Molitor Future

[ThejacKmp]

Before I go any further, I want to emphasize that in no way am I saying Paul Molitor should be fired or will be fired. I like that the Twins keep managers around through hard times (it's rarely the manager/coach's fault that the team underperformed) and appreciate the continuity of three managers since 1986. But I do think it's worth asking what Molitor would have to do to get fired.

 

For this, I'm assuming there's no scandal - he isn't caught with blow and a whizzinator by TSA and he doesn't drunk drive his car into a preschool during nap time. This would have to be entirely on performance.

 

I'd say that there's no chance Molitor would be fired this year unless something catastrophic happened in the clubhouse where he lost the team (and I think that's unlikely to happen with the Twins who have a young team that seems to get along and a management which doesn't put up with malcontents - see Garza, Matt). But if the team finishes last or next-to-last in the AL this year and starts out slowly next year, I could see the water getting warm for Molitor by mid-June. I think they'd still wait til September of that year before maybe giving Dougie an interim try? 

 

I know the Twins like Molitor and like continuity but there hasn't been a Twins team with these kinds of expectations in at least a decade (and maybe ever). If enough of the young guys stall out, pressure could build to make a change.

 

What do other people think? When does Molly have to start worrying?

 

 

 

P.S. The coaching staff could be impacted just by this year. I like Bruno and am of the opinion that the Twins hitting problems are a result of young guys swinging for the fences and not taking great at-bats but he's an easy scapegoat.

[alarp33]

The owner said before the season that Molitor has a lifetime contract, and so does the GM.

 

The only chance Molitor is fired is if Terry Ryan decides to retire (PLEASE GOD), again, and they actually go outside the organization to make a new GM hire.  So, like a .00001% chance

[gunnarthor]

I think Molitor was a Pohlad hire as much as a Ryan hire so I don't think he'll be fired in season at all.  I think he'll manage the team again next year unless we're something like 62-100.  Longterm, I think he'll be replaced by Dougie Baseball but probably not for another two or three years.

 

What I want to happen is different than what I think will happen.  I'm not Molitor's biggest fan nor Bruno's so if they were replaced I would be perfectly fine with that.  I think Molitor's bullpen use and yanking Buxton in and out of the lineup are real concerns.  

[Platoon]

To be fired for the W/L record the bar is set at 4 consecutive -90 seasons. To be fired for spending too much of the Pohlads money, is much easier to achieve!

[gunnarthor]

 

To be fired for the W/L record the bar is set at 4 consecutive -90 seasons. To be fired for spending too much of the Pohlads money, is much easier to achieve!

To be fair, Gardy had a nice run of overachieving (in most people's eyes) Twins teams and then was given some pretty crappy rosters before he was fired.  I think Molitor's rope will be much shorter.

[tobi0040]

 

Brunansky should be replaced as hitting coach, IE getting the boot. 2 strikeouts an inning for 18 in a game on Saturday. This strike out thing is out of control with this team.

 

Without a change in performance, I agree Bruno is next guy fired.

[jokin]

 

Without a change in performance, I agree Bruno is next guy fired.

 

Agreed, but does anyone know the last time a Twins hitting coach was fired, in-season?

[Mike Sixel]

Molitor and Ryan have jobs as long as they want them.........so, I'd say 2 more years. Then they'll promote a guy that believes in more strongly in the sacrifice bunt and hustle than their current manager. Good luck everyone.

[HitInAPinch]

How many:

 

1. Coaches were lined up to be the Twins manager?
2. Coaches were lined up to be the Twins hitting coach?

If they answers are 1 or less, then you know why Molitor and Bruno are where they are.  You'll also know what Major League Baseball thinks of what the Twins prospects are.  Last year was a MLB generated playoff "run". 

[gunnarthor]

 

How many:

 

1. Coaches were lined up to be the Twins manager?
2. Coaches were lined up to be the Twins hitting coach?

If they answers are 1 or less, then you know why Molitor and Bruno are where they are.  You'll also know what Major League Baseball thinks of what the Twins prospects are.  Last year was a MLB generated playoff "run". 

I'm not sure how many hitting coaches were considered (the Twins have two) but I believe the Twins interviewed about 6 people for the manager job and Molitor, Dougie Baseball and someone from the Red Sox were the three finalists, IIRC.  

[HitInAPinch]

 

I'm not sure how many hitting coaches were considered (the Twins have two) but I believe the Twins interviewed about 6 people for the manager job and Molitor, Dougie Baseball and someone from the Red Sox were the three finalists, IIRC.  

Twins asked permission to interview Tory Lovullo and Chip Hale. Those were the only 2 from outside the organization.  Molitor, Doogie and Gene Glynn were internal candidates and I don't believe Doogie had much of a chance.

[gunnarthor]

 

Twins asked permission to interview Tory Lovullo and Chip Hale. Those were the only 2 from outside the organization.  Molitor, Doogie and Gene Glynn were internal candidates and I don't believe Doogie had much of a chance.

It's been a while but didn't they also reach out to Renteria after the Cubs fired him to hire Maddon?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

It's been a while but didn't they also reach out to Renteria after the Cubs fired him to hire Maddon?

Not really -- there were rumors, but as far as I understand, the Twins declined to interview him for the managerial position.

 

We did offer him an interview for bench coach, but he declined:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/twins-notes-coaches-yang-pitching-targets-hunter-duensing.html

[Mr. Brooks]

As stated above, Pohlad already confirmed that Molitor has the job as long as he wants it.