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Article: Derek Falvey, Thad Levine Era Begins


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Fellas we are rebuilding and falvey said it best he has admired some of our position players from afar. Which we as die hard twins freaks like myself that watch the minors and scout draft players before the draft we agree that we do have some talent but when it comes to pitching the cupboard is bare we have a bunch of 4&5 starters if that maybe??? It's going to take maybe losing a Byron Buxton or maybe a Miguel Sano or fill in the blank to get a up and coming starter it just is what it is or maybe you pull a trade for dozier which still hurts us it's going to take time and we are rebuilding still it's just the truth and I hope and pray Kyle Gibson is gone because he will never ever be anything but a #5 starter his stuff just isn't what it should be

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I probably misspoke, but you have to find that ace before they reach the major leagues for any amount of time. Otherwise it will cost you most of your very good upper level farm system Anything is possible, since if the White Sox rebuild they may trade one or both of Sale and Quintana, but cost in prospects would be extremely high, unless Sox totally blow what they want.

Correct, the way to get them is before they figure it out at the MLB level.

Hopefully the new FO will bring in some talent evaluators that can find a guy or two that just need a change of scenery or an overhauled delivery or something.

It can be done.

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Why keep Rob Antony around? Doesn't make I have a lot of sense even if he his an "assistant GM".

Yeah I'm not a big fan of it either.

I want them to try to fill every position with the very best available candidate. If that just so happens to be the guy already there, that's fine. But, it would be quite a coincidence if that were the case.

 

But, I realize you can't turnover an entire front office in one offseason. So, I'm hoping he's just hanging around in an advisory role, with no real important responsibilities, until they can evaluate him and go from there.

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I would think that this is in essence a rebuild. Too many areas that need tweaking, to be tweaking. They have to find a way to trade Dozier and ??? For a competent SP. You won't get an ace, but a decent two or good three would help enormously. They need to rebalance the roster. Some of the DH/1B fodder has to go. Guys like Park, Vargas, ABW, Palka et al, take up too many roster spots for that position. Lastly they need to commit to defense at SS and catcher. Easier said than done, but any decision in these areas should be made on a glove first basis. The OF is liveable, at least for now. And with any luck health wise, I think the BP can be repaired internally. Plus the need for a closer does not have to be a point of emphasis until the rest of the team is competitive!

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Why keep Rob Antony around? Doesn't make I have a lot of sense even if he his an "assistant GM".

 

1.) he's signed through next year.

2.) He's a very smart guy with a strong knowledge of the current programs and systems and players and coaches and more. 

 

 

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Yeah I'm not a big fan of it either.
I want them to try to fill every position with the very best available candidate. If that just so happens to be the guy already there, that's fine. But, it would be quite a coincidence if that were the case.

But, I realize you can't turnover an entire front office in one offseason. So, I'm hoping he's just hanging around in an advisory role, with no real important responsibilities, until they can evaluate him and go from there.

 

Where are they going to get all these guys, you know, since the other organizations aren't giving up any of their guys at this point. 

 

To be fair to those around, let Falvey/Levine see them work for the next year and make decisions based on what they're doing in a year, not what they've been doing to this point. There are a lot of very bright people in this organization that deserve a real chance, not to just be cut just because. 

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I don't have a problem with the Twins retaining Antony, at least for the time being. Access to his institutional knowledge can make it easier for Falvey and Levine to change things. In a year or two, Antony will either carve out a role that Falvey and Levine think he's suited for, or he'll move on.

 

At this point I'm more curious about what they do for scouting & player personnel positions, and so far as bringing in analytical resources.

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What I heard from Falvey is that they are going to be open-minded, data-driven, far-reaching, but then measure and hold everyone in the organization accountable to outcomes.

 

That's it.  That's your rebuild right there.

 

No more, nebulous "Twins way", "getting after it", "working their tails off", kind of a lazy manager/front office hope that things will work out.  Cliche driven, episodic, chancey bets on a bunch of guys.

 

The new Twins way is about accountability to a organization-wide plan that is based on real outcomes as measured by specific metrics.  No more sacred cows.  You measure up or you measure out:   clear, accepted norms of what constitutes a measurable trajectory toward success.

 

For once, the Twins will stand for something that constitutes forward movement.  The old boys' network, they will be in the stands watching real baseball for a change.

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Where are they going to get all these guys, you know, since the other organizations aren't giving up any of their guys at this point.

 

To be fair to those around, let Falvey/Levine see them work for the next year and make decisions based on what they're doing in a year, not what they've been doing to this point. There are a lot of very bright people in this organization that deserve a real chance, not to just be cut just because.

No organization is going to stand in the way of a vertical move.

So yeah, they aren't going to be able to pluck someones Assistant GM to come be ours, but if the best candidate hasn't reached that height yet, then we could hire them.

 

I'm sure there are a few very bright people here, and yes they should get a chance to stay.

Of course, we wouldn't be in this mess if everyone was good at their job, so some guys will have to be cut loose.

 

I already said I understand giving him a year, and also said that if it turns out he's the very best candidate, then so be it.

 

This isn't some kind of witch hunt, they got to where they are, performance wise, for a reason.

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He'll have an injury by the end of the first month and you'll lose his bat for half the year unless he slides back in at DH and hasn't blown out his arm again.  If Sano ever plays a full year at 3B (140+ games) I'll give you fifty bucks.  

I'll take that bet. You have Venmo right?

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Assuming the foundation is Buxton and Sano, the Twins had their foundation of the future in place by 2012.  No?

 

It's time to get some pitchers, fill in some holes, and roll.   :P

 

Assuming the foundation is Buxton and Sano, the Twins had their foundation of the future in place by 2012.  No?

 

It's time to get some pitchers, fill in some holes

By that logic, we should say that Kirillloff is in place.  I dont see any relevance in how long players were in our minor league system.  Sano has 830 ABs and Buxton has 469.  There are question marks surrounding both of them.  Please elaborate on how this is the basis for grab some pitchers and go.

 

We need at least two front of the rotation SPs. There are non in free agency.  How specifically are you going to acquire these SPs "and run."  

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I don't agree they're in a complete rebuild. The Twins have a lot of very good young position players at the MLB level. SS needs to be upgraded, and that all depends on what the Twins do with Dozier and Polanco. Maybe Polance is the answer and maybe the Twins trade Dozier and move Polanco to 2nd. But they do have Nick Gordan at AA and he's been playing very well in the  AFL. The only real position that needs a drastic improvement is catcher. There are a few options with Murphy and Garver but that position would benefit from another player being brought in via FA or trade.  

 

Obviously the biggest team need is pitching but the Twins have a few players who could be difference makers. Starting Staff: Berrios, May, Mejia, Gonsalves, Gibson and Santana. Bullpen: Chargois, Hildenberger, Light, Burdi, Pressely and Rodgers.

 

Plus having Jay, Jorge, Stewart and Romero at AA to start the season there are many options. They won't all make it to the MLB with the Twins but a few of them could be used in a multi player trade to bring in the Ace the Twins really need. The biggest challenge will be determining which of these players should stay and which should be traded away.

FULL REBUILD:  no, IMHO.

 

STILL REBUILDING:  Yes.

 

Bits and pieces in place that still need some more MLB playing time.  In very SSS'es, they all need more MLB time.

 

I guess:  Time will tell    :-)

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As a reference point (for better or worse):

 

Dayton Moore then was offered a job with the Kansas City Royals and took the job on June 8, 2006. 

 

Year-by-Year Results
Season Team                     League                   W L    PCT GB
2016 Kansas City Royals American League 81 81 .500 13.5  
2015 Kansas City Royals American League 95 67 .586

2014 Kansas City Royals American League 89 73 .549 1.0
2013 Kansas City Royals American League 86 76 .531 7.0
2012 Kansas City Royals American League 72 90 .444 16.0
2011 Kansas City Royals American League 71 91 .438 24.0
2010 Kansas City Royals American League 67 95 .414 27.0
2009 Kansas City Royals American League 65 97 .401 21.5
2008 Kansas City Royals American League 75 87 .463 13.5
2007 Kansas City Royals American League 69 93 .426 27.0
2006 Kansas City Royals American League 62 100 .383 34.0
2005 Kansas City Royals American League 56 106 .346 43.0

 

This is how long it could take.....

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By that logic, we should say that Kirillloff is in place.  I dont see any relevance in how long players were in our minor league system.  Sano has 830 ABs and Buxton has 469.  There are question marks surrounding both of them.  Please elaborate on how this is the basis for grab some pitchers and go.

 

We need at least two front of the rotation SPs. There are non in free agency.  How specifically are you going to acquire these SPs "and run."  

 

The rest of the Twins not being ready for the blooming phase of their foundation is a sign of a "total system failure" as someone has said so succinctly in the past.  

 

So do you squander these guys being about to turn the corner, or do you start over again and wait for the next batch to be ready in another 5 years?

 

The Twins should be prepared to have a complete turnover of the pitching staff in two years.  Half of the pitching staff goes now.  The half that stays gets a year to prove themselves.  Contend by 2019, 2018 with some luck.  No aces available?  So what.  There never are.  Shoot for the median rather than staying with the worst staff in the league, just keep the contracts short.  These hitters can do some damage provided they're not faced with being behind every single day.  Once a medium-level pitching staff is in place, shooting for the ace is that much easier (and would actually make a difference.  One ace on a pitching staff of nincompoops won't solve a single problem).  

Edited by Doomtints
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If they think they are going to be competitive, and can't just admit they are rebuilding, not sure what has actually changed....so let's hope those are empty words.

 

Rebuilding connotes having nothing there. They rightfully acknowledge that we have talent to build around, so maybe the empty word here is "rebuilding."

Edited by birdwatcher
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The rest of the Twins not being ready for the blooming phase of their foundation is a sign of a "total system failure" as someone has said so succinctly in the past.  

 

So do you squander these guys being about to turn the corner, or do you start over again and wait for the next batch to be ready in another 5 years?

 

The Twins should be prepared to have a complete turnover of the pitching staff in two years.  Half of the pitching staff goes now.  The half that stays gets a year to prove themselves.  Contend by 2019, 2018 with some luck.  No aces available?  So what.  There never are.  Shoot for the median rather than staying with the worst staff in the league, just keep the contracts short.  These hitters can do some damage provided they're not faced with being behind every single day.  Once a medium-level pitching staff is in place, shooting for the ace is that much easier (and would actually make a difference.  One ace on a pitching staff of nincompoops won't solve a single problem).  

 

The rest of the Twins not being ready for the blooming phase of their foundation is a sign of a "total system failure" as someone has said so succinctly in the past.  

 

So do you squander these guys being about to turn the corner, or do you start over again and wait for the next batch to be ready in another 5 years?

 

The Twins should be prepared to have a complete turnover of the pitching staff in two years.  Half of the pitching staff goes now.  The half that stays gets a year to prove themselves.  Contend by 2019, 2018 with some luck.  No aces available?  So what.  There never are.  Shoot for the median rather than staying with the worst staff in the league, just keep the contracts short.  These hitters can do some damage provided they're not faced with being behind every single day.  Once a medium-level pitching staff is in place, shooting for the ace is that much easier (and would actually make a difference.  One ace on a pitching staff of nincompoops won't solve a single problem).  

I must have misunderstood the previous post.  This seems reasonable.

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Some talkers from the west side fish wrap:

http://www.startribune.com/new-twins-execs-happy-to-keep-paul-molitor-at-the-helm/400348931/
 

Molitor is “an incredibly accomplished baseball man,” Falvey told Twins employees Monday morning in an introductory meeting. Pohlad’s commitment to the Hall of Fame player, who led the team to 83 victories in 2015 before suffering through a 59-103 disaster last season, “was a non-issue for me,” Falvey said. “Paul’s going to be one of the first phone calls we make when we decide whether or not to make a trade. We’re in this together.”
.......
“There’s probably a little bit too much uncomfortable gappage between up here and down there, with pitching and baserunning and defense,” Molitor said. “There’s still separation. We’ve got to find ways to bridge that better, so [instruction is] more unified.”
.........
 
Still, Molitor has heard stories from a few of his fellow managers about meddlesome executives, about know-it-alls who want to micromanage the dugout from the general manager’s suite.
“The manager posts the lineup, and two minutes later gets a call from above. ‘What are you doing?’ ” Molitor recounted. “Derek has made it clear he wants my role to be very inclusive. The manager is not a puppet for him by any means.”

 
 
http://www.startribune.com/twins-new-leaders-intend-to-pursue-experience-for-clubhouse/400417531/
 

Twins' new leaders intend to pursue experienced players for clubhouse
“It’s a tall task to ask the manager to do that job and also motivate every single player in the clubhouse,” Levine said of the need for players who understand the need for a positive atmosphere. “If you have some clubhouse ambassadors who are veteran leaders, you’re a step up on most teams.”
Falvey joined the Twins from Cleveland, where Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis (and later in the year, Coco Crisp) set the tone, while Levine comes from the Rangers, who have placed an emphasis on leadership for several years. Both testified to the need for such players on Monday, saying that while young athleticism is the most important factor in winning, employing a player or two to set an example can be important.
    “Those guys helped transform the franchise” in Texas, Levine said. The Rangers reached the World Series in 2010 and 2011, and “the energy of our team was the young group of players who were in their prime, exceptionally talented. And we always married them with the right veterans who could get the most out of those players.”
    Texas had more than most, Levine said, “and some of them were really extraordinary. Michael Young was where it started, but Colby Lewis was exceptional, Adrian Beltre was exceptional. Darren Oliver, Joe Nathan — we had leaders up and down the lineup and pitching staff.”




You would have to think, if veteran leadership is a priority, that reduces the chance (or inflates the price) of a Dozier trade.

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Well, that was a long, depressing read. 

 

All we need is some veterans, and Paul is a great manager. super. Did they even watch the bunting and base running and RP use at all? Did they not see him basically bench the future for Suzuki at the end of the year? Sigh.

 

Adrian Beltre is a HoF player, sure, if that's the kind of veteran they want, great! 

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I hope Falvey-Levine work on improving the players we already have, than search far and wide for more veteran leadership.

If you watched the press conference, they seemed to emphasize the need to better develop the talent they already have.  Falvey also seems big on strength and conditioning training starting at the minor league level.  Maybe you get that extra tick or two in velocity from pitchers and guys get hurt less.  It really chaps my a$$ when professional athletes show-up out of shape. 

 

The veteran comment does not concern me.  There a certainly ways veterans can be part of the roster.  We could add a veteran catcher, corner outfielder or Pitcher and improve the team substantially without taking away from the development of our young core and additional prospects who will be here soon.

Edited by Major Leauge Ready
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Well, that was a long, depressing read.

 

All we need is some veterans, and Paul is a great manager. super. Did they even watch the bunting and base running and RP use at all? Did they not see him basically bench the future for Suzuki at the end of the year? Sigh.

 

Adrian Beltre is a HoF player, sure, if that's the kind of veteran they want, great!

Yep, and Mollie will be one of the first voices Falvey gets input on when deciding trades??

And Falvey will have no input on players roles on the field?

Talk about total buzz kill.

 

Man I hope this is pure lipservice.

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If you watched the press conference, they seemed to emphasize the need to better develop the talent they already have.  Falvey also seems big on strength and conditioning training starting at the minor league level.  Maybe you get that extra tick or two in velocity from pitchers and guys get hurt less.  It really chaps my a$$ when professional athletes show-up out of shape. 

 

The veteran comment does not concern me.  There a certainly ways veterans can be part of the roster.  We could add a veteran catcher, corner outfielder or Pitcher and improve the team substantially without taking away from the development of our young core and additional prospects who will be here soon.

Mostly agree. The veteran comments from Falvey-Levine did not initially bother me; I figured it was an acknowledgement to Mauer and maybe Dozier. 

 

Levine gives us that quote about all those players in Texas who were leaders. I think what he is describing is chemistry, not leadership. You probably wouldn't find many clubhouses with four natural and equal co-leaders. What's ironic is he didn't mention Napoli, who was also on those Texas teams.

 

 

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Rebuilding connotes having nothing there. They rightfully acknowledge that we have talent to build around, so maybe the empty word here is "rebuilding."

So, did the rebuild end when they drafted Buxton midway through the 2012 season? The pitching staff finished dead last in the AL and the gap between the Twins and the next team was larger than that between #14 and #1, and this followed 5 years of being one of the worst staffs in baseball. The rebuild is alive and well....

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