Article: Bringing Back The Band... And That's Just Fine

[Seth Stohs]

On Monday morning, the Minnesota Twins made it official that Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter and LaTroy Hawkins were coming back to the organization. No, they aren’t going to come out of retirement. Though all three could probably still contribute in some way on the field, they are going to attempt to help the Twins off the field and in the front office.

 

I’m not sure when the “bringing back the gang” saying became a negative thing. I believe it was when the Twins decided to bring back Jason Kubel and Matt Guerrier on minor league deals before the 2014 season. Both were veterans who had solid MLB careers but were both coming off of injuries. The Twins took a chance on both, hoping they might be back at 100% and able to contribute. In both cases, it really didn’t work.

 

A year later, the Twins brought Torii Hunter back for one more season. He had his ups and downs on the field that season, but few can question the impact he had in the clubhouse, even if you struggle to believe in the value of veteran leadership.

 

The negative tone some chose to take for such signings went to a ridiculous level in the last year or so. When the Twins were looking to hire a manager, some didn’t want Paul Molitor. Maybe those people were right, but if the reasoning was because of his previous time with the Twins, then that just isn’t right.

 

Even worse, Chip Hale was also considered a candidate early in the process. Some didn’t like that because he played for the Twins, about 20 years ago. Or, when the Twins were looking for a pitching coach two years ago, some said that Frank Viola shouldn’t be considered because he played for the organization, 25 years ago. Forget that he helped develop the likes of Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and the like.

 

How about when the Twins were looking for a new GM (which became a new GM and Chief Baseball Operator)? I remember reading somewhere that the Twins probably shouldn’t consider someone like Randy Bush because he played for the Twins for several years in the 1980s and was on two championship teams. It would be Bringing Back The Gang, right? Again, ignore the fact that he hasn’t played in the organization for 25 years, and he’s not only coached in college but has been an assistant GM with the Cubs since long before the Theo Epstein reign began.All Major League organizations bring back players in an “assistant” type of role. The Twins have done that for guys like Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek and Tony Oliva. They represent the organization at events like Twins Fest. They may show up for a while at spring training and other special events. That is a wonderful thing and something current players should appreciate. Last spring training, LaTroy Hawkins, Torii Hunter and Rick Aguilera each spent time in big league spring training.

 

With today’s announcement, Cuddyer, Hunter and Hawkins will do that. They’ll be at spring training. They’ll help Paul Molitor with instruction, if asked. They’ll also be there to lend an ear to the players at camp. They’ll share stories. They’ll share things they learned in their careers.

 

But they’ll do much more in their roles as special assistants. As Derek Falvey noted in his introductory comments of Monday’s press conference, “Each guy will play a meaningful role in our baseball operation moving forward. That spans across baseball operations, decisions that we make on a day-to-day, but also in player development, amateur scouting, how we transition players to the major leagues, and ultimately how we impact our culture here in Minnesota to get to where we want to be as a team.”

 

In their introductory press conference earlier in the month, Thad Levine indicated that long-time Rangers players Michael Young and Darren Oliver hold similar roles in that organization. It isn’t just a token title, but a role where their input will be valued. Likewise in the Cleveland organization, former players such as Travis Hafner have a similar role.

 

But one thing was clear from the press conference on Monday afternoon, the Twins had a great culture at the turn of the century and through those division-winning years. As Michael Cuddyer noted, it was a based on a “belief in teammates and self.”

 

Cuddyer noted that it was a culture of team-first, and a culture of winning, throughout the organization, that helped lead to their MLB success. He exemplified the unselfishness of those teams with his willingness to play anywhere on the diamond that he was needed.

 

“That is a culture that is established with rookie ball. Professional baseball is a system set up for self-promotion. I think a lot of the players buy into that. When I was coming up through the minor leagues we wanted to win the Eastern League. We wanted to win the Florida State League. We wanted to play that extra week or two weeks of the minor league season. When I would go down on rehab after a few years of being in the big leagues, I didn’t see that anymore. I would see more guys saying, 'I can’t wait to go home,' or 'I better get called up.' I-I-I-I… I think that’s a culture that can get put back into it, but it has to start in the lower minor league levels, the culture of We are going to win. We move up to the Florida State League, we’re going to win there too. We get called up to the Southern League, we’re going to win there too. When we move up to the International League, we’re going to win there too. And you know what, when we move up to the big leagues, we’re going to win there too. That’s a culture that needs to be developed again.”

 

For what it’s worth, the Twins have seemingly developed a culture of winning in the minor leagues. In 2016, the Twins had a winning percentage of .542 for their four full-season affiliates. That was good for fifth place among big league organizations. If you want to take that out to the past four seasons, the Twins four, full-season affiliates have combined to go 1,225-1,020, a 54.6% winning percentage, third best in baseball over that stretch. Add to that, the Twins have been 1st, 3rd and 3rd in FIP (fielding independent pitching) the last three years. Brad Steil has certainly led the Twins organization and minor league system in the right direction. It also speaks well of the young talent that Terry Ryan was able to bring in to the organization.

 

It’s that culture of winning and togetherness that brings these guys back to the organization.

 

Cuddyer was the Twins first-round pick in 1997 out of high school in Norfolk, Virginia. He remained in the organization through the 2011 season. He played in 1,139 games in a Twins uniform. He hit a combined .272/.343/.451 (.794) with 239 doubles and 141 home runs for the Twins. He went to one All-Star Game as a Twins player (his final season). He went to Colorado where he went to another All-Star Game and won the 2013 batting title with a .331 average. He played in the 2015 World Series for the Mets. Injuries and a desire to spend more time with his family are the reasons he decided to retire following that season.

 

LaTroy Hawkins was the Twins seventh-round pick in 1991 out of high school in Gary, Indiana. He was in the Twins organization through the 2003 season. He spent 21 seasons in the big leagues and only nine pitchers in MLB history pitched in more games than Hawkins’ 1,042. For the Twins, he struggled as a starter, and he struggled as a closer. Late in his time in the organization, he moved to a set up role, and his career took off.

 

Torii Hunter was the Twins first-round pick in 1993 out of high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. He stayed in the organization through the 2007 season. He took a huge money deal to play five years for the Angels and then two years with the Tigers. He returned to the organization for the 2015 season. In all, he hit .268/.321/.462 (.783) with 281 doubles and 215 homer runs in 1,373 games over 12 years with the Twins.

 

All three experienced a lot of frustrations in their careers (injuries, struggles, demotions, etc.), and all three experienced longevity and a lot of successes in their careers. All three were and are greatly respected by their peers. All three of them give credit to the Minnesota Twins organization for who they were on and off the field. So when the Twins called offering these positions, it was an easy choice for each.

 

Cuddyer said, “There was really only one team that I saw myself ever being affiliated with again at this level in this early stage of my retirement, and that was the Twins. When this opportunity came about, I was excited to get join back in the organization. The organization made such a huge impact to me, a huge impact to myself and my family. This was the organization I wanted to be affiliate if I was going to do anything other than be with my family.”

Hunter added “When I came back to retire, I was here to stay for life. The reason why I am here is because of the passion I have for this organization, the love that I have for this organization. And also wanting this organization to be a championship ball club and have a great atmosphere. That’s what I’m here for. It’s not work for me. It’s something I want to do. It’s a passion for me.

 

Hawkins noted that he had several other similar offers, but “Once the Twins offer came, there wasn’t any other place I wanted to be. Home. Where it all started. I was very excited when I got the call about possibly joining the Twins family again.”

 

Chief Baseball Operator Derek Falvey called it a perfect match. He said, “It became so clear that these three wanted to embed themselves in our baseball culture and be a part of the solution and actively work. There’s really no area of baseball operations that these guys aren’t going to hit. And they’re going to be resources for Thad (Levine), for me, and for the rest of the guys here to play a meaningful role in what we’re building. (It wasn’t specifically) about getting former Twins players. We want good people, people who care about the development of where we’re going as an organization. It helps greatly when you have three guys who care as deeply as these three do about the team, so this was a perfect match as we started to work down that path.”

 

Bringing Back the Band doesn’t have to have the negative connotation that some seem to put on it. This is a case where the organization should be thrilled to bring back these three guys. They have represented the Twins organization well. They have always been appreciative of what the organization did for them and their families. All three are well known for giving back to their communities, and now are excited to give back to the Twins organization. It’s exciting that they aren’t going to be just “token” special assistants and want to be active. It’ll be interesting to see and hear how that will play out over the coming years.

 

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[Han Joelo]

Nicely done, Seth. Thanks.

[roger]

I have a question, Seth.

 

Who got the ball rolling and made the decision to bring them back? Was this started before the new guys took over? Or was it their initiative? Was it Jim Pohlad and St. Peter or Falvey/Levine?

 

Would love to know how this came down.

[Thrylos]

"culture of winning"?

 

Give me a break... 

 

If they wanted a culture of winning, they should have brought MacPhail back and people from the MacPhail era.

 

I still cannot forget Cuddyer's dugout interview after game 163 at the White Sox, when all smiles he said something to the fact that "it was ok, there is always next year", while he, himself, decided not to slide hard from third and attempting to knock the ball out of Pierzynski's glove and score the tying run in that game.

 

We had enough of that "winning", how about some real one now?

 

I also hear a lot about the effect that they will have on "young players".  Some how the fact that at least half of the Twins' young stars are Latinos is missed in this whole "bringing back the band", business.  Sano, Berrios, Rosario, Vargas, etc need someone who can see as a role model.  They need a Latino player who made it to fulfill that role, something that the Twins' organization is severely lacking.  Tony O is a legend.  They were not born 20 years after he retired, he cannot fulfill that role.  

Maybe it is time to bring back Johan.   Also, hiring someone who publicly called them imposters, adds a bit of insult to the injury...  

 

I have no problem with Hawkins, he is a stand up guy, but the other two, I can live without.

[gunnarthor]

They had Bruno on the bench last year.  That didn't seem to help.

 

These moves seem pretty smart and hopefully they'll help but I certainly can't see how they'll hurt.  Last year's team sucked and they were also boring and unwatchable.  They seemed to lack energy and drive.  I think that blame should go on Molitor but if Hunter et al can help the team, great.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

They had Bruno on the bench last year.  That didn't seem to help.

 

These moves seem pretty smart and hopefully they'll help but I certainly can't see how they'll hurt.  Last year's team sucked and they were also boring and unwatchable.  They seemed to lack energy and drive.  I think that blame should go on Molitor but if Hunter et al can help the team, great.  

 

Molitor, who played in some World Series...

 

These guys are in baseball operations. They're not coach. They're there to help as needed, on or off the field. They all want to be involved in teh business side.

[NotTorii]

I'm with Thrylos on this one - I've never been a big Hunter Guy - seems to me he's really all about Torii - the press guysl ike him though because he's always quotable.  Take their salaries out of the PR budget, and let's sign some that will help this team win more than 59 games next year!

[HitInAPinch]

Falvey worked in a successful organization and bringing in veterans to work with young players was part of the process.   I say, let's let the process play out.

[nicksaviking]

I think the pushback in bringing guys back has less to do with the former players/staff as much as it has to do with NOT bringing in fresh outside perspective. When it comes to a singular position like GM or field manager that makes sense.

 

In this case, we now know how short staffed the Twins are compared to other clubs and these guys are "instructors" which is pretty low down on the totem pole. The team needs bodies to fill the void and it's not like these lower level gigs are going to be a hot ticket position league-wide, getting guys who actually want to be here is going to be a challenge. Hunter, Cuddyer and Hawkins likely see this as a stepping stone job. It may be a foot in the door with the Twins, or perhaps another club.

 

I will say that if Falvey brings in a new hitting coach who tries to implement an organizational hitting game plan that differs from the previous regime, Hunter and Cuddyer sure as hell better be on board instead of pushing old agendas. I can't imagine that wouldn't be a prerequisite for the job though, and they likely also know that boasting that you do things the old "Twins-Way" probably isn't good resume fodder these days.

[kellyvance]

Cuddyer's specialty as a player was swinging at curve balls in the dirt for strike 3. Torii is a right winger. Hawk was on the, oh hell, I can't keep this up. All the gas thrower flamers and haters will hate this move, just as they hated Hunter coming back in 2015.  The rest of us will say that Torii had a lot to do with the Twins overachieving that year.

 

This has to help. Torii and Mike will have a huge influence on young outfoielders. Lord knows we need help in the pitching staff, so Hawk is welcome here.He has been around and learned a lot.  And by bringing them in to fill permanent positions, it is going to help all season long.

 

This team can use all the help it can get. Adding 3 leaders who are team first guys is a great place to start.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm with Thrylos on this one - I've never been a big Hunter Guy - seems to me he's really all about Torii - the press guysl ike him though because he's always quotable.  Take their salaries out of the PR budget, and let's sign some that will help this team win more than 59 games next year!

 

How much do you think those salaries are??

 

Three of the most respected team-first players in the game of baseball... want to be here... it's an absolute no-brainer. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think the pushback in bringing guys back has less to do with the former players/staff as much as it has to do with NOT bringing in fresh outside perspective. When it comes to a singular position like GM or field manager that makes sense.

 

In this case, we now know how short staffed the Twins are compared to other clubs and these guys are "instructors" which is pretty low down on the totem pole. The team needs bodies to fill the void and it's not like these lower level gigs are going to be a hot ticket position league-wide, getting guys who actually want to be here is going to be a challenge. Hunter, Cuddyer and Hawkins likely see this as a stepping stone job. It may be a foot in the door with the Twins, or perhaps another club.

 

I will say that if Falvey brings in a new hitting coach who tries to implement an organizational hitting game plan that differs from the previous regime, Hunter and Cuddyer sure as hell better be on board instead of pushing old agendas. I can't imagine that wouldn't be a prerequisite for the job though, and they likely also know that boasting that you do things the old "Twins-Way" probably isn't good resume fodder these days.

 

They aren't being brought in to be hitting coaches. They are buying in to Falvey's plan and will go about their jobs, whatever dozens of things that likely means, with that in mind. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Cuddyer's specialty as a player was swinging at curve balls in the dirt for strike 3. Torii is a right winger. Hawk was on the, oh hell, I can't keep this up. All the gas thrower flamers and haters will hate this move, just as they hated Hunter coming back in 2015.  The rest of us will say that Torii had a lot to do with the Twins overachieving that year.

 

This has to help. Torii and Mike will have a huge influence on young outfoielders. Lord knows we need help in the pitching staff, so Hawk is welcome here.He has been around and learned a lot.  And by bringing them in to fill permanent positions, it is going to help all season long.

 

This team can use all the help it can get. Adding 3 leaders who are team first guys is a great place to start.

 

Again, on-field-wise, they will be in big league spring training for like 2 weeks. That's about it. The impact will be about someone to talk to. Not about mechanics. That's coming through Falvey and the coaching staff. 

[wagwan]

Cuddyer's comments about winning culture seem to be based on some alternate reality. The Twins have had a group that won in Rookie Ball, Low A. High A, AA and competed at AAA. He is apparently clueless about the present day Twins. It is at  the Major League level where the Twins have had the attitude he is talking about.

[Doomtints]

 

"culture of winning"?

 

Give me a break... 

 

If they wanted a culture of winning, they should have brought MacPhail back and people from the MacPhail era.

 

These are minimal, practically symbolic, roles.  Perhaps "culture of winning" was a poor word choice but this isn't a big deal. 

[GCTF]

 

I’m not sure when the “bringing back the gang” saying became a negative thing. I believe it was when the Twins decided to bring back Jason Kubel and Matt Guerrier on minor league deals before the 2014 season. Both were veterans who had solid MLB careers but were both coming off of injuries. The Twins took a chance on both, hoping they might be back at 100% and able to contribute. In both cases, it really didn’t work.
 

You forgot "outfielder" Jason Bartlett.

[nicksaviking]

 

They aren't being brought in to be hitting coaches. They are buying in to Falvey's plan and will go about their jobs, whatever dozens of things that likely means, with that in mind. 

 

Unless I'm interpreting what was said during the press conference incorrectly, these guys are going to be spring training instructors with what sounds like ensuing front office positions with duties which are either yet to be determined or yet to be made public.

 

I'm assuming their initial duties will be of the teaching variety which would make sense considering they have nearly 60 years of MLB related field experience between them.

 

All I was saying is that I would assume that if there is a conflict between old Twins philosophies and new Twins philosophies, they would surely know to stay the course with the guys currently doing the hiring and firing.

[NE Gopher]

Can anyone argue that Cuddyer, Hawkins, and Hunter don't have a wealth of experience at the Major league level and a desire to work in the new front office to make this team competitive again?

 

 

If not, why are we nitpicking the hires?

[gunnarthor]

 

If not, why are we nitpicking the hires?

I assume you must be new here.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Unless I'm interpreting what was said during the press conference incorrectly, these guys are going to be spring training instructors with what sounds like ensuing front office positions with duties which are either yet to be determined or yet to be made public.

 

I'm assuming their initial duties will be of the teaching variety which would make sense considering they have nearly 60 years of MLB related field experience between them.

 

All I was saying is that I would assume that if there is a conflict between old Twins philosophies and new Twins philosophies, they would surely know to stay the course with the guys currently doing the hiring and firing.

 

They spelled it out, though it's certainly subject to change. They talked about them going out and doing some amateur scouting, talking to potential draft picks, their families, etc. They will be brought into the discussions on transactions and trades. They will get into the business side, and learn more about the analytics. From my interpretation of Falvey saying that there wasn't a part of the baseball operations department that they won't touch, they'll be learning a lot and will be asked a lot of questions for another perspective. 

 

Like I said, this isn't your typical former player shows up for a week at spring training in a uniform and goes to Twins Fest and maybe another engagement. These are not token positions.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Can anyone argue that Cuddyer, Hawkins, and Hunter don't have a wealth of experience at the Major league level and a desire to work in the new front office to make this team competitive again?


If not, why are we nitpicking the hires?

 

Very well summarized... and all three have a passion for helping the Twins organization and giving back. That's a good thing. 

[Mike Sixel]

Lots of former players have joined front offices, and it has completely bombed.....just because you play doesn't mean you are a good coach/instructor/whatever their role is.

 

That said, as long as there is now 1 message, from top to bottom, I'm willing to see how it works. That clearly was NOT the case last year or the year before, from what the pitching coach has said.

[Mike Sixel]

And, the resistance to this should be pretty easy to understand....the number 1 complaint about the org, from many here, is that they don't bring in outside voices or even players (Jason Bartlett, seriously)...and this looks suspiciously like the past. Not saying it is or isn't, but not understanding peoples' fear about this seems like it is just ignoring the last 20 years....

[Darius]

I'm not one who tends to shy away from hiring players. Especially when they're high quality individuals like Molitor, Hunter, etc. Why not if they are effective (and I do think Molitor can be effective. The roster he was given was, pardon my french, a pile of dog ****.

 

The problem lies in the fact that this franchise has been absolute garbage since 1991, and they keep trying to recycle the same people over and over again, instead of making philosophical changes. The same people that helped lead the franchise to joke status. To Cleveland Browns status. Not sure why you're so negative on the stance that fresh blood might be needed to turn things around. Sometimes it's necessary, no matter how you feel about the status quo.

 

They've done that with Falvey and his underlings/co-workers. So, we'll see how it works out. Personally, I don't think he'll do much here because the tone at the top starts and ends with the Pohlads, who seem to have no idea what they're doing and in it for money....and not one single thing else (you know, like fielding a competitive squad.

 

With their approach, there are a lot of people who feel they were taken by the likes of the Pohlad's and Ryan, and the whole stadium scam (remember when they needed the stadium to compete and bring big free agents in? A bold faced lie to make a bunch of money. Borderline fraudulent misrepresentation of intention).

 

I have no problem with groups of people who want everything down to the urinal cakes thrown out, and replaces. They have justifiable complaint. If you can't see the merit in that, I have to start questioning a few things.

[mikelink45]

I can live with this, what choice is there, but this is not exciting or even very interesting. Who teaches pitching and hitting?  Who is on the roster?  What free agents?  What philosophy.

 

Having nice guys around is fine, but I will not see them on the field and therefore can hardly get emotional. 

If they have the money to bring the old guys back that is wonderful, do they have the money to bring in winners?

 

 

[gunnarthor]

 

I'm not one who tends to shy away from hiring players. Especially when they're high quality individuals like Molitor, Hunter, etc. Why not if they are effective (and I do think Molitor can be effective. The roster he was given was, pardon my french, a pile of dog ****.

The problem lies in the fact that this franchise has been absolute garbage since 1991, and they keep trying to recycle the same people over and over again, instead of making philosophical changes. The same people that helped lead the franchise to joke status. To Cleveland Browns status. Not sure why you're so negative on the stance that fresh blood might be needed to turn things around. Sometimes it's necessary, no matter how you feel about the status quo.

They've done that with Falvey and his underlings/co-workers. So, we'll see how it works out. Personally, I don't think he'll do much here because the tone at the top starts and ends with the Pohlads, who seem to have no idea what they're doing and in it for money....and not one single thing else (you know, like fielding a competitive squad.

With their approach, there are a lot of people who feel they were taken by the likes of the Pohlad's and Ryan, and the whole stadium scam (remember when they needed the stadium to compete and bring big free agents in? A bold faced lie to make a bunch of money. Borderline fraudulent misrepresentation of intention).

I have no problem with groups of people who want everything down to the urinal cakes thrown out, and replaces. They have justifiable complaint. If you can't see the merit in that, I have to start questioning a few things.

I dunno.  The team hasn't been absolute garbage since 1991 so you sort of lose a lot of your validity.  

 

Falvey and Levine are in charge.  They seem to think that Hunter et al can help.  This isn't because they were former Twins.  It's because they've seen it work in Cleveland and in Texas.  That's what they are attempting to do here.  

[TheLeviathan]

I'm fine with outside voices bringing in players from the past.  The decision making to reach that conclusion is much different than if it was Ryan doing the same thing.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm fine with outside voices bringing in players from the past.  The decision making to reach that conclusion is much different than if it was Ryan doing the same thing.

 

Again, very well put. It's a new era and fans seem to have the same concerns. Sometimes it's as if every other organization does stuff like this, but when the Twins do it it's hated on by Twins fans. It just makes no sense. 

 

Again, they will have multiple roles, and they will have a voice that is heard. But, they aren't going to be heard more than Falvey or Levine, or the analytical groups or the scouts or those that have been doing their jobs. The big thing is it gives them an opportunity to learn what happens behind the scenes, in the front office. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Again, very well put. It's a new era and fans seem to have the same concerns. Sometimes it's as if every other organization does stuff like this, but when the Twins do it it's hated on by Twins fans. It just makes no sense. 

 

Again, they will have multiple roles, and they will have a voice that is heard. But, they aren't going to be heard more than Falvey or Levine, or the analytical groups or the scouts or those that have been doing their jobs. The big thing is it gives them an opportunity to learn what happens behind the scenes, in the front office. 

 

In fairness....NOTHING other than two new hires has really changed, right?

 

Still the same scouts, minor league managers and coaches and staff, still mostly the same major league staff....

 

You really can't understand anyone looking and thinking, "what has changed"? I don't care about this much, but I can certainly understand how people can look at this as the same old same old....

[gunnarthor]

 

In fairness....NOTHING other than two new hires has really changed, right?

 

Still the same scouts, minor league managers and coaches and staff, still mostly the same major league staff....

 

You really can't understand anyone looking and thinking, "what has changed"? I don't care about this much, but I can certainly understand how people can look at this as the same old same old....

But when are you looking at?  Most of the minor league coaches and staff have come in after 2012 and have been producing very good results both in minor league wins but also player development.    Most of the current ML staff has came in around 2014.  I think Molitor should go but ...

 

Part of this burn it all down mentality doesn't stand up because people don't know what they want to burn down.  Klaw, of all people, has nothing but good things to say about both the Twins scouting and development departments, for example.  Brad Stiel has done a pretty good job since taking over in 2012.  I don't think he should go.  I'm on the fence on Johnson but know enough to know I don't know enough.