When the Twins go back to 12 pitchers...

[gunnarthor]

Agreed. But with that comes accountability for decisions when they do not pan out like in 2011, 2008, 2007, 2005, plus on the post-season rosters. And unfortunately nobody ever holds Gardenhire accountable for mediocrity, they just attribute it to external factors (like injuries, "luck", etc) or find enough excuses (and I am sure that we will see some here in reply to this .) Fortunately, after the 2011 debacle the tide has started to turn and at least a large amount of Twins' fans do realize that someone should be held accountable when the team does not win...

I'm not sure why you don't think there hasn't been accountability in this organization? I mean, you picked the four seasons the team didn't make the playoffs. There wasn't one single decision (or 10) that made or broke those four seasons. And if Gardy's the reason we failed to make the playoffs four times, does he get credit for the six times he did make it? I guess the anti-Gardy faction of Twindom confuses me. It's like they think he's an all-powerful puppet master or something.

[Thrylos]

Waldrop has 3 option years remaining

[Thrylos]

I'm not sure why you don't think there hasn't been accountability in this organization? I mean, you picked the four seasons the team didn't make the playoffs. There wasn't one single decision (or 10) that made or broke those four seasons. And if Gardy's the reason we failed to make the playoffs four times, does he get credit for the six times he did make it? I guess the anti-Gardy faction of Twindom confuses me. It's like they think he's an all-powerful puppet master or something.

For starters:

 

After a 99-loss season the only change that was made was to get rid of someone who was a titular head. The medical staff has been proven incompetent by the day. No change. The manager and his staff led this team to a 99-loss season. No change. No other changes in the front office or in the minor leagues other than a couple in Rochester to appeace the locals in a contract year.

 

Look at how the Red Sox performed in 2011 (compared to how the Twins did) and look at what the Red Sox did because they did not meet expectations (compared to what the Twins did not do.) The Red Sox got rid of the Manager and General Manager who brought them a World Series and ended what they thought it was a curse of around an eon long. Because they underperformed. That is the sign of an accountable organization. The Twins who underperformed much worse did nothing (other than hack a titular head, shuffle the deck) and go their mary way of being happy with not winning since 1991.

[gunnarthor]

For starters:

 

After a 99-loss season the only change that was made was to get rid of someone who was a titular head. The medical staff has been proven incompetent by the day. No change. The manager and his staff led this team to a 99-loss season. No change. No other changes in the front office or in the minor leagues other than a couple in Rochester to appeace the locals in a contract year.

 

Look at how the Red Sox performed in 2011 (compared to how the Twins did) and look at what the Red Sox did because they did not meet expectations (compared to what the Twins did not do.) The Red Sox got rid of the Manager and General Manager who brought them a World Series and ended what they thought it was a curse of around an eon long. Because they underperformed. That is the sign of an accountable organization. The Twins who underperformed much worse did nothing (other than hack a titular head, shuffle the deck) and go their mary way of being happy with not winning since 1991.

Actually, Francona quit and their GM took a better job. And your comment about not winning since 1991 is ridiculous. That mindset that only a world series is a winning season is laughable. Baseball has one of the most uneven playing fields in all sports. You're ignoring the vast resources other teams had, and won less with, over the last decade while blaming this team for not winning? Makes no sense.

 

While you don't seem to think changing the GM, bringing on Krivsky (sp), and giving Radcliff more say on the upcoming draft are all pretty big changes, I do. Last years team was destroyed by injuries. It's boring to say that, but it's true. I don't see why you throw away a successful major league coaching staff over that. I wish I knew enough about medical staff to confidently say that ours are incompetent but I don't. Smarter baseball people than me (or you) reviewed the problem last year and didn't make any change.

[woolhouse]

The other side of this question is, "who gets sent down?" Gray is out of options, Burnett has been very good so far, Maloney and Burton have shown some progress. If they hold true to "no scholarships", I think Gray gets DFAed and I think that is the right move.

Why would you send down our winning-est pitcher right now?

 

That hurt to type.

 

It's going to be either Nishioka or Butera that get called up. Either way, the Internet will explode.

[shs_59]

I think that 40th man spot is ALL Brian Dozier's for the taking...

 

IF it was May 19th and not April 19th I'd vote Dozier.....nicknamed "Bull".

[Top Gun]

I think the Twins should just keep 13 pitchers. Pitchers are want we the most!

[ashbury]

Pitchers are want we the most!

I think you word out of your sentence.

[Guest USAFChief]

OR a third catcher who can play other positions as well, and hit. I was gonna say buy low on Napoli in a trade, but he's heated up.

1. Name a "third catcher who can play other positions as well, and hit" who might be available. Hell, name one who ISN'T available.2. "Buy low on Napoli?" Seriously??

[Mike Sixel]

Gardy is now saying he will probably have three catchers next week? I do not get it. They have these airplane thingys.....I do not get it.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

John,

 

The Butera/Gardy lovefest discussion comes from the perception that Gardy overplayed Butera (and his putrid offense) and was unwilling to look at other options. I don't necessarily believe that it was as bad as all that, but this love for certain players is a blind spot that Gardy has shown over the years.

 

Revere won't be back up anytime soon (barring an injury). He was sent down to get at-bats, he won't get that on the Twins bench.

 

Nishi is possible, but unlikely. He hasn't showed enough yet.

 

I would like to think that if Morneau continues to show improvement, Parmalee becomes expendable, with Morneau playing more 1B.

 

I like the idea of a third catcher. I would be okay with Butera if he only played in late defensive switches or emergency situations only.

 

Hopefully they will go outside the organization...

[Fire Dan Gladden]

John Shipley published a nice tidbit about the relationship of Ryan and Gardenhire in one of his stories yesterday. Here is a direct quote (italics) from the interim GM (emphasis mine) :

 

 

So apparently Gardenhire is extremely involved in roster decisions and not "playing with what the GM gives him". Gardenhire was responsible for the Twins' latest roster decision and will probably be for the next as well.

 

Very interesting to see the interim GM washing his hands proclaiming that his role was "just facilititating". Very interesting, especially in light of everything he was saying about "accountability" across the organization when he was named the interim GM last November...

 

Seriously people. Ryan saying "we" is standard managment lingo. He is saying we as in the organization, even though he is the decision maker. He has always spoken in this fashion. As for him speaking to Gardy, any GM making personnel decisions about the major league club without input from the manager is an idiot. Of course Gardy will be providing input to Ryan.

[whydidnt]

Well, shoot, I suppose by the time we are ready to make a move Casilla will have some sort of injury requiring attention. Doesn't it seem every time he starts playing well, the injury bug hits? If that's the case, I think we'll see Dozier. If not, then it will probably be a 3rd catcher, it will probably be Butera, isn't he the only one on the 40 man? I personally would rather see one of the other 2, fairly ugly, choices just because I don't think calling one of those guys up and then exposing him to waivers if you want to send him back down is that big of a deal. But the Twins management is typically more attached to guys they signed than I am and tend to protect them, so...Butera. UGGH! And if so, you just know he'll be catching Pavano every 5th day, despite the #s saying Pavano pitches better with Joe catching him.

[whydidnt]

Actually, Francona quit and their GM took a better job.

I just couldn't let this go, simply because I got a great chuckle out of it (at least in my little mind). Francona quit, much the same way Richard Nixon quit. You can chose to believe whatever spin you want, but if the Sox wanted him to stay they'd have picked up his option and he'd still be there.

[gunnarthor]

I just couldn't let this go, simply because I got a great chuckle out of it (at least in my little mind). Francona quit, much the same way Richard Nixon quit. You can chose to believe whatever spin you want, but if the Sox wanted him to stay they'd have picked up his option and he'd still be there.

True, but the perception that the Sox cleaned house after expectations weren't met isn't real either.

[whydidnt]

True, but the perception that the Sox cleaned house after expectations weren't met isn't real either.

Well, I'm going to disagree, they replaced all of the field staff except the hitting coach and their GM/President, what else could they have done to clean house, hire Merry Maids? There are more subtle ways of cleaning house than flat out firing people. If you have someone like Epstein you want to move on, you simply take away his power, knowing he has options and won't stand for it. Epstein grew up a Red Sox fan, always dreamed of working for the team and made it to the pinnacle of the organization, do you really think he went to the owners on 10/1 and said I'd really like to look for a new, better, job?

[Riverbrian]

Yankee Stadium Pre-Game Batting Practice outside the Cage. Twins GM Terry Ryan enters the field walking toward the Cage. Ron Gardenhire Twins Manager is in the Dugout.

 

Ron: (shouting) Terry!!! Ry-Guy!!!

 

Terry Ryan Keeps on Walking to the cage. Danny Velencia is taking his 2nd turn in the BP Rotation. Gardenhire jumps onto the field and sprints toward Terry.

 

Terry: Danny another pitch is coming... Stay focused Danny... It's a mental game.

 

Danny Turns to look at Terry... The Ball strikes him in the Shoulder.

 

Ron: Ry-Guy... We gotta Talk...

 

Terry: I know what you are going to say. You want a third catcher

 

Ron: Must you always assume what I'm going to say before I say it. I've been doing this awhile Terry... You could treat me with a little respect.

 

Terry: I'm sorry Ron... I jumped the gun there. I just came out to watch some BP. The Last session... Velencia didn't swing at a single pitch... He seemed to be studying his shoes or laces or something. Thought I'd come down and see what he's distracted with.

 

Velencia looks down at his shoes again... Ball hits him in the head.

 

Terry: Danny... Take a look at Stelly on the mound behind the L screen... He's throwing the ball to you... so you can hit... For practice.

 

Ron: Stelly... Throw Strikes... I can't have my bullpen coach smoking my players in BP.

 

Terry: Gardy... Danny isn't even watching the pitch. He's looking at his shoes.

 

Ron: Never mind Danny... This is how he preps... Can You and I talk...

 

Terry: Sure Ron... What is it.

 

Ron: I need a 3rd Catcher...

[Shane Wahl]

Clearly with the likes of Francisco Liriano and Anthony Swarzak, this team might need 13 pitchers. Swarzak will prove his true colors this year. He just isn't good. I am sick of seeing him starting. Ever. Scott Diamond and Jeff Manship are better options.

 

I really don't think it will be Butera. I don't think they have figured out what they are going to do yet. I think everyone from Nishioka to Carson could be options.

[mikeee]

Gardy is now saying he will probably have three catchers next week? I do not get it. They have these airplane thingys.....I do not get it.

 

we are doomed.

[mikeee]

I think that 40th man spot is ALL Brian Dozier's for the taking...

 

IF it was May 19th and not April 19th I'd vote Dozier.....nicknamed "Bull".

You should be the Twins manager!

[stringer bell]

Swarzak is a 5th starter/long reliever. Expecting him to be good every start is folly. It bugs me that the Twins scored early and scored enough runs to win and still lost last night, but expecting Twins starters to be stellar every outing is pollyannaish. Gray and Burnett performed well enough to make the "who gets demoted?" question harder, not easier. It also seems to me that Gray's long outing will necessitate 13 pitchers for the Tampa Bay series unless the FO decides to DFA Gray.

[SweetOne69]

@stringer bell, they are going to carry 13 pitchers until they no for sure if Blackburn can take his start on Tuesday. That will be determined by his BP sessions today and Sunday.

 

If he can go Swarzak will move back to the BP and another pitcher will be optioned or DFA'ed.

 

If he can't go, he'll be DL'ed retroactive to 4/14 which means he can be activated on 4/30.