FSN interview with Terry Ryan [July 15, 2013]

[ThePuck]

His June was OK too (4.29 ERA, 27/8 K/BB) but let's not go down the road of cherry picking stats in arbitrary clusters. I think his body of work judged over 110 IP to date is OK given the role he is suppoed to fill (back of the rotation innings eater, veteran presence, keep the team in games); you seem to have higher expectations which is fine. You can call me a chump at the end of the season if he implodes in the second half

 

My frustration with Ryan is that I would have liked Correia to have been the supporting piece of the off season free agent activity (with say a Dempster) rather than the headline act, but I think there is a lot more to complain about with the rotation than the one guy who has provided some reliability so far this year.

 

Didn't Correia start the 2nd game of the season? He wasn't plugged in to be a #4 or #5. Look people keep mentioning his pay. Why? Why do we care? Don't we just want a quality team? YES, based on his FA pay, he's doing fine. But why do we have to qualify anyone's performance just because Ryan decided a starting rotation wasn't worth 12M combined? If we look at it that was, having the worst rotation the game, totally acceptable.

[ThePuck]

I'm done with the Correia stuff, because it's been pointed out things are too negative around here and we don't want people to continue to debate in order 'to win'.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I have zero issue with a quality start. You went at least 2/3 of the game (helping your bullpen, which is part of doing a good job) and giving up three or less earned runs (keeping your team in the game). Considering we live in the pitch count era, it's a good barometer of a good start.

 

And I still don't care about how well he's doing relative to his paycheck. I'm a fan, not an owner or a FO. Why fans care about that is beyond me.

 

The Quality Start is nonsense because a guy can go 5.2 innings of a shutout and not get credit. He can pitch 8 innings, give up four runs, and not get credit. But if he hits that magic threshold of six innings and three runs, he's golden. QS rival the Save for tops in the Dumb Stat From The 1960s That Needs To Go Away Forever category.

 

Given the plethora of advanced stats we have available, why rely on something that is so obviously flawed and arbitrary?

[Guest USAFChief]

Kevin Correia is being paid to be a No. 4-5 starter. In that context, he's been pretty good. League-average ERA and he's on pace for 200 innings. It's not his fault that those modestly decent stats make him the team's best starter. There is really no ground for ripping him at this point unless your expectations were totally out of whack.

 

Pelfrey, on the other hand, was a horrible signing.

 

That's the crux of the issue, IMO. If Corriea had been signed to round out an already good rotation, he'd be doing an excellent job of that.

[ThePuck]

The Quality Start is nonsense because a guy can go 5.2 innings of a shutout and not get credit. He can pitch 8 innings, give up four runs, and not get credit. But if he hits that magic threshold of six innings and three runs, he's golden. QS rival the Save for tops in the Dumb Stat From The 1960s That Needs To Go Away Forever category.

 

Given the plethora of advanced stats we have available, why rely on something that is so obviously flawed and arbitrary?

 

Advanced stat, like FIP? Yeah, I got slammed for that earlier in here. I have no issues with QS because everyone is judged the same way and I'm fine with the standard.

 

Anyway, I didn't want to be rude, so I answered this last one, but like I said, I'm done with Correia part.

[Brock Beauchamp]

That's the crux of the issue, IMO. If Corriea had been signed to round out an already good rotation, he'd be doing an excellent job of that.

 

Yep.

[drjim]

That's the crux of the issue, IMO. If Corriea had been signed to round out an already good rotation, he'd be doing an excellent job of that.

 

The problem is that it is difficult to do much better in free agency. As another thread indicates Correia has been the 4th best free agent signed this past offseason, and they are all in the same range and there might not be much separation the rest of the season. The three ahead of him are Sanchez (who has been beaten to death), Saunders (who they made an offer for) and Villanueva (who has pitched more out the bullpen). Greinke will also pass Correia in value in a start or two.

 

I accept this criticism as a commentary on the sad state of the Twins franchise, and that is fine, but it is a little hallow if the suggestion is that he should have signed more better free agents. They didn't really exist last offseason.

[nicksaviking]

On being a buyer or seller:

“I think that's evident. We're deep in these standings here. We're a long way away from .500. It's very evident we'll be in the trade mode, there's no doubt about that.”

 

I have to say I'm happy about the honesty here. The answer is obvious to everyone and Ryan would have been torn to pieces if he answered in the opposite fashion, but generally when this question is asked a less forthcoming response is provided.

 

I too didn't care much for the response regarding Pelfrey giving innings. In the article he said something about Diamond and his lack of innings. I don't like that this team seems to concern itself more with the quantity of innings as opposed to the quality of innings. Firstly, the bullpen is a strength, and considering what's in the system, it's deep. Secondly, it's been discussed before, the elite pitchers almost always pitch more innings anyway.

 

One thing that I don't think has been brought up yet:

"I don't think the Doziers and the Plouffes and the (Chris) Parmelees and those types of guys, they've been in here enough to the point where they ought to be comfortable and be going in the right direction."

 

That says a lot about what kind of leash these guys have I guess. Sounds like Parmelee should be pretty worried from that comment, though considering this is a lost year, I'd personally regret Chris Davising a guy who has developing power and has shown a high BA as high as the AAA level. We are asked to be patient with the development of players in the minors but many times the team isn't patient with the development of players at the MLB level and it's stung this club many times.

 

Regarding not blaming Gardenhire for the performance; that's at least the second time this month he has said this. Ryan is starting to paint himself into a corner about the managerial situation this off season. It's going to be hard to get rid of the guy when there are multiple quotes like this. Perhaps that's part of the intent, publicly talking himself into keeping Gardy now so that decision is basically a non-issue at season's end.

 

Edit: Ouch, that's got to be a snoozer to read. I came back to this thing about four times as I repeatedly tried to put my kids back in bed and didn't realize the length.

[Brandon]

Pelfrey, on the other hand, was a horrible signing.

 

His last 5 starts he has a 3.74 ERA. I think he's turned the corner from his operation and I bet he ERA during the 2nd half will be closer to 4.00. The question is who will have a higher era at the end of the season Pelfry or Corriea? (not trying to slight Corriea here)

[nicksaviking]

His last 5 starts he has a 3.74 ERA. I think he's turned the corner from his operation and I bet he ERA during the 2nd half will be closer to 4.00. The question is who will have a higher era at the end of the season Pelfry or Corriea? (not trying to slight Corriea here)

 

I'm guessing which ever one gets traded back to the NL.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm guessing which ever one gets traded back to the NL.

 

Best possible answer.

[Kwak]

Conspicuously absent from this interview was any planned action to increase the major league talent. There was sufficient admissions of disappointment in team results--but nothing about any new direction. Last off-season there was a promise to get three new SPs--will there be 2 new SPs (since Corriera is on a 2-yr contract I assume he will be back for 2014)? Ryan said "trade mode", it is assumed that he means veterans would be traded--but for minor leaguers? or major leaguers? If veterans are moved is the plan to "promote from within" or sign free agents? Placeholders or Long-term additions? This "interview" smacks of a White House press release (any President will do) that actually says nothing.

[Brock Beauchamp]

He's not going to publicly show his hand two weeks before the trade deadline. That'd be foolish. It's in his best interest to be vague right now.

[Top Gun]

How is Meyer doin?

[Top Gun]

Agent Scott Boras said Monday that his client, Twins pitching prospect Alex Meyer (shoulder), will return before the end of the minor league season.

 

"I spoke to (general manager) Terry (Ryan) about Alex," Boras said. "They're doing the appropriate things, examining him, resting him. We have not heard anything that suggests that he wouldn't be back (by season's end)." Meyer doesn't have any structural damage in his shoulder, but the Twins are understandably taking things slowly with the top prospect. He's been out since early June.

[PseudoSABR]

Agent Scott Boras said Monday that his client, Twins pitching prospect Alex Meyer (shoulder), will return before the end of the minor league season.

 

"I spoke to (general manager) Terry (Ryan) about Alex," Boras said. "They're doing the appropriate things, examining him, resting him. We have not heard anything that suggests that he wouldn't be back (by season's end)." Meyer doesn't have any structural damage in his shoulder, but the Twins are understandably taking things slowly with the top prospect. He's been out since early June.

Link?

[Top Gun]

.Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

[clutterheart]

Ryan and Gardy are so damn likeable.

 

Its going to be hard for me to call for their heads if this doesn't improve in 2014...

[beckmt]

Why don't most of the people wait to judge until after the trading deadline. The players were sent down to get their work in and wait for trades to open up playing time. The players brought up were career major league type bench players. This is so playing time does not have to be created for front line prospects until some of the veterans are trading and not blocking playing time. Also hopefully increasing their value.

[DaveW]

Oh yay, another Correia thread!

[Brock Beauchamp]

How is Meyer doin?

 

A bit off-topic, but... Throwing off the mound, last I heard.

[ThePuck]

Agent Scott Boras said Monday that his client, Twins pitching prospect Alex Meyer (shoulder), will return before the end of the minor league season.

 

"I spoke to (general manager) Terry (Ryan) about Alex," Boras said. "They're doing the appropriate things, examining him, resting him. We have not heard anything that suggests that he wouldn't be back (by season's end)." Meyer doesn't have any structural damage in his shoulder, but the Twins are understandably taking things slowly with the top prospect. He's been out since early June.

 

So basically, this is a wasted year for him.

[Major League Ready]

I'm glad you guys like Correia. I guess I'm in the minority. I wanted Ryan to actual seriously improve the rotation, not have pitchers do well based on what they are being paid. How much is our current rotation getting paid? I guess I should be happy cause they're getting paid like 11M. Can't expect much for that.

 

I guess I should be happy with his 4.23 season ERA, a WHIP over 1.400, and and ERA over 5.00 with only 4 quality starts over the last two months.

 

And, again, I don't care what any player's paycheck is, that's a owner/FO issue. I care about having players with quality seasons.

 

I think the FO has made their share of mistakes but that is pretty easy to say with the benefit of hindsight. However, there are a lot more example of FA starting pitchers that failed then there are that have been great successes. The top half-dozen or so teams in terms of revenue can take those chances because a bust won’t completely cripple them. What should the twins have done?

 

Grienke – No way that was ever going to happen. And, no way would it have made sense for the twins to commit to 6/$147M at this stage of the rebuild.

 

Sanchez – Doubt there was any way we were getting him away from the Tigers. And, it does not make sense to commit 5 years to a pitcher at this point in the rebuild. 3 years from now a player with the exact same profile might make perfect sense.

 

Peavy – Two years makes sense. He was a reasonable target but once again it’s hard to get a player away from their current team when that team is willing to match your offer.

 

Jackson – Many Twins fans wanted Jackson. He is 6-10 w a 5.11 ERA and entering his declining years. We will have to wait 3 ½ more years but I think he would have been a colossal mistake.

 

Kuroda – Were we going to steal him for NY? Would we have wanted him?

 

McCarthy – I thought he was a better option than Correa but he is 2-4 w/5.00 ERA

 

Marcum who many preferred is 1-10.

 

Dempster at 2yrs / 26.5M with a 4.24 ERA. He was a good target too but he has hardly been a difference maker. Apparently we took a hard run at him but it’s a tough sell with a guy toward the end of his career when the other bidder is a contender.

 

Harren is 4-10 / 5.61

 

Blanton 2-12 / 5.53

 

Baker is out.

 

Most of the options that were supported by posters have been a bust. Some of them for a lot more money. That is absolutely completely ignored by some but I think we need to at least acknowledge this is a business. It's easy to say I don't care what it costs. Try that when managing a payroll for someone else and you will be looking for work.

 

We also need to be fair in what has transpired. Was it reasonable for the twins to assume Worley & Diamond would be solid performers? Had Worley and Diamond performed within reasonable expectations, a rotation of Worley / Diamond / Deduno / Correa & Gibson would give us a very good chance of winning most nights.

[drjim]

So basically, this is a wasted year for him.

 

If he actually is able to pitch by the end of the year he'll go to the Arizona Fall League. Still on pace to debut sometime early next year.

 

But yes, injuries suck.

[Alex]

Well, for my money regarding Meyer, I'd much rather have him shut down than how the organization often handles injuries. Hopefully they got this right from the start and he doesn't need surgery or something.

[ThePuck]

I think the FO has made their share of mistakes but that is pretty easy to say with the benefit of hindsight.

 

Hindsight? Seriously? So there weren't plenty of people questioning the FA signing Pelfrey and Correia? There weren't people hesitant about signing a guy coming off of TJ surgery (Pelfrey) and hesitant about Worley coming off injury and how they'd do this year. And I don't think our other major FA pitching signing was expected to be that good either. Where's the hindsight?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Hindsight? Seriously?

 

Actually, with hindsight, Correia looks like one of the better acquisitions while we universally hated the move.

[ThePuck]

Actually, with hindsight, Correia looks like one of the better acquisitions while we universally hated the move.

 

I'm not going back there and having the same debate we've already had on this thread. I've said my peace about him and his signing on this thread. We don't agree.

[drjim]

I think Terry Ryan should have signed one of the better free agent pitchers last offseason that didn't actually exist.

[Craig Arko]

I wouldn't be too surprised if Meyer's year next year pretty closely parallels what Gibson's was this year. Barring further injury, of course.

 

From what Ryan said I'd conclude you'll be seeing Sano about a year from now.