In defense of Rocco Baldelli

[cHawk]

I know there’s reason to vent right now. I get it. But is this team’s 5-8 skid really Baldelli’s fault when the team is missing half its rotation, its star shortstop, and multiple bullpen pieces? Are the late bullpen implosions really Baldelli’s fault? How much do you actually think Baldelli tells his pitchers about how to throw the ball?

And do you really think he’s intentionally throwing games? Now why would he do that? What exactly is there to suggest that he is doing that?

Baldelli isn’t a perfect manager, but he doesn’t get all of the blame whenever the team is failing.

[TwinsDr2021]

14 minutes ago, alexthegreat said:

I know there’s reason to vent right now. I get it. But is this team’s 5-8 skid really Baldelli’s fault when the team is missing half its rotation, its star shortstop, and multiple bullpen pieces? Are the late bullpen implosions really Baldelli’s fault? How much do you actually think Baldelli tells his pitchers about how to throw the ball?

And do you really think he’s intentionally throwing games? Now why would he do that? What exactly is there to suggest that he is doing that?

Baldelli isn’t a perfect manager, but he doesn’t get all of the blame whenever the team is failing.

you are correct he doesn't deserve the blame for the last 13 games, or injuries, terrible bullpen or the way the game is being played. But to be fair most people criticizing him have been doing it fall longer than this recent skid. Some have been doing it since his first year, and others have picked up on it prior to this skid. Others have liked him since the beginning and still do, that is what is great about sports talk everybody has an opinion.

[a-wan]

No, it is Baldelli’s fault. He doesn’t know anything; rests people too much, doesn’t make his starters pitch enough. Just a complete lack of awareness. Doesn’t know baseball at all.   ?

[Blyleven2011]

I will not cut any slack to baldelli or sano  ....

Baldelli is one of the top professionals that the FO  hired after they cleaned house  ....

I wish he would start being that professional  ....

The players are also professionals  and playing a kids game  , some are stars and some have talent and I wish our coaching could tap into that talent  and make them better ,,, it can be done , they have the technology  and most of them are being paid more than the 6 million dollar man ...

Alittle more killer instinct would be nice from the manager and players  ,,, the yankees have it , every game the yankees take the field they have  that mentality that they can win ...

[RpR]

Maybe it is time to do the reverse option, start with the bullpen and finish with starters, or, just use starters for an entire game , and let cards fall where they may for the last game.

[Rosterman]

The game is being played so differently today than it was, say, even abck in 2019. 100 pitches is the HIGH norm. You move players around the field like chess pieces because of things you call up on an iPad in the dugout. Lineups are constructed thru analytics and changed, daily.

Seems like the Twins are great at moving players around the diamond and playing them anywhere and anywhere. You get more days off. There is no hit-and-run. 

The bullpen seems to have the daily workers set before game time, and not according to the situation on the field. Everyone rotates. And since there is no closer, there is no closer.

Injuries are wild. At some point, you run out of roster spaces.

[Azviking101]

Analytics over all else...unless it could screw with clubhouse dynamics and hurt the feelings of a player who has been with the organization for so long. 

Every analytic shows Duffey is done, but being friends is most important. These are the reasons theTwins haven't been taken serioulsly as a competitor in 30 years.

[KFEY93]

3 hours ago, alexthegreat said:

I know there’s reason to vent right now. I get it. But is this team’s 5-8 skid really Baldelli’s fault when the team is missing half its rotation, its star shortstop, and multiple bullpen pieces? Are the late bullpen implosions really Baldelli’s fault? How much do you actually think Baldelli tells his pitchers about how to throw the ball?

And do you really think he’s intentionally throwing games? Now why would he do that? What exactly is there to suggest that he is doing that?

Baldelli isn’t a perfect manager, but he doesn’t get all of the blame whenever the team is failing.

He was mismanaging this roster and BP when the team was healthy. 

[CRF]

I don't have the expertise to offer a defense for Rocco. I think Perry Mason would have a difficult time coming up with a defense for him.

[Puckett34]

Rocco seems to be making a fair amount of 50/50 decisions going the wrong way or 40/60 decisions going the wrong way.  Much like how all of last year went, choosing the wrong decision too often (ie, Duffy usage at all, Pagan faith, rest days, etc.).

I don't pretend to know much about what I'm talking about. Hopefully some health and bat life can return quickly.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

...Alittle more killer instinct would be nice from the manager and players  ,,, the yankees have it , every game the yankees take the field they have  that mentality that they can win ...

Actually, I'd say the Yankees take the field expecting to win. I believe you've hit the heart of Minnesota team playoff futility, and I've mentioned this before. The scrappy, courteous nice guy of the sporting world not looking to offend anybody at any cost Minnesota team.

Minnesota Team Playoff Quote - "We know not every team makes the playoffs so we're excited and grateful to be here after a long season where we really came together as a team and kept fighting. We know <opponent> has a really good team and they do a lot of things well, but we're going to go out there and put in a great effort and we believe if we play at our potential, we're a match for anybody out there."

Opponent Team Playoff Quote - "Yeah, obviously, we're in the playoffs and we worked to get here, but we're not satisfied with just making the postseason. Our goal is to win a championship, like it is every year, and we know we have a team of guys here who can get it done. It doesn't really matter who we're up against because we feel like we've got the best club in baseball. All we need to do is go out there, play our game and it'll sort itself out."

Minnesota = Playoffs are the ultimate goal, not championships. Give credit to the opposing team for being really good. Hope they play their absolute best so they have a chance at winning.

Other team = Playoffs are just one step in the goal and we're still hungry. Give credit to their own team, not Minnesota. Expect to play normally and advance because they're better than Minnesota (and everybody else).

The difference in confidence is astonishing. Minnesota plays scared, pressured and stressed. The opponent plays confident and relaxed. Who do you think is winning?