Learning Leadership from Chris Gimenez

So does he plan on becomming a Twins coach when his playing days are over?

Very strange. We need Gimenez like we need a hole in the head. I generally like Molly but this veteran security blanket thing is silly.

I think at this juncture of the season, it's an unfair assessment. If it was in a spot like Belisle, where he's taking away time from guys that have more to gain mid-summer, sure. Right now though, the rosters are expanded and they can maybe impart something on the guys that need to make a difference. In regards to his teaching from the bench comment, I wonder at what point you just ask these types of guys to help in a coaching type role rather than a roster spot. Maybe that doesn't have as much relatability then though?

I think the whole leadership thing is overblown. I would rather have Astudillo getting innings behind the plate yet Gimenez is playing frequently.

2017 Santana: 16-8 (+8)

2018 Twins without Santana: 67-78

2017 Santana on the 2018 Twins: 75-70*

A more realistic impact of Santana on the 2018 Twins: 71-74*

 

*This is current state, AFTER the talent dump-off. You can add a handful more wins if the talent dump didn't happen, which it might not have if Santana's production had been available.

 

I’m not talking about the clubhouse and whether they believe in him is kind of the question. Gimenez provides nothing for the future including leadership as he will be gone in a month. What is real is that Astudillo has a chance to be a catcher if given a chance

 

Gimenez provides nothing for the future including leadership as he will be gone in a month. 

 

"For how long?" is the question. Falvine can't seem to quit him. I wouldn't rule out him sticking around like a bad toe fungus ... but a toe fungus that can teach everyone else things.

if we need a catching coach gosh i dont know where we could find one....Oh hey Joe...whats up?

But seriously whats not to like about Gimenez? We have to know he plays because he loves the game. He would be a great teacher to backstops and hurlers as well if I thought they were even thinking about that. To read the comments it seemed like we made this move to do Wilson a favor and bring their old buddy Gimenez back. No doubt he has a fond history with Shelton too. Maybe he's here to become the next bench coach?.

 

That last line made me laugh out loud. 

 

Chris Gimenez the Educational Toe Fungus. 

It could also be animated show that re-imagines all of the "very special episodes" from '80s and '90s sitcoms.

 

The Fungus works to keep Buxton and Sano from going in the backroom of the bicycle shop to watch nudie cartoons and drink juice boxes that make them sleepy.

 

He helps Kepler air-guitar Doors songs to understand the drunk driving death of his best friend.

 

The Fungus might even have it in him to help Rosario and Austin convince the girl from Jurassic Park to tell the authorities that her step-dad is hitting her.

 

The important thing is that they're learning. 

 

But seriously whats not to like about Gimenez? 

How about the fact that he couldn't hit water if Astudillo was sitting on his shoulders in the deep end of a swimming pool?

L.M.M.F.A.O. i didnt mean he would be the hitting coach....although if you look at the career average of James Rowson , maybe it ISN'T such a long shot. Nowhere else have i ever heard of a manager not picking his own coaching staff...it is amazing and dumbfounding

The Gimenez Paradox: Gimenez on the roster to provide 'veteran leadership', but his presence on the roster is the strongest sign that the Twins can't be lead anywhere other than a losing season!

If someone came back in time to present the title of the article to you in April, you would automatically know that the season was going to go to S---

First of all, thanks Ted for a wonderful and insightful interview. I think it offers an interesting perspective to the current team, the FO, the foundation of a team, etc.

 

Personally, I absolutely believe leadership is a real thing. And it can come in many forms. Reading the interview, I couldn't help but think about Hunter and what he may have brought to the team a couple years ago. And I don't think a "presence" should just be ignored.

 

I'm even reminded of years ago and the affect Redmond had on the team as a decent but not great player who worked hard, contributed, and did his naked locker room walk through when he felt the team needed it. Laughable? Of course! So is the Hunter dancing! Or Colon last season and his jovial personality and mediocre-quality performances.

 

On a team, or in a work force, to suggest leadership and personality is unimportant is ludicrous.

 

Now, Giminez has no future with the Twins, and I think we all know that. Same with Wilson, traded for Giminez. (Still not sure i can wrap my head around the deal). Personally, considering both were signed on milb deals to begin with, not sure why Wilson was brought in vs just keeping Giminez. My personal opinion for the trade? Wilson taught Garver and showed him some things. The FO brought back Giminez for a second lesson.

 

I believe in leadership, as well as leadership by example. I also believe Belisle is hanging around for the same reason. I get it! But at some point, you still have to look at the 40 man roster, and September promotions, and have to make some smart and hard decisions towards next season.

 

I think there have been a couple bad mistakes in this area.

 

I would really like to see Giminez as a coach in the system next season.

Gimenez and Astudillo allow the Twins to carry one less bullpen arm if both make the team in 2019.

 

I do think it is likely Gimenez will be a coach somewhere next year.  I also feel the clubhouse was not great this year (don't know if it was toxic, but probably was close). 

Twins may have to do a better job of monitoring the players offseason.  It may not be possible but Twins cannot afford Sano to show up way overweight and out of shape and Buxton not to have spent a lot of time working on his batting and his approach to hitting (maybe a month or two of winter ball will help), if not maybe it could be a reality check for him.

 

if we need a catching coach gosh i dont know where we could find one....Oh hey Joe...whats up?

Hey Joe?

Leadership matters. FO, managerial, and club house. The Washington Nationals are an organization that doesn’t appear to have any. There have been many articles written. Here is a summary.

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sbnation.com/platform/amp/2018/8/2/17640406/washington-nationals-dave-martinez-kintzler-kelley-mess-rumors-leaks-trades

I do think it is likely Gimenez will be a coach somewhere next year. I also feel the clubhouse was not great this year (don't know if it was toxic, but probably was close).

Twins may have to do a better job of monitoring the players offseason. It may not be possible but Twins cannot afford Sano to show up way overweight and out of shape and Buxton not to have spent a lot of time working on his batting and his approach to hitting (maybe a month or two of winter ball will help), if not maybe it could be a reality check for him.

Sano should have a full off season and no reason why he can't show up ITBSOHL (in the best shape of his life). One look at him in the spring may be telling. I would think Buxton would be super motivated, whether or not the twins need to be vilified in his motivational equation I guess we'll find out.

The clubhouse seemed to have good chemistry early on while they were still in it. They seemed to be a fun bunch. The poor performances or absences of at least a half dozen key team members ground down all the good vibes

I like the essay, but it raises many questions for me.  Leadership is a real thing, but we hire a manager and 9 coaches to lead, we have Kelly, Morneau, Hunter, Hawkins, Cuddyer, and Kaat to provide insight and leadership.   http://m.twins.mlb.com/min/roster/coaches/ 

And the FO also has Oliva, Morris, Blyleven, Hrbek, and Carew listed as special assistants.  https://www.mlb.com/twins/team/front-office

 

We have had Mauer, Dozier, Wilson in addition to our to leadership specialists to provide veteran insights. 

 

I keep thinking of the "Swinging A's.  The only non-Yankee team to win three WS in a row and five division championships.  "The Swingin’ A’s did it despite a clubhouse chemistry that could require a hazmat suit. Hours before Game 1 of the ’74 World Series, for example, players kept insisting to reporters that tales of their infighting were greatly exaggerated. Then Fingers and Odom started brawling right there in the clubhouse.

Fingers required six stitches in his head. Odom wound up with a sprained ankle."  https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/05/30/oakland-athletics-were-perfect-misfits-in-the-early-1970s/

 

Leadership is great, but Belisle and Gimenez have been with us with our strange success last year and our back to the pack record this year - the team is 152 - 156 with their leadership and Gimenez has given us 0.6 WAR for the time with the Twins and Belisle -0.8 WAR.  Gimenez 218/345/391 and Belisle 3 - 3 5.67 in 81 innings in 83 game with an ERA+ of 78.  Imagine their leadership potential if they were any good.

 

Right now I give Jake Cave the badge for leadership because of his hustle, his work ethic and results or even Astudillo for his positive energy, hustle, and smile. 

 

Of course I can see the Twins adding another two coaches - we will call them Leadership coaches!

"Leadership Quotient"....say hello to the next analytic stat

Sorry, but it is idiotic to have Chris Gimenez on the active roster and even more idiotic to play him.  

 

Using a roster spot on a player like Willians Astudillo and giving him reps isn't idiotic.

 

One player could be a potential valuable piece to the future of the team and the other not.  I am not arguing that Astudlillo has the ability to be more than a replacement level player. He might, or he might not.  BUT I KNOW THAT GIMENEZ IS BELOW THAT LEVEL.  

 

WHy the team continuously gives valuable playing time to mediocre players that are more than 30 years of age escapes all logic.  

 

WHen it all comes down to it,  this is the real problem:   We are a 67-79 team that isn't a "young team".  I know that we pretend that this is a young, developing squad.  But it really isn't.  If you look at the players with at least 100 plate appearances, only 5 of the 15 players are 26 or younger (Rosario, Sano, Polanco, Cave, Kepler).  The youngest of that group, Polanco, is 24, while "young" hardly prospect level young anymore.  

 

On the pitching staff, if you look at starters that pitched at least 100 innings or relievers who appeared in 25 games, only 2 pitchers are under the age of 25:  Berrio (24) and Moya(23).

 

This is not a "young developing team with a lot of hope for its future".  This is a collection of mediocre players and we have a management group that doesn't seem interested in doing anything more than gathering a collection of mediocre players for the team over the near term. What this means is continued mediocrity and when the next group of prospects (the Lewis, Kirillof, Rooker, etc) groups will have to go through their adjustment phase, extending the losing.

 

I have been very vocal stating that the proper way to go is take the adjustment phase NOW, not later.  Lose lots of games but get the Gordons, Lewis', Kiriloffs and Rookers, Romeros, up starting Day 1 next season.  Lose 100 games.  Who cares.  At least that gives some hope for the future.

My skeptical spidey-sense is tingling.

 

If an org knows it sucks at communication, but they have good communication with a catcher on someone else's team, would they bring in that catcher to bridge the gap?