Terry Ryan on Souhan Unfiltered

[Linus]

Ash, it was "rath" as in rather or I'd rather not irritate the mods........

 

Does anyone know why I can't respond with quote on my laptop IE10?

 

As to the topic at hand:

This is the way TR always has been.  I guess I don't understand how him admitting mistakes is somehow insincere or insufficient to some.  Its as if the only thing he can do to satisfy some people is to call a press conference and say: "I really bungled that Mike Mussina thing so I've decided to fire myself".

 

Anything less is not accountable enough.

 

I realize many people don't like him, fair enough.  There is plenty of ammunition for you to roundly criticize the guy but this particular area just ain't it.

[JB_Iowa]

 

Mr. Ryans moves as GM have been debated here many times and he has made good moves and bad ones.  I am not sure how much longer he really even wants to be the GM so for those who want to see him go they might not have wait too long.

 

I think the "succession plan" is my greatest concern.  Lately I've had the feeling they may be grooming Brad Steil for the job (no basis in fact, just a gut impression).

 

TR's retirement will be the best opportunity to revamp the team's modus operandi.

[SarasotaBill]

Ryan said Glynn was in the top three and Lovello was the third person (not third place) in the top three.

[Major League Ready]

I can't respond with a quote either.

 

There is quite a bit more to it than missed picks or trades starting with leadership which none of us are even remotely close enough to the organization to decipher.  The next aspect of the job I would put the most weight on, specifically for a lower revenue market team, is the farm system.  I don't mean how the happen to rank right at this moment.  Practices, methodologies, personnel, etc.  I guess some folks might think we see enough of what goes on to judge but I could not possibly agree.  I have a team on a similar assessment with a client right now.  The engagement is scheduled for 9 months and 3,000 man hours with total access.   

 

Our environment has also changed.  Our relative position in terms of revenue has changed.  We are still closer to the bottom than the top but we can do some things now.  Like buy some decent starting pitching.  While most cheer this move, I can't get past the fact that we no have $50M a year tied up in Mauer, Nolasco, and Santana through 2017 and Mauer and Santana through 2018.  Have we extended out mediocrity?  Would you rather have $37M to spend on a top of the rotation guy in 2017 and have $10-12M left over to invest somewhere else?

 

What are the odds these guys are above league average in 2017 and 2018.  Mauer might still be pretty good but we have several guys who will be more productive by then for $22M less.  There is a best case scenario where this works out but Nolasco and Santana would need to stay healthy and productive enough to be traded between now and the end of 2016.  Maybe Nolasco and Santana can be turned and we actually get something for them.  Let's hope they beat the odds.

[ashbury]

Here's one more thing from the interview, right at the tail end.  Asked specifically about Nolasco, he said, "we need to fix Ricky Nolasco.. and [get] him engaged with this franchise... it was a little bit of a struggle for him to want to belong."  You like frank comments from a GM?  Wow.  Pretty damning, particularly about a player who had just signed a large contract the previous off-season, though he tried to soften it a bit by going on to offer praise for pitching hurt.  It ties in with the infamous Nolasco tweet about wishing he was back in LA, which at the time I wasn't sure was corroborated by any particular rumors or rumblings.

[JB_Iowa]

Here's one more thing from the interview, right at the tail end.  Asked specifically about Nolasco, he said, "we need to fix Ricky Nolasco.. and [get] him engaged with this franchise... it was a little bit of a struggle for him to want to belong."  You like frank comments from a GM?  Wow.  

 

Disengaged is exactly how I felt about Nolasco last season.  I hope it was just the injury and poor performance last year.  

 

It seemed like Hughes was engaged from Day 1.  Cooperative with the media.  Active on Twitter.  Santana seems the same so far this year.

 

I just never got that from Ricky.  I still feel like I don't know anything about him other than that he loves L.A., hot cars and some kind of extreme sport (one of those things with initials).

[ashbury]

Disengaged is exactly how I felt about Nolasco last season. 

I wish I knew where it went wrong.  I replayed some video from his introductory press conference.

 

http://www.foxsports.com/north/clips?s=172306

 

Of course, you wouldn't expect anything amiss in that situation.  But the benefit of hindsight often lets you see things, or at least think you see things.  No red flags waving for me there.

[JB_Iowa]

I think a large part of it is that he got off to such a bad start.  Then Hughes became a media darling and we really didn't learn much about Nolasco (beyond the misery of his performance.)

 

He didn't make the L.A. tweet until late September but it just confirmed what some of us were feeling about how he felt.

 

I hope he comes in with a positive attitude,  Winning early would do a lot to repair his relationship with the fans.  (And the team.)

[beckmt]

Given what we know, we all hope that Nolasco improves from last year, so that will help get him out of here.  Expect the Twins signed Santana to replace Nolasco and hope this is the case.

[jimmer]

Given what we know, we all hope that Nolasco improves from last year, so that will help get him out of here.  Expect the Twins signed Santana to replace Nolasco and hope this is the case.

If we look at Nolasco's FIP (4.30) instead of ERA, we see he wasn't as bad as many seem to think, though not as good as some thought he might be. He just needs a good defense which is something we didn't have and likely won't have this year either, since it hasn't really been addressed in a positive way this offseason as of yet. Additionally, Hughes was even better than many think.

[Thrylos]

If we look at Nolasco's FIP (4.30) instead of ERA, we see he wasn't as bad as many seem to think, though not as good as some thought he might be.

 

Here is how Nolasco's FIP ranked among all who started last season for the Twins:

 

Hughes 2.65, Pino 3.64, MLB AVERAGE FIP 3.74 Swarzak 3.77, Gibson 3.80, Johnson 4.08, Nolasco 4.30, Correia 4.35, Deduno 4.46...

 

So he was in Correia territory.  Which is horrible.  (on the other hand, check Pino and Swarzak out, if you want to make a FIP-based argument)

 

Nolasco sucked. No ends ifs of buts about it.  Hope he will be better next season.

[brvama]

It will be interesting to see how TR handles Nolasco. If there is some improvement to drive his value up, will TR move him out, especially if their is any hint of a lack of commitment to this team? Have to believe he will.

 

Also, I agree with beckmt, that the Santana signing was for Nolasco's eventual replacement. TR certainly has his GM(& scouting)eye on the prospects and can see a big potential logjam coming on the mound. Moving him loosens that blockage some.

 

It's my belief that he is willing to cut bait more now than in the past b/c the revenues are there and will not be as burdensome today. A 'younger' Poland as owner doesn't hurt either.

[jimmer]

Here is how Nolasco's FIP ranked among all who started last season for the Twins:

 

Hughes 2.65, Pino 3.64, Swarzak 3.77, Gibson 3.80, Johnson 4.08, Nolasco 4.30, Correia 4.35, Deduno 4.46...

 

So he was in Correia territory.  Which is horrible.  (on the other hand, check Pino and Swarzak out, if you want to make a FIP-based argument)

 

Nolasco sucked. No ends ifs of buts about it.  Hope he will be better next season.

My FIP argument doesn't change by using Pino and Swarzak.  It's the same argument, just to different levels

 

A 4.30 FIP isn't horrible.  It means his ERA, based on what he did, should have been 4.30, but due to really poor defense, his ERA ballooned over 5.00.  RA Dickey's FIP was 4.32, yet his ERA was 3.71. No one talks about how horrific he was. Shelby Miller was a key component in a good size trade this offseason, his ERA was 3.74, but his FIP was 4.54. Alfredo Simon, FIP of 4.33, ERA of 3.44, gets praise from most.  All pitchers need quality defense.  Like I said, he wasn't good for sure, but it's exaggerated as to how bad he, himself, was due to his horrible ERA.  Our rotation was pretty close to average in WAR, but due to such a bad defense, our rotation ERA was a full run over the rotation FIP.

 

Also, the injury needs to be taken into account.  Nolasco definitely should have revealed it earlier, but it certainly contributed to his poor performance.  I like that Nolasco had such a good September (except the dbacks game). He does need to improve though.

[bird]

Here's one more thing from the interview, right at the tail end.  Asked specifically about Nolasco, he said, "we need to fix Ricky Nolasco.. and [get] him engaged with this franchise... it was a little bit of a struggle for him to want to belong."  You like frank comments from a GM?  Wow.  Pretty damning, particularly about a player who had just signed a large comment the previous off-season, though he tried to soften it a bit by going on to offer praise for pitching hurt.  It ties in with the infamous Nolasco tweet about wishing he was back in LA, which at the time I wasn't sure was corroborated by any particular rumors or rumblings.

Ash, that stuck with me too, and I was glad to hear him succinctly and matter-of-factly bring into focus a player's attitude. Comments on TD calling for players to hold themselves more accountable are rare compared to commonplace calls for the GM to do so. I often find it puzzling at best that when a player performs poorly, the focus is so often on the coaching and the GM rather than on the player.

[ashbury]

Comments on TD calling for players to hold themselves more accountable are rare

That could be because Ryan was referring to something that might not be known to fans during the season.  Inside Baseball, indeed.  I love the frankness, but was surprised Ryan went there.

[Willihammer]

This is slightly cathartic but I have Another theory.

 

What do Mauer, Dozier, Plouffe, Suzuki, Perkins, Duensing, Gibson, Hicks, Swarzak, Willingham, and Correia have in common?

 

They're all married. Nolasco isn't married.

 

New city, doesn't know anyone. Bunch of cash (this part isn't cathartic). 1 day a week work schedule. And all his bros head straight home lights out by 12. Bor-ing!

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

 

Does anyone know why I can't respond with quote on my laptop IE10?

 

 

 

I'm running the latest patched version of 10 and I'm fine, but I had the same problem with 11.  That said, turn off the advanced editing features and just reply with text.  That will allow you to quote.

[diehardtwinsfan]

This is slightly cathartic but I have Another theory.

 

What do Mauer, Dozier, Plouffe, Suzuki, Perkins, Duensing, Gibson, Hicks, Swarzak, Willingham, and Correia have in common?

 

They're all married. Nolasco isn't married.

 

New city, doesn't know anyone. Bunch of cash (this part isn't cathartic). 1 day a week work schedule. And all his bros head straight home lights out by 12. Bor-ing!

 

I seem to remember a big fiasco before the season started where he was at a wild game wearing an LA cap or something like that as well.  Who knows.  There probably is something to a lot of this though.  He's older and single.  He could go party with Arcia, Vargas, and Santana, but I'm guessing he doesn't exactly fit in with that crowd either.  Hopefully he can get around some of those issues. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Ruben Amaro has job security like that. What market stresses winning more than philly? They booed Santa Clause. Cashmen has taken the easiest job in Baseball and turned the Yankees a laughing stock #arodstillhas3yearsleft

I honestly believe that Ryan would have lost his job already had he done half the dumb crap Amaro did.

[JB_Iowa]

I seem to remember a big fiasco before the season started where he was at a wild game wearing an LA cap or something like that as well.  Who knows.  There probably is something to a lot of this though.  He's older and single.  He could go party with Arcia, Vargas, and Santana, but I'm guessing he doesn't exactly fit in with that crowd either.  Hopefully he can get around some of those issues. 

 

So where does Hughes fit in under this theory?

 

I'm not disagreeing.  This roster has gotten really settled into the family scene and I don't think any of the additions change that,

[ashbury]

They're all married. Nolasco isn't married.  New city, doesn't know anyone....

This would be a good explanation for Ryan's slightly cryptic remark, that wouldn't be hiding something bad, merely difficult to state tactfully.

[DaveW]

Oh yay! Another bash TR thread!

 

Whether you agree with his moves or not, you can't argue that TR isn't a class act or that he has no business being a GM in baseball.

 

Guy clearly has done a lot right in his time.

[DaveW]

This is slightly cathartic but I have Another theory.

 

What do Mauer, Dozier, Plouffe, Suzuki, Perkins, Duensing, Gibson, Hicks, Swarzak, Willingham, and Correia have in common?

 

They're all married. Nolasco isn't married.

 

New city, doesn't know anyone. Bunch of cash (this part isn't cathartic). 1 day a week work schedule. And all his bros head straight home lights out by 12. Bor-ing!

Yes, everyone knows that every married ball player leaves a perfectly "normal" life.

[Thrylos]

I honestly believe that Ryan would have lost his job already had he done half the dumb crap Amaro did.

 

 

Career records as GMs: 

 

Amaro: 519-453 (.534)

Ryan: 1278-1406 (.476)

 

Not. Even. Close.

Ws and Ls are all that matter. 

[D. Hocking]

Semi-off topic.  Did Souhan part ways with 1500?  I don't listen everyday and just realized have not heard him for awhile.  I was wondering if he left and this podcast is somewhat filling that void with him, or if this was something he could not do when under contract with 1500.

[stringer bell]

I liked Jimmer's comment, but I would point out that some pitchers consistently exceed their FIP, while others consistently fall short.  Nolasco has consistently had a higher ERA than his FIP.

[jimmer]

I liked Jimmer's comment, but I would point out that some pitchers consistently exceed their FIP, while others consistently fall short.  Nolasco has consistently had a higher ERA than his FIP.

Thanks stringer.  Yes, quite a few do, and they are usually pitchers whose defenses are consistently above average, cause it works both ways.  A good defense will often help a pitcher's ERA and a bad one will hurt it. Glavine was a very good example, Shields the last four years is a more current one.  We can't separate defense from pitcher's performance.  They are intertwined.  

 

We were last in defensive efficiency according to baseball prospectus and when we take into account ballpark, we were 29th. Fangraphs has us at 27th. We all watched the team, we shouldn't be surprised by any of that. Because of that, we shouldn't be surprised our team ERA was so high, though the pitchers sure contributed.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Career records as GMs:

 

Amaro: 519-453 (.534)

Ryan: 1278-1406 (.476)

 

Not. Even. Close.

Ws and Ls are all that matter.

Amaro having a $150m+ budget had nothing to do with it.

 

Come on. You'd be storming the gates of 1 Twins Way had Ryan ever done anything half as dumb as that Howard extension. Hell, you jump down his throat routinely over stuff way smarter than that.

 

The Phillies are a bad team with bloated contracts and have a pretty bad farm system. There is little to like about what Amaro has done in recent years.

[Willihammer]

Yes, everyone knows that every married ball player leaves a perfectly "normal" life.

I get that. But, would it surprise you if this particular group of married ballplayers did?

[USAFChief]

Yes, everyone knows that every married ball player leaves a perfectly "normal" life.

"...leaves a perfectly normal life."

 

And enters a new, abnormal one?