Reusse on Molitor

[gunnarthor]

http://www.startribune.com/pregame-molitor-shows-winning-games-is-priority-no-1/306356171/

 

Nice piece from Reusse.  He thinks Molitor's main priority is to win today's game and worry about tomorrow later.  He sites as examples using the better bullpen pieces even with big leads, asking Mauer to bunt or making Perkins work more than an inning.

 

Reusse wrote:

"I hate the sacrifice bunt intended to move a runner from second to third with the fervor of Earl Weaver. And if Swihart, a rookie, had not panicked and had made a chest-high throw to Sandoval, the return throw to first would have had Mauer by 5 feet and Molitor would face his first serious second-guessing.

That said, the bunt was more evidence about what has impressed me the most about Molitor so far:

His decisions are based on winning “this” game. He’s not worried about hurting a star player’s feelings, or getting everyone in his bullpen a preferred level of work, or pushing a trusted reliever a tad over the line, if those things increase the chance of the winning the ballgame that is front of him.

It’s hard to say how much of a contrast this is to Ron Gardenhire’s approach, since the starting pitching was such a mess during the losing seasons of 2011-14 that it was more about survival than a philosophy.

I’m fairly certain of this:

Whether out of seeing it as an insult to a three-time batting champion, or a belief that this was where a guy making $23 million was supposed to deliver, Gardy would not have asked Mauer to bunt."

[howieramone2]

I agree with Molly, it's time to win now. I really can't think of anyone who is going to have their development hurt long term by winning. The TR rebuild is showing it's first signs of successs, and it makes little sense to think exclusively long term, when so many of our top prospects are close to filtering their way to Target Field.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I agree with Molly, it's time to win now. I really can't think of anyone who is going to have their development hurt long term by winning. The TR rebuild is showing it's first signs of successs, and it makes little sense to think exclusively long term, when so many of our top prospects are close to filtering their way to Target Field.

Would you say it's urgent for Ryan to get Vargas or Arcia back up here to help with DH duties?

[howieramone2]

 

Would you say it's urgent for Ryan to get Vargas or Arcia back up here to help with DH duties?

10 games over .500 at this point in the season, I can't think of anything that's urgent. It would be nice to address DH, and RP's for that matter, but I can wait until the FO is ready to make their move. It's a long season and we are going to continue to see a lot of roster changes.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The main worry I have is that the Santana/Escobar mess at SS/DH could use an immediate upgrade, as has been well debated here. Most in the TD community would love to see a bat promoted from the minors (Polanco, Vargas, whoever) as part of that upgrade, while Paulie and Ryan feel the current guys give us the best chance. So far they've been right. Something needs to click with Santana very soon.