New Pohlad Interview with Sid Hartman

[Loosey]

I'm usually one of the first people to agree when someone comes out and criticizes Jim Pohlad, and honestly his previous interviews have come off like he either doesn't care about the baseball piece of his business or he doesn't understand it or both.  (or he has received help on how to do a media interview)

 

The most recent interview with Sid Hartman actually has him sounding like he cares and/or understands that whatever is happening right now with the Twins needs to stop.  (it surprisingly is a good Sid article)

 

One of the things that caught my attention was he was now non-committal in saying that Terry Ryan would be back next season.  He also has said that he has never turned down a Terry Ryan request to bring in a free agent.  Stating that perhaps there has been a miscommunication with Terry causing him to think he can't request high priced free agents.

 

Basically if you read the article it sort of discreetly has the writing on the wall in regards to Terry Ryan.  I now wouldn't be surprised to see more interviews come out where Pohlad slowly sticks the knife further in to Terry Ryan affirming our hopes that this may be Terry Ryan's last year. 

 

http://www.startribune.com/sid-hartman/10644996/

 

[DaveW]

When it comes to Pohlad, I will believe it when I see it. If Pohlad really wants Ryan gone at this point, why hasn't he already fired him? What is the point in letting a guy stay around when he knows he is a lame duck?

 

Anything short of a new front office will be business as usual (especially if they let Ryan name his successor..again)

[ashbury]

"...even when the [Kent] Hrbeks and [Tom] Brunanskys, etc., got called up, they did not immediately produce..."

 

Bruno had an OPS+ of 114 in short service at California, then 129 as a 21 year old for Minnesota. Hrbek's OPS+ was 85 in a few games as a 21 year old, true, then was 128 in a full season the next year.

 

If he's trying to draw a parallel to Buxton's 56 and 46, at age 21 and 22, or Barrios's ERA+ of 44 at age 22, well... just stop talking, Jim. You're not making me hopeful, you're making me discouraged.

[gunnarthor]

Reusse's been making the same insinuations. 

[Winston Smith]

Imo, Terry will not be fired, he may be asked to retire but I just don't see him getting fired.

[TheLeviathan]

I'll be happy if it's true.  It's time to move on.

[TheLeviathan]

I like that he hinted there are conversations going on about their being systemic failures in the organization.  They may not do anything about it, but (weird as it sounds) it's a bit reassuring to hear the conversations are happening.

 

As insulated as this group is, every little bit helps.

[HitInAPinch]

Getting Jim Pohlad to make foolhardy statements is like shooting fish in a barrel.  Jim's just not experienced in public speaking.  Took Sid awhile to figure that out...

[ashbury]

When it comes to Pohlad, I will believe it when I see it. If Pohlad really wants Ryan gone at this point, why hasn't he already fired him? What is the point in letting a guy stay around when he knows he is a lame duck?

Quick look around the top of the current standings, for teams who brought a GM from outside rather than promote from within. Baltimore has had a decent turnaround under Duquette; he was brought in on November 11 2011. Dodgers brought in Farhan Zaidi from Oakland on November 6 2014, right after bringing in Andrew Friedman as president on October 14, 2014. The Cubs brought in Jed Hoyer on October 26 2011. Theo Epstein joined the Cubs (different role) October 21 2011 - previously he had been named Boston GM on November 25 2002. That's where I stopped my in-depth research, because it confirmed my bias. I'm fine with the message that Ryan is due for replacement, and then reserve judgement until the early offseason. I'm not fine with an insinuation that there's a problem if he's not summarily fired in-season.

[Vanimal46]

IMO it's a step in the right direction that Pohlad took a slight step back when asked about TR's status going into next season. I suppose his opinion could change again in the next 3 months, but for now, I'm optimistic that there may actually be changes in the FO. 

[KirbyDome89]

 

Quick look around the top of the current standings, for teams who brought a GM from outside rather than promote from within. Baltimore has had a decent turnaround under Duquette; he was brought in on November 11 2011. Dodgers brought in Farhan Zaidi from Oakland on November 6 2014. The Cubs brought in Jed Hoyer on October 26 2011. Theo Epstein joined the Cubs (different role) October 21 2011 - previously he had been named Boston GM on November 25 2002. That's where I stopped my in-depth research, because it confirmed my bias. I'm fine with the message that Ryan is due for replacement, and then reserve judgement until the early offseason. I'm not fine with an insinuation that there's a problem if he's not summarily fired in-season.

I agree, I don't mind if the Twins wait until the offseason if they're going to replace TR. I'm also hopeful that if TR is replaced, its by somebody outside the organization. I don't understand how anybody could view an internal promotion (Antony) as anything but a giant let down. Keeping the status quo isn't the answer.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Yeah, I think there's going to be an overhaul... the real question is whether or not it's coming from the outside or inside.

[nicksaviking]

What is this, three interviews in the last month or two including the one with the kid? That's about how many interviews I remember him doing since he took over from his dad. That might speak more than any of the actual words he's saying.

 

My take: If Jim Pohlad is starting to become more dynamic with the media, something is brewing.

 

 

[FormerMinnasotan]

Problem is:will Jim Pohlad do whatever nessisary for the Twins to succeed? My biggest critism is that the Pohlads operation a country club organization where the hierarchy is re-arranged yet not fired (see Ron Gardenhire). Even if Terry Ryan goes we pretty much know that either Gardenhire or Rob Antony will be the new GM. And if Gardy doesn't get the GM job he will probably be re-hired as the manager of the Twins. Jim needs to realize in order for the Twins to be relevant, he needs an outside GM and so on to truly have any positive results. Face it the "Twins Way" is more of of a failure than a success.

[Vanimal46]

 

What is this, three interviews in the last month or two including the one with the kid? That's about how many interviews I remember him doing since he took over from his dad. That might speak more than any of the actual words he's saying.

 

My take: If Jim Pohlad is starting to become more dynamic with the media, something is brewing.

I was thinking about that too. Couldn't recall any other season where we've heard more than a peep from Pohlad, especially during the season. Now that he's taken a step back from blind loyalty to TR and admitting they may have to look at alternatives, I'm starting to become more optimistic about the whole situation. 

[nicksaviking]

I was thinking about that too. Couldn't recall any other season where we've heard more than a peep from Pohlad, especially during the season. Now that he's taken a step back from blind loyalty to TR and admitting they may have to look at alternatives, I'm starting to become more optimistic about the whole situation.

 

Me too, because the Pohlad's have always been hands-off owners (thankfully), but how could there ever be wholesale changes if the owner leaves it to the underlings to make the changes, St. Peter isn't going to replace himself after all.

 

The more prominent Jim becomes, the more confident I am that he realizes that he personally has to take the reigns and make the changes himself.

[wsnydes]

 

What is this, three interviews in the last month or two including the one with the kid? That's about how many interviews I remember him doing since he took over from his dad. That might speak more than any of the actual words he's saying.

 

My take: If Jim Pohlad is starting to become more dynamic with the media, something is brewing.

You might be onto something there.  I didn't think of it that way.

[OldTimeTwinkie]

if we are trusting Jim pohlad to fire Terry Ryan and make changes what makes us think that he is a sharp baseball person. if he was sharp, how did this get to be the way it was right now?

[Vanimal46]

 

if we are trusting Jim pohlad to fire Terry Ryan and make changes what makes us think that he is a sharp baseball person. if he was sharp, how did this get to be the way it was right now?

Pohlad's the first to admit he's not a strong baseball mind. There's a direct quote about it in the interview that Loosey linked. He still is the owner of this organization, and he's going to be the one who will have to make these changes we're all clamoring for. 

[Rosterman]

“Well, like anybody, and maybe I jumped the gun saying that about Paul, I mean we have to figure out what we’re doing wrong, what we’re doing wrong in the system,” Pohlad said. “If that points to the need to change personnel, I guess I would have to say we’d look at everything. But there has been no identification of anything like that. We’re beginning to discuss the process of how we examine doing things throughout our system.”

 

I wasn't all that happy with the interview. 

 

I mean...."we're beginning to discuss the process of how....." I honestly feel a decision should've been made by now that things aren't working and if opinions, on the table yesterday, don't look right...you make the changes now...not after the season, not next spring.

 

The Twins have been luckier than most teams. Santana stepped onto the plate when he got the call up. Rosario, Sano and Duffey all were above-and-beyond when they made the jump last season. All those guys have suffered sophomore slumps. Berrios and Buxton both were pushed to start in the majors after little time at AAA...it is a change and the system needs to address this. Kepler is far from perfect as a callup, hut seems to be making the most of his major league time to learn and grow.

 

But Pohlad and Co. are still marketing the Target Field experience. C'mon. They have to go beyond that. We can get outdoor baseball in St. Paul with great food and a sold-out atmosphere.

 

But St. Paul is not pro ball. That is what the Twins have that is the difference maker between the two ballparks. 

 

I'm sorry. I'm not happy with this interview that waffles over management changes, casts negatives at rookies, and worries about attendance yet still saying he never refused an expenditure on a talent.

 

It is not getting better. It is getting...worse.

[nicksaviking]

 

if we are trusting Jim pohlad to fire Terry Ryan and make changes what makes us think that he is a sharp baseball person. if he was sharp, how did this get to be the way it was right now?

 

He doesn't have to be a sharp baseball person, he just has to be fed up and have the desire to find someone who is.

[wsnydes]

 

He doesn't have to be a sharp baseball person, he just has to be fed up and have the desire to find someone who is.

Assuming that he's a wise business person, he has to see that he could be making a lot more money if the product improves.  He's losing out on potential revenue the longer this poor play continues.

 

You don't need baseball brains to figure that one out.

[Boom Boom]

What I took away from this, it's apparently possible that TR has been under the false impression that he can't spend big time money.

[Loosey]

 

What I took away from this, it's apparently possible that TR has been under the false impression that he can't spend big time money.

And that lends itself to an even bigger problem of communication.  Has Ryan never directly asked the Pohlad's if he can try to get a big Free Agent, also has Pohlad never told Ryan to go out and spend whatever he thinks is necessary to make this team a contender?

 

You would think there would be meetings throughout the year where the Front Office and Ownership meet and go over strategy, spending, possible upcoming free agents, possible trades, etc.  They should be open and honest in that meeting.  But clearly something is getting missed by one party or both.

[drivlikejehu]

I have a very hard time accepting the idea that Ryan doesn't know his own budget. If that's true, it's a fire-able offense by itself, but that idea seems so crazy that I'm very skeptical it's true. 

[old nurse]

The message has been pretty much the same. We have to figure out what we are doing wrong.  We.  Not they.  We.  That should pretty much lay clear the plan. We means management is not going anywhere. Is it their view on how baseball should be played? Is it too narrow of a view? Simplistic? Is it the players they draft are not what he scouts said they could be? Is it the development. Fielding errors and the lack of range, which prevents more errors. Something has gone dramatically wrong from the slicker fielding teams of a decade ago. DRS sits at -47. Over 70 runs worse than the better teams. Royals Rangers and Astros are the best defensive teams. Middle of the pack or worse for starting pitching. Defense matters. Just ask Case Fien. Ryan built the first run on solid defense. Where did it go wrong.

[TheLeviathan]

 

What I took away from this, it's apparently possible that TR has been under the false impression that he can't spend big time money.

 

I almost look at this like two parents who have gotten really good at gaming their kid into believing neither one of them is really making the decisions at any given time.  Have mom in the room?  Sorry, it was dad's call.  Dad isn't letting you go to a friend's house?  Sorry, mom's call.

 

But just like mom and dad - the decisions are being made together.  There is clearly a very firm payroll line that they accept and then it never gets talked about again.  Ryan knows it, the Pohlads expect him to honor it but neither of them want to accept their role in it when pressed.

[Kwak]

 

I almost look at this like two parents who have gotten really good at gaming their kid into believing neither one of them is really making the decisions at any given time.  Have mom in the room?  Sorry, it was dad's call.  Dad isn't letting you go to a friend's house?  Sorry, mom's call.

 

But just like mom and dad - the decisions are being made together.  There is clearly a very firm payroll line that they accept and then it never gets talked about again.  Ryan knows it, the Pohlads expect him to honor it but neither of them want to accept their role in it when pressed.

Recall the October, 2014 press conference of DSP and Ryan stating that "...$85 MM is enough...". Did they just spin a dial, throw a dart at a numbers board? No, there was a discussion followed by an agreement (which was later altered!).

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I have a very hard time accepting the idea that Ryan doesn't know his own budget. If that's true, it's a fire-able offense by itself, but that idea seems so crazy that I'm very skeptical it's true.

its very possible that Pohlad's position has changed in the last 10 weeks or 5 years

[jud6312]

 

I'm usually one of the first people to agree when someone comes out and criticizes Jim Pohlad, and honestly his previous interviews have come off like he either doesn't care about the baseball piece of his business or he doesn't understand it or both.  (or he has received help on how to do a media interview)

 

The most recent interview with Sid Hartman actually has him sounding like he cares and/or understands that whatever is happening right now with the Twins needs to stop.  (it surprisingly is a good Sid article)

 

One of the things that caught my attention was he was now non-committal in saying that Terry Ryan would be back next season.  He also has said that he has never turned down a Terry Ryan request to bring in a free agent.  Stating that perhaps there has been a miscommunication with Terry causing him to think he can't request high priced free agents.

 

Basically if you read the article it sort of discreetly has the writing on the wall in regards to Terry Ryan.  I now wouldn't be surprised to see more interviews come out where Pohlad slowly sticks the knife further in to Terry Ryan affirming our hopes that this may be Terry Ryan's last year. 

 

http://www.startribune.com/sid-hartman/10644996/

Hopefully the breakup isn't bad enough to cause a rift ... I'm looking forward to his induction into the Twins HOF. I assume he, Gardy and Andy will go in together for all of those banners they hung.