot of impact players reportedly. Thus, if the Twins were to draft say, the Manning kid who apparently has "signability" issues and weren't able to sign him, then next year they would get a mid-1st round pick in a reportedly much, much better draft.  Something to think about...

[ashbury]

The notion of drafting a stud catcher with the #1 overall pick does sound mighty appealing.

Joe Mauer is a great player, but the experience of having him makes me leery of "investing" so much hitting talent in that position. It makes the management of the 25-man roster harder.

 

Getting 130 games behind the plate out of any one player is a challenge, and then you want your stud batter in the lineup for the other games, which likely means DH. That in turn means you can't carry too many "corner" types like we have now, vying for extra at bats at DH (or those corner positions); at DH it also means there's a temptation to carry a third catcher if the manager is paranoid about being caught having to have pitchers bat in case of a mid-game injury. There's also the worry of the stress of playing catcher wearing your elite bat down.

 

These are not insuperable obstacles, and of course you don't want an offensive black hole playing the position. But given a close decision, I would opt for another player, at a high first round pick, than catcher.

[tobi0040]

Joe Mauer is a great player, but the experience of having him makes me leery of "investing" so much hitting talent in that position. It makes the management of the 25-man roster harder.

 

Getting 130 games behind the plate out of any one player is a challenge, and then you want your stud batter in the lineup for the other games, which likely means DH. That in turn means you can't carry too many "corner" types like we have now, vying for extra at bats at DH (or those corner positions); at DH it also means there's a temptation to carry a third catcher if the manager is paranoid about being caught having to have pitchers bat in case of a mid-game injury. There's also the worry of the stress of playing catcher wearing your elite bat down.

 

These are not insuperable obstacles, and of course you don't want an offensive black hole playing the position. But given a close decision, I would opt for another player, at a high first round pick, than catcher.

I think you need to accept the guy may only get 8-10 years behind the plate. But we have a huge hole at catcher that isn't getting fixed anytime soon.

[alarp33]

 

To add to #2, you might want to think about how "bad" this draft has been called by scouts and talking heads like Keith Law. There isn't a whole lot of impact players reportedly. Thus, if the Twins were to draft say, the Manning kid who apparently has "signability" issues and weren't able to sign him, then next year they would get a mid-1st round pick in a reportedly much, much better draft.  Something to think about...

 

In theory, it might not be the worst end result, but there's a good chance Terry Ryan won't even be making the 2017 picks, he's not going to punt on 2016 with a 17-40 record and most of the town calling for his job. 

[wsnydes]

 

In theory, it might not be the worst end result, but there's a good chance Terry Ryan won't even be making the 2017 picks, he's not going to punt on 2016 with a 17-40 record and most of the town calling for his job. 

I wish that I had your optimism that a move will actually be made.

[toosweet64]

 

In theory, it might not be the worst end result, but there's a good chance Terry Ryan won't even be making the 2017 picks, he's not going to punt on 2016 with a 17-40 record and most of the town calling for his job. 

 

It wouldn't necessarily be "punting" as Manning is one of the higher upside high school pitchers in this draft. If they are able to meet this signing demands, great. If not, you are in position for a good pick next year.