Outside ideas and people

[TheLeviathan]

That is a different question. ...will this matter to fans before the season at all for excitement and tickets?

 

No, but short of reanimating Ted Williams I'm not sure that was going to change with the hiring process.

[nater79a]

It all comes down to the players  If Buxton, Meyer, Sano, Berrios, May, Burdi, etc... are as good as advertised, other teams will be knocking down Vavra's door in about 4 years, wanting him as manager. 

[twinsnorth49]

Why is someone already within the organization considered a yes man? I work in a large, long time, family owned business with exceptionally low turnover rates, we have very few yes men and remarkably continue to evolve.

 

A new hire can just as easily become a yes man as a longer tenured one. Perhaps they have hired people who they feel have the necessary experience, skills and also reflect the principles they believe in, that doesn't automatically make them yes men.

[Craig Arko]

No, but short of reanimating Ted Williams I'm not sure that was going to change with the hiring process.

New Twins First base coach Sofia Vergara will be a part of the Winter Caravan.

[USAFChief]

New Twins First base coach Sofia Vergara will be a part of the Winter Caravan.

Got a list of times, dates and locations, perchance?

[ashbury]

Who here asked for every voice to be new?

Turns of phrase like "They have barely cleaned house at all" set that expectation for me.

[jokin]

Some of the TD guys were involved in a Twitter debate this evening on an issue many of us have been noting during this coach-hiring process:

 

 

Patrick Reusse @1500ESPN_Reusse  ·  3h 3 hours ago

One coach to go & Twins don't have a catcher on staff. Give me the name of a former catcher who can stand at first base & hold gloves.

 

 

 

I still don't understand why Henry Blanco wasn't brought in, at least for an interview.  Bilingual (for a guy like Pinto to learn more easily from) and a familiar guy to the organization.  What do Maddon and Epstein know that the Twins don't?  With the extra runs that can be extracted over a season through daily tweaking at the catcher position, it is a bit surprising that there is no ex-catcher on the staff yet.

 

Not all his doing, obviously, but with Blanco at least being familiar with the concept, the D-Backs had some of the best catch-framing stats, the Cubs, especially the Twins, were down around the bottom.

[nicksaviking]

There are lot of very good, private, family-run businesses that have had a lot of success and lasted decade after decade, maybe even a century. Sometimes those businesses develop a strong business plan and philosophy and despite new generations of ownership and managers and workers, they continue to be successful. 

 

This is MLB baseball though, this isn't supposed to be the neighborhood five and dime no matter how much the organization would like to push that quaint idea.

 

I get it, Apple sucks, there big bad bullies that change the rules to lend to their advantage.  However they're winners, and at this point I trade cute for wins all day long.

[Boom Boom]

I must admit that the fresh new coaching staff looks a bit more familiar than I was expecting. If you thought the Twins were too insular before, they haven't done a whole lot to dissuade that notion.

[Craig Arko]

If you thought the Twins were too insular before, they haven't done a whole lot to dissuade that notion.

 

It's cold out. We need all the insulation we can get.

[Platoon]

Some of the TD guys were involved in a Twitter debate this evening on an issue many of us have been noting during this coach-hiring process:

 

 

 

 

I still don't understand why Henry Blanco wasn't brought in, at least for an interview.  Bilingual (for a guy like Pinto to learn more easily from) and a familiar guy to the organization.  What do Maddon and Epstein know that the Twins don't?  With the extra runs that can be extracted over a season through daily tweaking at the catcher position, it is a bit surprising that there is no ex-catcher on the staff yet.

 

Not all his doing, obviously, but with Blanco at least being familiar with the concept, the D-Backs had some of the best catch-framing stats, the Cubs, especially the Twins, were down around the bottom.

Is it possible that this is an indication that Josmil is history? They just overpaid Suzuki for the next two years. He is going to catch until then. To sit him behind someone, especially Josmil after last year, would be an admission of failure. And I doubt that at this stage in his career Suzuki will listen to pitch framing instruction, or learn Spanish! While I agree with the need for Hispanic coaches, I am not sure of the need on this team for a catching coach, at this time.

[Mike Sixel]

New Twins First base coach Sofia Vergara will be a part of the Winter Caravan.

 

First Twins' tickets I'd buy in a long time.

[Mike Sixel]

Thanks to everyone so far.....this is a bit of an emotional issue for some, and for the most part has been a friendly discussion.

 

I agree, I don't think coaching changes are enough to fire up the fanbase at this point (or maybe ever). It has to be about the players on the field first.

[big dog]

This is MLB baseball though, this isn't supposed to be the neighborhood five and dime no matter how much the organization would like to push that quaint idea.

 

I get it, Apple sucks, there big bad bullies that change the rules to lend to their advantage.  However they're winners, and at this point I trade cute for wins all day long.

 

Don't be so dismissive about family firms (the five and dimes are all gone anyway).  A surprisingly large fraction of the S&P 500 consists of firms that still have a large involvement by the founding families.  There's a significant corporate finance literature discussing why these firms continue to be successful, on average more successful than firms without founder involvement, even after adjusting for survivorship bias.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

What I find amazing is how on a forum where we are often talking about very sophisticated analyses of player statistics and game strategy that the biggest debates are about some of the greatest cliche's in sports:

 

We need a new coach, we need a new coach from outside the organization, we need new management and we need to empty the piggy bank to get the most expensive free agents on the market.

 

If it was as simple as all that - the Twins would win the World Series every year.   Can we move past the false dichotomy of whether a coach is from inside the organization/outside the organization and talk more about what each coach has actually done and can bring to the team?

 

I am much more interested in learning more about:

 

• The types of pitchers Neil Allen produced in Tampa Bay.
• What Gene Glynn did in Rochester that turned that team into playoff contender.
• How Molitor's philosophy and knowledge will translate to new personnel and new game strategy.

[brvama]

What I find amazing is how on a forum where we are often talking about very sophisticated analyses of player statistics and game strategy that the biggest debates are about some of the greatest cliche's in sports:

 

We need a new coach, we need a new coach from outside the organization, we need new management and we need to empty the piggy bank to get the most expensive free agents on the market.

 

If it was as simple as all that - the Twins would win the World Series every year.   Can we move past the false dichotomy of whether a coach is from inside the organization/outside the organization and talk more about what each coach has actually done and can bring to the team?

 

I am much more interested in learning more about:

 

 

• The types of pitchers Neil Allen produced in Tampa Bay.
• What Gene Glynn did in Rochester that turned that team into playoff contender.
• How Molitor's philosophy and knowledge will translate to new personnel and new game strategy.

Amen!

[Intramural Legend]

I plan on waiting until our first 4 game losing streak before I call for all of the new coaches to be replaced!

[Steven Buhr]

 

I am much more interested in learning more about:

 

• The types of pitchers Neil Allen produced in Tampa Bay.
• What Gene Glynn did in Rochester that turned that team into playoff contender.
• How Molitor's philosophy and knowledge will translate to new personnel and new game strategy.

 

FWIW, you can find a number of articles concerning Glynn's work in Rochester from the perspective of Jim Mandelaro of the Democrat/Chronicle in Rochester. He has praised Glynn's work there often.

 

One high level piece gives a little flavor anyway. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/baseball/minors/2014/11/13/gene-glynn-perfect-choice-red-wings/19008713/

[Intramural Legend]

That is a different question. ...will this matter to fans before the season at all for excitement and tickets?

 

Does a new coaching staff ever move the needle on ticket sales? I have to believe the average fan (Non-TD follower) know nothing more than what the 10pm news tells them about how the team is currently doing!

[Intramural Legend]

This is MLB baseball though, this isn't supposed to be the neighborhood five and dime no matter how much the organization would like to push that quaint idea.

 

I get it, Apple sucks, there big bad bullies that change the rules to lend to their advantage.  However they're winners, and at this point I trade cute for wins all day long.

 

It's ironic you went with Apple in your example as they really only took off when they went back to their "old blood"

[jokin]

Is it possible that this is an indication that Josmil is history? They just overpaid Suzuki for the next two years. He is going to catch until then. To sit him behind someone, especially Josmil after last year, would be an admission of failure. And I doubt that at this stage in his career Suzuki will listen to pitch framing instruction, or learn Spanish! While I agree with the need for Hispanic coaches, I am not sure of the need on this team for a catching coach, at this time.

 

That is likely how the Twins feel, seemingly over-valuing Suzuki's leadership skills while ignoring both the glaring deficiencies in Suzuki's game as well as the possibility that 2014 was an extreme outlier at the plate.  It sure would be a shame to cut Pinto loose with little to show in return with all of that offense potential.

 

Meanwhile, the plot thickens with Blanco in Chicago and his D-Back catcher, Miguel Montero.... would that mean that Wellington Castillo might become available? He would make a very nice, great-plate-defense, buy -ow-in -rade candidate.

 

 

Miguel Montero placed tenth on Castrovince’s list and Buster Olney of ESPN.com (on Twitter) wonders if the hiring of Henry Blanco will create traction for the Cubs‘ interest in the Diamondbacks’ catcher, who was a Blanco pupil in 2014. The D’Backs have reportedly spoken with the Cubs, Dodgers, and White Sox about Montero.

[SweetOne69]

To the best of my knowledge before Steinbach came on board 2 years ago, the Twins have operated for years without a catcher's coach.

[Hugh Morris]

Clearly the biggest issue and the root of the problem is the front office.  If the top executive of the team is a PR guy and not a baseball man and if the Front office has been pretty much unchanged the last 20 years despite the lack of fielding a competitive team against good teams, how can one expect any improvement?

 

They should had hired a baseball person from the outside with a pedigree of success to run the operations, hire the front office and field personnel.  The turn around that the Rangers showed with Ryan (the good one) on the helm should had been the model.

 

But they blew it.  Maybe Pohlad should sell if he does not care about winning.

This is dragging something back from a day ago, but I see similar sentiments popping up on TD and elsewhere. The concept that the top executive not being a baseball man means the team doesn't care about winning is... you can take your pick of ill-informed or bleeding edge. I'm fine either way.

 

2014 Playoff Teams:

Kansas City: Not a baseball man (also the owner. Beneath the CEO is president, who is related to the owner)

Oakland: Not a baseball man (limited partnership with Owners, came in as CFO)

Giants: Not a baseball man (also part of the ownership group. Started in sports broadcasting)

Detroit Tigers: We found one! Dombo is GM/CEO/President. The next highest executive is a.... hockey scout?

Pirates: Lawyer whose only prior baseball experience was working in the commissioner's office. I suppose it's possible that I've misread your meaning, but I don't believe that would qualify as baseball man any more than St Peter's rise through the ranks.

Angels: Neither of the top figures are baseball men. It's also a bit of a hairy situation. Sales and Marketing, for the current acting top executive.

Orioles: Owner (next position down, also related to the owner)

Cardinals: Son of the owner. Got his start in Merchandising. 

Dodgers: Former Basketball General Manager. Also part owner

Washington Nationals: Highest ranking Exec appears to be COO Alan Gottlieb (no, to my surprise, not that one). Can find no indication he has any background in Baseball Operations or Player Personnel.

 

So of our 10 2014 playoff teams, only one has a "Baseball Man" as the top executive. In fact, research suggests that you are rather fortunate the Pohalds haven't given themselves a CEO/President title.

 

Let's look though, at some of the other teams that the Twins are frequently compared to or bound to be measured against

 

Houston: Former MLB pitcher. Also son of part owner Nolan Ryan. Would wager the latter has more to do with his position than the former.

Chicago Cubs: Not a Baseball Man.

Chicago White Sox: Not a Baseball Man. Chairman and Vice Chair are owners. Next down is Senior Executive Vice President (putting him about Baseball Man Kenny Williams). Howard Pizer was a colleague of the ownership team brought aboard to run the business side of things.

Tampa: Currently, not a baseball man. Previously, was Baseball Man Andrew Friedman.

 

If I were to look through this data for patterns, I'd comment that the bulk of teams (and bulk of successful franchises) do not have "Baseball Men" as the top executives. I'd also point out that the two franchises who do have/have had Baseball Men in that role have seen some eyebrow raising moves made due to lack of overall revenues or dramatically higher expenses than receipts-Whether it's Dombo trading Fister for spare parts or trading Prince and a princely (heh) sum of money to Texas for Kinsler... or Silverman moving Price for what certainly appears like an underwhelming return and also having to deal James Shields early. I'd have made the Shields deal as well, but shopping him appears to have been primarily financially motivated.

 

Look, I enjoy most of your posting even when I disagree with you, but I'm not certain what you think St Peter's role in the organization is where Baseball Man should be the primary qualification. It certainly doesn't appear to function that way around the bulk of the rest of the league.

[Rosterman]

All coaches have to start out somewhere, be it player, minor league manager, or minor league coach. Part of the skillset is how they deal with players, and how they deal with the guy in charge of their team.

 

I have always liked Joe Vavra. He is more of a stats man than hitting coach, relying on what a player is doing against pitchers and in ballparks, and this is a guy that is a gem of a bench coach. Plus, he can talk with players. Bruno does the heavy lifting. Hernandez is there for developmental support. Molitor will tweak.

 

Out of all the Twins staff, he was the one I hoped would stay, somewhere, in the organization. Either as the minor league hitting coordinator (still an open position and one Vavra has held before) or perhaps as a field manager at the neighboring Iowa team. But as a bench coach, he is right wwhere he belongs...analyzing players as a player, not just a stathead.

 

Would Steinbach be better? In a sense Terry is a personable guy and is the perfect manager voice for a voiceless manager, to do the talk show circuit and stuff. We have to wait to see how Paul Molitor does this...somewhere between Tom Kelly and Gardy, probably.

 

Neil Allen will be looking at a lot of film, a lot of film, and stat reports. So will Eddie. The two of them are basically in charge of a staff of starters and relievers and hopefully boht looking at the overall picture will improve he Twins.

 

Gene Glynn brings player personnel experience, on-field experience, and fundamental experience. Yes, I would have considered such names as John Russell and Sam Perlozzo (who might still be in the field staff mix). 

 

But do you promote from within the organization? Even after 4 losing seasons. Sadly, yes, to the Twins, who have a Twins Way and an antiquated front office staff that would have to be completely torn apart first before you give 100% outside turnover to field staff, as well as strip out the minors. There are lots of good folks in the Twins minor system. Field managers to be Jake Mauer and Doug Mientkiewicz. Jeff Reed and Ray Smith and Marty Mason and Ivan Artega could all be on-field staff. You have a variety of others who help out, from Bert and Roy to Tim. Frank Quilici is still out there. Tom Kelly is still out there. Would Hrbek be a solid guy to have coaching 1st base. 

 

I'm hoping ALL the current names are solid and will be here at least 3-5 seasons as the Twins DO improve (their system says "yes" and it is up to the players and the system to make it "no." 

 

The skillset of "new" coaching is being defined by specifics these days...you have infield and outfield fielding coaches, you have a base running coach, you have a hitting coach, you have analyticals, you have a starter coach, you have a bullpen guru, you have someone who reminds you of how the game was played, you have someone who just is personable and sparks players. You got a field staff of eight and they keep getting bigger, if money allows it (and if the money IS there for players, is it also there for teachers?).

 

Six down, one to go. And give them players that will succeed!

[jokin]

To the best of my knowledge before Steinbach came on board 2 years ago, the Twins have operated for years without a catcher's coach.

 

Again, there remain certain market inefficiencies in the area of the value of catching metrics.  A budget-challenged team can recoup a lot of runs cheaply with better framing technique and base-stealing prevention. Obviously, Suzuki is there to help do the film study, game-planning, interaction with pitchers and the pitching coach, but another experienced voice involved in that process seems both a wise and prudent use of resources.