Throwing a stone into the lake

[Bark's Lounge]

I felt inspired and wanted to throw something out there. It may be fool hardy or not.

 

I admit I am not an expert on what certain coaches talents are or their playability to MLB, or their metric philosophies regarding the game, but after a bit of thought, I thought I’d throw this lot at you all. My evaluation will not be too in-depth, but I believe I have put together an exciting and interesting group of coaches.

 

MANAGER

Paul Molitor: I like Molitor because he is very intelligent baseball man. He was the best base runner of his era and he appears to be very focused on the game when it is in session. In mu opinion he made the 2014 club a lot better and it showed.

 

I remember when he was Kelly’s bench coach from 1999-2001. He was intensely involved in the game, at that time, it looked like he wanted to be a manager. There were many moments where I had seen the fire in this man. On the other side of things, I strongly believe he has always been a student of the game and evolves with the game. I do not believe Twins fans should worry about if he is an old school Twins guy. He’s progressive and the metric side of the game will strongly play into his managerial style. Adapt or die… right?

 

PITCHING COACH

Eddie Perez: I am assuming that Perez coaches his pitchers with Atlanta, in the Bullpen - and probably the starting rotation to some extent. I realize Roger McDowell is one of the most respected Pitching coaches in the game, but I’d have to think that Perez has brought his own insights and has learned some things from McDowell. He has looked over some great bullpens for the last 4 seasons and has been in this position since 2007. I would certainly like to see him give it a shot, knowing that Atlanta has been known for developing good pitching for the last 20+ years.

Being that Eddie is from Venezuela, he would definitely close the gap in the Twins inability to communicate with and develop their growing contingent of Latin American Baseball Players.

 

HITTING COACH

Tom Brunansky: I have seen enough this year to know that Bruno made some very good headway with the players under his tutelage. Our offense had some rough times, but was more or less impressive. He is working with a lot of young guys and his mission is incomplete. I’d like for him to see it through.

 

1B COACH

Doug Mientkiewicz: He has been great as a manager at Fort Myers. Maybe it would be better, if he remained in the minors and managed, but the selfish part of me wants him up with the big club. As a Gen-X player and now a coach, I think he will be a great motivator and influence on our younger players. In my heart of hearts I would like him to be our next manager, but this might be a good assignment for him as I do not want to see Molitor depart.

 

In my proposed scenario, Molitor is named manager, Molitor is 58 years old, and I am not too sure how long he would want to do it for (my thinking is 4-5years)? If Mientkiewicz gets some managerial offers after a year or so. Over pay him and promise him the Managerial role once it has opened. The experience over that handful of years will be very valuable.

 

3B COACH

Joey Cora: Cora is a good baseball man and had a pretty good career as a MLB 2B. He was Ozzie Guillen’s bench coach for a good number of years, whether that makes people cringe or excited. He would be a great choice and between him, Mientkiewicz and Molitor, our Infield will be set with excellent instructors. He also will be another Latin American voice in our clubhouse (Puerto Rico).

BENCH COACH:

Terry Steinbach: Terry is only 2 years into his stint as the Twins Bench Coach. I would hate to see him cast off as I believe he has great value. Playing under LaRussa and to a much lesser degree Kelly. One would have to imagine this man has some baseball smarts. He was the catcher for some fantastic Oakland A’s teams and was an instrumental part in 3 World Series appearances and one World Series Championship. When I look upon the 2 seasons for the Twins, I certainly do not see him as a problem in the coaching department. I have to believe he learned a good amount under the tutelage of LaRussa and Duncan.

 

BULLPEN:

Bobby Cuellar: I admit I do not know much about Cuellar, but he had some very good success in the minors as a pitching coach, and although our bullpen the last few years has been overrated in my opinion, as they obviously were done in by our mediocre starting staff, he has gotten a lot out of guys you would think are AAAA players. Casey Fien being the best example. Cuellar has paid his dues, keep him on. He has done a decent job with the talent thrown his way.

 

This is my Wild Card (and it most probably will not happen):

 

OF COACH/PLAYER:

Torii Hunter: I know that Hunter is a 50/50 split on this site. Some see him as self consumed prima donna and some see him as a guts and glory baseball player and leader we desperately lack. I think it is a mix of the two.

 

Hunter could definitely fill the hole in LF next year, if he is willing to play it and he doesn’t get overpaid again.

 

Hunter would probably play average defense if LF and give us decent to good offense from that position, but I think he would be invaluable working with our current Outfielders and it would be nice for him to end his career in a Twins uniform. He is a Twin, not an Angel or Tiger. All that aside, I think he would be great in that role. (2 years 14 Million?)

[diehardtwinsfan]

Not sure Hunter is the right answer, but I liked everything else you posted. I think Hunter may try to get on more bigger deal. He can still hit. Not sure I want him playing defense anywhere at this point given the team's need for defense.

[Mike Sixel]

Hunter has been bad to terrible on defense in RF for several years.....why would he be average next year in LF?

[Mike Sixel]

Overall, pretty reasonable plan, I should not have just asked the Hunter question. I like the concept of succession planning, as long as they are agile and willing to undo that decision if it later doesn't look good (but, they have not shown that, imo).

[Bark's Lounge]

Not sure Hunter is the right answer, but I liked everything else you posted. I think Hunter may try to get on more bigger deal. He can still hit. Not sure I want him playing defense anywhere at this point given the team's need for defense.

 

 

Hunter has been bad to terrible on defense in RF for several years.....why would he be average next year in LF?

I admit, I embellished a bit on the Hunter playing average defense. Even though I do not follow defensive metrics very much, I have read many, many threads or articles just on this site that indicates that Hunter is a lousy outfielder defensively - I have no reason or evidence to suggest that isn't true.

 

It was a wild card idea and more so than not, those kind of ideas are fool hardy, but I bet Hunter would have a lot to offer to our young outfielders as a teammate or coach. He might not be too efficient in the field anymore, but he was one of the best defensive players in the game not too terribly long ago and the experience/knowledge he has gained over the last 20 years I believe would play big with the young guys. That is why I put him on my list. He was my OP hand grenade of controversy.

 

Honestly, I do not think Hunter would sign here because of his Playoff/World Series aspirations. It is not beyond the scope of reality that playoff contending teams might have no interest in him because of his defensive deficiencies moving forward into the 2015 season.

 

If he somehow became a serious option for the Twins to sign this off season, he would need to play the field or it's not worth it. Assuming Vargas starts the year with the big club in 2015 - Vargas, Mauer and maybe Pinto will be plugging up the DH position on a daily basis.

 

Other than Hunter, I don't think my proposed 2015 coaching staff was too awful.

[DocBauer]

Honestly, this just might be the best speculated manager/coaching hires I've read or personally considered.

 

I've waffled on Molitor or Mientkiewicz as the best manager choice. But the more I've thought about it, the more I've been leaning to Molitor as the guy with Dougie M as the bench coach.

 

I'd love to keep Steinbach, but have a feeling he might end up working for LaRussa. Hope not.

 

Another Latin coach I've thought of and mentioned is Julio Franco...if you could tear the independent league jersey off his back. Lol

 

Hunter may be average to poor defensively as a RF at this point, and he might be about done, but he's still been a quality contributor for Detroit this year. I don't know that he's the right choice, but I think he could be at least solid in LF. Average to poor defensively in RF doesn't mean he could be OK in LF.

[Bark's Lounge]

Honestly, this just might be the best speculated manager/coaching hires I've read or personally considered.

 

I've waffled on Molitor or Mientkiewicz as the best manager choice. But the more I've thought about it, the more I've been leaning to Molitor as the guy with Dougie M as the bench coach.

 

I'd love to keep Steinbach, but have a feeling he might end up working for LaRussa. Hope not.

 

Another Latin coach I've thought of and mentioned is Julio Franco...if you could tear the independent league jersey off his back. Lol

 

Hunter may be average to poor defensively as a RF at this point, and he might be about done, but he's still been a quality contributor for Detroit this year. I don't know that he's the right choice, but I think he could be at least solid in LF. Average to poor defensively in RF doesn't mean he could be OK in LF.

Thanks Doc. Well, if Steinbach heads to the D-Backs. Franco certainly can be my 1B coach -  Mientkiewicz heads to bench coach.

[LaBombo]

I felt inspired and wanted to throw something out there. It may be fool hardy or not.

 

I admit I am not an expert on what certain coaches talents are or their playability to MLB, or their metric philosophies regarding the game, but after a bit of thought, I thought I’d throw this lot at you all. My evaluation will not be too in-depth, but I believe I have put together an exciting and interesting group of coaches.

 

MANAGER

Paul Molitor: I like Molitor because he is very intelligent baseball man. He was the best base runner of his era and he appears to be very focused on the game when it is in session. In mu opinion he made the 2014 club a lot better and it showed.

 

I remember when he was Kelly’s bench coach from 1999-2001. He was intensely involved in the game, at that time, it looked like he wanted to be a manager. There were many moments where I had seen the fire in this man. On the other side of things, I strongly believe he has always been a student of the game and evolves with the game. I do not believe Twins fans should worry about if he is an old school Twins guy. He’s progressive and the metric side of the game will strongly play into his managerial style. Adapt or die… right?

 

PITCHING COACH

Eddie Perez: I am assuming that Perez coaches his pitchers with Atlanta, in the Bullpen - and probably the starting rotation to some extent. I realize Roger McDowell is one of the most respected Pitching coaches in the game, but I’d have to think that Perez has brought his own insights and has learned some things from McDowell. He has looked over some great bullpens for the last 4 seasons and has been in this position since 2007. I would certainly like to see him give it a shot, knowing that Atlanta has been known for developing good pitching for the last 20+ years.

Being that Eddie is from Venezuela, he would definitely close the gap in the Twins inability to communicate with and develop their growing contingent of Latin American Baseball Players.

 

HITTING COACH

Tom Brunansky: I have seen enough this year to know that Bruno made some very good headway with the players under his tutelage. Our offense had some rough times, but was more or less impressive. He is working with a lot of young guys and his mission is incomplete. I’d like for him to see it through.

 

1B COACH

Doug Mientkiewicz: He has been great as a manager at Fort Myers. Maybe it would be better, if he remained in the minors and managed, but the selfish part of me wants him up with the big club. As a Gen-X player and now a coach, I think he will be a great motivator and influence on our younger players. In my heart of hearts I would like him to be our next manager, but this might be a good assignment for him as I do not want to see Molitor depart.

 

In my proposed scenario, Molitor is named manager, Molitor is 58 years old, and I am not too sure how long he would want to do it for (my thinking is 4-5years)? If Mientkiewicz gets some managerial offers after a year or so. Over pay him and promise him the Managerial role once it has opened. The experience over that handful of years will be very valuable.

 

3B COACH

Joey Cora: Cora is a good baseball man and had a pretty good career as a MLB 2B. He was Ozzie Guillen’s bench coach for a good number of years, whether that makes people cringe or excited. He would be a great choice and between him, Mientkiewicz and Molitor, our Infield will be set with excellent instructors. He also will be another Latin American voice in our clubhouse (Puerto Rico).

BENCH COACH:

Terry Steinbach: Terry is only 2 years into his stint as the Twins Bench Coach. I would hate to see him cast off as I believe he has great value. Playing under LaRussa and to a much lesser degree Kelly. One would have to imagine this man has some baseball smarts. He was the catcher for some fantastic Oakland A’s teams and was an instrumental part in 3 World Series appearances and one World Series Championship. When I look upon the 2 seasons for the Twins, I certainly do not see him as a problem in the coaching department. I have to believe he learned a good amount under the tutelage of LaRussa and Duncan.

 

BULLPEN:

Bobby Cuellar: I admit I do not know much about Cuellar, but he had some very good success in the minors as a pitching coach, and although our bullpen the last few years has been overrated in my opinion, as they obviously were done in by our mediocre starting staff, he has gotten a lot out of guys you would think are AAAA players. Casey Fien being the best example. Cuellar has paid his dues, keep him on. He has done a decent job with the talent thrown his way.

 

This is my Wild Card (and it most probably will not happen):

 

OF COACH/PLAYER:

Torii Hunter: I know that Hunter is a 50/50 split on this site. Some see him as self consumed prima donna and some see him as a guts and glory baseball player and leader we desperately lack. I think it is a mix of the two.

 

Hunter could definitely fill the hole in LF next year, if he is willing to play it and he doesn’t get overpaid again.

 

Hunter would probably play average defense if LF and give us decent to good offense from that position, but I think he would be invaluable working with our current Outfielders and it would be nice for him to end his career in a Twins uniform. He is a Twin, not an Angel or Tiger. All that aside, I think he would be great in that role. (2 years 14 Million?)

 

Can we platoon Hunter with Jacques Jones on the field and off?

[Bark's Lounge]

Can we platoon Hunter with Jacques Jones on the field and off?

Only if HGTV or BRAVO does a reality television program based upon this "platoon".

[USAFChief]

Can we platoon Hunter with Jacques Jones on the field and off?

"Soul Platrol"

[Pius Jefferson]

Henry Blanco is another possible name for the coaching staff. He's managing a Venezuelan winter league team and Gene Glynn is one of his coaches. There's also the 'necessary' Twins ties.

[Bark's Lounge]

"Soul Platrol"

Chief = Wordsmith.