Howard Sinker's StribSports upload today calls our attention to a Rochester Democrat and Chronicle feature on Red Wings hitting coach Tom Brunansky. Good stuff in both articles.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/167029655.html

 

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/A2/20120820/SPORTS06/308200037/Rochester-Red-Wings-Tom-Brunansky?odyssey=nav|head

 

So here's the question... is Bruno best utilized in his current capacity of teaching prospects how to get to the Bigs or should he be considered for the Twins' hitting coach?

I think it's up to Bruno and how hard he wants to work. Big League coaching is tough...travelling all around the country and such. Minor League coaching has its advantages. WIll be interesting to see what does happen with the Twins and their coaching roster.

Honestly, I don't have many issues with Vavra. Since coming on board, few Twins hitters have underperformed. He's a radical departure from Scotty Swing Like A Man Ullger, who was an awful hitting coach.

 

Is Bruno better? I have no idea but if he's happy in Rochester, I don't see any rush to bump Vavra out of the position in Minnesota.

Is Bruno better? I have no idea but if he's happy in Rochester, I don't see any rush to bump Vavra out of the position in Minnesota.

 

Here's the problem: nobody is "happy" with a minor league job when a major league job is available. This offseason, there are going to be some hitting coach positions available in the majors and I gotta imagine they'll want to interview Bruno.

seems like Bruno and Vavra have made a good team working with guys the other one couldn't fix. I'd hate to break that up... Maybe you can find a special assistant job where he and Vavra share hitting duties.... But it's nice having him in AAA, especially with the crop of talent coming up. I'd like to see him working with Benson on a consistent basis.

Is Bruno better? I have no idea but if he's happy in Rochester, I don't see any rush to bump Vavra out of the position in Minnesota.

 

Here's the problem: nobody is "happy" with a minor league job when a major league job is available. This offseason, there are going to be some hitting coach positions available in the majors and I gotta imagine they'll want to interview Bruno.

 

Agreed. But is Bruno better enough to bump Vavra, who is probably the one Twins coach whose job hasn't been a spectacular failure over the past few years?

 

Either way, I wouldn't be too upset about it but I think Vavra has done a fine job as the hitting coach.

Here's the problem: nobody is "happy" with a minor league job when a major league job is available. This offseason, there are going to be some hitting coach positions available in the majors and I gotta imagine they'll want to interview Bruno.

 

You're probably right, John. Then again, Brunansky sounds like a guy who has found a calling that he enjoys and that's teaching young players to hit. He doesn't have to deal with MLB egos, guys who already think they know everything about hitting.

 

If his home is near San Diego, he's not going to be there much regardless of whether he's working in Rochester or Minneapolis. The travel is easier at the MLB level, certainly. As for compensation, there's no reason the Twins couldn't pay him him at the same level he'd get as a MLB hitting coach if they believe he's worth keeping.

 

It's going to be interesting to see what happens to him. Terry Ryan seems impressed with him and it would certainly be a shame to lose him to another organization.

My guess is any coach would rather be in the Majors. The pay will be a lot better, the travel/ hotels better, meal money better and every other aspect would be better.

I like that the Roc Observer columnist referred to "Todd Kubel." Sounds like Jason's deadbeat older brother.

Well they aren't going to fire Vavra just to promote Brunansky. I wonder if there is some kind of promotion they could give him, like a minor-league wide coordinator or something. It does seem like a waste right now, in that AAA teams have more journeyman than young prospects.

Probably Bruno's call. He seems to be doing well in AAA, which is a different coaching process than the majors. Probably be what makes him the happiest. I agree that Vavra is safe.

I like that the Roc Observer columnist referred to "Todd Kubel." Sounds like Jason's deadbeat older brother.

 

Todd, Jason, Bob, Carl, Sue... once a guy is no longer in the Twins organization, who really remembers or cares what his name is, anyway, right?

Fire Liddle, make Bruno bench coach.

I believe if the Twins do not promote him after this year, we will lose him to another major league club. I would rather have him here and reassign Varna.

Fire Liddle, make Bruno bench coach.

 

And Stop Sign Scottie third base coach again?

Personally, I'd dump Ulger and bring him up here... but that's me.

Let's encourage Ullger to interview with the Astros (or maybe the Red Sox), that would open a spot.

It would be a mistake to come back with the same coaching staff next year, hard to justify that after two seasons of more than 90 losses.

 

I thought Gardy might be toast but I do think he stays. He'll want to keep the same coaching staff, I wonder if Ryan has him make some changes, with Bruno and maybe even Molitor (if not someone else).

Fire Liddle, make Bruno bench coach.

 

And Stop Sign Scottie third base coach again?

No he goes too.