The Molitor decision has to come quickly, no? ***Poll added***

[Doubles]

Okay, Falvine moved on Mientkiewicz quickly so he can 'position himself to get another gig' for next season, right?    Same should hold true for Molitor, right?    As if they haven't left him hanging in the breeze long enough.

 

Decision has to come quickly, right?    What if the guy they have in mind is on the Indians' staff or some other team still in the playoffs?    Do they just announce Molitor won't be back, and wait for the playoffs to end to name his replacement?

 

 

[Vanimal46]

 

Okay, Falvine moved on Mientkiewicz quickly so he can 'position himself to get another gig' for next season, right?    Same should hold true for Molitor, right?    As if they haven't left him hanging in the breeze long enough.

 

Decision has to come quickly, right?    What if the guy they have in mind is on the Indians' staff or some other team still in the playoffs?    Do they just announce Molitor won't be back, and wait for the playoffs to end to name his replacement?

 

The highlighted question is my guess as to what's going to happen. In the next couple of days after raw emotions of the game wear off, they'll probably meet with Molitor and discuss his future. 

[Seth Stohs]

I posted this on Twitter this morning: 

 

 

I'm very curious how long it will be for us to hear about the future of Paul Molitor. I would think they'll announce something within days.

 

 

Then I posted two polls... WILL Molitor be back and SHOULD Molitor be back? Will be interesting to see what people think for those two very different questions.

 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

Hmm, I'm surprised by the poll results so far on Seth's twitter. 

[Doubles]

Sounds like players want Molitor back.    Should that influence management's decision at all?

 

Falvine has had all season to ponder this, though the Twins getting into the playoffs is a fairly recent development.    If they move on him, they have to know who their target is, don't they?

[spanman2]

My gut tells me Molitor will not be back.  There is certainly a case to be made for him earning a new contract given the turn around of the ball club.  Personally I think the new FO wants a change of direction in the managers role.  Don't see the potential new manager coming from within the organization either.  I agree with Doubles take on having a person or people on their radar for the position. 

[gunnarthor]

 

The highlighted question is my guess as to what's going to happen. In the next couple of days after raw emotions of the game wear off, they'll probably meet with Molitor and discuss his future. 

Yep, exactly. Because of Molitor's friendship with Pohlad, I do think he'll stay in the org in some capacity but not as manager. He's very smart and players liked him. I don't think he was a good in-game manager but if the FO can figure out how to use the best parts of him, he can still be useful to the org. Maybe as a roving instructor?

[USAFChief]

Why do I need to go to Twitter for a TD poll?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I don't think he is a great in game manager either, but he's not the worst, either.

 

I guess I hope he stays. If the FO decides to go another direction than Molitor, they will really be raising expectations for next year, which would not be a bad thing.

[beckmt]

My biggest objection is his use of relief pitchers.  Secondary is giving up outs by butting early in the game.  I thought he would be given a new contract, but did not think he should be.

Another issue is minimum contract would be for like 3 years, do not think the new FO wants to commit themselves to him for that long.

[wsnydes]

 

The highlighted question is my guess as to what's going to happen. In the next couple of days after raw emotions of the game wear off, they'll probably meet with Molitor and discuss his future. 

I'm guessing that the decision has already been determined.  Molitor may even be aware.  The players may even be aware, but I doubt it.  They'd be right to wait a couple of days to announce something either way.  Let the team soak in the experience of this season a bit without too much distraction.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Ideally, I'd find a role that maximizes his strengths. I don't think he should be gone. I'm not, however, convinced he should be a game manager.

[Doubles]

 

Why do I need to go to Twitter for a TD poll?

Could only add one, but tried replicating Seth's poll question here.    None of us know if Molitor will be extended, but we can have an opinion.    Let's hear 'em...

[Seth Stohs]

 

Sounds like players want Molitor back.    Should that influence management's decision at all?

 

Falvine has had all season to ponder this, though the Twins getting into the playoffs is a fairly recent development.    If they move on him, they have to know who their target is, don't they?

 

Falvey and Levine, when asked about their approach to analytical decision-making have always (at least often) said that they will use several data points. Some of those are statistical. Others are various opinions... Player opinions are another data point... It should be a factor. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

Is James Rowson a candidate to replace Molitor?

[Doubles]

Good question on Rowson.    I think it's also a fair question to wonder if Rowson has any managerial aspirations.    Some guys are great assistant coaches, but not necessarily cut out to be the head honcho.    We've all seen examples, & I don't think there's anything wrong with that.  

[jctwins]

 

Yep, exactly. Because of Molitor's friendship with Pohlad, I do think he'll stay in the org in some capacity but not as manager. He's very smart and players liked him. I don't think he was a good in-game manager but if the FO can figure out how to use the best parts of him, he can still be useful to the org. Maybe as a roving instructor?

 

I'm pretty sure the program of lifetime consulting positions in place of firing is over.

 

 

[Badsmerf]

I think the bullpen usage complaint isn't completely fair. It's not like he had a bunch of talent to manage.

 

Molitor was in much hotter water around the trade deadline. Something has to be said about these young guys playing well. A manager not only manages games, they also manage the clubhouse and environment. If he is successful creating a winning culture, that is hard to find.

 

Once the team has a bit more talent and fails (Gardy teams), then I think we can nitpick a bit more. I didn't watch many games this year, but followed threads and results closely. Therefore, take my opinion for what it is.

[Jerr]

 

Why do I need to go to Twitter for a TD poll?

Don't do Twitter here or anywhere.

 

[Deduno Abides]

Molitor has improved from "Sell" to "Don't Buy."

[Doomtints]

It's difficult to imagine any organization would cut Molitor loose at this point. Too many good things happened.

 

If he is cut loose, it will be immediately after the season ends. If we don't hear anything for a while, we know he will be back unless he decides to retire.

 

I am as critical of Molitor as the next guy, but if I were in charge I would try to keep him on. Hopefully the Twins are smart about it and they keep the contract short.

[Halsey Hall]

I see no reason why he shouldn't be back.  I disagee with those who didn't like his handling of the relief corps, and the bunting.  I can't fault any of that really. 

[Ncgo4]

The Twin's improvement centered mostly around the improved hitting of a few younger hitters. Buxton, Polanco, Rosario & Escobar had an amazing 2ng half of the season. I'm not sure how much credit for this goes to Molitor but I'll bet F & L do.

 

The analysis of the turn around will determine Mollie's future and I trust the team management will make this determination quickly. I expect he'll be gone, but I'm not willing to bet on it.

[nicksaviking]

I'm curious to what the dynamic truly is here; most seem to think that if Molitor won't be back it's because the analytically inclined front office doesn't like Molitor's old school approach to bunting and/or bullpen. But then the question needs to be: Why did Molitor continue to operate that way?

 

Did he do it despite suggestions to do otherwise from his bosses?

 

Did he do it because his bosses kept their mouths shut and let Molitor do as he pleased?

 

Or are we reading the front office wrong and they actually agree with Molitor's usage?

 

I'd have to think the first answer gets him fired the third extended and the second could go either way.

[Winston Smith]

Won't matter if they don't improve the pitching.

[snepp]

I went with 'No', but not with a whole lot of conviction.

[USAFChief]

I went with 'No', but not with a whole lot of conviction.

I went with no, with enough conviction for the both of us.

[Mill1634]

No. The team won in spite of him, not because of him. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

Molitor's record is 227-259 as Twins manager, his first three years managing at any level. They were supposed to be on an upward trajectory as he started out, as a new wave of players came up. They did well in their first year, finishing above 500 on the back of one big month. They massively underperformed in his second year, while he trotted out Sano in right field and refused to give one of their best starting prospects, Meyer, a chance to establish himself. In his third year, they bounced back with a solid year, that luckily (and would not have normally) wound up with a playoff berth, on the back of one big month and several young players taking a big step forward at once (and Mauer showing signs of returning to his preconcussion norms). The best homerun hitter on the team, Dozier dictated where he would bat in the lineup (the wrong place).

 

I have nothing against Molitor, a great guy, and a St. Paul native, former Twin. But I expect the Twins to be better next year than this year regardless of who the manager is. I think there can and should be a manager better able to optimize the teams' chance of success next year.

 

I voted no.

 

I also would be very surprised if he isn't back. I vote yes on the "will he be back" question.

[sftwinsfan]

I've really got no strong feelings either way on the matter.  Would be something if they don't keep him though.  Will be interesting selling that to ownership and the average fans out there.  They'll see it as the local guy, HOF player, just managed the biggest turnaround in team history, is shown the door.  Unless it's spun as Paul wants to retire or something, pitchforks would be out quick if things don't go well with the new guy next season.