Shipley: Q&A with Paul Molitor

[Seth Stohs]

The season is running down, and the quest to avoid 102 losses is going full steam ahead. John Shipley of the Pioneer Press sat down for a Q&A with the Twins manager.

 

Many topics were discussed. We can discuss his comments here. 

[TheLeviathan]

My takeaways:

 

* Paul clearly is frustrated as hell with his pitching staff

 

* He indicates his involvement with personnel and roster decisions was very limited

 

* He's definitely frustrated about the readiness of his young players

 

All things I think he has every right to be frustrated about.

[wsnydes]

 

My takeaways:

 

* Paul clearly is frustrated as hell with his pitching staff

 

* He indicates his involvement with personnel and roster decisions was very limited

 

* He's definitely frustrated about the readiness of his young players

 

All things I think he has every right to be frustrated about.

That's mostly what I took out of it as well.  I see your second bullet point as rather troubling.  I hope that the new FO works with him more in regards to roster construction.  Since he's the one that has to fill out a lineup card every day, it would be nice if he had more input on who is on said roster.  That would make his job easier.

 

I do think roster construction had a fairly large part of the early season issues.  

[jimmer]

Good to know the focus on bunting is alive and well...

 

 

'Guys are a little bit more hesitant to give up at-bats these days to try to bunt. I can’t explain that. It’s a little bit of a lost art, as they say.'

 

One explanation is that maybe the batters realize it's rarely a good idea to give up an out? 

[jimmer]

 

That's mostly what I took out of it as well.  I see your second bullet point as rather troubling.  I hope that the new FO works with him more in regards to roster construction.  Since he's the one that has to fill out a lineup card every day, it would be nice if he had more input on who is on said roster.  That would make his job easier.

 

I do think roster construction had a fairly large part of the early season issues.  

A lot of people like to blame Molitor for 25 man roster moves and I bang my head when I see that because it's the GM's job to create the 25 man.  it's his call,  not the manager.

[big dog]

Well, he's not deluded about the problems, anyway.  That's for sure.

[wsnydes]

 

A lot of people like to blame Molitor for 25 man roster moves and I bang my head when I see that because it's the GM's job to create the 25 man.  it's his call,  not the manager.

That's especially the case when the manager has little input.  It's always been my view that the manager should have some input, perhaps not necessarily final say, but his input should carry some weight.  He's the one that must construct the lineup.

[Blackjack]

The frustrating part to me was the last part about playing the young guys vs trying to win now, 'being fair to his pitchers and the other veteran players'.

 

How about looking at the big picture?? If playing Murphy (or any other young guy) helps them make the playoffs in 2017 or 2018, DO IT!!!!  Don't worry about the feelings of some player that probably won't be here in 2018.

[wsnydes]

 

Good to know the focus on bunting is alive and well...

 

 

'Guys are a little bit more hesitant to give up at-bats these days to try to bunt. I can’t explain that. It’s a little bit of a lost art, as they say.'

 

One explanation is that maybe the batters realize it's rarely a good idea to give up an out? 

The flip side of that is that it can be a weapon if you've got the speed of a Buxton.  There's no reason that he shouldn't have a drag bunt in his bag of tricks to try to get on base.  Giving up at bats is one thing, finding other ways to get on base is another.  I do think there is something to the "lost art" thing though.  

[jimmer]

 

Well, he's not deluded about the problems, anyway.  That's for sure.

 

Well, he's very old school. He believes in giving up outs. And he very discreetly takes swipes at people who like Sabremetrics (and his in-game management seems to point to him not caring much for them).

 

So, yeah, he's part of the problem.  I notice he didn't point to mistakes HE has made.

[TheLeviathan]

 

The frustrating part to me was the last part about playing the young guys vs trying to win now, 'being fair to his pitchers and the other veteran players'.

 

How about looking at the big picture?? If playing Murphy (or any other young guy) helps them make the playoffs in 2017 or 2018, DO IT!!!!  Don't worry about the feelings of some player that probably won't be here in 2018.

 

It's the human part of managing.  I get his thoughts on it and empathize with his reasoning, but I disagree with his conclusion also.  You need to catch Murphy every day and play Sano at third every day.  You have to dismiss the feelings of the other players who disagree and do what's right in the big picture.

 

But I do understand why he feels torn.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Well, he's very old school. He believes in giving up outs. And he very discreetly takes swipes at people who like Sabremetrics. 

 

So, yeah, he's part of the problem.  I notice he didn't point to mistakes HE has made.

 

I too didn't like his answers on Sabermetrics.  He seems to be caught in the false dilemma others are about having to either do your instincts or trust numbers.  I have no problem with a manager who does both.  What I want him to acknowledge is the value math has in taking emotion out of the situation most of the time.  I don't expect him to be a robot, but he seems to think it's either/or.  That was a troubling response.

[wsnydes]

 

It's the human part of managing.  I get his thoughts on it and empathize with his reasoning, but I disagree with his conclusion also.  You need to catch Murphy every day and play Sano at third every day.  You have to dismiss the feelings of the other players who disagree and do what's right in the big picture.

 

But I do understand why he feels torn.

Just with any manager in any business, he's got to realize that not everyone is going to be thrilled with every decision.  I get why he feels the way he does, but he's got to get past that in order to become an effective manager.  You can't appease everyone all of the time.

[jimmer]

 

The flip side of that is that it can be a weapon if you've got the speed of a Buxton.  There's no reason that he shouldn't have a drag bunt in his bag of tricks to try to get on base.  Giving up at bats is one thing, finding other ways to get on base is another.  I do think there is something to the "lost art" thing though.  

Fine, but that's not giving up outs.  In any event, while a guy like Buxton should have  it in his bag of tricks,  I'd rather see him swing away unless the 3B is playing way back.

[rghrbek]

Also reading between the lines, he has a problem using analytics more than a little, because he played the game, and trusts his instincts more.  

 

When he played the game, and many others like him, they did not have access to these types of statistics.

 

Again when you look at the success of Tampa for a number of years, the Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Giants...etc.  I think "Sabermetrics" has to be taken a little more seriously that what he made it sound like.

 

I think there is a healthy balance, and it just sounds like he is not there yet.

[wsnydes]

 

Fine, but that's not giving up outs.  In any event, while he should have it in his bag of tricks.  I'd rather see him swing away unless the 3B is playing way back.

Agreed.  I'm simply pointing out that bunting can be a weapon in the right situation.  Guys with speed should have that ability at their disposal.  Finding ways to get on base is always valuable.

[jimmer]

Stewart was a high 1st round draft pick (as was Jay who isn't even mentioned by Molitor, maybe because the interviewer only bothered to ask about Gonzo and Stewart).  Seems the feel in the organization is that Stewart won't be a high end starter, nor Gonzo.

 

So now what?

 

BTW, this was a bad interview.

[clutterheart]

He doesn't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel does he?

He seems unexcited about Gonsalves/Stewart and doesn't see entirely hopeful when it comes to Berrios.

 

I am not going to stand on line to buy tickets based off this interview, thats for sure.   

[Blackjack]

 

Fine, but that's not giving up outs.  In any event, while a guy like Buxton should have  it in his bag of tricks,  I'd rather see him swing away unless the 3B is playing way back.

The problem is that most of the young 'speed' guys don't even know how to bunt. They should be forced to do it 4-5 times a week when they are in the minors, just so they learn how. And the more they do it, the more confident they would be bunting.

 

Thing about it, you never bunt during a game, then you get up to the majors and the manager calls for a bunt - what do you think the results will be??

[gocgo]

 

Good to know the focus on bunting is alive and well...

 

 

'Guys are a little bit more hesitant to give up at-bats these days to try to bunt. I can’t explain that. It’s a little bit of a lost art, as they say.'

 

One explanation is that maybe the batters realize it's rarely a good idea to give up an out? 

Another explanation is that, during contract negotiations, sacrifice bunting probably doesn't equate to $$.

[howieramone2]

 

It's the human part of managing.  I get his thoughts on it and empathize with his reasoning, but I disagree with his conclusion also.  You need to catch Murphy every day and play Sano at third every day.  You have to dismiss the feelings of the other players who disagree and do what's right in the big picture.

 

But I do understand why he feels torn.

You do not need to play Sano at 3B everyday or leave Berrios in the rotation for that matter. You have a bunch of young players looking to earn playing time, and you lose all credibility with them when they have to watch Sano flopping around out there and every time Berrios takes the mound, it's the equivalent of forfeiting. That's the big picture.

[TheLeviathan]

 

You do not need to play Sano at 3B everyday or leave Berrios in the rotation for that matter. You have a bunch of young players looking to earn playing time, and you lose all credibility with them when they have to watch Sano flopping around out there and every time Berrios takes the mound, it's the equivalent of forfeiting. That's the big picture.

 

So, your boy that was grand marshaling the parade didn't have things quite so correct after all huh?  I say that because you're criticizing Paul's view of the big picture when you yourself had it wildly incorrect not but two seasons ago.  

 

I'm not going to judge Sano's ability to field based on a handful of starts scattered over what amounts to 3-4 seasons (thanks to his injury).  I'd like to let the kid play and develop.  Same with Berrios.

 

You might do well to learn that patience with young players is important.

[howieramone2]

 

So, your boy that was grand marshaling the parade didn't have things quite so correct after all huh?  I say that because you're criticizing Paul's view of the big picture when you yourself had it wildly incorrect not but two seasons ago.  

 

I'm not going to judge Sano's ability to field based on a handful of starts scattered over what amounts to 3-4 seasons (thanks to his injury).  I'd like to let the kid play and develop.  Same with Berrios.

 

You might do well to learn that patience with young players is important.

Actually, I was criticizing your interpretation of Paul's view.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Actually, I was criticizing your interpretation of Paul's view.

 

And yet he's leaving Berrios in the rotation.  And he's playing Sano at third.  Granted, not as much as I'd like, but he's doing it.  So his big picture doesn't seem to line up much with yours.

[gocgo]

The bottom line for a lot of these guys is that playing time = money...unless you are Joe Mauer.  If you are Trevor Plouffe (just using him as an example even though he's on the DL), you want playing time because playing time = stats and stats = dollars.  If you're a young guy, making a MLB roster is a pay raise and you're trying to build a resume'.  If you're staring down the barrel of free agency, you want to be on the field to showcase yourself.  All of that isn't Molly's issue, but you can bet the players let him know that they want to see the field.  I'm sure there are other issues like aches and pains as well that make it tough to balance making a lineup when the game is meaningless in terms of the playoffs.  While the James Beresford story is a feel good story, does it make sense to play him if he isn't part of the long term plan?  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for the guy.  Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

What I took from the interview is that it seems that the front office moves and the managerial needs seem to be out of sync.  While they may call Molly in to ask him some questions, he isn't part of the final decision.  That doesn't seem like a formula for success.

[HitInAPinch]

Always interesting to read Molitor's commentary and his honesty.  Not sure how much they can do about the pitching.  There are veteran contracts involved, a small group of guys that may, at best, be #3 guys.

Berrios is a concern, as is Duffey. 

 

Oh, and defense.  Lot's and lot's of work on defense.

[twinsnorth49]

 

You do not need to play Sano at 3B everyday or leave Berrios in the rotation for that matter. You have a bunch of young players looking to earn playing time, and you lose all credibility with them when they have to watch Sano flopping around out there and every time Berrios takes the mound, it's the equivalent of forfeiting. That's the big picture.

Is this your new game? Now that TR has left the building it's rip on Sano and any other struggling young player in order to blindly defend Mollie?

 

Lose credibility? Good grief man, have you seen this team play all year long? 

[jimmer]

 

Always interesting to read Molitor's commentary and his honesty.  Not sure how much they can do about the pitching.  There are veteran contracts involved, a small group of guys that may, at best, be #3 guys.

Berrios is a concern, as is Duffey. 

 

Oh, and defense.  Lot's and lot's of work on defense.

yeah, I wish the defense had been brought up (besides a nod to fundamentals), along with his mistakes as manager.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Is this your new game? Now that TR has left the building it's rip on Sano and any other struggling young player in order to blindly defend Mollie?

 

Lose credibility? Good grief man, have you seen this team play all year long? 

 

There may be other credibility concerns to worry about in regards to that tactic as well.  Because, as I remember it, all we had to do was wait until these kids came up and we'd have to fight off the victory parades with a stick by this time.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'll never understand why people feed the trolls.

They tend to leave if there is no food.