Terry Ryan Interview - Submit Your Questions

[Boom Boom]

OK, here's one that just came up - Dave St. Peter says the Twins will not be planting trees again beyond the center field wall. John, can you ask TR if the Twins have any plans to make the batter's eye not so disgustingly ugly?

[johnnydakota]

Ask him whether he holds himself accountable after a 96 loss season. Or, in other words, does he think that leading the team to 96 losses last season was successful enough to warrant removing the "interim" tag?

 

Yep, his acquisitions of players like Willingham, Doumit, Carroll and Burton certainly led this team right down the tubes. He should not only fire himself but commit seppuku on the mound at Target Field.

 

Do you ever get bored of posting some variation of the same "fire everyone" comment on every thread?

 

i dont mind posting over and over again that the 3 stooges need to go....time for real baseball people ...

so untill we see change i will continue to ask for it, thankyou have a nice day =)

[Brock Beauchamp]

i dont mind posting over and over again that the 3 stooges need to go....time for real baseball people ...

so untill we see change i will continue to ask for it, thankyou have a nice day =)

 

Did it ever occur to you that the rest of us get tired of hearing the same line over and over? We get it. You don't like the front office and management. Now move on or bring something new to the discussion.

[Jim Crikket]

Yeah but making up derogatory names for people and using them constantly to impress everyone with how clever you are never gets old.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah but making up derogatory names for people and using them constantly to impress everyone with how clever you are never gets old.

 

I dub thee "turnip face".

 

Get used to it.

[johnnydakota]

will the twins look at 18 year old janpaneese pitcher shoheo otani? there is no posting fee to sign him , he is a 6*4 18 year old , who throws 99-100mph, wouldnt he be a good 1-2 combination with berros

[Jim Crikket]

Yeah but making up derogatory names for people and using them constantly to impress everyone with how clever you are never gets old.

 

I dub thee "turnip face".

 

Get used to it.

 

Oh I've been called much worse. I can live with it.

[johnnydakota]

i dont mind posting over and over again that the 3 stooges need to go....time for real baseball people ...

so untill we see change i will continue to ask for it, thankyou have a nice day =)

 

Did it ever occur to you that the rest of us get tired of hearing the same line over and over? We get it. You don't like the front office and management. Now move on or bring something new to the discussion.

dont worry i will be banned again shortly hahaha independent site sureeeeee

[Brock Beauchamp]

dont worry i will be banned again shortly hahaha independent site sureeeeee

 

[video=youtube;MfFsFUwC4lQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfFsFUwC4lQ

[Kobs]

"When the team acquired players such as Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, and Craig Monroe, it was straightforward for most people familiar with the most basic modern statistics to predict that they were very unlikely to help the team win baseball games. What changes have been made to the front office to ensure personnel mistakes that could have been so easily avoided will not occur in the future?"

[Guest USAFChief]

"When the team acquired players such as Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, and Craig Monroe, it was straightforward for most people familiar with the most basic modern statistics to predict that they were very unlikely to help the team win baseball games. What changes have been made to the front office to ensure personnel mistakes that could have been so easily avoided will not occur in the future?"

 

Actually, if I recall correctly, many proponents of "advanced metrics" were giddy over the Adam Everett acquisition.

[ThePuck]

Actually, if I recall correctly, many proponents of "advanced metrics" were giddy over the Adam Everett acquisition.

 

The way I remember it, people were excited about his defense, since he had been quite an impressive defender up to that point.

[lightfoot789]

I thought the Twins had an excellent draft and went away from their usual philosophy in 2012. Who are the players other than Buxton and Berrios in this years draft that you are excited about and which have a chance to become special players down the line (someday)? Patience is a virtue and this 2012 draft class seems to have produced well at thier respective MILB levels. Who surprisingly stood out at instructionals as well?

 

I like the idea of the question a lot but I can already see the response... "There are a lot of kids we like in the draft and time will tell blah blah blah". Ryan isn't going to tip his hand in next year's draft.

 

On the other hand, if you make the question more about last year's draft and the implied philosophy change that went behind it, I think it would provide a more substantive answer.

 

I was actually talking about this years draft (2012). I see how it was misinterpreted though. I want to know about the 2012 Pitchers and Hitters that the Twins drafted last June. Who has raised eye brows other than Buxton and Berrios?

[Kobs]

"When the team acquired players such as Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, and Craig Monroe, it was straightforward for most people familiar with the most basic modern statistics to predict that they were very unlikely to help the team win baseball games. What changes have been made to the front office to ensure personnel mistakes that could have been so easily avoided will not occur in the future?"

 

Actually, if I recall correctly, many proponents of "advanced metrics" were giddy over the Adam Everett acquisition.

 

Yeah, everyone was ecstatic about that .599 OPS from a guy who played in Houston.

 

Even the clear minority that defended the signing because of defensive "statistics" will concede that his complete inability to hit was a given. The fact that he couldn't throw from short to first doesn't exactly take the Twins' front office off the hook.

[ashbury]

Who has raised eye brows other than Buxton and Berrios?

 

Every single reliever, the day he was drafted.

[twinsnorth49]

What do you envision happening with Scott Baker? Under what circumstances do you see him staying with the Twins assuming this is something the club wants?

[Riverbrian]

I'd like to ask Terry Ryan what he thinks of Thrylos?

[Riverbrian]

"When the team acquired players such as Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, and Craig Monroe, it was straightforward for most people familiar with the most basic modern statistics to predict that they were very unlikely to help the team win baseball games. What changes have been made to the front office to ensure personnel mistakes that could have been so easily avoided will not occur in the future?"

 

Metrodome payroll changed to Target Field Payroll.

[Twinsfan46]

I would like TR asked if he wants the Twins pitching to be a strength of the team and ask him what he thinks of Mike Rizzo's quote:" We used to have sinker, pitch-to-contact guys. That's who you get when you're not elite".It seems to me that the Twins are not elite and may not be all that interested in being elite. Resigning Pavano and getting some bargain basement pitchers similar to Marquis will signal that even more this offseason.

[ThePuck]

I would like TR asked if he wants the Twins pitching to be a strength of the team and ask him what he thinks of Mike Rizzo's quote:" We used to have sinker, pitch-to-contact guys. That's who you get when you're not elite".It seems to me that the Twins are not elite and may not be all that interested in being elite. Resigning Pavano and getting some bargain basement pitchers similar to Marquis will signal that even more this offseason.

 

I believe it was Nantz, I'm not sure, but someone higher up in the organization a few months ago said he felt, without a doubt, the strength of our farm system was pitching...especially after the draft...but that they were quite a bit aways.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Even though it won't be answered, I'm curious if he's going to go after the 2nd tier of free agents, like an Erik Bedard or someone like that...

[Kobs]

"When the team acquired players such as Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, and Craig Monroe, it was straightforward for most people familiar with the most basic modern statistics to predict that they were very unlikely to help the team win baseball games. What changes have been made to the front office to ensure personnel mistakes that could have been so easily avoided will not occur in the future?"

 

Metrodome payroll changed to Target Field Payroll.

 

This has nothing to do with payroll. The Twins had in house options superior to all of those players.

[johnnydakota]

just luv them grammer police .....kewl video

[johnnydakota]

I thought the Twins had an excellent draft and went away from their usual philosophy in 2012. Who are the players other than Buxton and Berrios in this years draft that you are excited about and which have a chance to become special players down the line (someday)? Patience is a virtue and this 2012 draft class seems to have produced well at thier respective MILB levels. Who surprisingly stood out at instructionals as well?

 

I like the idea of the question a lot but I can already see the response... "There are a lot of kids we like in the draft and time will tell blah blah blah". Ryan isn't going to tip his hand in next year's draft.

 

On the other hand, if you make the question more about last year's draft and the implied philosophy change that went behind it, I think it would provide a more substantive answer.

 

Agreed, I'm only on board with Ryan staying because of this percieved change in philosophy on pitching.

 

I'd also like to know which of the 2012 pitching class will get a chance to start in 2013.

so we draft relievers who wernt good enough to start for there college teams and we try them as starters in the minors , and soon will wonder why they have arm problems?

[Thrylos]

so we draft relievers who wernt good enough to start for there college teams and we try them as starters in the minors , and soon will wonder why they have arm problems?

 

Interesting thought and it might worth its own discussion (and y'all know how I feel about the Twins' brass). That said:

 

Several of the college relievers they drafted last draft have started before. The same with the 2011 draft. The old scout complaint that "a guy has only one pitch so he better be a reliever" should be mediated during player development (and the Twins practically never did that - that's part (like 20% - small) of the reason I am saying 'good riddance' to Rantz).

 

So: the margins and definitions of a reliever and a starter are vary hairy. Couple fun Twins names to throw into the mix: Rick Aguilera and Brian Duensing. And they both fought (and one is still fighting) to be starters. Eddie and LaTroy gave the ghost up early. But, yeah, in my book at least 5 of the kids they drafted as relievers the last 2 drafts can be starters.

[Brock Beauchamp]

so we draft relievers who wernt good enough to start for there college teams and we try them as starters in the minors , and soon will wonder why they have arm problems?

 

Interesting thought and it might worth its own discussion (and y'all know how I feel about the Twins' brass). That said:

 

Several of the college relievers they drafted last draft have started before. The same with the 2011 draft. The old scout complaint that "a guy has only one pitch so he better be a reliever" should be mediated during player development (and the Twins practically never did that - that's part (like 20% - small) of the reason I am saying 'good riddance' to Rantz).

 

So: the margins and definitions of a reliever and a starter are vary hairy. Couple fun Twins names to throw into the mix: Rick Aguilera and Brian Duensing. And they both fought (and one is still fighting) to be starters. Eddie and LaTroy gave the ghost up early. But, yeah, in my book at least 5 of the kids they drafted as relievers the last 2 drafts can be starters.

 

I wasn't crazy about the reliever-happy nature of last year's draft.

 

On the other hand, I think the front office deserves some time to play their hand. It's obvious that they're bringing a different brand of thinking to the table and I'm curious to see how it unfolds. Are we looking at a new Moneyball or have the Twins gone insane? Time will tell.

 

At the very least, the concept is intriguing.

[Physics Guy]

I see several comments about Baker. I'm pretty sure that Baker's option hasn't been picked up yet. If I am wrong, please correct. My guess is that Ryan won't comment on him if the option hasn't been picked up (not likely, is it?) or he hasn't been signed to a new contract.

 

I would be curious to know what the plans are for Sano and Rosario next year. It seems they should move up to High A, but the Twins seem to move players up at a relatively conservative rate. Both players obviously have some defensive issues to work on.

[Riverbrian]

"When the team acquired players such as Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, and Craig Monroe, it was straightforward for most people familiar with the most basic modern statistics to predict that they were very unlikely to help the team win baseball games. What changes have been made to the front office to ensure personnel mistakes that could have been so easily avoided will not occur in the future?"

 

Metrodome payroll changed to Target Field Payroll.

 

This has nothing to do with payroll. The Twins had in house options superior to all of those players.

 

Maybe... But the Twins musta felt differently about the in house options at the time. And the 4 players you mention were attempts at bargain value during a time when the Twins were quite serious about bargain shopping.

[PseudoSABR]

so we draft relievers who wernt good enough to start for there college teams and we try them as starters in the minors , and soon will wonder why they have arm problems?

 

Interesting thought and it might worth its own discussion (and y'all know how I feel about the Twins' brass). That said:

 

Several of the college relievers they drafted last draft have started before. The same with the 2011 draft. The old scout complaint that "a guy has only one pitch so he better be a reliever" should be mediated during player development (and the Twins practically never did that - that's part (like 20% - small) of the reason I am saying 'good riddance' to Rantz).

 

So: the margins and definitions of a reliever and a starter are vary hairy. Couple fun Twins names to throw into the mix: Rick Aguilera and Brian Duensing. And they both fought (and one is still fighting) to be starters. Eddie and LaTroy gave the ghost up early. But, yeah, in my book at least 5 of the kids they drafted as relievers the last 2 drafts can be starters.

 

I wasn't crazy about the reliever-happy nature of last year's draft.

 

On the other hand, I think the front office deserves some time to play their hand. It's obvious that they're bringing a different brand of thinking to the table and I'm curious to see how it unfolds. Are we looking at a new Moneyball or have the Twins gone insane? Time will tell.

 

At the very least, the concept is intriguing.

The Twins are looking for value. This is exactly the kind of risk we've been asking the Twins brass to take (and the same people criticize both risk-adverse and risk-heavy approaches it seems). It's not a bad idea to look for starters who turned into relievers because of injury or team circumstances, as such players would be undervalued for their starting ability. I'm not sure it will work out in the long run, but it's a moneyball* approach for sure.

 

*I define moneyball as valuing that which is undervalued.

[minn55441]

So John, do we have to wait for the Handbook to find out which questions you actually asked? Or are you going to give us a teaser and at least provide us with the questions, if not his responses?