Gene Glynn named Twins 3B Coach

[curt1965]

Just read the great article above byGoGonzoJournal. I like his ideas, and he certainly answered my questions,as well as being spot on so far. Great job!

[Seth Stohs]

Most say Cuellar will fill pitching coach, but I'm not buying that. I've thrown Dom Chiti, Frank Viola, and Marty Mason out there, but what do I know? Steinbach could be a good bet to return as bench coach, but I'd like to see either Ozzie Guillen or Rick Renteria fill that role, if they're willing.

 

I think Viola has to be the favorite for the pitching coach position. 

 

Bench coach - I have no idea. I don't think there's any real good reason that it is or should be a former manager. I think that need is overblown. Maybe Terry Ryan and Paul Molitor think there is some value in that. I don't necessarily though. I'd say Ozzie Guillen is very unlikely. 

[teekz]

Would Eddie Guardado be a candidate for bullpen coach? He has been doing some special assistant during spring training. Didn't Perk say he helped with his changeup or something also a couple years ago?

[Otto von Ballpark]

I think Viola has to be the favorite for the pitching coach position. 

Would it bother anyone else that basically every major coaching hire made by TR since 2011 could be an internal promotion, a former Twin, and/or a Minnesota native/resident?

 

I mean, I understand when fans default to speculating about these guys for open spots, because that's really the extent of most fans' knowledge about such matters.  But when the MLB organization actually does it, to this extent (assuming Viola gets the pitching coach spot), I can't help but feel it's a bit of a lazy, close-minded, old-school, country-club approach.

 

It also wouldn't be a good sign for Molitor as a "fresh thinker" if he fails to extend outside this circle for ANY of his coaching staff hires.

 

And it pretty much guarantees Rob Antony would take over if TR stepped down again in the near future, and we'd all be bracing ourselves for Bill Smith 2.0.

[Squirrel]

Would it bother anyone else that basically every major coaching hire made by TR since 2011 could be an internal promotion, a former Twin, and/or a Minnesota native/resident?

 

I mean, I understand when fans default to speculating about these guys for open spots, because that's really the extent of most fans' knowledge about such matters.  But when the MLB organization actually does it, to this extent (assuming Viola gets the pitching coach spot), I can't help but feel it's a bit of a lazy, close-minded, old-school, country-club approach.

 

It also wouldn't be a good sign for Molitor as a "fresh thinker" if he fails to extend outside this circle for ANY of his coaching staff hires.

 

And it pretty much guarantees Rob Antony would take over if TR stepped down again in the near future, and we'd all be bracing ourselves for Bill Smith 2.0.

Okay, so now the coaches can't even be a native Minnesotan or resident for them to be outside the organization and provide a new perspective?   I get the need for a fresh perspective, but as I've stated elsewhere, I don't think you are going to truly get that without a change at the top, something I have also advocated for.  You'll get some new ideas into the mix through the manager and coaching staff, but for what I'm hearing the amount of 'new perspective' people want, it just isn't going to happen without a 'from the top down' change.  But by adding the qualifier 'not a Minnesota native/resident,' that is just getting overly picky, imo, but to each his/her own.  Glynn has had impressive success in Rochester and has had more years experience elsewhere than with Minnesota.  While it's not exactly what I was thinking, I think it's a step in the right direction.  Sometimes effective change needs to happen slowly, sometimes not.  Maybe we'll just have to wait until all the pieces are in place and see how it is working before deeming it the same old status quo.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Okay, so now the coaches can't even be a native Minnesotan or resident for them to be outside the organization and provide a new perspective?   I get the need for a fresh perspective, but as I've stated elsewhere, I don't think you are going to truly get that without a change at the top, something I have also advocated for.  You'll get some new ideas into the mix through the manager and coaching staff, but for what I'm hearing the amount of 'new perspective' people want, it just isn't going to happen without a 'from the top down' change.  But by adding the qualifier 'not a Minnesota native/resident,' that is just getting overly picky, imo, but to each his/her own.  Glynn has had impressive success in Rochester and has had more years experience elsewhere than with Minnesota.  While it's not exactly what I was thinking, I think it's a step in the right direction.  Sometimes effective change needs to happen slowly, sometimes not.  Maybe we'll just have to wait until all the pieces are in place and see how it is working before deeming it the same old status quo.

It wasn't my intent for that qualifier to be overly picky.

 

Actually you could drop it altogether and the statement is still true -- I think all of our native/resident  Minnesotan hires have been internal promotions anyway (with the exception of Glynn's original hiring for Rochester in 2012, if you want to lump that in).

 

If the Twins indeed tab Viola, regardless of whether he may be qualified, it will feel like they are taking the former Twin / local boy angle to an almost ridiculous extreme.  TR is a smart baseball guy -- I simply don't buy that the best fellow baseball minds he can find are all former Twins and local guys.  Those are just the baseball people he's most comfortable working with, which is partly how we got into the 2011-2014 mess we are in (particularly when you factor in the earlier Bill Smith promotion).

[Squirrel]

 

If the Twins indeed tab Viola, regardless of whether he may be qualified, it will feel like they are taking the former Twin / local boy angle to an almost ridiculous extreme.  TR is a smart baseball guy -- I simply don't buy that the best fellow baseball minds he can find are all former Twins and local guys.  Those are just the baseball people he's most comfortable working with, which is partly how we got into the 2011-2014 mess we are in (particularly when you factor in the earlier Bill Smith promotion).

Right.  Which is why I said you won't find the change you want as long as those in charge remain in charge.  Which is also why I will wait and see if the 'different' they have now is 'different enough.'  But who knows ... even Viola spent time elsewhere, and wasn't part of the 'TR regime,' either.  While there might be too much 'same ol' same ol'' for most here, maybe there is enough different in the mix to affect change?  Only time will tell.  Personally, I like the Glynn hiring, and I like the Bruno hiring. I've even really warmed up to the Molitor hiring.  (What can I say ... I can't live in 'would've, should've, could've' land.)  Even if it's not initially what I had hoped, it's kind of what I expected.  But we have 3 positions left to fill ... let's see what opportunity they take with those.  I sort of expect Cuellar to return as BP coach, so, that leaves two.

[Seth Stohs]

Viola hasn't been involved in the Twins organization since he was traded during the 1989 season. That's 25 years. Sure, he's been at Twins Fest once or twice since retiring. 

 

To me, it's not even a big deal. Gene Glynn has been with the Twins organization for like 3 of his 30+ years as a coach in baseball. Sure, he's from Minnesota and the last three years he's been a minor league manager, but he's also been a big league coach for four organizations and a scout in the fifth. Seems very, maybe over-qualified. 

 

As a Minnesotan, I would personally take a lot of pride in the fact that there are good options from my state. Guys who have a ton of time in the game and do bring their own perspectives. 

 

I just don't see the negative.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Viola hasn't been involved in the Twins organization since he was traded during the 1989 season. That's 25 years. Sure, he's been at Twins Fest once or twice since retiring. 

 

To me, it's not even a big deal. Gene Glynn has been with the Twins organization for like 3 of his 30+ years as a coach in baseball. Sure, he's from Minnesota and the last three years he's been a minor league manager, but he's also been a big league coach for four organizations and a scout in the fifth. Seems very, maybe over-qualified. 

 

As a Minnesotan, I would personally take a lot of pride in the fact that there are good options from my state. Guys who have a ton of time in the game and do bring their own perspectives. 

 

I just don't see the negative.

Viola does have a concession stand named after him.

 

On a case-by-case basis, you can justify any of these guys, of course.  But at some point, when TR is like 6-for-6 or whatever at hiring former Twins and Minnesotans for every available coaching spot, you have to wonder how deep he's really looking, you know?  And how much is prioritizing familiarity over results, innovation, etc.?

 

This is the same sense I've gotten from the Twins for years in regards to player acquisition too -- their attitude seems to be "we'll do our best to win with what draft picks we have" as they've mostly ignored free agency and the international markets.

 

I like most of the hires so far too, but I just can't shake that TR is prioritizing comfort and familiarity far too much in what was advertised as a organizational shake-up.

[ashbury]

as they've mostly ignored free agency and the international markets.

Take a look at Sickels's top-20 Twins prospects and see if you still think they ignore the international markets.  The vaunted farm system would be a lot weaker without those signings.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/15/4838866/minnesota-twins-top-20-prospects-for-2014

[Mike Sixel]

International markets for AAA/MLB guys, not 16 year olds....

 

*I'd bet money that's what he meant.

[jokin]

Take a look at Sickels's top-20 Twins prospects and see if you still think they ignore the international markets.  The vaunted farm system would be a lot weaker without those signings.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/15/4838866/minnesota-twins-top-20-prospects-for-2014

 

Can't speak for Spycake, but could it be he's referring to the Cuban/Japanese/Korean major-league-ready international market?

[ashbury]

Can't speak for Spycake, but could it be he's referring to the Cuban/Japanese/Korean major-league-ready international market?

I figured he was referring to some subset he wants the team to go after, yes.

[nicksaviking]

I like Viola, he'd probably be a good pitching coach.  I like Molitor, I liked seeing Brunansky and Steinbach back, I like Glynn getting called up to the big staff and I'm happy for Rudy Hernandez after all the time he's put into this game.  Danny Gladden and Bert Blyleven may not be very good at their jobs, but I still like them, they remind me of watching games when I was younger.  I enjoyed seeing Jason Kubel, Jason Bartlett and Matt Guerrier one last time also.

 

All that being said, I don't think it's unfair to ask why Ryan and company make nearly all their hires based on some level of organizational relationship. 

[jokin]

I figured he was referring to some subset he wants the team to go after, yes.

 

That's not how it sounds to me in your Post #40-  yours seems to be an entirely different subset to which I infer he wasn't referring.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Take a look at Sickels's top-20 Twins prospects and see if you still think they ignore the international markets. The vaunted farm system would be a lot weaker without those signings.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/15/4838866/minnesota-twins-top-20-prospects-for-2014

Now that there are slots and spending caps for amateurs, yes we have improved in that regard.

 

Still doesn't change the fact that TR generally doesn't like any market where MLB mandates everybody takes turns. I think "hire from the guys I know" seems to be the coaching corollary.

[old nurse]

International markets for AAA/MLB guys, not 16 year olds....

 

*I'd bet money that's what he meant.

They would have been so much better off keeping what they had and ignoring the Japanese player they signed.

[Mike Sixel]

They would have been so much better off keeping what they had and ignoring the Japanese player they signed.

 

True, but mistakes happen. Doesn't mean you don't try.

[Seth Stohs]

How many players from Korea, Japan and Cuba have the magical Rays signed?

[lightfoot789]

How many players from Korea, Japan and Cuba have the magical Rays signed?

Great Point

The draft is the only way to secure long term success in a small market. We do well with young great foreign players that have more team control in regards to International signings.

[lightfoot789]

No one else is coming to this Cold / frozen city. Willingham was your highest paid position player Ever. I want free agents as well, but sometimes money is not the End All for those guys. We have to sell their families too. iMO

[jokin]

How many players from Korea, Japan and Cuba have the magical Rays signed?

 

I'm not sure the point  that you're trying to make here.  The Rays are the epitome of a small market team, the Twins, in stark contrast, promoted themselves to mid-market status, made strong public statements for the new stadium rationale as exactly the reason for competing in niche markets like this.   They have left a boatload of chips on the table over the last four years, including refusing to even consider posting a bid in this particular market.

[DocBauer]

I have no clue if rumors surrounding Viola are remotely true or not. Further, while I have read tidbits here and there to his coaching career, I can't say he is or is not qualified to be the Twins next pitching coach. I know he was a hell of a ML pitcher in his day and a Cy Young winner.

 

But I do know that while is a former Twin player, as stated, that was nearly 30 YEARS AGO, and has NOT been employed by the Twins since then. (Unless I'm missing something somewhere) While the Twins may do a lot of promoting from within, and keep things often "in the family" (a Norse Baseball Mafia???), Viola was never a Twin under either Gardenhire or Ryan. There is really very little correlation to him being a former Twin and a candidate for a coaching position.

[cmb0252]

Would it bother anyone else that basically every major coaching hire made by TR since 2011 could be an internal promotion, a former Twin, and/or a Minnesota native/resident?

 

I mean, I understand when fans default to speculating about these guys for open spots, because that's really the extent of most fans' knowledge about such matters.  But when the MLB organization actually does it, to this extent (assuming Viola gets the pitching coach spot), I can't help but feel it's a bit of a lazy, close-minded, old-school, country-club approach.

 

It also wouldn't be a good sign for Molitor as a "fresh thinker" if he fails to extend outside this circle for ANY of his coaching staff hires.

 

And it pretty much guarantees Rob Antony would take over if TR stepped down again in the near future, and we'd all be bracing ourselves for Bill Smith 2.0.

I have been thinking the exact same thing. When Monitor was added to the staff last year people immediately started talking about how he will be the next manager. While I don't mind the hirings so far it just seems like we are going through the motions. There is a chance we will have 4 of the 8 coaches from last year back.

[The Wise One]

I'm not sure the point  that you're trying to make here.  The Rays are the epitome of a small market team, the Twins, in stark contrast, promoted themselves to mid-market status, made strong public statements for the new stadium rationale as exactly the reason for competing in niche markets like this.   They have left a boatload of chips on the table over the last four years, including refusing to even consider posting a bid in this particular market.

The Cardinals are mid market, their current roster has no free agents from other countries other than from the 16 year olds. They did sign Diaz, but he is in AA

[jokin]

The Cardinals are mid market, their current roster has no free agents from other countries other than from the 16 year olds. They did sign Diaz, but he is in AA

 

Not sure what your point is here.  The Cardinals have demonstrated enormous ability in drafting extremely well from the back end of the draft, and quickly moving their less-regarded talent to the majors and performing at a high level.   The Twins in the same areas, not so much....

 

The Diaz signing really tends to hurt your argument, the Cardinals went outside their comfort zone parameter and got him at a steal rate. They're solid and deep at the position already, he then offers the chance for an excellent sweetener to another deal.  The Twins miss the boat on a low-cost, low-risk deal, yet another FAIL.

[The Wise One]

Not sure what your point is here.  The Cardinals have demonstrated enormous ability in drafting extremely well from the back end of the draft, and quickly moving their less-regarded talent to the majors and performing at a high level.   The Twins in the same areas, not so much....

 

The Diaz signing really tends to hurt your argument, the Cardinals went outside their comfort zone paramater and got him at a steak rate. They're solid and deep at the position already, he then offers the chance for an excellent sweetener to another deal.  The Twins miss the boat on a low-cost, low-risk deal, yet another FAIL.

The Cardinals have done extremely well with minimal foreign player signings. The only one I could think of is Diaz, who has not made it as a major league player yet. Even midmarket teams can do well without signing higher priced unproven foreign talent.    

Yes the Cardinals paid steak prices for Diaz, the questions left unaswered is he chopped liver?

[The Wise One]

Glynn, with his experience, should be a fine addition to the staff. The nattering of lack of outside voices ignore that any coach is going to be a sum of their experiences. All but the assistant hitting coach have spent more time outside of the Twins organization than in it. I have not head of lobotomies being done, but I highly doubt you unlearn what you have seen elsewhere.

[Linus]

Viola does have a concession stand named after him.

 

On a case-by-case basis, you can justify any of these guys, of course. But at some point, when TR is like 6-for-6 or whatever at hiring former Twins and Minnesotans for every available coaching spot, you have to wonder how deep he's really looking, you know? And how much is prioritizing familiarity over results, innovation, etc.?

 

This is the same sense I've gotten from the Twins for years in regards to player acquisition too -- their attitude seems to be "we'll do our best to win with what draft picks we have" as they've mostly ignored free agency and the international markets.

 

I like most of the hires so far too, but I just can't shake that TR is prioritizing comfort and familiarity far too much in what was advertised as a organizational shake-up.

Do we even know that TR is making these decisions? Isn't Molitor's coaching staff?

[Linus]

I care more about whether Viola is qualified or not. Has he been coaching in other organizations? If not why would he be qualified?