Article: Message to Twins: Accountability Means Change

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2386-Message-to-Twins-Accountability-Means-Change

[JB_Iowa]

While I agree with the need for accountability, I still question whether an organization can be "flexible and receptive to change" if they are never bringing in new voices to champion those changes. It wasn't the failure to change managers that was the big problem, it was the fact the failure was representative of the insular old boys club that exists within this organization. St. Peter made the comment that they had Gardenhire's back. There should be loyalty in an organization but loyalty can't replace accountability.

 

On another front, did you hear the conference call? Howard Sinker had a tweet that related to leadership in the clubhouse with an indication that Gardenhire didn't think it was there. Can you expand upon that portion of the call? (Sorry if I misremembered or misinterpreted the tweet).

[archie]

JB nails it. Sure, the Twins don't need to remove anybody. They just need the same people who have been in charge forever to suddenly change their baseball philosophies. Not gonna happen. Bring in somebody from the outside.

[Teflon]

Credit the Twins for realizing that changing the manager now would be about as effective as changing drivers in a race where the other entrants have Corvettes and you have a tiny clown car with a flat tire.

[howieramone1406390264]

I think you're confusing accountability with making a public confession. Ryan is cool, calm, and calculated. He understands the Twins are not currently viewed in a favorable light, but he hasn't lost any confidence that the organization has what it takes to right the ship. Anyone who expects any signs of panic from One Twins Way is in for a long wait.

 

He was just quoted as saying Sano and Buxton were not untouchable and the Pohlads have assured us money is no problem. Ryan has been back all of 23 months, IMO anyone who thinks this franchise is going to fall into the black abyss is overreacting, as is their privilege. The Twins are not the first sports franchise that needed to step back and rebuild.

[Mike Sixel]

How many years of losing 95 plus games is the "black abyss"?

 

How is signing one legit FA panicking?

[Nick Nelson]

Ryan has been back all of 23 months, IMO anyone who thinks this franchise is going to fall into the black abyss is overreacting, as is their privilege.

"Fall into"?

[JB_Iowa]

I didn't say this in my first comment but I do thank you, Nick, for the article and the message it expresses.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I think you're confusing accountability with making a public confession. Ryan is cool, calm, and calculated. He understands the Twins are not currently viewed in a favorable light, but he hasn't lost any confidence that the organization has what it takes to right the ship. Anyone who expects any signs of panic from One Twins Way is in for a long wait.

 

He was just quoted as saying Sano and Buxton were not untouchable...

 

These are the next two individuals we've been told the Twins will build the future around -- yes? no?

[nicksaviking]

There is nothing to disagree with Nick's post though the first half doesn't seem to match the second. You're right, there is no need for firings...if they are willing to change their flaws and outdated ideas. But the second half of the article methodically lists the many examples where, specifically Ryan, refuse to change or take responsibility. Isn't his unwillingness to adapt and rectify reason enough to think about a change?

[howieramone1406390264]

These are the next two individuals we've been told the Twins will build the future around -- yes? no?

If Detroit offers Cabrera and Scherzer for Sano, I'm convinced he would consider it. We may have to include Duensing.

[Brandon]

The offense and 3 starters failed the club this season. If we get 3 average to above average starting pitchers and Willingham and Doumit returns to form and Hicks and Arcia continue to develop. we can be a decent team with very few shortcommings next season.

[Nick Nelson]

There is nothing to disagree with Nick's post though the first half doesn't seem to match the second. You're right, there is no need for firings...if they are willing to change their flaws and outdated ideas. But the second half of the article methodically lists the many examples where, specifically Ryan, refuse to change or take responsibility. Isn't his unwillingness to adapt and rectify reason enough to think about a change?

 

I do think there are examples where the organization has shown some willingness to change. They have at least branched into statistical analysis in the front office and seem to be empowering that department more over time. We've definitely seen Ryan start to target strikeout pitchers more over the last year, at least in the minors. And Gardenhire has backed off some of his strongly held tendencies (Mauer batting 2nd much of the year being a good example). But they do need to take it further in many respects.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

I think you're confusing accountability with making a public confession.

 

Agree. Ryan is not accountable to Mackey and has no obligation to respond to his editorial publicly or otherwise. Ryan is accountable to the Pohlads and the Pohlads to the bottom line and ultimately the fans. If the Pohlads want things done differently - I am sure they will let TR know. If TR wants to keep his job, he will listen to his bosses -If not, then he will need to look elsewhere.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

If Detroit offers Cabrera and Scherzer for Sano, I'm convinced he would consider it. We may have to include Duensing.

Interesting thought, Dave. I will call you back.

[ThePuck]

The offense and 3 starters failed the club this season. If we get 3 average to above average starting pitchers and Willingham and Doumit returns to form and Hicks and Arcia continue to develop. we can be a decent team with very few shortcommings next season.

 

What form do you believe 35 year old Willingham should return to? The career year he had for us at age 33?

 

Doumit's OPS the last 5 years have been .714, .738, .830 (only half a season), .781 and .710. What do you think is reasonable to expect from him?

 

Where are these three average to above average starting pitchers going to come from? We needed them last year too. We were told last offseason the rotation would be greatly improved. This isn't a new need.

 

Hicks and Arcia...yes...we need them to develop...for long term.

[drivlikejehu]

He was just quoted as saying ... the Pohlads have assured us money is no problem.

 

Here's a question - has there ever been a GM in the history of any professional sport who spent tens of millions less than his budget, for multiple years?

 

The only rational explanation is that Pohlad ordered the budget cut until the Twins show signs of re-emergence. Ryan is covering for his boss by making vague statements like the one noted above. Understandable, but still dishonest.

 

And regardless of the fact Ryan has only been back in the GM chair for 2 years or whatever it is, bad decisions are bad decisions. By his own admission he has failed to accurately evaluate the team. Problem areas he himself identified (e.g., medical staff) have not been addressed effectively. He foolishly held onto Willingham rather than trading him when his value was at its peak. The list just goes on and on. Someone with character would at least acknowledge, on some level, the problems in the organization.

[snepp]

If Detroit offers Cabrera and Scherzer for Sano, I'm convinced he would consider it. We may have to include Duensing.

 

 

The Duensing Rule: Confirmed

[Seth Stohs]

I think you're confusing accountability with making a public confession. Ryan is cool, calm, and calculated. He understands the Twins are not currently viewed in a favorable light, but he hasn't lost any confidence that the organization has what it takes to right the ship. Anyone who expects any signs of panic from One Twins Way is in for a long wait.

 

Well put... he definitely is accountable and he's not taking it lightly. I don't care what he or others say publically. Let's see what happens. As I've said before. When he came back, he told me that he would not take shortcuts. I believe in that philosophy. I know many don't, but I definitely don't want panic and overreaction either.

[Mike Sixel]

How us signing one legit FA a short cut?

[Badsmerf]

I don't think he is accountable Seth. He refuses to acknowledge the terrible job he did assembling this team. Anytime he says otherwise I feel its just lip service. If he was under budget from the bosses, why cover that up? That is the only logical explanation.

 

I don't doubt his long-term plan to get talent into the organization, I do doubt his short-term ability. He can't just keep telling fans to wait for Buxton and Sano.

[ThePuck]

He can't just keep telling fans to wait for Buxton and Sano.

 

Sure he can...we can clearly see that people buy into that...just wait for the all the prospects we know for sure will be very good...going to be competitive when they all show up.

 

He can also say both of them are available in a trade...some will buy into that too, because he said it.

 

There are people who just complete faith in him and will buy into anything he says and does. As fans, that's certainly their right to do so.

[Rosterman]

To paraphrase:

 

"We will now have money to retain our free agents."

 

"We want to be competitive in the division."

 

"We want to reach the postseason."

 

A beautiful ballpark, different (far from great) foods. Wait until the numbers come in on the new KTWIN radio broadcasts (where are the pre-game shows and baseball talk I so miss mostly from WCCO days and aprtly from KSTP).

 

What happens when advertisers balk at...advertising.

 

I already have a Mauer jersey. Who else do I want to put on my back?

 

Oh, wait...the All-Star Game is coming to town -- guess I'll watch it on television if I can get home because of the traffic tieups in downtown Minneapolis those days.

 

Did anyone make any mistake? Wait, didn't someone say "I didn't spend -- or was it "he" - all the money I was given to spend on product last year: which may be fine because so much of the priduct did s-u-c-k. But....accountability.

 

Must be a long range plan I'm not seeing.

[Guest USAFChief]

I may be a small minority of one, but I'd welcome sensing some panic from an organization that has lost 290 games in 3 yrs and as of today looks no better for the at least the near future. "It'll get better if we just wait it out" has never been a good organizational strategy in my experience, nor do I consider that "accountability."

[snepp]

I don't know about panic, but how about the sense that there's just the tiniest bit of urgency to crawl out of that abomination they've dug themselves into?

 

Even a little bit? The "business as usual" vibe I get makes my stomach turn.

[Thrylos]

Well put... he definitely is accountable and he's not taking it lightly. I don't care what he or others say publically. Let's see what happens.

 

We did see Part I of what happens: The people responsible for 99+96+96 were rewarded with 2 year contracts. Of course Ryan is accountable "only" for the 96+96, but that should have been enough for an owner who cared to hold him accountable.

 

Part II will happen next week in Fort Myers, but I really do not expect much other than token changes like bringing in a seventh coach and maybe adding another guy here or there in the Front Office.

 

As I've said before. When he came back, he told me that he would not take shortcuts. I believe in that philosophy. I know many don't, but I definitely don't want panic and overreaction either.

 

In the apathy (0) to panic and over-reaction (100) scale, retaining the GM, Manager and all of the coaches of the 99+96+96 debacle is a 2. Firing the GM and/or the Manager and his coaches would have been more like a 50. Like it or not, it is the norm in any business (including baseball.)

 

I would love to see in the Pohlad portfolio of businesses, whether in any single one other than the Twins, the C-suite would be retained after 3 seasons of ranking in the bottom 5% among competitors in the marketplace.

 

That simple. If you want to win, you have to deem losing unacceptable. If losing is acceptable...

[stringer bell]

Good article, Nick. I agree with much you wrote, but have less patience. I think some of the talk needs to be backed up by a changed approach and new personnel. While I think Gardy is a good baseball guy and a good manager, his extension also symbolizes more of the same from a franchise that is a good bet to lose 90+ games for the fourth straight season. Ryan is doig a lot of talking and his rhetoric suggests to me that he hasn't bought in to the realities of this decade--that the Twins are a mid-market franchise, that the team needs to augment their talent by being a player in the free-agent market and that they need pitchers in the rotation that can make hitters swing and miss.

[notoriousgod71]

When Frank Cashen took over as GM of the Mets he signed George Foster to a big contract. He admitted that he knew Foster wouldn't make the Mets competitive but he wanted to send a message to the fans and players that they were trying to improve.

 

One or two moves a season and suddenly you have the '86 Mets. By '86 Foster was terrible and they got rid of him mid-season, but the message had been sent that losing wasn't acceptable.

[TheLeviathan]

Agree. Ryan is not accountable to Mackey and has no obligation to respond to his editorial publicly or otherwise. Ryan is accountable to the Pohlads and the Pohlads to the bottom line and ultimately the fans. If the Pohlads want things done differently - I am sure they will let TR know. If TR wants to keep his job, he will listen to his bosses -If not, then he will need to look elsewhere.

 

GMs are most certainly accountable to the public. If they weren't, they wouldn't hold press conferences. Like it or not, but part of Ryan's job is to engage the public in many different ways, including accountability.

 

This entire premise flies in the face of radio shows, press conferences, interviews, etc.

[TheLeviathan]

I don't know about panic, but how about the sense that there's just the tiniest bit of urgency to crawl out of that abomination they've dug themselves into?

 

Even a little bit? The "business as usual" vibe I get makes my stomach turn.

 

Can I go one step further? How about a little less arrogance that you've got things under control when the ship has pretty much sank for three years? Yeah, you might think you can bring it up off the ocean floor, but quit telling us what an awesome captain you are.