Article: The Twins Are Stuck In Their Comfort Zone

[TheLeviathan]

I agree that there is something to be said about not making glaring mistakes and that is true at the minor league level I think. Is it at the major league level? I'd argue there have been several.

 

The Twins handling of the 25 man roster has been a problem for as long as I can remember. Under Smith as well. I won't hold every mistake against Ryan, good or bad any GM will have their positives and negatives.

 

All I was doing was pointing out a few of the relevant positives. To be clear, I like Ryan but his supporters have exalted him to some comically ridiculous levels. So I agree with a lot of the criticisms expressed here, just don't want them to go to the same comical levels the other way.

[diehardtwinsfan]

So the question to me is, did he get significantly more than an alternative GM would have? I'm not sure exactly where I stand but am currently leaning towards no.

 

I'd be pretty hard pressed to find a trade that Ryan was directly involved with where the team got the short end of the stick. This is an area where Ryan has consistently won big... so much so that in his first tenure, teams stopped trading with thim. The closest might be the Doug M trade, but the prospect they got at the time wasn't bad.. especially considering Dougie was a slick fielding 1B with very little offense.

 

As such, I think you're leaning the wrong way. Had Bill Smith done that trade, we'd have ended up with a lot worse. Had Billy Beane or TB's exec been doing that on our behalf, I'm not sure the return would have been a lot better.

[jokin]

How many GMs are retreads? How many that are new to the job worked in the organization first. When there is criticism for wanting change, perhaps Nick would like to remember that the bright highly touted GMs worked within the organization first. (Luhnow really hasn't done squat for Houston. See this year's first round draft choice)

 

And now they have two top picks in 2015, hardly a debacle.

[jokin]

I'd be pretty hard pressed to find a trade that Ryan was directly involved with where the team got the short end of the stick. This is an area where Ryan has consistently won big... so much so that in his first tenure, teams stopped trading with thim. The closest might be the Doug M trade, but the prospect they got at the time wasn't bad.. especially considering Dougie was a slick fielding 1B with very little offense.

 

As such, I think you're leaning the wrong way. Had Bill Smith done that trade, we'd have ended up with a lot worse. Had Billy Beane or TB's exec been doing that on our behalf, I'm not sure the return would have been a lot better.

 

Further leading to more omission over comission.

[jokin]

I fail to see how being a successful manager with no GM experience is somehow going to make you a better chance to succeed at a rebuild than the guy you have in place now (who has a track record of doing successful rebuilds). You may place those odds there, but no one bothered to give Mr. LaRussa a crack at it. He's not going to walk in to an org an be the GM anyways... He's likely going to be put in charge of a high level office.

 

A high level office was what I suggested in my post, not necessarily the GM spot.

 

LaRussa was not just some dumb jock who lucked into a managerial career after starting out as a lowly scout. He is also a trained lawyer. And to ignore the innovations and repeated personnel and training successes-

 

despite the particular financial constraints to small market organizations in Chicago (Veeck ran the Sox on a shoestring), A's and Cardinals-

 

that LaRussa has been directly involved in, made aware of, developed and overseen over a wildly successful managerial career represents an under-estimation of a HOF manager. His only firing reflects poorly on the GM at the time (as White Sox manager), not on LaRussa- can you guess who fired him? Hawk Harrelson, of course.

 

LaRussa might even have a clue and insight to offer on how to avoid painful rebuilds in the future. Here's his job description with the D-Backs:

 

On May 17, 2014, La Russa accepted a position as Chief Baseball Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He will oversee the entire baseball operations department.

 

I would have taken a chance at his highest-pedigree, wealth of knowledge, outside perspective and given him that position with the Twins in a heartbeat.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Further leading to more omission over comission.

 

So what teams schooled Terry Ryan in the trade market?

[diehardtwinsfan]

LaRussa was not just some dumb jock who lucked into a managerial career after starting out as a lowly scout. He is also a trained lawyer. And to ignore the innovations and repeated personnel and training successes, despite the particular financial constraints to small market organizations in Chicago (Veeck ran the Sox on a shoestring), A's and Cardinals, that LaRussa has been directly involved in, made aware of, developed and overseen over a wildly successful managerial career represents an under-estimation of a HOF manager. He might even have a clue and insight to offer on how to avoid painful rebuilds in the future. Here's his job description with the D-Backs:

 

On May 17, 2014, La Russa accepted a position as Chief Baseball Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He will oversee the entire baseball operations department.

 

I would have taken a chance at his highest-pedigree, wealth of knowledge, outside perspective and given him that position with the Twins in a heartbeat.

 

Which is pretty much exactly as I said. In charge of a large department, but not running the show. Here's the org chart. Kevin Towers is still in charge.

[jokin]

So what teams schooled Terry Ryan in the trade market?

 

Can't make a trade if you omit doing one.

[jokin]

Which is pretty much exactly as I said. In charge of a large department, but not running the show. Here's the org chart. Kevin Towers is still in charge.

 

Yes. I am aware of the D-Backs pyramid. If LaRussa would have wanted a GM job or the job he now has with Arizona, I would have explored all options, especially with Terry's current medical situation. I don't know how anyone can seriously be encouraged with Rob Antony waiting in the wings as the heir apparent. If there was a chance to get LaRussa, at least on a short-term basis, you have to consider it. He's 69 now. Say Terry decides to retire in a year or two...LaRussa and Terry could have been working together and grooming the successor to both of them, for say, the 2017 or 2018 season.

[The Wise One]

And now they have two top picks in 2015, hardly a debacle.

 

If the Nix agreement is enforced they lose 2 first round draft picks. The integrity of the deals may be forgotten by the general public, but not the agents dealing with the Astros.

[jokin]

If the Nix agreement is enforced they lose 2 first round draft picks. The integrity of the deals may be forgotten by the general public, but not the agents dealing with the Astros.

 

That's a very, very big "If"

[diehardtwinsfan]

Can't make a trade if you omit doing one.

 

I'm perfectly fine not executing a trade if you don't get value for it. I think that's prudent. I'd also think that after watching Bill Smith run the org for a few years that most of us would be fine with that approach. Part of trading leverage is the other guy knowing you cannot give a pile of junk for something of value. I don't think anyone should be buying into the idea that Ryan is simply shutting the door on any trades. He's shown he will do them, he just wants something of value for the return.

[DocBauer]

Not sure how you can believe this. Virtually every player on a roster is "blocking" someone else all the time -- most of the time they are simply better than the player(s) being blocked, of course. Sometimes, when the better player isn't clear, the one in MLB is simply cheaper, or younger, or their defensive position fits the roster better, or at least they offer more potential/upside/etc.

 

In this case, we basically reserved two roster spots for guys that looked cooked offensively and were redundant (if not also cooked) defensively, all through spring training and even into June for Kubel. We already had a glut of corner players and shortstops without adding Kubel and Bartlett to the mix. And we had basically zero confidence in either CF besides Hicks, who quite clearly deserved minor league time. But we couldn't do anything about it (add Fuld in February, open the year with Danny Santana, etc.) due to our plans for and apparent assurances made to Kubel and Bartlett.

 

End result: Hicks is the opening day starter when he shouldn't be, and is stuck on the roster for a few months because we don't even have adequate emergency depth at the position.

 

I think we're arguing different sides of the same coin. Yes, in a vacuum, in theory, every ML player potentially blocks a player below them, even a not as good player.

 

My arguement was/is not in defense of various bad or poor decisions the FO made or didn't make, simply that the flyers they took out weren't a bad idea in of themselves, but mistakes in how they were implemented. I simply object to desperate angst that the moves made "blocked" a more deserving player at the time. None of the three, initially at least, "blocked" a more deserving player who had a good ST and seemed ready to take a roster spot.

 

Perhaps I'm splitting hairs. I am in no way excusing poor execution to bring in a better option. I suppose I just grow tired of hearing voices tearing down decisions not to promote A and AA players and the such who aren't ready yet.

 

We we mishandled Hicks and the entire CF situation. There should have been SOMEONE we could have brought on board. Again, Presley and Mastro were really not a factor. But, we had a glut of shortstops?? We did? Sorry, but I missed that one. I'm not saying Bartlett was anything more than a desperate move to find a veteran guy who had little chance of making a roster, and was questionable for AAA even. But other than the questionable Florimon, who I rooted for as a decent temp, and Escobar who either hadn't shown enough yet, or possibly more to the point, hadn't been given a full shot yet, what did we have? Bernier? Beresford? The young and unproven Santana who many questioned at the time? What OF/DH did Kubel block who was deserving?

 

Once again, splitting fine hairs, and not excusing poor decisions to not to bring better options in.

 

Guerrier never should have happened. He should have been nothing more than a break glass in case of emergency type who should have been allowed to walk if he didn't want to stay in AAA.

 

My friend, please don't confuse the arguement of not blocking someone with not having brought in better options.

[Montecore]

Right. I hope Jim Pohlad's recent comment that "prospects aren't players until they're players" was a wake up call. Maybe Pohlad is the outside voice many fans have been waiting for? Talk is cheap though. We'll see.

 

Also, this is what scares me about talk of Mike Redmond or Doug Mientkiewicz coming on as coaches. Two more guys from the good old days. Please, no.

 

Someone needs to buy the team. The extension of Gardenhire and Anderson,along with Ryan.was a predictable fiasco. Count me as one of the ones who've been bashing these passe' clots for years, but, most of us know by now that starting with the wholesale dumping of Big Papi, that."The Twins Way" was way stupid and self-defeating a long, long time ago. I don't know the Pohlads, I only know their committment.to.incompetence based.on.some kind.of good old whitebread moron calculus. They should have given the managerial job to Tony.O after TK, but, that was that and this is now. Are there any billionaires.or companies out there with a hankering for the team?.Anybody know?.Would the.Pohlads ever sell? Is there a worse run.org.in.MLB today? Honestly,.is there?.The Astros seem to have hope? The Mets may be on the cusp.of a turnaround. I.consider.it a bad habit that.I still follow the team in a cursory fashion.at all, but, it's not a.matter.of.cheap cynicism anymore. A fourth.year in a row of close to.100 losses or worse with no.hope.on.the.horizon is more than a wake up call. In baseball.fandom, it's imperative there be a complete overhaul, starting at the top.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Doc, we're probably mostly in agreement.

 

My point about shortstop depth was we had an incumbent starter who didn't need AAA time (but did have an option to be sent down), a young utility infielder we liked who had yet to get a chance to start, and our only position player prospect at AAA also played shortstop (and hit fairly well in spring training). It was far from our best position, but we had a few options. The invite was fine, but there was no real need to guarantee a roster spot to the longest of long shots in Bartlett after the spring he had.

 

Basically, they focused way too hard on salvaging Bartlett and Kubel. Not only were their spring performances bad, but they were mostly redundant on the roster. And I think this fixation stretched back to their minor league deals, and precluded potential Fuld/Bonifacio additions in February (since we obviously didn't trust Mastro or Presley, and shouldn't have trusted Hicks either).

 

Guerrier actually wasn't that bad to me -- I guess I was never too impressed with our AAA relief options, although given Guerrier's lack of upside, after his AAA stint was done, I would have preferred auditioning Pino/Johnson in that mop-up role and given starts to Meyer/May.

[Kwak]

One thing I find frustrating is that during the period after the legislature approved the new stadium and before the slotting system/penalties for the Rule 4 draft was started, that the Twins didn't budget a sizeable increase for new player (amateurs). There were (still are) guys who weren't selected as high as they thought (which usually limits their signing bonus) yet are available later in the draft--but still requires a large bonus in order to sign. The Twins knew that a huge increase in revenue was coming--but just plain refused to significantly increase the "draft budget" along with the Major league payroll budget (40-man roster). The cupboard would not have been barren had they invested the future revenue to ensure that the talent pipeline would be full after Target Field (2010) opened. Penny wise and pound foolish.

[DocBauer]

Once again Nick, a truly great article. No false flattery when I say it's one of the best, and most provocative, ever written here on TD. You really nailed the pulse of the fan base, as well as the various sides of the fence any and all of us find our feet planted...or shuffling in the grass.

 

Even thoughts and opinions I might not fully agree with are well thought out, logical and passionate. Clear the decks boys! Lol

 

Im devoted to this website, because I'm devoted to the Twins, and have been for about 43 years of my 48, most of them a similarly devoted radio listener who clamored for any scrap of information to be garnered before the Information Age, and TD in particular.

 

Despite those who might excuse Ryan's history, he didn't always make the best moves early in his career. He made mistakes. Erickson for Klingenbeck being an example. But for the most part, he built a heck of a team and system for many years that won an awful lot of games, a lot of playoff appearances, and made some tremdous trades and small FA moves that turned out very well. When Bill Smith took over, things didn't turn out as well. And people talk about nepotism with the Twins organization. But Smith did oversee an influx of some talented milb players, and did make an honest attempt to make moves that the Twins weren't know for. He was aggressive in ways the Twins and their fans weren't used to. History shows many of those moves didn't turn out. And yet, in Ryan's second term in charge, some clamor again for bold moves. Interesting.

 

Whether it's time for a manager change or not is debateable, and has been. I don't always agree with Gardy but really like him. And his overall success has been very good. Debate all you want to about playoff records, and I'm not saying I disagree necessarily, but winning games and divisions and being in the hunt is a good thing.

 

Over the past 25 years, or so, there has been some truly ugly baseball and seasons. But between McPhail and Ryan, Kelly and Gardenhire, there has also been a hell of a lot more success and good baseball and seasons. I love the "Twins Way" of doing things. It has meant more winning than losing, 2 World Series wins, multiple division championships, new academies in Central and South America, one of the absolute best milb ST/academy facilities in all of baseball, perhaps the most beautiful ballpark in all the ML's, and one of the top minor leagues in all of ball.

 

The negative:

 

Despite a solid FO and coaching staff, Ryan needs to realize the Twins don't compete in the Metrodome any longer. I don't know that he needs "fresh blood" in his office or not, but he does need a kick in the pants. The Twins aren't the Yankees, the Dodgers, the BoSox or a couple other high market teams, but he does need to let go of some of that small market team mentality he still clings to.

 

The Twins have tremendous young talent on the way up. But he also can't just wait for it all to come to fruition as well. We as fans also have to temper expectation as well, simply giving these kids a real chance.

 

Despite a coaching staff of quality individuals, and good baseball men, there has to be room made for a quality Latin baseball mind. I think this is blatantly obvious for the changes in ML culture, and a realization of the Twins young talent.

 

I do find it odd when some complain about the Twins being stagnant and promoting too much from within, yet hail Molitor, Brunansky, Redmond, Mauer and Dougie Baseball as quality coaches and manager candidates who have partial and career ties to the Twins. Once again, I like the ideas of new ideas and new blood brought in to the organization. And I have been advocating mentioned Latin coach since 2013.

 

I think what this team, what this organization, really needs is a couple really solid FA signings this off season, along with the development and promotion of a couple more talented youngsters. Despite multiple slings and arrows, and some really, really tough breaks to a couple top prospects, this has still been a much better, and much more fun season than the last few. And we've some really nice glimpses of youngsters.

 

My soapbox. Stepping off now.

[DocBauer]

It was a relief to hear Jim Pohlad's comments that were published right after the All Star festivities. Seems like Pohlad himself will be the one to lead us out of the Comfort Zone, which is how it should be. So let's see what actions the Twins take in the next few months.

 

To paraphrase Pohlad: "Prospects? Don't talk to me about prospects. Win baseball games."

 

THIS.

 

This is telling to me on two separate fronts.

 

The first is that what Pohlad says, possibly with some frustration, is true. A prospect is still a prospect until he's ready and produces. Yes, sometimes it takes a while, and sometimes he comes up, then goes down, comes back, and suddenly is better. More ready. There is absolutely nothing wrong or disparaging about the comment. Just honest commentary.

 

Secondly, we saw a real shift in the Twins philosophy this past season with the FA moves they made. Did they do enough? No. Did they maximize opportunity and payroll? No. But did they make unprecedented moves? Yes. They will have even more payroll flexibility this next off season.

 

This next offseason is still a ways away. And I don't expect Ryan or Gardy to go anywhere. But I think from what we saw last off season, and Jim's comments, despite several top prospects that may be ready, or close, I wonder if we won't see the Twins make a couple more very aggressive moves to fill in some holes.

 

I think Jim is ready to make a couple moves to augment the roster for 2015. What do you think?

[jokin]

I'm perfectly fine not executing a trade if you don't get value for it. I think that's prudent. I'd also think that after watching Bill Smith run the org for a few years that most of us would be fine with that approach. Part of trading leverage is the other guy knowing you cannot give a pile of junk for something of value. I don't think anyone should be buying into the idea that Ryan is simply shutting the door on any trades. He's shown he will do them, he just wants something of value for the return.

 

He hasn't shown much initiative in this decade and not much creativity, after the Span trade, which the Nats had contemplated for quite some time previously (credit goes to Ryan for holding out for Meyer) , the Revere trade proposal came out of the blue from the Phillies. And there are new and creative ways to derive value that he hasn't even explored yet.

 

Such as trading for international bonus pool money.

 

Trading for non-expired contracts in the August waiver period.

 

Trading for a competitive balance pick.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Would the.Pohlads ever sell? Is there a worse run.org.in.MLB today? ...

 

No they wouldn't, and undoubtedly there is

 

You are right about the Big Poppi fiasco but I think Terry is already on record as regretting how that turned out. He might also be regretting the Revere trade at this point; who knows.

 

Back to Pohlad -- it's possible he's been embargoing his anger until after the All Star Game events, and is now prepared to force action. We'll see. This is not a team with poor talent. Not too long ago some people were predicting something like 85 wins and talking wild card. Morales was signed. As many as six guys were discussed as All Stars. Yet here we are again.

[jokin]

He hasn't shown much initiative in this decade and not much creativity, after the Span trade, which the Nats had contemplated for quite some time previously (credit goes to Ryan for holding out for Meyer) , the Revere trade proposal came out of the blue from the Phillies. And there are new and creative ways to derive value that he hasn't even explored yet.

 

Such as trading for international bonus pool money.

 

Trading for non-expired contracts in the August waiver period.

 

Trading for a competitive balance pick.

 

Add another one from this evening. Putting a successful claim in on AJ would have kept him off the market and added the Cardinals to the bidding war for Suzuki.

[Kwak]

Add another one from this evening. Offering perhaps a mutual option to AJ for next year might have kept him off the market and added the Cardinals to the bidding war for Suzuki.

It has been reported that AJ has signed with StL.

[jokin]

It has been reported that AJ has signed with StL.

 

Yeah, that's why I said they should have blocked that move.

[diehardtwinsfan]

He hasn't shown much initiative in this decade and not much creativity, after the Span trade, which the Nats had contemplated for quite some time previously (credit goes to Ryan for holding out for Meyer) , the Revere trade proposal came out of the blue from the Phillies. And there are new and creative ways to derive value that he hasn't even explored yet.

 

Such as trading for international bonus pool money.

 

Trading for non-expired contracts in the August waiver period.

 

Trading for a competitive balance pick.

 

Because you've had an inside look at all of his trade options over the last few years? At what point does this just become a witch hunt? The Twins haven't exactly had a ton of value to part ways with over the last couple of years, and like anything else, making a trade requires 2 to do it, and they have to match up in terms of need.

 

Personally, I don't get why you even site competitive balance picks and bonus money. The Twins have shown far more success scouting the minor leagues of other teams and finding a gem that way. Why mess with something that works? And exactly why would a 90 loss team be looking to add non-expired contracts in August? If the contract was decent, the other team is going to pull the guy back. That's how August trades work.

 

I really don't care how Ryan managed to acquire Meyer and May. Bottom line is that he waited out the Nats until they gave something of value, and when the Phillies called he jumped on it and got something of value. The team with the leverage is the one receiving the phone call. Ryan did what he needed to do to get value.

 

You original post was slamming Ryan for trades that were omitted. When I pointed out the value in not making a trade, you've changed it to a lack of creativity. I get that you don't like Ryan. That's fine, but this is just a witch hunt.

[jokin]

Because you've had an inside look at all of his trade options over the last few years? At what point does this just become a witch hunt? The Twins haven't exactly had a ton of value to part ways with over the last couple of years, and like anything else, making a trade requires 2 to do it, and they have to match up in terms of need.

 

Personally, I don't get why you even site competitive balance picks and bonus money. The Twins have shown far more success scouting the minor leagues of other teams and finding a gem that way. Why mess with something that works? And exactly why would a 90 loss team be looking to add non-expired contracts in August? If the contract was decent, the other team is going to pull the guy back. That's how August trades work.

 

I really don't care how Ryan managed to acquire Meyer and May. Bottom line is that he waited out the Nats until they gave something of value, and when the Phillies called he jumped on it and got something of value. The team with the leverage is the one receiving the phone call. Ryan did what he needed to do to get value.

 

You original post was slamming Ryan for trades that were omitted. When I pointed out the value in not making a trade, you've changed it to a lack of creativity. I get that you don't like Ryan. That's fine, but this is just a witch hunt.

 

I like Terry Ryan. I hold nothing personal against him. I don't get why when you disagree with the direction the team has headed in this decade and point out things in factual basis, that you are termed a "hater" and out on a "witch hunt."

 

You mentioned the Nats trade, I mentioned the context of the trade and gave credit to Ryan for holding out for Meyer and doing what he needed to do. Is that your idea of a "witch hunt"? And finding the need to mention that phrase twice? Bordering on libel.

 

I factually pointed out that Ryan has been a passive, and a conservative trader. There is merit in not getting taken to the cleaners, but I changed nothing in pointing out that failures of omission can be just as costly as failure of commission. One example- Was signing Abreu a gamble? Sure it was, have the Twins lost big-time in not taking that calculated gamble? Big time

[jokin]

The Twins haven't exactly had a ton of value to part ways with over the last couple of years, and like anything else, making a trade requires 2 to do it, and they have to match up in terms of need.

 

Personally, I don't get why you even site competitive balance picks and bonus money. The Twins have shown far more success scouting the minor leagues of other teams and finding a gem that way. Why mess with something that works? And exactly why would a 90 loss team be looking to add non-expired contracts in August? If the contract was decent, the other team is going to pull the guy back. That's how August trades work.

 

 

You somewhat contradicted yourself here. If the Twins are successful at acquiring a slew of these minor league gems, then they should be able to take advantage in August, armed with plenty of prospect trade bait and then putting the first claims that their 90+ loss record gives them and using the exclusive negotiating rights with the intent to acquire proven major league talent (often available because teams are motivated salary dumpers) instead of competing with the whole market in the offseason for FAs, where they continue to claim "they can't give their money away."

[diehardtwinsfan]

You somewhat contradicted yourself here. If the Twins are successful at acquiring a slew of these minor league gems, then they should be able to take advantage in August, armed with plenty of prospect trade bait and then putting the first claims that their 90+ loss record gives them and using the exclusive negotiating rights with the intent to acquire proven major league talent (often available because teams are motivated salary dumpers) instead of competing with the whole market in the offseason for FAs, where they continue to claim "they can't give their money away."

Jokin, my reason for calling this a witch hunt is because you keep changing your criteria for your dislike of Ryan, especially when it's shown that you are being unreasonable. My original point was asking where Ryan had ever been schooled in a trade. You referenced trades that were omitted. I showed that he trades when he gets value. You then countered with creativity, citing a bunch of stuff that most teams aren't doing. I point out that scouting talent in other team's systems is something that Ryan excels at, and then you run back to August trades as if you have no understanding how August trades work...

 

Very little of meaning happens in August for good reason. Every one gets put on waivers, and the waiving team can call back any player that's claimed, so Miguel Cabrera isn't coming here in an August deal, as Detroit would call him back. The ones that don't get claimed are the contracts that no one wants. I don't think anyone would be thrilled if the Twins claimed Prince Fielder right now. He wouldn't get called back and he'd be a Minnesota Twin, at an impossible price with virtually no production to go with it. The only guys getting claimed are ones that fall in the middle somewhere, and the waiving team has every right to pull them back if they cannot agree on a trade. There's only one team to negotiate with at this point, which makes any kind of value difficult to get. If they make it unclaimed, they can be traded to anyone. Of course if the guy goes unclaimed, then there's also very little interest. Bottom line is that no one is giving up much value in August trades. That's why Justin Morneau was traded for Alex Presley and Kris Johnson.

 

You know all this information, and if you wonder why it is I think you are going on a witch hunt, this is why. Your criteria constantly changes when someone challenges you. I've said before that when it comes to building a farm, Ryan has a pretty good track record. I'm not sure if he's the guy for the job when the team gets competitive again, but the one thing he does very well is acquire talent.

[whydidnt]

I think it was a great article. For those that defend Ryan and Gardenhire and disagree with the premise of the article, just one question. How many truly awful years in a row must the Twins have before you agree that change is necessary? Whether Ryan and Gardenhire are good at what they do or not, the results aren't there, and haven't been for the last 4 years. To me it's just insane to keep failing at something and not change how you are doing things. The only changes the Twins have made over these last few years are purely window dressing, without any substance.