Monkeypaws

As many have said, it depends entirely on the quality of the original ideas; losing Gardy and Anderson will be a big enough change. If you are questioning guys like Guardado and Glynn, or even Molitor being added to the staff, you are over-thinking this.

He could be pretty good in that role if healthy. So many times he got tagged in the 5th or 6th inning. If he could let it all out over 2 or 3 innings, he could rock. Like Swarzak, and wish him well.

What the hell does a "bench coach" do anyway? Take over after the manger gets kicked out?

Nice read - thanks for posting. Instruction at point of need is key for people to listen. Like what I've heard about Allen so far - now how about the Twins announce something official.

Trying to make all pitchers conform to a single philosophy sounds like a bad idea. I'd like a coach to try to maximize the strengths of the individuals, even if it involves two entirely different approaches with two different pitchers. It's like trying to make David Ortiz hit the ball to the opposite field.

Bernar He is the Michael Russo of baseball. Adds some relevance to the cross-town paper.

I guess Ryan can't win.... Twins dont have much for lefties; this guy moves near the top of the class.

I remember when the Twins let Hunter go, the comments at the time at the Twins sites of the day were along the lines of, "enjoy that 36 year old Hunter when the contract runs out stupid Angels." Well that 36 year old hit .313., posted an .817 ops, and drove in 92 runs. He isn't your average late 30s ballplayer.

Most of these reunions make no sense, as we saw with Bartlett and Kubel. However, I think Torii could be an asset to the organization next season, and after his playing days. Although I know lots of you hate the "insider" aspect of Twins ball, even if an individual was only affiliated with them decades ago and for just a few seasons, I like it, provided it is the right people you hang onto.

His suspension is a big red flag for me - is this the behavior of someone "battling his tail off" to be the best ball player he can be? Nope. Floating on talent isn't a characteristic upon which to build a great MLB career.

Torii can still hit though, certainly better than any of our current outfielders - I'm not adverse to him coming back at all. Never wanted him to leave in the first place.

Could end up being an expensive dice roll.

Exactly - 3 years in Rochester doesn't make him an insider after 25 years in other organizations.

Fooled me! Dammit, it's November, not April....

Living in New York would be a blast for a wealthy man. I love going there. Thankful it wasn't the Yankees. I would hate to see Cuddy in that regalia.

Once in a blue moon you'd get a pack where the gum was soft and fresh - good times. That was also when they cost .10-.25 a pack...

Molitor might be that smart, silent kid in the back of the room who didn't want to rock the boat, and waited for the perfect moment to break his silence. I don't think Molitor would be as conniving as to help Gardenhire's demise along so he could grab his spot, but i think we will learn a hell of a lot about this man in the coming year. He's been painted as a quiet, cerebral man, and we may see an alteration in that picture. I'll say I was surprised by his demeanor when interviewed during the Wild game vs. Pittsburgh, the other night. He seemed to be in party boy mode, which I've never seem from him.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Souhan was bullied as a child, and now takes his revenge as an "adult" from the bully pulpit. I'll confess, I am as much a hockey fan as a baseball fan, and anytime Souhan writes about hockey, it is an even bigger trainwreck of ignorance. Souhan, like most generic columnists, is a football fan, then a basketball fan.

Some small amount of continuity wouldn't be bad for the team. Molitor, and Bruno provide that measure, and Cuellar and Steinbach could provide more. Brand new bench coach and above all pitching coach would be a breath of fresh air, and base coaches as well. From the player perspective, I like the fact there will be some familiarity, but an influx of new blood is necessary as well.

Glad to have Bruno back.

I am a proponent of depth. Escobar is a perfect guy to keep around because he is versatile, can fill in as a spot starter, pinch hitter, late inning defensive replacement, or even long-term injury replacement, and he can do this at numerous positions as well, including some important ones like SS. He can help prevent the middle-left side of the Twins infield from looking like their outfield last season.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/05/minnesota-columnist-paul-molitor-will-crack-down-on-those-wimpy-players-with-piddly-little-concussions/#comments Doesn't pull his punches: Different kind of sports aritcle that mentions Kurt Vonnegut as an influence.

Love see him teach the screwball to our pitchers

Paul Molitor is in the Hall of Fame. He won a World Series and was MVP of that. He is part of an uber elite club of .300 lifetime hitters with 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases, with some flunkies names Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and Eddie Collins. Any youngster that flies in the face of that deserves to grab some bench! The reviews from players he's coached convinced me he will do good things here. An even keel and brains, this could get interesting.

He has the kind of attention to detail I feel has been lacking the last few seasons. With many young players soon to be infusing the line-up, his ability to teach fundamentals will be quite beneficial IMO.