The next Twins manger

Feelings about Gardenhire aside, that's been debated ad nauseum, assume for the sake of discussion that he will not be back next year - who would you like to see replace him?

Any names come to mind?

The ideas I have mos commonly seen throw out there are Francona and Brunansky/Carew/Gladden/various other distinguished former Twins. I'm not sure if Francona would be interested, but is he a good fit? Sure, he had success in Boston, but the 2013 Twins are not going to be anything like the 2004 Red Sox.

As far as the 'heroes of yesteryear' crowd, I'd prefer someone with a coaching track record that would suggest they'd be successful as a major league manager. It doesn't have to be MLB managing experience - could be coaching or managing at any level - but there's got to be something more than "they played good for the Twins" on their resume. I'd also prefer someone from outside the organization. There's a feeling of staleness here and it's never a good idea to always promote from within.

I don't know a lot about guys in the coaching ranks who may be deserving of a shot, but I'll throw out one name - Ken Oberkfell.

Fire away!

They hired him last winter, Gene Glynn. I also think it is very likely Gardenhire will be gone next year. I doubt he will get fired, rather, will resign as his health won't take another 100 loss season.

In my mind it has to be one of two candidates, both former Twin catchers: Mike Redmond or Matthew LeCroy. Very likable, fan favorites, both pursuing coaching/managing in the minors currently, I believe. The fans would love either of them in charge, and I'm sure the players would too.

I'd like to see Bruno's energy, as I understand he's shown it, as well as Gladden, on the big roster.

They're guys who have accomplished things in the bigs. Maybe that would rub off on some of these guys.

Also, Gladden could be the guy in the dugout/clubhouse to kick rears when needed. But then again, some of the players would probably be rubbed the wrong way.

Jack Morris for pitching coach.

Manager? Paul Molitor.

If we're talking hypotheticals and things that are not all that likely to happen - I would put Ron Washington's name out there - former Twin, different style than the current coaching staff, a successful managing track record... of course, he'd have to want to leave the great situation in Texas or be fired, neither of which I see happening.

Speaking of former Twin Catchers, I was going to suggest Matt Walbeck, because I recall him having a lot of success in the Tigers' and Pirates' minor league systems. But then I looked up his current status and he's been out of pro coaching for a couple years. He was fired from the AA Bucs affiliate and then a single A Braves Affiliate in the middle of the following season, both times for seeming to not follow the team philosophy for developing the players.

No matter what happens, I hope that the Twins figure out a way to let Gardenhire go gracefully when he does leave. Tom Kelly had roughly the same success (but much better playoff results) and was allowed to leave on his own terms after several bad years. I imagine that Gardenhire will be hanging around at Spring Training every year just like TK.

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Originally Posted by glanzer

In my mind it has to be one of two candidates, both former Twin catchers: Mike Redmond or Matthew LeCroy. Very likable, fan favorites, both pursuing coaching/managing in the minors currently, I believe. The fans would love either of them in charge, and I'm sure the players would too.

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Is Mike Redmond a serious posibility? Wouldnt he have to spend some time coaching in the minors and what not?? Red dog was my favorite player for few season he was with us. I would absolutely love to see his energy lead the team.

New manager Redmond, new hitting coach Brunansky, and new pitching coach Cuellar.

Mike Redmond is currently the manager of the Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto's A+ affiliate).

Matthew LeCroy - manager of the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals AA).

Denny Hocking - batting coach of the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles AA).

Scott Erickson - pitching coach of the Carolina Mudcats (Cleveland Indians A+).

Frank Viola - pitching coach of the Savannah Sand Gnats (NY Mets A-).

Jacque Jones - batting coach of the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego A-).

Doug Mientkiewicz - batting coach of the Ogden Raptors (LA Dodgers advanced rookie).
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Chili Davis - Oakland A's batting coach.

Chip Hale - Oakland A's bench coach.

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Originally Posted by Adman

Is Mike Redmond a serious posibility? Wouldnt he have to spend some time coaching in the minors and what not?? Red dog was my favorite player for few season he was with us. I would absolutely love to see his energy lead the team.

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Wouldn't have to spend some time coaching.

Robin Ventura, CHISOX coach, has zero managing experience until now.

Without a doubt Mike Redmond.

I have been a huge supporter of Cuellar as the pitching coach for years based on his track record with Santana, Martinez and Randy Johnson and the praise he got from those 3, among others. I heart a log of good things about Brunansky and he might be alright. I just think that the last thing the organization needs to do, is to look from within. They need to go outside the organization to hire a manager. Have no problems with Brunansky because he was with the organization when they won and then has been outside for a while. I think that Carew could have worked out about 25 years ago. The man is old. I also think that the new manager should have some fire and energy. I've always thought that Wally Backman would be a great manager for the Twins.

Hey Everyone -

I wrote a blog about this very topic last week. Check it out....

http://twinsdaily.com/entry.php?920-...re-Speculation

I'm a fan of Gardenhire and Vavra, but I'm good with how this question/forum/discussion is framed.

First and foremost, I think we have all learned that big name former major leaguers rarely have success as a manager or coach. Molitor and Carew both proved to be pretty poor hitting coaches.

Terry Francona was perfect for the Red Sox. Laid back and stands behind his players very well. He's very much similar to Gardy. But, remember, he was not well thought of when he managed in Philly.

I'm definitely not a fan of retread managers. I loved the White Sox decision to go with a life-long baseball guy like Robin Ventura despite zero managing experience over one of the guys who's been managing forever.

I do like the idea of Mike Redmond. I don't mind Cuellar. He worked with the three that Thrylos mentioned... right place, right time, talented pitchers... but it's not like he has helped a lot of Twins pitchers reach super-stardom, other than Santana. Just like Rick Anderson has had this reputation as being a guy who has helped turn pitchers careers around... last time I remember him doing that was with LaTroy Hawkins.

Brunansky is certainly the name as hitting coach. He got a lot of credit last year for helping Benson, Parmelee and Dozier... How is that Rochester offense doing so far this year?? Not so good.

so, it all comes back to how much affect coaches really have.

I'd be good with Redmond at manager, if the Blue Jays let him go, which I can't imagine they wouldn't. He would then get to pick his staff, presumably with the help of Rantz, Ryan, etc.

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Originally Posted by thrylos98

I also think that the new manager should have some fire and energy. I've always thought that Wally Backman would be a great manager for the Twins.

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Wally Backman is a lunatic and Gardenhire has been ejected from 62 games, fire and energy? Like what,pacing up and down the dugout screaming? Throwing bats? What?

I'm guessing the next manager will be Jake Mauer - they're grooming him, and he's very popular with the players he has managed. Bruno will be the next hitting coach. Molitor has no interest except as a roving instructor. Redmond will be back, probably taking over as bullpen coach for Stelly when he retires. Everyday Eddie is itching to get back into baseball, down the line maybe pitching coach? When Torii retires he might be willing to come in as a base coach. And for a bit of experience as bench coach Don Baylor.

Oh and as Bert's replacement in the press box - Michael Cuddyer.

Terry Francona, hands down. Worlds better than Gardenhire. Molitor would be cool, but he's better suited to teach, not manage.

As for a new hitting coach, there are lots of good ones out there. I loved Mike Redmond's simple, flat swing and resulting .299 average and line drives to the gaps. Could he teach some of the boys in Rochester to hit like that, say, Drew Butera? Don't try to lift it or hit down on it; just hit it flat and hard. Molitor got Span to do that, but I'm not sure his quick-swing dojo is right for everybody.

At the major league level, Chili Davis would be my choice. Perfect batting stance, and he could do it all as a hitter: power, average, versatility. I would love to teach every kid player to have a stance and a swing like Chili Davis. Just wear a pad over your front foot. He beat up that foot pretty bad with foul tips.

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Originally Posted by twinsnorth49

Wally Backman is a lunatic and Gardenhire has been ejected from 62 games, fire and energy? Like what,pacing up and down the dugout screaming? Throwing bats? What?

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yeah, definitely not Wally Backman!!

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Originally Posted by ScottyB

I'm guessing the next manager will be Jake Mauer - they're grooming him, and he's very popular with the players he has managed. Bruno will be the next hitting coach. Molitor has no interest except as a roving instructor. Redmond will be back, probably taking over as bullpen coach for Stelly when he retires. Everyday Eddie is itching to get back into baseball, down the line maybe pitching coach? When Torii retires he might be willing to come in as a base coach. And for a bit of experience as bench coach Don Baylor.

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Why would Mike Redmond want to be a bullpen coach? He's a legitimate major league managing "prospect." So is Jake Mauer. I definitely think people need to stop thinking that coaches/managers HAVE TO BE former big league players. Torii Hunter as a coach, that's scary.

My biggest thing with whoever the next manager and coaches are is that they need to be good teachers and communicators, first and foremost. They'll need to be patient. They'll need calm.

I wonder how Jake Mauer would do if he became manager while Joe was still playing. Would it cause conflicts? Would he keep the job for more than one game before people started screaming about giving his brother special treatment.

I'd love to see Redmond come in, not nesc as Manager but at least as a coach. He could get the guys fired up, chew out the newbies and vets when they needed it. He and Gardy might not be a bad team actually, they could play good cop, bad naked cop.

As far as hitting and pitching coaches, I don't know that being a big name would be that big a deal, as much as just having guys who can push our guys to stick to the plans and execute them.

I keep thinking about the the movie Major League. Do a little coaching like that. Every time Revere or Casilla hits a weak fly ball, Danny V looks at a called third strike, Mauer hits into a double play, etc, 20 pushups in front of the dugout. Every time our Starter gets knocked out before the fifth inning, make him run a lap around the warning track while the relief guy is warming up. Anytime a save is blown make the pitcher stay behind and clean the dug out after the game. Infield missing routine plays? They get to rake the infield. Outfield ****s up? Get them on a mower.

I don't need or WANT my manager publicly dumping on guys. I want him dealing with players ready to play, who know their roles. Let the coaching staff be the drill sergeants. If they just need a little confidence boost, utilize Molitor and other guys who are interested in being "roving instructors/mentors".


Also, hire a spanish speaking therapist/hypnotist.