Vavra leaves the Twins - New bench coach will be needed

[mikelink45]

 

See above. The bench coach is:

 

1) The Manager's assistant

2) The Manager's/Coaches liaison to the players if a message isn't getting through

3) The PR guy who keeps the clubhouse energy level high for the players

4) Fills in for the manager after an ejection/suspension/illness/whatever

The bench coach has to know everyone, get along with everyone, get players motivated/excited, etc. Actual decision making is low. Skills required would be charisma and leadership with a dominant personality. Minnesota Nice need not apply.
 

Thanks for the job description - I wonder how baseball got along without this ombudsman for all those decades - actually a century and a half.  Obviously Joe Girardi did not have a good one since he is fired for not having good connections to his players (at least that is the rumor) and his bench coach certainly did not intercede. 

 

I must be really old (I am) because this just does not seem like a particularly important role.  

[goulik]

Doug Mientkiewicz.... Um, Never Mind uh, Jake Mauer?

[Kwak]

I have the impression that this guy is sort of like Ed McMahon--laugh at the jokes, play the straight guy, and keep the clubhouse well-stocked with beer and "seeds"

[Ryan Atkins]

Lots of good suggestions here already, especially like Ron Washington, Joe Girardi, and Jake Mauer. A few more:

 

Omar Vizquel

Ozzie Guillen

Chip Hale

[ScottyB]

I like a number of the mentions and some might have an interest.

 

I think Girardi becomes a TV analyst for a year before returning to managing.  I think Sandy Alomar won't take a lateral move from Cleveland to Minnesota.  I don't think they promote Jake Mauer until Joe retires.  Mike Redmond would be a good choice but it would also be a lateral move from Colorado.

 

I like the possibilities of Ron Washington, Omar Vizquel, Chip Hale, and would add Manny Acta, Tony Pena, Freddy Gonzalez, and Brad Ausmus.  If they give Molly a say, he might reach back to his past and bring in Robin Yount or Jim Gantner.  And if you wanted to promote from within, you could look at Mike Quade, Javier Valentin, Chad Allen or Tommy Watkins.

 

 

[Circus Boy]

 

Johnny Bench!131BB6B4-CEA5-40FC-B375-77E36A18FD19.jpeg

And his Blue Emu doesn't stink.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

No one saying Girardi is actually serious, are they?

[Roaddog]

I think Watkins would be excellent. I like,the idea of Tony Pena as well

[Guest]

Vavra is now Detroit’s quality control coach. If that’s a sideways job or a demotion, the Twins could have blocked it or sought compensation, but it seems like they let him go willingly.

 

Also, note that Steve Liddle is now Detroit’s bench coach. With Rick Anderson as bullpen coach, it sure looks like Gardy took care of his guys. That’s not a bad quality in a leader, but let’s hope it leads to three years for Detroit that resemble 2011-2014 for the Twins.

[jimmer]

 

Vavra is now Detroit’s quality control coach. If that’s a sideways job or a demotion, the Twins could have blocked it or sought compensation, but it seems like they let him go willingly.

Also, note that Steve Liddle is now Detroit’s bench coach. With Rick Anderson as bullpen coach, it sure looks like Gardy took care of his guys. That’s not a bad quality in a leader, but let’s hope it leads to three years for Detroit that resemble 2011-2014 for the Twins.

Wow, that's hilarious.

[Rosterman]

Yes, quality control. Interesting title for a coaching spot. Liddle is good. And Rick Anderson being bullpen coach. No longer a position for old catchers who can put on the gear and actually catch the bullpen guys.

 

Frankly, nothing wrong with hiring people you can work with. Like in Twins land, Molitor got Alston out of the blue. Same with Rowson. 

 

But, yes, between Liddle, Vavra and Gardy, the Twins had a minor-league roster of their kids at one point.

 

 

[Thrylos]

 

Wow, that's hilarious.

 

Notice the lack of love for Scottie.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Notice the lack of love for Scottie.

i believe he’s retired

[ashbury]

Yes, quality control. Interesting title for a coaching spot.

In many lines of work, QC is a good place to put someone who has most of the skills but lacks something crucial, such as decisiveness. The right guy'll spot things that most would overlook. It might be Vavra's true calling, who knows.