Is it time for a new GM?

[ashbury]

"He's adopted" is one my parents have used for me for a couple decades now.

"But we love him," is what I've heard behind my back, by mine, for six.

[JB_Iowa]

Reading Ryan's comments on Twitter.  Blood boiling.

 

I don't give a rat's *ss about his INTENTIONS - get something DONE.

[ashbury]

The Rays went to the WS the year of the trade.

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc.

So you think an equally plausible theory is that the Rays decided to trade Young because they'd be going to the WS that year?

 

It's not like the rooster crowing because the sun rises. Teams make moves; seasonal results then happen. You can't chalk up a WS appearance to one particular move, but all you can do is look at the moves and make the judgements.

[Craig Arko]

I have created a new award for this thread.

 

CONGRATULATIONS, "Is it time for a new GM?", you are the first winner of the official:

 

circular-seal.jpg

That doesn't look anything like a toilet seat.

[nicksaviking]

Reading Ryan's comments on Twitter.  Blood boiling.

 

I don't give a rat's *ss about his INTENTIONS - get something DONE.

Link? I took tomorrow off, I'm going to need something else to boil my blood.

[cmb0252]

Reading Ryan's comments on Twitter. Blood boiling.

 

I don't give a rat's *ss about his INTENTIONS - get something DONE.

I wish I could like this twice. I know I shouldn't expect much from TR during the trade deadline but with every other team making moves I expect something. Reading his comments "I have every intention of trying to improve this club" and "I don't want them thinking a white knight is coming around the corner" really piss me off.

[Mike Sixel]

Why would you want to lead people that expect you NOT to help them? Wouldn't you want them to expect an addition, that you have their back?

[howeda7]

No GM has ever worked so hard at the trade deadline to do so little. I'd rather he just said 'I don't believe in trading prospects for help at the deadline and I won't do it. Stop asking.' At least it'd be honest.

 

 

Reading Ryan's comments on Twitter.  Blood boiling.

 

I don't give a rat's *ss about his INTENTIONS - get something DONE.

 

[jimmer]

 

So you think an equally plausible theory is that the Rays decided to trade Young because they'd be going to the WS that year?

 

It's not like the rooster crowing because the sun rises. Teams make moves; seasonal results then happen. You can't chalk up a WS appearance to one particular move, but all you can do is look at the moves and make the judgements.

I don't think those two players, by themselves, are what propelled them to the W Series, no :-)  A lot had to go right.

 

They lost more of Garza's starts than they won and Bartlett had a WAR under 2.0. TBs shortstop the year before had a WAR of 2.4.  

 

So less than 2 WAR from Bartlett and only 14 wins in games Garza started when they won 97 overall. Hard to say those two were a huge reason they won 31 more games than the year before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimmer]

 

Really? You don't think the increases value gained by spinning Delmon and Harris into Bartlett and Garza had anything to do with the Rays making the world series that year?

Obviously not sole reason but definitely a part of it.

they contributed, sure.  but saying THAT is why they made it all the way to the world series is a stretch. They won less than half of Garza's starts that year and Bartlett had a whopping 1.8 WAR.  Harris had a 2.4 WAR the year before.  So they got less production from the shortstop position the year they went to the W Series than they did from their starting shortstop the year before.

 

That doesn't scream 31 more regular season wins

[cmb0252]

TR quotes from Mike Bernardino:

 

"I would like to do something. You want to force one or do you want to let it happen and feel good about it?"

 

We'll do one if it makes sense, but we aren't going to do one just to make a trade."

 

You have just as much ability as any other GM to make a trade. How does it not happen every year while other teams have no problem doing it?

[jimmer]

 

TR quotes from Mike Bernardino:

"I would like to do something. You want to force one or do you want to let it happen and feel good about it?"

We'll do one if it makes sense, but we aren't going to do one just to make a trade."

You have just as much ability as any other GM to make a trade. How does it not happen every year while other teams have no problem doing it?

So he's waiting for offers instead of making offers? Sounds about right.

[Thrylos]

 

Most of this angst is 15 years in the making and understandably so.

 

15?  Try 21

[Kwak]

I'm not sure how useful Blanton would have been, but KC (after a DFA) "traded" him to PIT for $150K.  Sounds like that  would have fit in the Twins budget.  

 

Also, the Twins would have to have budgeted E. Santana's entire salary for this season.  Since he was suspended for 80 games they would have had to pay only for the other 82 games--quite a savings!  Nolasco has been on the 60-day list, so I conclude the Twins would have collected some insurance on his contract, providing further savings on the budget.  So it seems there was plenty of available cash (just based on what would have been allocated for 2015) to add a veteran player of two.  So, what is the hold-up?

[twinsfan34]

I will say Ryan surprised me in acquiring a future all-star clean-up hitter and all-star center fielder at least a year before I expected to see either in the Twins lineup. 

 

As far as "do something", let's not kid ourselves - this Twins team can't compete in the Playoffs with the Starting Pitching we have. Just like the teams of the 2000's, the Twins would at BEST, hope for 1 win in 5 games. Phil Hughes isn't going to get us 2 wins in a playoff series. And he may not even get us one. 

 

If Hughes, Santana, & Gibson are the #3, #4, & #5 guys in the rotation, this is a playoff contender, not pretender. But as it stands, that's the #1, #2, #3 guys (in some order). 

 

But this Terry Ryan is much different than the one I've seen over the years. Signing 3 pitchers to $10M/yr contracts. Bringing up Buxton, Rosario, Sano, and now Polanco. Buxton wasn't even on the 40-man. In all my years, not since the early 1980's (HrBek, Eisenreich, Puckett, Brunansky) have I seen such a influx of 21 and 22 year olds on the roster. With the parity of baseball today, it's amazing how so many teams can get a 'taste' of the postseason. I'm hopeful for the future. The Tigers are on the downswing. White Sox overpaid for some stiffs. Astros are going to be tough, but there's room at the top and the Twins could be in many pennant races in the next 5-10 years. 

 

[nicksaviking]

No GM has ever worked so hard at the trade deadline to do so little. I'd rather he just said 'I don't believe in trading prospects for help at the deadline and I won't do it. Stop asking.' At least it'd be honest.

Yes, this is the issue. If Ryan were to say that he likes what the team is building and doesn't want to part with young players for aging vets or rentals, it would be an understandable position, maybe not agreeable to many people but understandable. This gibberish about White Knights and "forcing" deals just sounds like hogwash to fool the fans.

[jimmer]

 

I will say Ryan surprised me in acquiring a future all-star clean-up hitter and all-star center fielder at least a year before I expected to see either in the Twins lineup. 

 

You mean promoting them right?  Not acquiring them.  He didn't acquire Sano, Smith did.  We got Buxton because of how bad our team was (high draft pick). Rosario drafted under Smith. Polanco signed by Smith...

[jimmer]

So around 18 Hrs left, right?

[DaveW]

TR quotes from Mike Bernardino:

 

"I would like to do something. You want to force one or do you want to let it happen and feel good about it?"

 

We'll do one if it makes sense, but we aren't going to do one just to make a trade."

 

You have just as much ability as any other GM to make a trade. How does it not happen every year while other teams have no problem doing it?

Could TR sound anymore like a swarmy jerk with those quotes? Acting like everyone else is so stupid and he is so much smarter.

There are PLENTY of upgrades that won't cost much more than a PTNBL:

 

AJ

Benoit

Or 60 other RP who are better than what we have.

[drjim]

My only thought on these quotes is if teams are trying to squeeze more now and he is trying to wait them out that is defensible. Losing a couple days to avoid having to pay more for a reliever seems an acceptable tradeoff. I wouldn't be surprised if teams are trying to get more out of the Twins because they suspect desperation.

 

But if he comes away with nothing that is a complete disaster. Means he was too stubborn to pay the right price. No defense for that.

 

I have very modest expectations for the deadline. A c/ss upgrade would be nice but not the easiest thing to pull off. At the bare minimum he needs one reliever, perhaps two. If he can't pull that off...

[jimmer]

The bar has been set so low by this team over the years that any small move seems acceptable. Blue Jays are going for it big time because they are within striking distance and haven't been in the playoffs for quite some time.  They get Donaldson (arguably the best overall 3B in the game and a MVP candiate) in the offseason who they have for years. Then they Tulo (arguably best shortstop, having a down year) at the deadline and have him for years. Then they get Price (Ace by any standard).

 

We're likely standing pat.

[Pius Jefferson]

The fact Trevor May pitched the 8th makes me wonder if the Twins have decided to go in house to 'fix the bullpen.'

[jimmer]

 

The fact Trevor May pitched the 8th makes me wonder if the Twins have decided to go in house to 'fix the bullpen.'

I'll reserve concurrence until we see him go into the 8th in a tight situation.  These no leverage spots don't tell me much.

 

But, hopefully, if they are going to keep him there they use him when it counts.

[Pius Jefferson]

 

I'll reserve concurrence until we see him go into the 8th in a tight situation.  These no leverage spots don't tell me much.

 

But, hopefully, if they are going to keep him there they use him when it counts.

 

Good point about the score in the game. I'd like to think the timing was just bad and the Twins added an insurance run so May wasn't even pitching for a 'hold.'  You're right we'll have a better idea when May pitches the 8th in a one run game.

[Highabove]

It's even getting to much for Jim.

 

Souhan: Twins need bullpen arms, yet sit on their hands - StarTribune.com

[TheLeviathan]

The fact Trevor May pitched the 8th makes me wonder if the Twins have decided to go in house to 'fix the bullpen.'

Demoting your best starter is just like making a trade!

[drjim]

 

Good point about the score in the game. I'd like to think the timing was just bad and the Twins added an insurance run so May wasn't even pitching for a 'hold.'  You're right we'll have a better idea when May pitches the 8th in a one run game.

 

You mean like last time the Twins were in a one run game in the 8th.

 

Considering Fien pitched the 6th and 7th today, it is either May or outside help now.

[USAFChief]

You mean like last time the Twins were in a one run game in the 8th.

 

Considering Fien pitched the 6th and 7th today, it is either May or outside help now.

Or Boyer.

[dxpavelka]

 

"NOW YOU TELL ME!"- Mike Kekich

Guarantee that went right over the head of about 85% of the people reading this Fritz.

[dxpavelka]

 

That's a difficult theory to prove.

Not really.  Find a rumor mill post from 10 years ago and run the numbers. Took me 2 minutes to find a 2005 post about the Yankees trying to talk the A's into taking Melky Cabrera instead of Eric Duncan in exchange for Mark Kotsay.