Article: Updates On The Front Office Search

[beckmt]

 

I say we try and woo Kim Ng.

...Boomstillgotit. 

That is what I am afraid of.  Kim might agree to stipulations that would stop her from cleaning house and letting people go, if she felt it was correct, just to get the job.  Would prefer a candidate who would not be as bound and would not come if not given control.  That is what the new job is supposed to be.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

That is what I am afraid of.  Kim might agree to stipulations that would stop her from cleaning house and letting people go, if she felt it was correct, just to get the job.  Would prefer a candidate who would not be as bound and would not come if not given control.  That is what the new job is supposed to be.

Why is she more susceptible to compromise than the other candidates that aren't dropping like flies?

[Mr. Brooks]

Jeff Passan – Verified account ‏@JeffPassan

 

Sources: Ben Cherington isn't the only exec who has turned down interview with Twins. Multiple GM types have rebuffed their interest so far.

 

Anyone still insist that Pohlad forbidding the new GM from firing Molitor won't affect the search?

 

And if so, what do you think the reason is?

[Kwak]

Possible reason: Pohlad looking for a figurehead, or imposing even more conditions than retaining Molitor as manager--FO personnel, budget restrictions, trade restrictions, and last Pohlad looking to make Molitor PBOp.

[Rosterman]

 

Possible reason: Pohlad looking for a figurehead, or imposing even more conditions than retaining Molitor as manager--FO personnel, budget restrictions, trade restrictions, and last Pohlad looking to make Molitor PBOp.

Or, do they really know what they want. Asking someone to come in and explain a five-year plan but not knowing what the organization really wants? The Twins job may seem like an opportunity, but do you grab onto the big position, knowing you might have to wait a season or two to really start things moving?

 

If Cherington was a viable candidate, you would have someone sitting in an office tomorrow starting the whole process, who might have a bit more power than they do in Toronto, working over a general manager rather than sharing a VP position. 

 

But it may be as long as off season as it has been a season.

[Brandon]

Kim Ng would have been a good Candidate if Terry Ryan was still here and promoted up to President of Baseball Operations.  But then so would Antony in that scenario.  I still think it was a mistake to let him go. 

[old nurse]

 

Jeff Passan – Verified account ‏@JeffPassan

Sources: Ben Cherington isn't the only exec who has turned down interview with Twins. Multiple GM types have rebuffed their interest so far.

Anyone still insist that Pohlad forbidding the new GM from firing Molitor won't affect the search?

And if so, what do you think the reason is?

Likely the least of the issues.  Other teams have  far greater potential and resources than the Twins. As other teams get lucrative TV contracts,  tje Twins will drop. Anything a new GM wants to do will cost money.

[Mr. Brooks]

Likely the least of the issues. Other teams have far greater potential and resources than the Twins. As other teams get lucrative TV contracts, tje Twins will drop. Anything a new GM wants to do will cost money.

But guys are passing on us to be 2nd fiddle elsewhere, not even for other top spots.

That is the most disturbing aspect to me.

[Winston Smith]

 

Jeff Passan – Verified account ‏@JeffPassan

Sources: Ben Cherington isn't the only exec who has turned down interview with Twins. Multiple GM types have rebuffed their interest so far.

Anyone still insist that Pohlad forbidding the new GM from firing Molitor won't affect the search?

And if so, what do you think the reason is?

Could you link to the quotes that these guys didn't interview because of Molitor?

[Champuckett]

 

So Cherington is taking a VP job in Toronto. Were the Twins not asking him to interview for the POBO job, or is being second in command in Toronto more attractive to being the top dog in Minnesota?

 

They did ask him according to multiple sources and he declined to have an interview.  It's probably something as simple as he had the Blue Jays job lined up pending some final details and did not want to dishonor the team of his future post.  In addition, I am sure the Blue Jays job was more intriguing as there seems to be more flexibility than the Twins are willing to give.  Maybe he was not interested in rebuilding, but wanted to work with an already established franchise.

[USAFChief]

 

Jeff Passan – Verified account ‏@JeffPassan

Sources: Ben Cherington isn't the only exec who has turned down interview with Twins. Multiple GM types have rebuffed their interest so far.

Anyone still insist that Pohlad forbidding the new GM from firing Molitor won't affect the search?

And if so, what do you think the reason is?

"Sometimes, you can't give your money away."

[Thrylos]

 

Jeff Passan – Verified account ‏@JeffPassan

Sources: Ben Cherington isn't the only exec who has turned down interview with Twins. Multiple GM types have rebuffed their interest so far.

Anyone still insist that Pohlad forbidding the new GM from firing Molitor won't affect the search?

And if so, what do you think the reason is?

 

 

Family, location, location, location, family

 

Frankly, I don't know many non-natives who are not dreading Minnesota winters.  And if someone has Junior High/High School age kids, a job in Toronto (less than 1hr flight from Boston where the family is,) is much more appealing that a job in Minneapolis, esp. if one does not have any emotional ties with the team...

Edited September 15, 2016 by Thrylos

[Rigby]

My level of concern won't rise until McLeod declines / pulls out.

[Rosterman]

Maybe there is a reason the team hasn't hired outside of the organization in the past. Know MacPhail was grabbed when Carl Pohlad took over, and he was quite hungry and looking for the advancement opportunity amidst the challenge (and remember how he was questioned at wanting Tom Kelly and they brought on Ralph Houk just in case). We had the couple of guys that left to play elsewhere, Krivinsky, Gebhard for example. 

 

[Kwak]

Winter in most cities are no bargain--including Toronto. Add KC, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit--get my drift? No, there are other things happening that would cause qualified candidate to refuse. After all, there are professionals from other fields that regularly take top jobs in Minnesota.

[Linus]

I'm not at all worried about a candidate pulling out that signed Pablo Sandoval to a $70 million plus contract.

[Guest]

I don't know that it's a given that there will be house cleaning.  I know that the "total system failure" line was used this year, but, if you look at what it takes for a championship team, the entire system has to work - scouting, development, statistics, coaching at every level, medical/trainers, etc..  If even one of those areas fail, the house can tumble down in a hurry and when the house crumbles like it did this year, I don't think it is a given that every area failed.

 

I think that is the biggest challenge for the new person/people.  Figuring out what parts to keep in place and what parts to replace.

And convincing the owner to let go of long time relationships.

 

And hiring replacements.

 

And integrating all of the replacements into an effective working group.

 

And dealing with what's likely to be a lot of second-guessing within the organization and from the media and the public.

[beckmt]

 

Why is she more susceptible to compromise than the other candidates that aren't dropping like flies?

Other candidates are dropping like flies.  According to baseball trade rumors there have been more than 2 that have declined to interview.  That is a problem.

[The Wise One]

People without names pulling out of the running left and right. Maybe, maybe not.  Whatever innuendo you need to fit your point and go with it. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

So Cherington is taking a VP job in Toronto. Were the Twins not asking him to interview for the POBO job, or is being second in command in Toronto more attractive to being the top dog in Minnesota?

I would speculate that Cherrington's "personal reasons" for not interview with the Twins was he already HAD the job with Toronto.  An organization already entrenched in the playoff picture.  Good choice, IMHO    ;-)

[HitInAPinch]

 

Jeff Passan – Verified account ‏@JeffPassan

Sources: Ben Cherington isn't the only exec who has turned down interview with Twins. Multiple GM types have rebuffed their interest so far.

Anyone still insist that Pohlad forbidding the new GM from firing Molitor won't affect the search?

And if so, what do you think the reason is?

Did Passan name any of the other exec's who turned down the interview request?

What were the reasons why these un-named exec's turned down the interviews?

Did or did not Cherington already have the Blue Jays job?

Molitor has a contract for 1 more year.  Do you expect a sudden change in the current roster where superstars or even offensive/defensively proficient players suddenly appear? 

Who would be the manager that would want to jump into this mess?

 

Passon's article  Tweet really doesn't say anything.

 

 

P.S.  I got a little too snarky.  Apologies. 

[HitInAPinch]

Winters.  Off-season homes.  Just saying....   

[beckmt]

 

Did Passan name any of the other exec's who turned down the interview request?

What were the reasons why these un-named exec's turned down the interviews?

Did or did not Cherington already have the Blue Jays job?

Molitor has a contract for 1 more year.  Do you expect a sudden change in the current roster where superstars or even offensive/defensively proficient players suddenly appear? 

Who would be the manager that would want to jump into this mess?

 

Passon's article  Tweet really doesn't say anything.

 

 

P.S.  I got a little too snarky.  Apologies. 

It could well be some of these did not want the situation and some did not want to move or seem disloyal to their current organization, so replacement process would start if they did not get the job.

[Mike Sixel]

Family, location, location, location, family

 

Frankly, I don't know many non-natives who are not dreading Minnesota winters. And if someone has Junior High/High School age kids, a job in Toronto (less than 1hr flight from Boston where the family is,) is much more appealing that a job in Minneapolis, esp. if one does not have any emotional ties with the team...

Minnesota is one of the best places to raise children in the country. Not sure what you are saying here...

[Mike Sixel]

Winter in most cities are no bargain--including Toronto. Add KC, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit--get my drift? No, there are other things happening that would cause qualified candidate to refuse. After all, there are professionals from other fields that regularly take top jobs in Minnesota.

New York, Boston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver.....all have snow and cold. The Minnesota inferiority complex is strong on this board...

[jimmer]

 

Minnesota is one of the best places to raise children in the country. Not sure what you are saying here...

 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/health/best-worst-states-raise-children/

 

 

(CNN)Minnesota reigns as the most kid-friendly state to raise a family for the second year in a row, according to an Annie E. Casey Foundation study.

 

They use a carefully developed methodology to tally each state's composite score in four main categories: Economic and health conditions, education and quality of communities.

Edited September 15, 2016 by jimmer

[big dog]

100% agree, but if you have kids who are doing well in a good high school, moving them halfway across the country might not be the best plan for them.

[Mike Sixel]

100% agree, but if you have kids who are doing well in a good high school, moving them halfway across the country might not be the best plan for them.

Agreed. Moving is hard at that age. I doubt all the top candidates would decline interviews over that, as some imply here over and over. Whether we are talking FO or FA.

[jimmer]

 

Agreed. Moving is hard at that age. I doubt all the top candidates would decline interviews over that, as some imply here over and over. Whether we are talking FO or FA.

My brother went to four different high schools, one year apiece.  He didn't enjoy it one bit. it likely cost him a full baseball scholarship.

Edited September 15, 2016 by jimmer

[brvama]

What I find somewhat perplexing is how the search firm did not know that Cherington, or others(?), did not want to interview. That really is their job to vet candidates and to find out those that are interested in the position, including their willingness to interview. I'm not sure how much value to give to these reports that don't have named sources