Powers: Vision of perfect Twins coaching staff

[Seth Stohs]

Tom Powers from the Pioneer Press apparently had a dream the other night about an ideal coaching staff:

 

 

Then everything began to change. In retrospect, it probably was like what the hippies experienced in the 1960s when they ingested all sorts of weird substances and then had hallucinations and heavy visions. Some claimed to have seen God. Under the influence of Skippy, I saw the ideal Twins coaching staff for 2015.

 

 

It's an interesting look and he goes into detail on each person he mentioned and why they make sense, so be sure to read the article. 

 

 

Anyway, it's something to talk about at least, so here it is: Doug Mientkiewicz, manager; Marty Mason, pitching coach; Sam Perlozzo, bench coach; Tommy Watkins, first-base coach; Ivan Arteaga, bullpen coach; Tom Brunansky, hitting coach; Gene Glynn, third-base coach; Rudy Hernandez, assistant hitting coach.

 

My opinion, I'd be good with Mientkiewicz, and I think Brunansky coming back makes sense. Gene Glynn, in my opinion, is going to be on the staff regardless.

 

I'm a huge fan of Tommy Watkins and think he'd be a great add, though I also think that he will become a minor league manager in the near future too.

 

I enjoy talking to Arteaga and he is a wealth of knowledge, is from Venezuela, and knows pitching and mechanics!

 

Sam Perlozzo is also obviously a guy who has been in baseball a LONG time and knows this game. He has so much energy.

 

Any other thoughts?

[Mike Sixel]

Not one guy from outside the org?

 

Not sure how they ever embrace any new ideas if they never bring anyone in from the outside.

[Seth Stohs]

Not one guy from outside the org?

 

Not sure how they ever embrace any new ideas if they never bring anyone in from the outside.

 

Just some guy's opinion (or possibly literally a dream of his). 

[Mike Sixel]

I will admit....I could be 100% wrong. We really don't know much about any of these guys' openness to new ideas. Heck, we don't know much about their desire to unnecessarily give up outs, or locking pitchers into specific innings, or carrying three catchers, or pinch running with two outs, or anything really.

[Physics Guy]

Not one guy from outside the org?

 

Not sure how they ever embrace any new ideas if they never bring anyone in from the outside.

Really?  Mason has spent the last two years in the MN organization.  He spent the vast majority of his time in the Cardinals and Cubs organizations.

 

Sam Perlozzo played in 1977 for the Twins.  From what I can find, he has only spent a year in the organization.

 

It sounds to me like they are bringing people with outside ideas from other organizations, into the minor league system. 

[Mike Sixel]

Thanks for the correction.......

[drjim]

I will admit....I could be 100% wrong. We really don't know much about any of these guys' openness to new ideas. Heck, we don't know much about their desire to unnecessarily give up outs, or locking pitchers into specific innings, or carrying three catchers, or pinch running with two outs, or anything really.

 

Give up outs? Twins were 10th in the AL in sacrifice bunts this past year. Cleveland and Tampa Bay, led by guys who are generally considered two of the best (if not best) managers in the game, finished 1 and 2.

 

Bullpens in specific defined roles? Do you actually watch other teams? This is a positive thing.

 

Three catchers? Total days that Suzuki, Fryer and Pinto were on the roster together = 0

 

Gardy had to go, but there is a reason he is generally thought as highly as he is. If the Twins can get a manager that managed games more or less the same, they would be doing pretty well. But I, like you, have no idea if any of these guys can do that.

[Boom Boom]

Nothing against any of those guys, but if that's Powers's dream staff then why fire Gardy in the first place?

[Seth Stohs]

Perlozzo was a roving minor league instructor for the Twins last year. At spring training, I really enjoyed watching him work. He's been a big league manager. He's been around the game for a long time.

[Physics Guy]

I will admit....I could be 100% wrong. We really don't know much about any of these guys' openness to new ideas. Heck, we don't know much about their desire to unnecessarily give up outs, or locking pitchers into specific innings, or carrying three catchers, or pinch running with two outs, or anything really.

Well stated, we really don't know much about these guys other than where they have played/managed.  We are obviously in the dark on much of this.  That is what makes it somewhat frustrating.  The waiting is killing me, but I understand it's an important process.  I assume part of the interview process is determining how the new manager would incorporate things such as sabermetrics and helping to develop our players from Latin America.  

 

I don't think Powers' vision is a horrible one.  He has a good mix of youth and experience (four between 34 and 46, four between 54 and 63).  They have two players from Latin America (although both from Venezuela).  The only issue I would have is that they really don't have anybody with a catching background.  I'm not saying that needs to be Steinbach, maybe that could be somebody from Latin America.  How many teams have an "assistant hitting coach"?  While I like Tommy Watkins, I think he would be a good choice to step in as a minor league manager if Mientkiewicz and Glynn move up.  

[Physics Guy]

Thanks for the correction.......

Sorry if my was response was a critical.  I hadn't read the whole article yet.  He did make reference that all of the coaches were in the system, so I understand where you were coming from.  That would be an obvious criticism had they all been long-time coaches in the organization. 

[Mike Sixel]

Give up outs? Twins were 10th in the AL in sacrifice bunts this past year. Cleveland and Tampa Bay, led by guys who are generally considered two of the best (if not best) managers in the game, finished 1 and 2.

 

Bullpens in specific defined roles? Do you actually watch other teams? This is a positive thing.

 

Three catchers? Total days that Suzuki, Fryer and Pinto were on the roster together = 0

 

Gardy had to go, but there is a reason he is generally thought as highly as he is. If the Twins can get a manager that managed games more or less the same, they would be doing pretty well. But I, like you, have no idea if any of these guys can do that.

 

Except I didn't say that's what they did the in the past.....I'm talking about the future. I don't know anything about how these candidates feel about things I hate that teams do.

 

Where, anyplace in that entire post, did I talk about the past? Not. One. Place.

[Mike Sixel]

Sorry if my was response was a critical.  I hadn't read the whole article yet.  He did make reference that all of the coaches were in the system, so I understand where you were coming from.  That would be an obvious criticism had they all been long-time coaches in the organization. 

 

I took it in the spirit it was meant, pointing out I was a bit wrong....no problem here.

[drjim]

Well stated, we really don't know much about these guys other than where they have played/managed.  We are obviously in the dark on much of this.  That is what makes it somewhat frustrating.  The waiting is killing me, but I understand it's an important process.  I assume part of the interview process is determining how the new manager would incorporate things such as sabermetrics and helping to develop our players from Latin America.  

 

I don't think Powers' vision is a horrible one.  He has a good mix of youth and experience (four between 34 and 46, four between 54 and 63).  They have two players from Latin America (although both from Venezuela).  The only issue I would have is that they really don't have anybody with a catching background.  I'm not saying that needs to be Steinbach, maybe that could be somebody from Latin America.  How many teams have an "assistant hitting coach"?  While I like Tommy Watkins, I think he would be a good choice to step in as a minor league manager if Mientkiewicz and Glynn move up.  

 

One name Reusse mentioned was Henry Blanco. He is currently on the DBacks staff as a bullpen catcher/coach, but could be a possibility if there is a promotion to bench coach position.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I have never had a dream about Doug Meintkiewicz.

[Seth Stohs]

Give up outs? Twins were 10th in the AL in sacrifice bunts this past year. Cleveland and Tampa Bay, led by guys who are generally considered two of the best (if not best) managers in the game, finished 1 and 2.

 

 

 

Wait! Wait! Wait!! The Holy Grail of Managers, the guy who can do no wrong... Joe Maddon... bunted more often than Gardy?? And more than all but one other team??

You mean, even the new-age, statty managers realize that there is a time and a place for such things?

[Mike Sixel]

Has anyone argued there is NOT a place and time for sacrifice bunts? I suppose someone has, but I don't recall reading that (not that I read every thread).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I wonder if these guys on the manager short list have told Terry that it's all or nothing. No more bench coaching or third base coaching. That would make this is tough call. I know some people would rather see the head coach have the final say on who the bench coaches are, but my gut tells me Ryan is trying to put together a staff with a good rapport as much as he is trying to hire a manager.

[zchrz]

I think they need some new blood.  I still want Mientkiewicz as the manager but it doesn't seem promising for him that it has taken this long and Molitor got more interviews.  I would be ok with Molitor but he doesn't really excite me.  0Of the external people they have interviewed Louvello (sp?) is the most promising looking though I would still like to see Dave Martinez get a look.  

 

I like Molitor in his current role but idk if he would stay in it if passed over.

 

I think Bruno should stay the hitting coach and Glynn is in line for a promotion to a base or bench coach job.  

 

Pitching coach should be from outside the org and preferably have never met Rick Anderson.

 

That leavesa couple spots for fresh blood, a Latin influence, internal promotions, a catcher, ect.

[bird]

I have never had a dream about Doug Meintkiewicz.

Had one once about his wife. Went to confession shortly thereafter.

[drjim]

Wait! Wait! Wait!! The Holy Grail of Managers, the guy who can do no wrong... Joe Maddon... bunted more often than Gardy?? And more than all but one other team??

You mean, even the new-age, statty managers realize that there is a time and a place for such things?

 

I think bunts are one of those things that were overused in the past because they were often not the best of plays, so people, especially the more snarky of commentators (cough Keith Law) can't ridicule them quickly enough. This trickles down to fans and posters, who lose sight of when it is actually a good play.

 

Looking at the numbers it should be pretty clear that no team is giving away excessive outs, and no hire of the Twins is going to either.

 

Like many of the critiques of Gardy I don't understand why this one still has any momentum.

[Mike Sixel]

KLAW is very clear on his chats that there are times to bunt, I think I even saw him say that on Twitter recently, but I could be mistaken on that.

[Steven Buhr]

Dangit, the Twins need to hurry up and announce the hiring of their new manager so we can start complaining about how they hired the wrong guy because they didn't take sufficient time to do a thorough vetting of the best candidates.

[stringer bell]

I like the job that Brunansky has done.  Steinbach seems like a solid guy, as well.  I want to see new ideas from the pitching coach.  On the "three catchers" debate, it seems that Chris Herrmann has been called up at various times just because he has major league catching experience. 

[Thrylos]

Marty Mason

 

wow

 

Dave Duncan's buddy who never stood alone. 

 

This is like having a vision that Andy would be the next Twins manager.

 

And I guess Ivan A over the man who taught Pedro, Johan and The Big Unit the changeup as the token hispanic hiding in the bullpen might be seen as an improvement because of birthplace...

 

gee/

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

From the New York Times, March 2008:

 

During bullpen sessions, Cuellar would tell Santana to imagine the count was 2-0 or 3-0 and would instruct him to throw a changeup. During games, Cuellar sometimes had Santana toss seven straight changeups. Although Santana said it took months to be that bold, Cuellar said he saw “a little glow in Johan’s eye” as the pitch developed. By July 2003, Santana was in the Twins’ rotation. By 2004, he was a 20-game winner

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/sports/baseball/03santana.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[Thrylos]

From the New York Times, March 2008:

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/sports/baseball/03santana.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

Preach to the choir  

[DocBauer]

On the surface, not a lot to really complain about these "dream choices".

 

I'm not so sure the Twins don't already have a quality bullpen coach in Cuellar.

 

I'd like to see Militor stick around if not the manager of choice, same for Dougie M.

 

I think Watkins has future ML coach and possible manager written all over him. I like the thought of his minor experience with a lot of the future Twins and his youth. But I wonder if he's ready for the bigs yet? Not a knock on him in the slightest. Big fan. There will be some sort of milb coaching/management shuffle this season to be sure, in a good way, and if Dougie is indeed up with the Twins, in whatever capacity, I could see Mauer promoted to AA, which allows the extra benefit of managing a lot of "his guys" and I could definitely see Watkins taking over in Cedar Rapids.

 

I confess I don't know anything about Perlozzo. I don't doubt he's a highly knowledgable baseball guy. I fully appreciate Seth's comments about him. Am I wrong to wonder about he and Glynn both on this "dream" team due to their ages? Not that they both aren't eminently quality men and baseball men, but with such an impending turnaround of young talent rising for the next generation/wave of Twins teams, wouldn't a younger approach be better for the long haul?