Kwak

Are we back to this myth? This issue has been addressed several times before and doesn't need repeating. Basically Smith was "a company guy" who ran errands, wrote reports, and signed documents for the whole rest of the Front Office (that stayed after Ryan "stepped-down") and Field management (Gardenhire et al).

Let me see...the premise of this article is: "it's the coaching staff that's at fault! Or maybe only one of the coaches is the problem. Just replace that coach and everything is 'fixed'." I guess if those coaches just were as loyal as the bloggers this mess would never have happened. What was that record from August again? And wasn't this post-ASG schedule "softer"? The W/L record should have improved not regressed. Is this the coaches fault? After all this team isn't laden with no-talent boobs, nor besieged by injury to key regulars that preven the team from (at least) duplicating the win percentage from before the ASG. The lineup used is nearly totally comprised of players that were on the Active Roster in July. Weren't Santana and Vargas promoted after the ASG and didn't both of them markedly improve the team? So what gives? The coaching staff didn't have time to corrupt them yet--so they are still very productive? One would have to have blind loyalty to management to suggest that the problem was caused by one (or more) of the coaches and that all that needs to be done is to replace those "ungrateful coaches" and the Twins' problems will be fixed. The attitude that "just a tweek or two and all will be fixed" is reprehensible and runs counter to all evidence. Failure doesn't imply that any of the people involved are "bad people", it simply means that "their bit doesn't work anymore" and new people with a fresh perspective, energy, and motivation are needed.

Consider the following evidence: Twins' developed starting pitchers that were promoted to the majors. Baker, Perkins, Slowey, Blackburn, and I will include Garza. All "had a major league arm", but lacked the consistent "finish-'em-off" pitch. Each of them had "enough" of a fast-ball, but the secondary pitches really didn't make the grade to elevate these guys to "the next level". Liriano, when he camr to MN, already had his FB and slider going for him--but the Twins system was never able to build on that. Gibson wasn'r really developed by the Twins--the MiL was simply a proving ground which he zipped through until his injury. There was (still is?) a thread about Cedar Rapids being "in a bind" due to their SP reaching an innings limit--all were under 70 innings pitched! MLB SPs need to go 162 innings to "qualify". Pitchers will burn-out. But that's why teams sign so many of them every year. There is definitely a "survival of the fittest" element. But pitchers must be developed to succeed at the MLB level, not just get there.

Berrios is definitely ahead of Meyer--and likely several others. Meyer has been moved from "prospect" to "prayer" in the player rankings. If he can turn it around--great! But, pinning hopes on a shoulder-injured player who rarely pitches six innings? No, folks this guy is a prospect (at 24!) he is a prayer. I hope he makes it--but the probability as a dependible rotation guy is too long of a shot. No, I'm not advocating to "shoot this horse", but I'm not going to bet on him--nor should the Twins. Simply play him and hope (and pray).

Or, the Twins could do a KC and trade prospects for a top starting pitcher. KC sure turned themselves around by acquiring huge improvements in starting pitching. The shouting from the rafters "we've got the best MiL system" indicates that there is plenty of depth to make a trade or two and still have quality "in the pipeline". Money? They were willing to operate on a $110MM budget--and that was before MLB renogotiated their national TV contract. Hence, yes, there is enough money to afford a top starter.

It is true that the Twins scored many more runs in August than earlier in the season. Consider when they scored those runs. All too often they score a bunch when trailing by two bunches. Or, when with a nice lead--say the six-run 10th inning, when two runs would be considered "a lot". The Twins have far too few games where they score early and then grind down their opponent the rest of the game to secure victory by a small margin. Hitting stats can be very misleading. Sunday's 12-8 loss is an example--score was 11-2 at one point, the next six runs weren't all that useful. The lineup needs to be more productive early in the game to become a consistent winner.

Some of these promotions were definately rewards for performance in the minors rather than as a "look see" or "get your feet wet" or as a prelude to a future in the MLs. Ryn has always fancied his own scouting to try to obtain under-appreciated talent for possible use. By promoting these guys he ensures a steady stream of AAAA guys signing minor-league contracts with the Twins. Ryan does love "options".

I've been away for awhile. When I read the premise of this article I had to double-check I was on a Twins site. Gosh, this team is on track to lose 90+ again and there is only one open position? I would need the rosiest rose-colored glasses or be on the Twins payroll to think that this collection will improve so dramatically without a major influx of talent. I'm sorry I can't find even one postion that couldn't be improved. But reality must be observed. Concentrate resources (money and prospects) to obtain one superior player irrespective of position. Others can be moved as necessary to "fit" said player. If a second can be obtained--by all means! Don't be blinded by short-term contract flexibility. Superior talent is always in style.

Another problem for Arcia is that in a year or two he may have to fend off some serious challengers. Those hitting stats had better show that aforementioned improvement.

The stadium was approved in 2006 and all projections were that revenues would substantially increase. The Twins should have been investing in players. It's very much like a business spending borrowed money because they are planning on a big increase in sales--except there is less risk for the Twins. They were penny wise and pound foolish. This probably wasn't Ryan's decision--but it falls on the entire organization. The players I'm referencing?--the futures--internationals, the above slot payments to attract those not drafted as high as hoped (by the player) but still very enticing to a ballclub. True, most will fail (many "new products" fail too, but companies must try anyway), but that's part of the game. Much of the mess of the past few years falls on management because of their failure to "invest" in future talent while they were paying existing talent (ever increasing salaries) to have a winning team.

Return = cash

I'm curious if KC is as glad to be out of MN as much as the TD posters? These "hated" ex-Twins seem to end up on their feet (if not better!) after they are traded.

"He was Philadelphia's 4th Round Draft Pick in 2008... ." What? There is major league talent past the second Round? That's not what we have been hearing for years. Well, Good Luck Trevor! The Twins sure need help.

A few toughts on the trade deadline. 1) The scenario has changed. Very few "prospects" for veterans-type trads. It seems that team either value their "prospects" so high that tey aren't available--or they demand major league proven talent in return. 2) There had to have been an agreement to trade for Suzuki pending his either/or decision on the Twins offer. Since we don't know (and probably never will!) what that trade was, I can't comment on that deal. I had posted before that the Twins should re-sign Suzuki and agree with the deal. There just isn't much behind Suzuki. 3) Backflips over the Fuld trade is way too much. Milhone is yet another from the Diamond/Albers/K. Johnson/Darnell mold. He truly might have a good season in his quiver, but those results won't be repeatable. Milhone will start at least two games for the Twins this season. But, there is a 50% chance he is traded in the off-season. Other teams need pitching. 4) someone posted that the Twins staff wasn't even average. The Twins defense has statues and Iron Mikes in RF/LF and guys with their right foot pegged into the ground at 1B/3B the staff is punished by substandard play. Let's not forget CF--there isn't anybody resembling a yong Hunter out there! Plus, Twins official scorers are loathe to charge errors. In short, Milhone's stats are helped by his teammates and the spacious OAK home field, while Twins pitchers are penalized by substandard defense to make a fair comparison between everybody. The Twins require corner OFs who are at least average offensively and defensively for their respective positions. I think some of those pitchers will be traded--especially when many are interchangeable.

It seems that the Twins have an excess of starting pitchers. I wonder if they trade one or two for CF?

What happened to all of the previous comments?

I'm curious why Wheeler was removed after 5 innings. It seems to me that at this level (AAA) that pitchers should be challenged to see if (they) can handle pressure and a measure of fatigue. The Twins couldn't tolerate 5-innings starts for very long from their rotation, so those at the high levels (AAA and AA) must demonstrate that they can "eat innings" in order to demonstrate that they are viable contenders for a Twins rotation spot.

Please don't make it sound as if this is an innovative and new strategy. The preference for power arms and power hitters is the norm for the rest of MLB.

I too would lie to thank LastOnePicked for writing a piece to allow all of us to comment. When an opinion is stated that hits close-to-home the two sides emerge--The True Believers and The Dark Side. As I expected the usual suspects have weighed-in. I agree with much of what you post, though the elements aren't as sinister as some claim. Gardy/Andy Formula I actually think it is Ryan's Formula, and these two are simply "True Believers" of it. Those that weren't "True Believers" (e.g. Molitor) are bilged. The GM was informed "this is a business and an acceptable profit is required. Construct a plan to operate the entire team on a budget." Through the years he likely noticed that there are a few pitchers who enjoy a disproportionate amount of success given their limited skills. Ryan simply decided to contruct a rotation of that type (5 people) but include one dominant, strike-out pitcher (closer). He could (and maybe now is in the process of changing) to try to operate with 4 or 5 strikeout guys in the rotation--but that must have less than 5 years of MLB service because salaries rise sharply after three years and explode after 6 years. Good Teammates and Nice Guys is actually a subset of Making Them Fit the Mold. This is similar to many other organizations which see very different from a baseball team except that they too are made up of people and a selection rubric is used for them as well. Consider other "Minnesota" stuff. Examples: University's hockey team (for many decades) is nearly 100% made up of Minnesota residents. Minnesota Nice--it is repeated endlessly. I consider such practices "Marketing"--give the customer what he wants. If the public wants to see choir boys--well the Twins will see to it that the team is full of them. If a lesser-skilled guy but with a dirty uniform is preferred to a better-skilled guy the "steps-out-of-bounds"--you get my drift. It also helps that those guys cost less (supply and demand) than the more skilled player. That concept also fits the business plan. The teams are not biased, the community is. There was a comment earlier that was to refute any claim of racial bias--but sadly the comment showed he author's "Whiteness". Black ballplayers are African-American, they were born here like (I presume) we posters. Dominicans, the rest of the Caribbean islands, and South Americans are Latin players--even if their skin is as darkly complected as an African-American. These are two separate demographics and it is a mistake for the White American to lump-them-together.

None of the 11 on the list would rank in the upper half of pitchers in MLB--a glaring example of the error of Twins pitching philosophy. Including the "injured"--still none.

He will sign either the long-term deal that he wants, or with a playoff team. One has to wonder why so many teams?

Let's not pipe dream about 2013. There is merit in trading some talent--provided the yield is bountiful. It's tempting to trade Willingham, but to dismiss his future contributions is just wrong. Consider the near revolt of season ticket holders after 2011, trading every useful veteran position player except for Mauer would yield a volcanic eruption. What's so wrong with older pitchers? Most of those in the next wave of Twins talent is at least two years away so some placeholders are needed--people better than the 2012's rotation to say the least. It's the owner's money, not yours. If we fans have to watch a losing team in 2013, at least make them interesting enough so that there is some realistic chance that the team could win the day's game.