Twins Make Molitor Hiring Official

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins just sent out a press release stating that they have hired Paul Molitor as their 13th manager. He gets a three-year contract. Press conference will be tomorrow morning at 10. 

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they will name Paul Molitor the 13th Manager in club history on Tuesday, agreeing to a three-year contract that covers the 2015-17 seasons.

 

Molitor, 58, served as a Twins coach in 2014, overseeing: baserunning, bunting, infield instruction and positioning, as well as in-game strategy. Prior to 2014, he served as the Twins minor league baserunning/infield coordinator for 10 seasons (2003, 2005-13). He was the Seattle Mariners hitting coach in 2004 and Twins bench coach from 2000-01, giving him 14 years of major league and minor league coaching experience.

 

The first ballot Hall of Famer was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 after 21 seasons in Major League Baseball. He played 2,683 career games for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins, amassing 3,319 hits, 605 doubles, 114 triples, 234 home runs, 1,307 RBI, 1,782 runs scored, 1,094 walks and 504 stolen bases, while posting a .306 batting average. On Major League Baseball’s all-time list, he ranks ninth in hits, 11th in doubles, 19th in runs scored and 31st in games played.  He is one of six players in baseball history to record over 3,000 hits and steal over 500 bases.  He was named to seven all-star teams and earned four Louisville Slugger® Silver Slugger Awards.

 

The St. Paul native was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the third overall pick in the 1977 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Minnesota, where he played from 1975-77. He grew up in St. Paul and attended Cretin High School from 1971-74.

 

Molitor will become the 13th manager in Twins history and third since 1986. The Twins all-time managers are: Ron Gardenhire (2002-14, record of 1068-1039), Tom Kelly (1986-2001, record of 1,140-1,244), Ray Miller (1985-86, record of 109-130), Billy Gardner (1981-85, record of 268-353), Johnny Goryl (1980-81, record of 34-38), Gene Mauch (1976-80, record of 378-394), Frank Quilici (1972-75, record of 280-287), Bill Rigney (1970-72, record of 208-184), Billy Martin (1969, record of 97-65), Cal Ermer (1967-68, record of 145-129), Sam Mele (1961-67, record of 522-431) and Cookie Lavagetto (1961, record of 25-41).

 

[Steven Buhr]

Not my first choice, but I'm good with the choice. Should do well, I believe.

 

If you're inclined to read my full take on the hiring, you can find it over at Knuckleballs by clicking here

 

http://knuckleballsblog.com/2014/11/03/its-official-paul-molitor-will-manage-the-twins/

 

 

 

... or, now, over here in the TD blogs section

 

http://twinsdaily.com/blog/358/entry-6217-its-official-paul-molitor-will-manage-the-twins/

[amjgt]

Leave it to the Twins to never talk to the hottest Coaching candidate (Maddon), then have their Molitor hire get COMPLETELY overshadowed when Maddon gets hired by another team.

 

It's just too perfect.

[jokin]

Three years?  I suppose that's the going number for a new manager... but that sounds like a built-in grace period for a "team rebuild" contract.   The honeymoon period now commences, I guess.  I would sure like to see Molitor come out very aggressively in the offseason, hit the ground running, both being directly involved in personnel moves, as well as visiting and presenting each player with a set of objectives, goals and areas for improvement in the offseason.

[Steven Buhr]

Would YOU take the Twins manager job with anything less than a 3 year guaranteed contract? I sure wouldn't. A year from now, you would automatically be entering that awkward "it was another bad year and now he's either a lame duck or you have to give him an extension" territory.

 

And I do wish we could put the whole "Twins never contacted Maddon" thing to rest. LEN3 had multiple sources saying otherwise. Not surprisingly, he was never. ever. going to consider the Twins.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/280875292.html

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Congrats to Molitor!

[luckylager]

My gut says "wrong choice", but what the hell does my gut know? Good luck Mr Molitor. Turn this team around.

[jharaldson]

As a person who was opposed to the Molitor hiring and the general in inbred nature of how the Twins fill their positions I think it is time to move on with that part of the argument and discuss what we would like to see Molitor do in his position.  I would love to see him come out in his meeting tomorrow and give a clear and precise tactical change he will bring to the table.  Something specific like stopping the fliritng with Mauer in the 2 hole.  Gardy gave him 303 PA in the 3 hole vs 214 in the 2 hole.  Maybe talk about how he won't be afraid to have his primary catcher catching and his backup at DH.  Maybe the further evidence of greater emphasis on defensive shifts.  Just something to show folks like me that he actually is different.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

I had a strange dream last night that, in a surprise move, Bobby Kielty was named Twins manager.  Glad to see the Twins quickly confirmed otherwise this morning. 

[jokin]

Would YOU take the Twins manager job with anything less than a 3 year guaranteed contract? I sure wouldn't. A year from now, you would automatically be entering that awkward "it was another bad year and now he's either a lame duck or you have to give him an extension" territory.

 

And I do wish we could put the whole "Twins never contacted Maddon" thing to rest. LEN3 had multiple sources saying otherwise. Not surprisingly, he was never. ever. going to consider the Twins.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/280875292.html

 

FWIW, most folks hold LEN3's reporting in much lower regard than the other guys on the daily beat- he's definitely not the go-to guy for breaking Twins news- and as a matter of fact, the harder working reporters reported opposite information, earlier in the process. Further, the two "unnamed multiple sources" were leading from well behind on the issue- ie, after the public backlash against the Maddon snub, smacking of CYA PR.

 

Regarding Molly's contract, I honestly don't know how many years first-time managers generally get- I guess three years seems reasonable, but I hope you can agree with me, that this isn't the time in Twins history to have an extended honeymoon period- 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Just starting to read the offseason handbook, and it includes this line from TR about the manager search:

 

The most important thing out of many managerial interviews is how they handle the pitching staff.

Interesting that they hired the one major candidate who has never handled a pitching staff, nor does it appear he's ever really interacted with a pitching coach in the official duties of his job (at least not much recently).

[JB_Iowa]

It seems the Twins did talk to Maddon or his agent -- just on a delayed basis -- but aside from the money, I can't see Ryan ever giving him a 5 year deal,

 

As for Molitor, Ryan has made it pretty clear that the F.O. will have some pretty significant input on coaches,

 

That's our next waiting game I guess,

 

LaVelle E. Neal III ‏@LaVelleNeal  · 43m43 minutes ago 
There will be no coaching staff announcements at Molitor's presser tomorrow. Terry Ryan says nothing finalized yet.

[jokin]

Just starting to read the offseason handbook, and it includes this line from TR about the manager search:

Interesting that they hired the one major candidate who has never handled a pitching staff, nor does it appear he's ever really interacted with a pitching coach in the official duties of his job (at least not much recently).

 

I wonder if that was the first question Molly was asked?  He is a former teammate of Jack Morris at Toronto... and a year behind Morris growing up in St Paul.

[twinsnorth49]

Leave it to the Twins to never talk to the hottest Coaching candidate (Maddon), then have their Molitor hire get COMPLETELY overshadowed when Maddon gets hired by another team.

 

It's just too perfect.

That funny, I've barely read a word about who the Cubs hired as their manager, but then again, I'm a Twins fan.

[Rosterman]

From a news standpoint, I totally don't understand holding a press conference ON ELECTION DAY where ALL the main news is going to be 24-hour talkdown of races and winners and losers. Yes, it is sports, but EVERY news personnel gets the call on election day to work somewhere in the coverage of the campaign results. Better to have held the conference Monday a.m., or wait until Wednesday. Is someone not thinking things out?

[Halsey Hall]

Had TR hired Molitor on Sept 30th, everyone would have popped a cork.  Molly won't be naming his coaches tomorrow.

[Mike Sixel]

It does seem odd to hold this on election day. Maybe they are just cynical about the elections.....

[Steven Buhr]

FWIW, most folks hold LEN3's reporting in much lower regard than the other guys on the daily beat- he's definitely not the go-to guy for breaking Twins news- and as a matter of fact, the harder working reporters reported opposite information, earlier in the process. Further, the two "unnamed multiple sources" were leading from well behind on the issue- ie, after the public backlash against the Maddon snub, smacking of CYA PR.

 

Regarding Molly's contract, I honestly don't know how many years first-time managers generally get- I guess three years seems reasonable, but I hope you can agree with me, that this isn't the time in Twins history to have an extended honeymoon period- 

Neal is not my "go to" beat reporter, at this point, either. That said, I don't think anyone has cause to doubt his sources within the organization and the fact that he had more than one source AND, as you pointed ou, reported this information after the earlier reports indicating no contact had yet been made, left me with little doubt that at least a courtesy call to check on on interest was made. There was little need for more, given Maddon and the Cubs were already walking down the aisle together by the time Maddon cleaned out his TB office.

 

As for the other, I'm not sure what constitutes an "extended honeymoon period," to you. I think any new manager gets a contract that takes in to account: 1) how strong his negotiating strength is, 2) the state of the big league team he is taking over, and 3) the state of the minor league organization.

 

Molitor was not the only strong candidate and he doesn't have an established track record, so he's not going to get the five years a Maddon gets.

 

However, I don't think too many people have a right to expect him to turn the team in to a contender his first year. The big league club just isn't that good yet. There's a strong minor league group coming up, however, so I don't think the Twins needed to give him an extraordinarily long deal, either.

 

If we assume 2015 will be similar to, and perhaps slightly better than, 2014, the real test will come in 2016. At that point, the Twins will likely either need to give Molitor an extension or buy out his 3td year and make another move.

 

Guess what I'm saying is that I think, for this specific set of circumstances, I think 3 years sounds right for both parties..

[Steven Buhr]

From a news standpoint, I totally don't understand holding a press conference ON ELECTION DAY where ALL the main news is going to be 24-hour talkdown of races and winners and losers. Yes, it is sports, but EVERY news personnel gets the call on election day to work somewhere in the coverage of the campaign results. Better to have held the conference Monday a.m., or wait until Wednesday. Is someone not thinking things out?

Just speculating, but didn't the Cubs already have a press conference scheduled for today? Can understand not wanting to hold dueling pressers.

 

And with players being eligible to declare free agency, I imagine there's a desire to get the manager thing put to rest before that news starts happening.

 

If you're a baseball team and you have to pick between scheduling your presser against the Cubs' or against day-long election coverage, I guess you go for election day. Not really an ideal option between them.

[Halsey Hall]

Jack Morris was just talking with Ruesse and Pat asked if he would entertain putting on a uniform again.  Jack said he'd be interested and entertain that idea, but hadn't been contacted about it yet. 

[Coreygoeltl]

really happy for him hope he makes a good manager

[jokin]

Neal is not my "go to" beat reporter, at this point, either. That said, I don't think anyone has cause to doubt his sources within the organization and the fact that he had more than one source AND, as you pointed ou, reported this information after the earlier reports indicating no contact had yet been made, left me with little doubt that at least a courtesy call to check on on interest was made. There was little need for more, given Maddon and the Cubs were already walking down the aisle together by the time Maddon cleaned out his TB office.

 

As for the other, I'm not sure what constitutes an "extended honeymoon period," to you. I think any new manager gets a contract that takes in to account: 1) how strong his negotiating strength is, 2) the state of the big league team he is taking over, and 3) the state of the minor league organization.

 

Molitor was not the only strong candidate and he doesn't have an established track record, so he's not going to get the five years a Maddon gets.

 

However, I don't think too many people have a right to expect him to turn the team in to a contender his first year. The big league club just isn't that good yet. There's a strong minor league group coming up, however, so I don't think the Twins needed to give him an extraordinarily long deal, either.

 

If we assume 2015 will be similar to, and perhaps slightly better than, 2014, the real test will come in 2016. At that point, the Twins will likely either need to give Molitor an extension or buy out his 3td year and make another move.

 

Guess what I'm saying is that I think, for this specific set of circumstances, I think 3 years sounds right for both parties..

 

The problem is there is yawning room in the payroll to add talent and fill holes- I don't like the trap of the default position of "The Twins just aren't good enough"- no one should feel comfortable with that assumption.  (Tomas in LF, One or two #1 or # 2 potential SPs FAs and you're quickly on the fast-track to a potential winner).  Those key additions and some big production from a few of the uber-talented call-ups, continues improvements from now-established guys... and now you're suddenly talking about a contender, not just a winner, especially if Detroit continues to slide and KC is moving on from Shields and Butler, plus at least one or more of those live arms is bound to turn into a pumpkin next year.  The Twins beat both the Tigers and the White Sox in the season series this year, and were very competitive with the Royals (8-11, with 4 losses decided by one run).

 

Starting out in 2015, the first 15 games... and then, 22 of the first 25 games, are against the AL Central.  There is a huge opportunity for the Twins to hit the ground running and put themselves into the conversation with a hot start.  It will be maddening if the Twins FO continues their 2015 Puntage-code words and settles for a year or two of "settling-in." with the new skipper.

[jokin]

Jack Morris was just talking with Ruesse and Pat asked if he would entertain putting on a uniform again.  Jack said he'd be interested and entertain that idea, but hadn't been contacted about it yet. 

 

I would like to see that.  As I said, they were teammates in Toronto, have the St Paul connection.  Does anyone know if he and Molly are close off the field?

[Steven Buhr]

The problem is there is yawning room in the payroll to add talent and fill holes- I don't like the trap of the default position of "The Twins just aren't good enough"- no one should feel comfortable with that assumption.  (Tomas in LF, One or two #1 or # 2 potential SPs FAs and you're quickly on the fast-track to a potential winner).  Those key additions and some big production from a few of the uber-talented call-ups, continues improvements from now-established guys... and now you're suddenly talking about a contender, not just a winner, especially if Detroit continues to slide and KC is moving on from Shields and Butler, plus at least one or more of those live arms is bound to turn into a pumpkin next year.  The Twins beat both the Tigers and the White Sox in the season series this year, and were very competitive with the Royals (8-11, with 4 losses decided by one run).

 

Starting out in 2015, the first 15 games... and then, 22 of the first 25 games, are against the AL Central.  There is a huge opportunity for the Twins to hit the ground running and put themselves into the conversation with a hot start.  It will be maddening if the Twins FO continues their 2015 Puntage-code words and settles for a year or two of "settling-in." with the new skipper.

I don't necessarily disagree, but I'm not sure your beef, in that case, is with Molitor as much as it is Ryan. I probably wouldn't give Terry Ryan a new 3 year contract today (not that he worries much about that kind of thing, I know).

 

But if I'm any guy offered the Twins manager job, I know I'll have limited say on who fills out the roster I've got to work with.

[Steven Buhr]

You know, there's one more aspect of the contract length.

 

Any manager coming in has to feel like Terry Ryan may not survive another bad year, so he'd want at least 3 years, just in case there's a FO overhaul a year from now. It at least gives him a little financial/job security in case he's "Renteria'd" a year from now. And if I'm TR, I'd be OK with giving that to him (though I doubt Pohlad would agree to anything longer, for the same reason).

[jokin]

I don't necessarily disagree, but I'm not sure your beef, in that case, is with Molitor as much as it is Ryan. I probably wouldn't give Terry Ryan a new 3 year contract today (not that he worries much about that kind of thing, I know).

 

But if I'm any guy offered the Twins manager job, I know I'll have limited say on who fills out the roster I've got to work with.

 

To be clear, I don't have a beef with Molitor on this.  It's my concern with the perception that the front office has merely just checked a box off and have merely bought more time to amble along, especially because they have already indicated that they aren't very eager to expand the payroll, etc.

[one_eyed_jack]

The problem is there is yawning room in the payroll to add talent and fill holes- I don't like the trap of the default position of "The Twins just aren't good enough"- no one should feel comfortable with that assumption.  (Tomas in LF, One or two #1 or # 2 potential SPs FAs and you're quickly on the fast-track to a potential winner).  Those key additions and some big production from a few of the uber-talented call-ups, continues improvements from now-established guys... and now you're suddenly talking about a contender, not just a winner, especially if Detroit continues to slide and KC is moving on from Shields and Butler, plus at least one or more of those live arms is bound to turn into a pumpkin next year.  The Twins beat both the Tigers and the White Sox in the season series this year, and were very competitive with the Royals (8-11, with 4 losses decided by one run).

 

Starting out in 2015, the first 15 games... and then, 22 of the first 25 games, are against the AL Central.  There is a huge opportunity for the Twins to hit the ground running and put themselves into the conversation with a hot start.  It will be maddening if the Twins FO continues their 2015 Puntage-code words and settles for a year or two of "settling-in." with the new skipper.

 

I'm still trying to understand this "extended honeymoon" thing.  Is your concern that by giving Molitor a 3-year deal, the FO is signaling that they are willing to tolerate 2 more years of losing? 

[notoriousgod71]

Predictable and uninspiring.

[powrwrap]

The Twins just sent out a press release stating that they have hired Paul Molitor as their 13th manager. He gets a three-year contract.

 

http://i59.tinypic.com/2lszkae.gif

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Hey, if they are calling Jack Morris, how about Dave Winfield, too? All St. Paul, all the time!

 

I'm more nervous/excited about the rest of the coaching staff than I was about when they would announce that Molitor was the new manager. I don't mean to sound cynical about it, but I have thought for a long time that Molitor was the preferred choice of ownership and TR alike.