Article: Rob Antony's Audition

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The argument being made is that this team isn't a good idea for a good candidate.....you raise a 100% different argument.....

Sorry. I was already assuming this is a good job (warts and all) for a good candidate, who might be offered it but still decline it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I doubt another Fuld-for-Milone or Herrmann for Palka type deal would move the needle for potential ticket buyers.

Yeah, I didn't mean Milone or Palka.  By "something significant for our lesser assets" I meant something like, say, Zimmer and salary relief for Ervin Santana.  Hence my "miracle worker" comment -- I don't see it happening.

 

As to the rest of your post, fairly or unfairly, I think Dozier gets more love than Span circa 2012.  And we were closer to the beginning of the rebuild there, so it was understandable to trade vets for prospects, especially at an area of org need at the time.  We don't really have a big area of organizational need right now, aside from catcher.  Dozier for Kyle Zimmer would be seen as rather unnecessary, I think.

 

You could substitute a better/healthier prospect for Zimmer and probably not change the equation much, and of course once the proposed prospect gets too good, we're back to my "miracle worker" comment.

[Willihammer]

 

Yeah, I didn't mean Milone or Palka.  By "something significant for our lesser assets" I meant something like, say, Zimmer and salary relief for Ervin Santana.  Hence my "miracle worker" comment -- I don't see it happening.

 

As to the rest of your post, fairly or unfairly, I think Dozier gets more love than Span circa 2012.  And we were closer to the beginning of the rebuild there, so it was understandable to trade vets for prospects, especially at an area of org need at the time.  We don't really have a big area of organizational need right now, aside from catcher.  Dozier for Kyle Zimmer would be seen as rather unnecessary, I think.

 

You could substitute a better/healthier prospect for Zimmer and probably not change the equation much, and of course once the proposed prospect gets too good, we're back to my "miracle worker" comment.

I assumed by "lesser assets" you meant the 24th or 25th guys on the roster. Escobar, Centeno, etc. My mistake.

 

I think you're getting hung up on specifics. I'm only suggesting that a major trade in the next 9 days, one that signals a plan of some kind- rebuilding or reloading (I doubt it matters), just something bold, would sway a segment of the base into his corner and give him an advantage for the GM job. What that trade might look like specifically I don't know. Dozier for Zimmer is maybe a bad example.

[Kwak]

As for a highly qualified candidate already employed with a winning team considering a promotion to GM with the Twins--it's the age old question: "would you rather serve in heaven or rule in hell?" Anybody who spurns the GM job because of that thinking ​is the wrong candidate.

[DocBauer]

I don't see any way Antony can really do anything in 2 1/2 months to impress anyone he should be the new GM. For starters, any trades made would doubtfully be splashy, and would take time before you'd even see a payoff. Further, said trades may have been well in to conversation before Ryan was removed.

 

The fan base is frustrated, and ownership knows this. And the comments about system wide failure speak to me of an outside hire. And while Pohlad has been blasted for is "research" of examining other teams media guides at least suggests he's further considering/opening up addition spots for new personnel.

 

I'm really kind of excited here. Though until I actually see the list of candidates and the final choice, I remain a tad leary.

[DocBauer]

Also, I do see the Twins job as being a bit of a plumb, as long as there are no harsh restrictions involved. You wouldn't be in a high pressure media market. You have a fabulous facility here and in Ft Myers. And with the restocking of the farm system, a lot of good young talent close, and some of it already "arrived" some of the heavy lifting for the continent rebuild has been done.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think you're getting hung up on specifics. I'm only suggesting that a major trade in the next 9 days, one that signals a plan of some kind- rebuilding or reloading (I doubt it matters), just something bold, would sway a segment of the base into his corner and give him an advantage for the GM job. What that trade might look like specifically I don't know. Dozier for Zimmer is maybe a bad example.

Fair enough.  But I think it matters what that trade would look like, specifically.  Trading Dozier, for example, even for a good prospect, might appease some folks here at Twins Daily, but it almost certainly would not be popular among a larger group of fans, in the clubhouse, with DSP, etc.  It would be bold, but I'm not seeing it helping his case.

 

Substitute a different veteran for Dozier, and lower the prospect return accordingly, and it becomes significantly less bold, and I doubt anyone cares all that much.  A modest step towards rebuilding/reloading could easily come off as the Twins being "cheap" to many folks too.

[magiklair]

If Rob Anthony is going to be the one making trades.. That's a scary thought..

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I assumed by "lesser assets" you meant the 24th or 25th guys on the roster. Escobar, Centeno, etc. My mistake.

 

I think you're getting hung up on specifics. I'm only suggesting that a major trade in the next 9 days, one that signals a plan of some kind- rebuilding or reloading (I doubt it matters), just something bold, would sway a segment of the base into his corner and give him an advantage for the GM job. What that trade might look like specifically I don't know. Dozier for Zimmer is maybe a bad example.

I actually agree. I also wonder if Ryan had done something significant or proactive in the past month if he would still be the GM.

[Mike Sixel]

Klaw answered questions about this and other twins topics....see my fangraphs thread

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I actually agree. I also wonder if Ryan had done something significant or proactive in the past month if he would still be the GM.

I don't think so.  I think Ryan getting dismissed was about the larger, longer-term body of work.  Someone really had to go now, and they've already turned over the last GM, the coaching staff, and the manager...

 

Also, don't forget that TR would still be the GM today if he had been willing to have the search for his replacement going on behind him.  I don't think there was anything short term that was going to save his job, or now that could bolster Antony's case for it.

[Major League Ready]

 

If you are speaking about the Twins job, I think $2m is quite a bit high. I think Terry was making around $500k and my guess is the new GM does not sniff much more than that. Salary will likely be the biggest issue with us attracting top talent, moreso than weather, roster, etc.

Cashman was the highest paid GM at $2m for some time. Now Epstein signed a 5 year, $18m deal and then Friedman signed a huge 5 year, $35m deal. I believe those guys may all have two titles though.

Keep in mind that I am just reciting things I read and my memory could be off but I read an article last year that I thought said the lowest paid GMs made over $1M/yr and the top GMs were $5M+.  Again, just an old recollection of an article so take it for what its worth.  

 

Now I am curious.  Might have to search for some articles this weekend.

 

I don't know how Jim Pohlad could possibly make the decision to keep RA Why fire TR to hire RA?  Just tell him he is retiring at the end of the year and RA is taking his place.  Why create the drama?

Edited July 22, 2016 by Major Leauge Ready

[huhguy]

Lets sincerely hope that this is NOT an audition The cancer needs to be completely eradicated..

[by jiminy]

Boy, if his only hope of getting the job is a splashy trade, he has no hope. He doesn't have anybody very exciting to offer, so there's no way of getting anybody very exciting back.

[djvang]

I don't think there's much mgmt can do other than start throwing big money at top free agents in the off-season, which they've never done. None of their players have much trade value.

 

Their strategy for the past several years has been basically "Wait till Buxton and Sano get here". Well, they're here and they're not doing much. Now what? They gambled on Buxton and Sano just like they gambled on Morneau and Mauer. The jury's still out on B & S but the M & M gamble was a bust because of Morneau's injuries and Mauer deciding that .270, 10 HR, 70 RBI is just fine for $21M/year, no need to change his approach.

 

So they're stuck hoping that their current young talent will blossom. But that's what they were relying on for this season and it didn't happen. That's a tough sell for fans who are rapidly losing patience. 

[old nurse]

 

(Warning: in the following post, I have quoted my own thoughts of what may have been actual words. These are not quotes you can find elsewhere, just in my brain)

So Ryan was dismissed right after the All Star break which is when many trades come to fruition.

TR was told a few weeks ago that he's leaving after this season, he sticks around a little while longer and two weeks before the deadline, out of the blue says "Well, if that's the case, I might as well go now!". Just two weeks to deadline!

Reusse's reports that its all about PR!

My thought: Who did Ryan try to trade that Pohlad said "no" about leading to Terry saying "Well, if that's the case, I might as well go now!" If Ryan was unable to make those big trades we are all hoping for, it makes no difference if Antony is in charge now or after the deadline. If TR had big trades brewing that could still happen if he sticks around, why leave everyone in the lurch?

To make a big trade Ryan would be trading highly ranked prospects or first and second year players. That is not, has not nor will ever be Ryan's method of doing things. Anything else the Twins have  to trade would not fall into the big trade category

 

[jorgenswest]

The trade deadline is of little importance compared to the need to overhaul the front office. They need a real analytics department, a real medical department and minds from the outside. Even if Antony were to get a great return for Suzuki or Nunez, that should not be the deciding factor in whether he stays as GM. What is his plan to overhaul the front office? What is his vision for the future and how will the Twins not only catch up to the curve but stay ahead of it? What is his vision for skills from a manager? Can he pinpoint where the current management has failed and areas where he needs to replace staff? Trades are a very small part of this job.

[Vanimal46]

A real medical department has been criminally dismissed IMO. I get that rehab > surgery, but there's been way too many examples in recent years of players being more injured than they initially thought. The process of discovering their real injury seems to be dragged out longer than it should.

[old nurse]

Andy McPhail went from genius in Minnesota to idiot in Chicago.  Sandy Alderson has been from genius to bum and back.  Time will tell if the "bold" move of Larussa's hiring shows much.  Glen Taylor got rid of the country club and ended up with Kahn. Outside isn't always better.  If Antony is auditioning the first thing he better do is bring in a mind that understands pitching as an assistant, special assistant and/or   minor league pitching directory.  After that, if he can sell his organizational philosophy to Pohlad and get a job, he probably wouldn't have a hard time selling players on Minnesota.  He wouldn't have to complain about not being able to give money away.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I read the LaVelle Q&A and listened to his in-game interview last night. I don't think there is much chance of Antony getting the job long-term, but he has the spot for an important stretch now, so it's important to see what he says.

 

I appreciate how much more open he is than TR was. Clear that he wants to move several players. Talks about how many teams he is talking to, and what stage they are at in those discussions. Will not be trading prospects. Wants young players to get some time in the majors this year getting their feet wet (ahem Berrios). Thinks Ervin might not be traded, because he has value as a mid-to-high (for the Twins) rotation arm on a fairly reasonable two-year deal. (This stance, which I don't agree with per se, represents BUILDING up a player's value, unlike TR's penchant for doing the opposite.) Isn't going to be making any extensions of the Suzuki or Nunez variety.

 

I'm optimistic that he will trade away several players in the next ten days that will accomplish three things: clear some space for more young players to get playing time, clear a bit of salary space which can be utilized in the free agent market later by the next GM, and bring back a few prospects (no big expectations) that might contribute. If he could land a catching prospect that is close, so much the better.

 

I'd like a journalist to ask him what his thinking is about May getting another shot at the rotation. And Meyer as well.

[tobi0040]

I found Antony's quote during the game that "we aren't going to give guys away to cut payroll" to be interesting. It was about the second comment he made if I remember right. Terry seemed to go out of his way and force comments about how much support he has from the Pohlads regarding budget.

 

It seems like the Pohlad's are aware of their reputation and it is possible they tell their GM to say these things.

Edited July 23, 2016 by tobi0040

[Halsey Hall]

The first thing Antony should do is get rid of Plouffe.  Not that that would save his job, just something that should of been done 3 years ago and it cost TR his job.

[Willihammer]

June 20, or thereabouts:

 

JP: TR, this is very hard for me to say, because your name is synonymous with Twins Baseball, has been for 30 years. You've given so much to this organization... (pause)

TR: I understand, Jim.

JP: But these last 5 years, we have not accomplished what we hoped.

TR: Certainly not.

JP: The last three in particular.

TR: No, sir. I get it. 
JP: I don't think you do Terry.

TR:...

JP: Plouffe. His reasonable price tag and right handed power. His affable clubhouse presence and surprisingly improved glove.

TR:...

JP: Its really been a drag on this team. And so we've got to let you go.

TR:

 

[Mike Sixel]

if this is his audition......and Berrios is still not up after yesterday.....well, I'd not hire him.

[LaBombo]

 

Glen Taylor got rid of the country club and ended up with Kahn. Outside isn't always better.  If Antony is auditioning the first thing he better do is bring in a mind that understands pitching as an assistant, special assistant and/or   minor league pitching directory.

So that's... one example of an organization, one that's not even a major league baseball team, that hired an 'outsider' and failed.

 

And it's interesting that you chose an executive whose most noteworthy and defining trait was not that he came from outside the organization that hired him, but rather that he came from outside the ranks of executives with player personnel experience, and with predictable results.

 

Maybe it would be more compelling, or at least relevant, to list the major league baseball teams that have achieved noteworthy success with a GM who was promoted from an executive spot that he held through over half a decade of averaging more than 90 losses per season.

 

Finding those names may take a good long while, but my guess is that typing them all probably won't.

[LaBombo]

 

if this is his audition......and Berrios is still not up after yesterday.....well, I'd not hire him.

Oh, c'mon, Mike, don't not hire Antony for that when there are so many even better reasons not to hire him!  That's like filling up on salad and dinner rolls at OCB!

[h2oface]

As to the rest of your post, fairly or unfairly, I think Dozier gets more love than Span circa 2012. And we were closer to the beginning of the rebuild there, so it was understandable to trade vets for prospects, ........

Doing an informal survey... Rebuild or no rebuild consensus. Spycake in the rebuild column. If this is incorrect, please let me know.

[alarp33]

 

Doing an informal survey... Rebuild or no rebuild consensus. Spycake in the rebuild column. If this is incorrect, please let me know.

 

I would trade Dozier, but I'm not sure this puts me in the rebuild category.  I wouldn't expect to compete in 2017, but I would aim for 2018 and I think Polanco will be better than Dozier at that point. 

[Willihammer]

Whether he is named GM or not, Antony is under contract for 2017, DSP says.

 

[amjgt]

 

I would trade Dozier, but I'm not sure this puts me in the rebuild category.  I wouldn't expect to compete in 2017, but I would aim for 2018 and I think Polanco will be better than Dozier at that point. 

 

Yeah, most people's opinion on trading Dozier is decided by their opinion of Polanco.

 

Baring a trade of him, Polanco will be on this team next year. He's out of options and we aren't going to expose him. I personally thing that as a rookie, Polanco could provide most of the value (different value) that Dozier provides.... at a fraction of the cost. Does saving that money allow the GM to spend it somewhere there is not an obvious replacement? I think so.... So, I'd trade Dozier, assuming we get a decent offer.