Front Page: Will Minnesota Get Raided This Off-Season?

[Cody Christie]

It can’t be argued that Minnesota is having one of their best seasons in the Target Field era. Rocco Baldelli and his coaching staff have helped to get the most out of their core group of players and have this team on pace for close to 100 wins. For the front office, there could be some blame thrown around for not doing enough at the deadline, but they certainly added enough pieces last off-season to put this club on the winning track.

 

Minnesota looks like a team on the rise and this could mean other teams come looking for coaches and front office personnel.Boston shocked a lot of the baseball world on Sunday as they fired General Manager Dave Dombrowski less than a calendar year after he delivered the team a title. The Red Sox are entering a tumultuous time in their organization and the ownership didn’t feel Dombrowski was the right man for the job. He was hired to do what he did, win the World Series, but it could be time for the franchise to rebuild and he might not fit that mold.

 

Besides the Red Sox, there will be plenty of other organizations searching for upgrades in the front office and to their coaching staffs. Every team is looking to gain a step up on other organizations. Here are three names that could be with different organizations this offseason.

 

Daniel Adler

Current Role: Director, Baseball Operations

Adler took a unique route to his current position with the Twins organization. His professional experience started as an intern in the MLB’s Labor Relations Department where he worked on the CBA including baseball’s compensation system. He spent a couple of years in the private sector before joining the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. With Jacksonville, he headed up a brand-new Football Research and Development Department.

 

Baseball organizations are finding some of the best minds in unique ways. Plenty of the game’s operating leadership have degrees from Ivy League universities. Adler holds a Harvard law and business degree. He has spent time in multiple fields and has a way of changing an organization’s system.

 

“Finding things yet to be identified is important,” said Adler, “but being able to utilize the things you already know is more important.”

 

Jeremy Zoll

Current Role: Director, Minor League Operations

Zoll has been on the fast track throughout his professional career as he is the youngest person in his role among all 30 MLB teams. He is in his second year in the Twins organization after he came to the club from the Dodgers organization. With Los Angeles, he served as their Assistant Director of Player Development for multiple seasons. He worked to develop player plans and assisted the Research and Development department.

 

"His reputation, even at a less experienced, younger age, of galvanizing staffs and creatively (instituting) development programs for players, really got our attention," said Thad Levine. "He's got the ability to communicate very clearly to the 16-year-old Venezuelan kid or the college senior.”

 

"There's a presence about him that probably belies age. But I think the backbone of it really was he had such rave reviews from the senior staffers that he worked with in the past."

 

James Rowson

Current Role: Hitting Coach

It’s hard to argue with what Rowson has done during his tenure in Minnesota. During his first year on the job, the Twins scored 815 runs and cracked 206 home runs. Both totals were in the franchise’s top four best season before the 2019 campaign and the introduction of the Bomba Squad. It would be hard to list out everything this offense has done this year and Rowson is a key cog in the Twins hitting machine.

 

“I think the environment that we’ve created here as an organization allows everybody to feel comfortable in their own skin,” Rowson said. “Each guy is just worried about having the best at-bat they can and there’s nothing holding them down mentally. They’re clear-minded, and that creates good at-bats, and that gets contagious.

 

Will all three of these names be back with the Twins next year? Who else do you think could be raided from the Twins this winter? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[Channing1964]

With a little luck Falvey and Levine....

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

With a little luck Falvey and Levine....

Yeah, because it's just awful that those two are on pace to lead the Twins to their *second* 100 win season in franchise history, dating back all the way to 1901.

 

I'm 42 years old and haven't seen a 100 win Twins team. Maybe it's just me but this season has been kinda nice. I'm a big fan of it overall.

 

Oh, and based on your username, you were all of one year old when it last happened. How'd that season feel, champ? Do you relish in that memory to this day?

[John Kelsey]

 

With a little luck Falvey and Levine....

 

This is a joke, right?

[D.C Twins]

 

With a little luck Falvey and Levine....

While I consistently lament on TD, that they have clung to tight to their prospects at the expense of starting pitching (Minor at the deadline...haven't brought that up in a week)...

 

They have done a wonderful job, plain and simple; especially with personnel and infrastructure (Though Cruz didn't hurt). Certainly also chose to extend the right people so far as well.....and overall their drafts seem to be shaping up nicely.

 

[Florida Loggerman]

the key in my opinion is to get the owner to get off his tight wad bank acct.. and connect 100% with Falvey & Lavine, and go out this winter/spring, and put together a pitching roster that can compare or even compete with the current 2019 offensive roster.  If this had been done over last off season, and even during and before the Aug 1st deadline, this club would have the pitching power that is needed to make this club a truly competitive team come Oct playoff time. Because, either the Yankmee;s with there power laden lineup, and suspect pitching, or even tougher, the Astro's with there "sick" starting 3 roation of Verlander-Cole-Grienke= is insane tough, plus the Astro's also have a super solid offensive roster pair with there finest starting pitching roation.  so, fix the pitching roster big time, get Buxton healthy,  pray that the playoffs won't be a blur and one and done again???

[Vanimal46]

Falvey and Levine are an interesting duo to comment about... Not because the Twins will be "lucky" if they leave.

 

The Red Sox will be a very attractive job opening. I'm sure a couple more will be available in the next couple of months.

 

Falvey's an east coast guy... Dun dun dun!

[MNT1996]

 

Yeah, because it's just awful that those two are on pace to lead the Twins to their *second* 100 win season in franchise history, dating back all the way to 1901.

 

I'm 42 years old and haven't seen a 100 win Twins team. Maybe it's just me but this season has been kinda nice. I'm a big fan of it overall.

 

Oh, and based on your username, you were all of one year old when it last happened. How'd that season feel, champ? Do you relish in that memory to this day?

 

He doesn't care for Falvey and Levine. He has his opinion. You don't need to go after him personally like that and belittle him with a name like "champ". Seems like behavior that the Owner of this site shouldn't indulge in. Out of all the comment-ers I would have expected you to be the one to show some decency in your rebuttals to other's opinions. 

Edited September 11, 2019 by MNT1996

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

He doesn't care for Falvey and Levine. He has his opinion. You don't need to go after him personally like that and belittle him with a name like "champ". Seems like behavior that the Owner of this site shouldn't indulge in. Out of all the comment-ers I would have expected you to be the one to show some decency in your rebuttals to other's opinions. 

I'm allowed to rebut others' opinions, particularly if I think they're bad throwaway takes, which that was.

 

In fact, by the forum rules, the original post was actually trolling. Would you rather have had me infract the poster with an official warning or gently poke fun of a terrible take on baseball? Here at Twins Daily, we frown heavily upon one sentence, negative takes that offer nothing to further meaningful discussion. Particularly takes that are meant only to inflame the board and further encourage more bad one sentence mouth-breaths on the subject. We're not RubeChat. There's also a reason RubeChat shut down.

 

But nice try to turn my rebuttal on a bad take back at me, tiger.

[3balls2strikes]

WOW! 

[Seth Stohs]

1.) I think there is little chance that Derek Shelton is back, unless there just aren't more than a couple of manager jobs open.

 

2.) As for Falvey and pitching... he's known for developing the pitching in Cleveland's system... no signing big free agents. Acquiring a guy like Kluber and developing the likes of Salazar, Carrasco, Clevinger, Bieber, Civale, etc.... The Twins are going to try to do the same, and we are starting to see the very early results of that in 2019. Think of the likes of a Randy Dobnak, who they brought in two years ago and developed. Think about the likes of Duran, Alcala, Smeltzer that they have acquired in trades. Think about what they have done to the velocities of the likes of Graterol and Colina. Think about the likes of Ober and Balazovic and Sands and Winder, guys drafted and developed. Could 1-2 of those guys be aces? Kluber certainly wasn't an "ace" as a prospect. Neither was Civale. Bieber was said to have some upside... We'll see how it pans out, but i like the track record and the development plans. 

[gunnarthor]

I'm sure anyone in their right mind would rather have the resources that the Red Sox have over the Twins. But I also think the Red Sox will aim a bit higher than Falvey or Levine.

[Channing1964]

[qute name=Brock Beauchamp" post="913185" timestamp="1568175350]I'm allowed to rebut others' opinions, particularly if I think they're bad throwaway takes, which that was.

 

In fact, by the forum rules, the original post was actually trolling. Would you rather have had me infract the poster with an official warning or gently poke fun of a terrible take on baseball? Here at Twins Daily, we frown heavily upon one sentence, negative takes that offer nothing to further meaningful discussion. Particularly takes that are meant only to inflame the board and further encourage more bad one sentence mouth-breaths on the subject. We're not RubeChat. There's also a reason RubeChat shut down.

 

But nice try to turn my rebuttal on a bad take back at me, tiger.

sorry if i do not think their performance is that great. Nor do i choose to give them all the credit for this season's success. Do they deserve some, yes. I am not going to annoint either of them MLB executives of the year. I have already heard Falvey's name linked to the Boston job and I will not be sorry to see both of them move on. You should not be surprised if you find out that the Twins job was only ever meant to be a stepping stone.

[Channing1964]

Yeah, because it's just awful that those two are on pace to lead the Twins to their *second* 100 win season in franchise history, dating back all the way to 1901.

 

I'm 42 years old and haven't seen a 100 win Twins team. Maybe it's just me but this season has been kinda nice. I'm a big fan of it overall.

 

Oh, and based on your username, you were all of one year old when it last happened. How'd that season feel, champ? Do you relish in that memory to this day?

well if 100 wins meant a guaranteed World Series Championship then I can see your point. Falvey has yet to do it this year and i would bet you anything they won't win 100 this year either. Just because they have had one successful season I am supposed to jump on the band wagon and declare them the greatest Twins FO combo in history? I would say they inherited a lot of these players and their moves, although some were very nice, the ones they did not make will define their tenure here. They have a 5 year commitment to the Minnesota Twins. It should not surprise you if they run to Boston, or Cleveland, or Texas or wherever they came from. In the meantime i reserve the right to refuse to award them de facto MLB executives of the year 2019.

[jimbo92107]

Falvey and Levine are the best thing to happen to this team since it moved here from Washington. Not only are they forming a winning organization, they're developing players within the system that will keep the team strong for years. 

 

Even if the Twins do get raided for some coaches, so be it. F&L will find other good coaches. They have an eye for talent, and a talent for building a good organization. All we need do is sit back and enjoy. Or sit back and complain. That can be fun, too.

[Channing1964]

I'm allowed to rebut others' opinions, particularly if I think they're bad throwaway takes, which that was.

 

In fact, by the forum rules, the original post was actually trolling. Would you rather have had me infract the poster with an official warning or gently poke fun of a terrible take on baseball? Here at Twins Daily, we frown heavily upon one sentence, negative takes that offer nothing to further meaningful discussion. Particularly takes that are meant only to inflame the board and further encourage more bad one sentence mouth-breaths on the subject. We're not RubeChat. There's also a reason RubeChat shut down.

 

But nice try to turn my rebuttal on a bad take back at me, tiger.

It was a sort of a joke, but at the same time a very real possibility. I dont have to think they have done an outstanding job....that doesnt change the fact that first and foremost i am a Minnesota Twins fan. We will be fine when they go and we would have been fine if we never saw them. If you wanna restrict comments to only those who think Falvey and Levine are the best executives EVER, then please let the rest of us know. The article i responded to specifically ask what Twins officials may not be back next year. it said nothing about why or how they would leave. Maybe Dave Dombrowski will come here and lead us to a Championship. I am sorry if i dont see it happening this year. I suppose you want to reprimand me for that opinion too.

[Channing1964]

This is a joke, right?

You know what no its not a joke. Without going through all the reasons specifically, I remember everything that's happened since 2016. Im not going to take it out on you, but I remember winning in 2017 in spite of them, losing and tanking 60 games because of them in 2018. And this year, after their self proclaimed window of opportunity to compete with the American league powers is right in front of all our faces, what have they done?....Everybody knows they needed bullpen and rotation upgrades to be a major player. This team is no major power. Next we will hear how Pohlad wouldnt let them spend the money when he said publicly he would. Boston can have em both. We will survive the loss believe me. Edited September 11, 2019 by Channing1964

[Channing1964]

Falvey and Levine are the best thing to happen to this team since it moved here from Washington. Not only are they forming a winning organization, they're developing players within the system that will keep the team strong for years. 

 

Even if the Twins do get raided for some coaches, so be it. F&L will find other good coaches. They have an eye for talent, and a talent for building a good organization. All we need do is sit back and enjoy. Or sit back and complain. That can be fun, too.

I wish we can stop talking about Falvey and Levine and give props to Rocco, Wes Johnson and the rest of the staff

[Channing1964]

I've been an east fan since '76. My dad taught me history. These 'analytic screen savers' don't look like Branch Rickey to me. Thanks for letting me speak

[h2oface]

Glad I gently saw this all before it disappears. 

 

Put me in the room that is still amazed Pressly was traded. And who couln't have used Escobar? Prospects? This was not the year for prospects. Especially A-ball and below prospects. This was a year to make a team ready for the playoffs. Winning regular season games is nice. But hitting great pitching under pressure is what makes champions. When the Twins bring up pitchers they develop that perform like Walker Buehler and Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urías, I'll be buying in, but not when the call ups perform like Stashak and Smeltzer. I could have used a signing of DJ LeMahieu instead of Schoop, for sure, and was disappointed in the decision, and still am. We have some over acheiving on offense that has made things a lot of fun, no doubt. But I am not enamored to a point of gushing. The break outs that have carried this team were not due to the current FO. But Cruz was. Times are changing, and I hope that the shifts are not always used when they don't have to be. If a group gels, and then they just split up the gang for a little more cash..... so be it. But hopefully they are developing staff that feels like a "community" and sees beyond the greenbacks, and stick around make us all believers. Proof is in building a team that can not only get to the post season, but win in the post season. This might be a tough year to do it, with the pitching staff that has been assembled (or should that be not assembled?), and with either Houston or New York in an ALDS.... that is, if this team can take it to the finish line.

Edited September 11, 2019 by h2oface

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

 

It was a sort of a joke, but at the same time a very real possibility. I dont have to think they have done an outstanding job....that doesnt change the fact that first and foremost i am a Minnesota Twins fan. We will be fine when they go and we would have been fine if we never saw them. If you wanna restrict comments to only those who think Falvey and Levine are the best executives EVER, then please let the rest of us know. The article i responded to specifically ask what Twins officials may not be back next year. it said nothing about why or how they would leave. Maybe Dave Dombrowski will come here and lead us to a Championship. I am sorry if i dont see it happening this year. I suppose you want to reprimand me for that opinion too.

 

I don't recall anyone saying you had to proclaim Falvey and Levine the "best" anything, so maybe ease up on the strawmen.

 

You said "with a little luck" Falvey and Levine would be gone from Minnesota, meaning you want them gone. Why? Providing an explanation would have been helpful.

[Vanimal46]

I'm sure anyone in their right mind would rather have the resources that the Red Sox have over the Twins. But I also think the Red Sox will aim a bit higher than Falvey or Levine.

Not that I know the candidates out there, but it's a good resume builder to turn around a franchise like the Twins who were light years behind other teams in analytics/player development. Imagine what they could do with double the budget they're working with.

[IAMNFan]

I too have been a fan since 1976.  The inconsistent feelings about this team is confusing to me also.  I can't remember a time when this organization from top to bottom was in such good shape.  If in March, anyone would have suggested that we were going to have this season, you would have been called a Pohlad Pocket Protector or something worse.  Turning many decent prospects, that had not had much major league success, into one of the best lineups in baseball is a major coup.  Having pitching be inconsistent is normal and building pitching probably takes more time anyway.

6 months ago, most Twins fans felt the organization was 2-3 years away from having a World Series competitive team.  August 1st of this year, we should have traded those guys to help the current group that is not the core group for the World Series contending plan?  I know everyone wants immediate gratification, but any organization has to have a plan, "Process over Results" so to speak.  A sound process will give positive results over the long haul.  If occasional good results cause a management team to alter their process, that management team will be short term.

 

I do believe that the organization will lose some good people this off season.  I also feel like the organization is well positioned to replace those people, as any good team should be.

[JW24]

It is a bit of a compliment to the Twins organization that they have people within the organization worth poaching. Say what you will about the spreadsheets the FO uses or the analytics stressed up and down the organization, but the Twins are clearly doing something other teams find valuable and difficult to replicate on their own. This is extremely encouraging.

 

I would be really disappointed to see the FO move on from the Twins now that they have turned it around and built (what looks to be) sustainable success. However, if Boston comes calling, I wouldn't blame them one bit for taking that opportunity.

[Brock Beauchamp]

It was a sort of a joke, but at the same time a very real possibility. I dont have to think they have done an outstanding job....that doesnt change the fact that first and foremost i am a Minnesota Twins fan. We will be fine when they go and we would have been fine if we never saw them. If you wanna restrict comments to only those who think Falvey and Levine are the best executives EVER, then please let the rest of us know. The article i responded to specifically ask what Twins officials may not be back next year. it said nothing about why or how they would leave. Maybe Dave Dombrowski will come here and lead us to a Championship. I am sorry if i dont see it happening this year. I suppose you want to reprimand me for that opinion too.

Yawn. There’s an enormous gulf of opinions between “I hope they’re gone” and “they’re the best executives ever”.

 

What we *do* know is that the Twins are on track for their best record in decades. If that doesn’t impress you, so be it... but I think that says more about you than it does Falvine.

[Ebby Calvin Laloosh]

My biggest concerns for flying the coop are Rowson, as the article mentioned and Wes Johnson. I know Johnson is a first year, straight from the college ranks coach, but he seems like a gem to me. Maybe the SSS will protect him a bit, but I could see lots of FOs being interested in him.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

With a little luck Falvey and Levine....

I respectfully disagree. Falvey and Levine hired those 3 guys named above, who have done so well, plus Wes Johnson. Plus quickly assembled one of the best the best Twins' roster with some really good free agents (Cruz, Gonzales, Schoop, claimed Cron off of waivers,  traded Palacios for Odorizzi, signed Kepler and Polanco to team friendly extensions the winter before they each had breakout seasons and hired Rocco...what have I left out?). Yes they lost a few players, but none were David Ortiz.

Edited September 11, 2019 by tarheeltwinsfan

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

I'm allowed to rebut others' opinions, particularly if I think they're bad throwaway takes, which that was.

 

In fact, by the forum rules, the original post was actually trolling. Would you rather have had me infract the poster with an official warning or gently poke fun of a terrible take on baseball? Here at Twins Daily, we frown heavily upon one sentence, negative takes that offer nothing to further meaningful discussion. Particularly takes that are meant only to inflame the board and further encourage more bad one sentence mouth-breaths on the subject. We're not RubeChat. There's also a reason RubeChat shut down.

 

But nice try to turn my rebuttal on a bad take back at me, tiger.

Brock, I must say I also was surprised by the negative tone of your rebuttals, especially referring to the other posters as "champ" and "tiger". . I appreciate the fact that you are an owner and I thank you for this site and the opportunity to post my views.  So....How about those Twins !.

[Shaitan]

I assume Falvey and Levine are under contract and Twins could say no to them interviewing for a parallel position elsewhere.

[Shaitan]

This isn't the NFL (thankfully, is so many ways).

 

I'm not sure bandwagon front office hires will be based on one year alone. If this continues for 2-3 years, maybe.

 

Then again, Rocco was kind of hired along those lines...