Mental side: Eddie/Kyle vs. Josh/Andrelton/Kenta

[PDX Twin]

I often think/wonder about what goes on in the Twins' clubhouse and how it affects the team's performance. In the last two years, the club has turned over some key figures that (from reports) have had big personalities, replacing them with players with very different apparent affect. 

Has this had a role in the Twins' decline? Of course, there have been many personnel changes, but we all recognized (and sometimes cursed) the "free spirit" attitude of Rosario. Gibson was enough of a leader to be the club player representative.

In place of those two as key veterans we have Donaldson and Simmons, neither of whom *ever* looks to be enjoying himself, and Maeda, who still uses a translator for mound visits. These three are all players with great MLB success and all seem to have very professional approaches to the game. But do they bring the same chemistry to make their teammates better? Has that contributed to the poor performance and lack of success that have crushed fan enthusiasm? And what effect will subtracting Cruz and Berrios have on the clubhouse? And thoughts?

[Taildragger8791]

I don't think any level of positive clubhouse impact offsets poor on-field performance/dollar from a full-time player. If a guy is on a cheap contract and playing a minor on-field role, sure. But Rosario was getting more expensive, was declining in the field, had maddening inconsistent play, and theoretically had a ready replacement in Kirilloff before everyone got hurt. Gibson had like 2 decent seasons out of 8 and was developing persistent health issues that put his future ability in question.

Cruz and Berrios are huge but necessary losses. Ideally there are other guys who can step up and fill that role out of Buxton, Pineda, Arraez, Garver, Polanco, and eventually Kirilloff & Larnach. I think Donaldson brings a passion and seriousness that can help push/focus a team if harnessed properly. A targeted free agent would go a long ways but I don't think the clubhouse is devoid of high character, enthusiastic ballplayers.

[In My La Z boy]

Oddly enough Sano's stats are better since Cruz left. Subtracting his mentor didn't hurt him. 

I am a huge believer in chemistry and culture - but on our team, this is the primary role for Rocco, as this is supposedly his claim to fame. I'm going to guess that on an Earl Weaver type managed team, the veteran players do most of the clubhouse chemistry and culture heavy lifting. We do not have an old school, shut up & suck it up kind of manager, but a new age touchy feely players coach type manager. It is exclusively on Rocco to manage and foster a winning culture & winning chemistry in the clubhouse regardless of players coming and going. Let's hope the FO gives him a better pitching staff next year. 

 

[chpettit19]

Culture, clubhouse bonding, whatever you want to call it is a weird thing. The players aren't all friends and buddies who hang out off the field. But you certainly don't want anyone who makes anyone not look forward to coming to the field everyday. The thing Cruz brought was an example on how to be a professional baseball player. Same with Donaldson. But Donaldson is a different personality and that's where you run into a question of how he gets along with teammates.

It's impossible to say from the outside. Any of us liking, or not liking, his personality is in no way, shape, or form a clue as to how the people in that clubhouse like him. If there's only 1 guy who people don't like it's not a problem. That guy gets shunned to the corner and everyone else is fine. There can be a problem if that player is supposed to be your veteran leader, though. I like Donaldson and the fire he brings. I see it as an expectation of what professional athletes are supposed to do and perform. He expects to win and it shows. I like that, but not everyone does.

In the long run, what you want is a clubhouse where everyone feels comfortable and gets along. Everyone enjoys coming to "work" each day. Same as any company. Then you need veterans who can show young guys how to be professional athletes and what that preparation looks like. Cruz and Donaldson were/are great examples for the young guys. Berrios is/was a great example for the pitchers. Success/winning makes up for a lot of the other stuff. If you're winning the small differences between players are forgotten and the team bonds. If you're losing all the time tempers flare and little things that wouldn't come up on a winning club become a problem. A team that gets along, pulls for each other, and believes in each other is important, but if losing 1 or 2 guys destroys that you didn't really have a good culture.

[AceWrigley]

Sometimes the best measure of a clubhouse is did you win today.