Molitor and Twins meet

[Badsmerf]

According to espn, Molitor and the Twins will meet regarding the manager position. Lovullo, McEwing, and Dougie M are listed as other options being considered. I'm still on the Chili Davis kick. Ryan is also quoted as saying he wants the position filled quickly. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm still not sure I care much though Steinbach doesn't excite me much. I'd rather seen Molitor or Mientkiewicz get the job.

 

I have no real opinion on Davis, really.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I flipped on the tv to check the weather forecast last night and the WCCO sports guy said Molitor and the Twins have already met - he added that the Twins would "also talk to Steinbach, but not Mientkiewicz"

 

This is the first time I've heard that he might be out of the running for the job - did anyone hear this from any other source? It was a kind of last second off the cuff comment, so I wonder if the guy had a tip from someone, or if he was just making a wild guess . . .

[jokin]

Dougie reported yesterday that Ryan and Antony met with Molitor.  Sure seems like he was the manager-in-waiting all along, and he made his case stronger during the season, with the apparent public backing he has from some of the players.

[Winston Smith]

One of the TV stations talked to Molitor as he came out of Target Field yesterday and he said he had interviewed.

Ryan was going to Florida today to watch prospects. At this point it would be a surprise if Molitor wasn't the guy, imo.

 

Nice write up on Trade Rumors on the Twins off season if someone would like to put up a link. I don't know how to do that!

[drjim]

He does seem the logical choice on many fronts.

 

HOFer, obvious baseball acumen, local guy that will provide some excitement for fanbase, worked in development for several years, personal vouching by key players, enough coaching experience but doesn't really carry the stink of 4 years of this.

 

Can't see an internal candidate beating him out, and it would take an external guy to blow away Ryan to pass on Molitor in my opinion.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

It's still early in the process, though, right? They will still interview several more candidates before making a decision, even if Molly is their guy.

[drjim]

It's still early in the process, though, right? They will still interview several more candidates before making a decision, even if Molly is their guy.

 

Yes, but the process will go quickly. I think interviews will be done by the end of next week.

[James]

From the radio interview on ESPN 1500 with Mientkiewicz, it sounds like he is probably moving up to Chattanooga.  At least, that's kind of what Dougie B kind of hinted at.

 

I'd probably be ok if it ended up being Molitor, but at least interview some outside candidates.  I think they will though.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

It would be pretty impressive for a manager to move from A to the majors, championship or not. I think the Twins Org. likes Mientkiewicz a lot, so a promotion to AA makes sense to start.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Little worried if Molitor gets the job.  He's definitely not outside blood, he hasn't had any coaching experience outside the Twins except being the Mariners hitting coach in 2004 (a last place team which finished last in runs scored, albeit in a pitcher's park -- although by OPS+, they weren't much better, third worst in the league -- and with an aging lineup).

 

Who exactly is he going to recommend as a pitching coach, etc.?  What new ideas will he bring to the table?  Not that he can't do it, but it would be nice to have some tangible evidence for that ability.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Molitor played on some teams with some good pitching - Blue Jays and Brewers in particular, so I imagine he has some options for coaches. Jack Morris almost seems too obvious a choice - as they are both St. Paul kids, they were teammates in Toronto (right? or did they miss each other by a year?), they've been hanging around the Twins for the last few years... Whether that would be a good choice .... I dunno.

[drjim]

Little worried if Molitor gets the job.  He's definitely not outside blood, he hasn't had any coaching experience outside the Twins except being the Mariners hitting coach in 2004 (a last place team which finished last in runs scored, albeit in a pitcher's park -- although by OPS+, they weren't much better, third worst in the league -- and with an aging lineup).

 

Who exactly is he going to recommend as a pitching coach, etc.?  What new ideas will he bring to the table?  Not that he can't do it, but it would be nice to have some tangible evidence for that ability.

 

I think outside blood is overrated. What is most needed is fresh thinking, openness to new ideas, and new energy. Molitor seems he can provide that.

 

And I think at the very least there will be some new coaches which would hit the quota of outside thinking.

[Badsmerf]

As long as a manager can adequately form a gameplan and prepare players, I don't really care who they are. Molitor is a different type than Gardy, so I wouldn't mind him. I'm much more concerned with the coaching choices.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Or maybe someone within the Twins minor leagues gets a call up to be the big league pitching coach - or even the recently departed Gary Lucas? Molitor I'm sure is familiar with him from Spring training?

 

BTW, Molitor did play with current Pirates' Pitching Coach Ray Searage in the 80's in Milwaukee (84, 85, part of 86 before Searage was traded) . . .

[Otto von Ballpark]

I think outside blood is overrated. What is most needed is fresh thinking, openness to new ideas, and new energy. Molitor seems he can provide that.

 

And I think at the very least there will be some new coaches which would hit the quota of outside thinking.

Molitor's coaching experience is 3 years under TK, 1 year under Gardy, and 1 disastrous year under Bob Melvin in Seattle.  Every one of those seasons except 2001 under TK was a last place, 90+ loss season.  He's actually older than Gardy (and both of them are surprisingly only 6-7 years younger than TK!).

 

I guess Molitor has said some good things in interviews to suggest he's not quite so set in his ways as Gardy, but I just wished his record showed more of that.

[Otto von Ballpark]

As for pitching coach -- how big and up-to-date could Molitor's rolodex be?  He just hasn't seemed that involved in the game since retiring, except lurking around the Twins system and his one-year cameo in Seattle.

 

Not that the manager has to pick the pitching coach, but his input would be nice.  And without his input, we'd basically be relying on the judgement of the guy(s) who rubber-stamped Dick Such for 15 years and Rick Anderson for the next 13.

[davidc3915]

 

Nice write up on Trade Rumors on the Twins off season if someone would like to put up a link. I don't know how to do that!

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/10/offseason-outlook-minnesota-twins-5.html

[Pius Jefferson]

As for pitching coach -- how big and up-to-date could Molitor's rolodex be?  He just hasn't seemed that involved in the game since retiring, except lurking around the Twins system and his one-year cameo in Seattle.

 

Not that the manager has to pick the pitching coach, but his input would be nice.  And without his input, we'd basically be relying on the judgement of the guy(s) who rubber-stamped Dick Such for 15 years and Rick Anderson for the next 13.

 

You mean Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire? 

[Bark's Lounge]

Little worried if Molitor gets the job.  He's definitely not outside blood, he hasn't had any coaching experience outside the Twins except being the Mariners hitting coach in 2004 (a last place team which finished last in runs scored, albeit in a pitcher's park -- although by OPS+, they weren't much better, third worst in the league -- and with an aging lineup).

 

Who exactly is he going to recommend as a pitching coach, etc.?  What new ideas will he bring to the table?  Not that he can't do it, but it would be nice to have some tangible evidence for that ability.

Who can Dave Martinez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Torey Lovullo, Chip Hale, etc., etc. recommend as pitching coach?

 

If you have an answer, why could that not be one of Molitor's choices as well?

[Bark's Lounge]

As for pitching coach -- how big and up-to-date could Molitor's rolodex be?  He just hasn't seemed that involved in the game since retiring, except lurking around the Twins system and his one-year cameo in Seattle.

 

Not that the manager has to pick the pitching coach, but his input would be nice.  And without his input, we'd basically be relying on the judgement of the guy(s) who rubber-stamped Dick Such for 15 years and Rick Anderson for the next 13.

Let me be clear. I would be glad if one of Dave Martinez, Doug Mientkiewicz and Paul Molitor is named manager.

 

Why would Molitor's baseball rolodex be out of date? He has been involved in the game every year since he retired (maybe excluding 1 year or 2... not sure - maybe none).

 

Just because he worked for the Twins the majority of he post retirement career does not mean he does not keep up with the rest of the AL or NL, cripes, he only played 3 seasons for the Twins.

 

I am sure he made some alliances with the Brewers, Blue Jays, Playing in All-Star games, and playing against other teams in general. You make friends, get to know people and understand a bit about what those people stand for and learn more about the game from different philosophies.

 

I'm not sayin' that Molitor is the tried and true answer, but I don't look at him as a MN homer. He has had his own experiences in the last 37 years of his involvement with MLB. Half of them not as a member of the Twins Org., as a player he played 3 out of 20 years with Twins.

 

Molitor is not trapped in some mucous bubble that is the Twins way, not like the previous regime. If he is named manager, his stamp will be different and unique because of his baseball his vision and experiences.

 

From what I read on this site and other places, Molitor's only crime is that he is a Saint Paul and Minnesota native.

[Otto von Ballpark]

You mean Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire? 

I meant TR and the front office.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Why would Molitor's baseball rolodex be out of date? He has been involved in the game every year since he retired (maybe excluding 1 year or 2... not sure - maybe none).

 

Just because he worked for the Twins the majority of he post retirement career does not mean he does not keep up with the rest of the AL or NL, cripes, he only played 3 seasons for the Twins.

You may be right overall, but "involved with the game" is a pretty weak standard.  He spent the 9 seasons before 2014 as a roving minor league baserunning/infield instructor for the Twins -- that doesn't sound like someone who necessarily has his finger on the top innovative MLB coaching talent.

 

Moreover, his one season as hitting coach for Seattle was a disaster, and he was canned along with the manager afterwards.  Has he ever pursued (or been pursued) for another position outside the Twins?

 

Not sure what happened with him in 2002 either, when Gardy was chosen as TK's replacement, but Molitor left the Twins coaching staff at that point too.  Did he want to manage?  Why not try elsewhere?  It's great that he's a local boy, but there's something to be said for the guys who are willing to pack up and work away from home, which suggests a particular (and probably unhealthy!) passion for the game.

 

I know there was talk of a divorce affecting his coaching job pursuits/interest, but he has not struck me as a particularly driven, ambitious baseball person, post-retirement.  No doubt he knows some things about the game and he knows some people in it -- but will those people be passionate about the modern game?  Or will they just be friends looking for a comfortable landing spot, like Molitor arguably has been doing for 15 years, judging by his post-retirement resume?

[DocBauer]

I don't know who the next Twins manager is going to be, internal or external in hire, and I have no clue who his pitching coach choice might be, but I do hope he embraces some newer tendencies and metrics to stay current with the times. But whether internal or external in his hiring, I sincerely hope that he DOES adopt the "Twins Way" whole heartedly!

 

I know fans are frustrated and disappointed with the last four seasons. I also know that in successful seasons, there are those fans who simply can't be happy with success and are obsessed with nit picking. But the duo or TK and the much maligned Dick Such ushered in the Twins Way of doing things. Despite playing in a lousy park with limited payroll, they provided TWO World Series champions, multiple winning teams, all stars, great memories and yes, even a stretch of multiple lousy and losing seasons before ushering in a new wave of talented players that was the second generation of winning the Twins Way.

 

Gardenhire and Anderson never did win a World Series. Is that really their only crime? With that duo at the helm, mostly still within the confines of the Metrodome and limited budget, they had ONE losing season in the first nine years they lead the team. ONE. They also produced five 90+ win seasons! two MVP winners and a pair of CyYoungs along with multiple all stars.

 

There has been a lot of talk about the Royals season this year, reaching the playoffs after 29 YEARS. You think their organization, and their fans, and the fans of many other organizations, wouldn't love to trade places with the overall success of the Twins organization the past 27 years?

 

Are the Twins possibly on the cusp of a "third wave" of a talent influx that should lead them to serious competitive heights? Absolutely! Was it time to make a change and look forward? More than likely, and now a moot point. The Twins Way, when the roster has at least decent talent, is to play the game the right way; pitching, defense, power and speed with aggressive base running mixed with situational hitting, and a team, not just a roster, made of home grown talent mixed with FA's, trades, and even waiver acquisitions.

 

We need to stop revisionist history born from current frustration. TK and Dick Such, Gardenhire and Anderson were highly successful, overall, though in slightly different ways. And when they had decent rosters, their teams played and produced in the Twins Way. I'm hoping the next generations at the helm produces in similar Twins Way fashion.

[Bark's Lounge]

You may be right overall, but "involved with the game" is a pretty weak standard.  He spent the 9 seasons before 2014 as a roving minor league baserunning/infield instructor for the Twins -- that doesn't sound like someone who necessarily has his finger on the top innovative MLB coaching talent.

 

Moreover, his one season as hitting coach for Seattle was a disaster, and he was canned along with the manager afterwards.  Has he ever pursued (or been pursued) for another position outside the Twins?

 

Not sure what happened with him in 2002 either, when Gardy was chosen as TK's replacement, but Molitor left the Twins coaching staff at that point too.  Did he want to manage?  Why not try elsewhere?  It's great that he's a local boy, but there's something to be said for the guys who are willing to pack up and work away from home, which suggests a particular (and probably unhealthy!) passion for the game.

 

I know there was talk of a divorce affecting his coaching job pursuits/interest, but he has not struck me as a particularly driven, ambitious baseball person, post-retirement.  No doubt he knows some things about the game and he knows some people in it -- but will those people be passionate about the modern game?  Or will they just be friends looking for a comfortable landing spot, like Molitor arguably has been doing for 15 years, judging by his post-retirement resume?

Hey Spy Cake, I just hope you know that this is all friendly bantering amongst Twins fans. Nothing more nothing less.

 

1. Involved in the Game - is not a pretty weak standard. His job was damn important in the Twins Minor League System and he executed it well. Not to say it did not come with some adversity. I am sure he communicated with former big leaguers, coaches and other well respected baseball men. Them tapping his mind and as well him tapping theirs. Knowledge is golden and he wouldn't be the first to get a managing job based on a roving instructor/coach.

 

2. Sure, Seattle sucked for Molitor - are you going to hold one season against a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Seattle's demise was imminent. He wouldn't be the first coach/manager to be fired who went on to have HOF success. Not that I am saying Molitor is HOF quality as far as coaches go - obviously.

 

3. I am not too sure also. Did Molitor loose out to Gardenhire in 2002, did he remove his name form the list because of the contraction scenario. I cannot remember.

 

4. As far as divorce, cheating, etc., goes. I don't care. Nobody's perfect, people do what they do. It does not make it right. Everyone deserve a second chance with minor infractions like that. I am not a religious man or a moral crusader. I don't think that has a place on this site in my opinion. Maybe it sidetracked him a bit, maybe not. Who knows?

 

5. Molitor's Connections. I guess we will wait and see what happens. I hope you do not think that Molitor is without modern day baseball thinking compatriots who can make a difference in today's game of baseball as he is one of them. That would be a mistake. Remember, he was brought in this past season to execute an analytical approach to players regarding the defensive shifts and such. To me, that means he is a buyer in that philosophy.

 

Molitor, in my opinion had a great impact on the 2014 team. I would not be upset if the 2015 team is his to toy with and he can work his magic and hopefully make it better!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

You may be right overall, but "involved with the game" is a pretty weak standard.  He spent the 9 seasons before 2014 as a roving minor league baserunning/infield instructor for the Twins -- that doesn't sound like someone who necessarily has his finger on the top innovative MLB coaching talent.

 

Moreover, his one season as hitting coach for Seattle was a disaster, and he was canned along with the manager afterwards.  Has he ever pursued (or been pursued) for another position outside the Twins?

 

Not sure what happened with him in 2002 either, when Gardy was chosen as TK's replacement, but Molitor left the Twins coaching staff at that point too.  Did he want to manage?  Why not try elsewhere?  It's great that he's a local boy, but there's something to be said for the guys who are willing to pack up and work away from home, which suggests a particular (and probably unhealthy!) passion for the game.

 

I know there was talk of a divorce affecting his coaching job pursuits/interest, but he has not struck me as a particularly driven, ambitious baseball person, post-retirement.  No doubt he knows some things about the game and he knows some people in it -- but will those people be passionate about the modern game?  Or will they just be friends looking for a comfortable landing spot, like Molitor arguably has been doing for 15 years, judging by his post-retirement resume?

Ouch, spycake. I'm with Bark on this.

 

Molitor's years in the minors have given him more face time with guys like Sano than Gardy ever had. This type of relationship could pay off in ways we can't predict. And I don't see Molitor as so closed minded that he would demand exclusive control over who his coaches would be, should he be offered or want the job. The year in Seattle doesn't bother me one way or another. Several potential candidates I would be happy with including Molly. Like gunnarthor said somewhere else, whoever takes over is sitting on a potential mother lode of talent. I don't see how Molitor would be a horrible thing, even if he's not someone's first preference.