Response from the Twins to email requesting season ticket refunds

[DaveW]

Good morning David,

I understand the frustration and as a big fan of the team myself, I get it. I will say that we put a competitive offer (north of $100m) on the table and flew down to Texas to offer it to him in person. I don’t know if you are able to say the same about past regimes. Also, to offer an older pitcher a 6th year on a contract is silly and longer contracts have hamstrung this team in the past (i.e. Joe Mauer). That isn’t to say he isn’t worth a big deal but that is a big risk.

I do suspect us to do something in free agency or the trade market. As I’m sure you are aware, there are a lot of names still out there. The team you see now will not be the same team come April, that I believe. Not to mention, when you placed this deposit, this team was (and still is) coming off of a playoff season.

Best
 

 

 Moderator's note: It bears pointing out what is usually obvious anyway, that the above material was posted at the discretion of the author and not by Twins Daily. Twins Daily does not in general take steps to validate others' material. In that light, I am appending to this note a copy of a post further down from John Bonnes:

1. You can choose to believe it or not. If you don't, I'd suggest your time is best spent with other threads.
2. If you do believe it, understand that this is one person in the organization expressing their opinion, and it isn't necessarily a decision-maker. In fact, it sounds like it is not. He certainly does not speak for the organization.
3. We'll be watching closely for uncivil discourse and ready to deal infractions/bans, so keep it VERY civil.

[DaveW]

Seems hilarious the Twins are now saying the Mauer contract ‘hamstrung’ them and and using THAT as a main reason why they didn’t give a 6th year to Yu.

 

Curious on how that Mauer contract hamstrung the Twins to be honest and seems unfair to make him a scapegoat.

[DaveW]

Also it’s cool the season ticket rep responded, Twins employ some class people. Even if they are just saying the talking points they have been told, still appreciate the response.

 

Unfortunately all the class and talent in the world can’t make up for terrible owners.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Sounds like a lot of excuses if you ask me. The only ones who “hamstrung” the organization after the Mauer deal was the FO themselves, and this after Target Field was supposed to allow the Twins to spend more money on free agents. I guess our pitching staff will certainly be helped with the additions of Chris Tillman and Jaime Garcia.

[Doomtints]

FAKE.

[DaveW]

FAKE.

It’s not fake.

 

I can fwd the original email thread to Brock or one of the other owners here if they need clarification/proof.

[Thrylos]

 

 

longer contracts have hamstrung this team in the past (i.e. Joe Mauer).

 

 

Am I the only one who has a hard time believing that anyone in the Twins organization would say the above in an official capacity?

[DaveW]

Am I the only one who has a hard time believing that anyone in the Twins organization would say the above in an official capacity?

I mean it’s not an official capacity since it’s not someone in the front office...though maybe that is the line they are being fed by the higher ups.

 

I was pretty surprised at that line to be honest.

[Jham]

Dear goodness... Is it fair to say any talk of a Mauer extension is a waste of time?

[prouster]

By the level of vitriol coming from some folks, you'd think Byung-ho Park had been optioned. 

[bdodge22]

 

I mean it’s not an official capacity since it’s not someone in the front office...though maybe that is the line they are being fed by the higher ups.

I was pretty surprised at that line to be honest.

Even if higher ups say that, it's highly unlikely that this is the kind of response the FO wants out there. I love the honesty about building the team and Darvish details however I can't believe that anyone in management in the organization would OK blaming Mauer or his contract for past failures in adding talent. I have to believe heads will roll for this response going public....

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Also it’s cool the season ticket rep responded, Twins employ some class people. Even if they are just saying the talking points they have been told, still appreciate the response.

Dave, could you post your side of the email too, for more context?

 

It is very interesting. On one hand, it seems cool to get a seemingly down-to-earth response, but on the other hand, it does feel a bit unprofessional and perhaps dishonest. Are they blaming Mauer? Dissing Terry Ryan? Making a reference to the Vikings flying down to Brett Favre's ranch?

 

If I was a ticket rep, or instructing them, I'd probably advise similar empathy, but without some of the questionable details/assertions.

[bird]

"I do suspect us"....

 

You want me to believe someone with even an ounce of authority and credibility wrote this? Nope.

I'm wrinkling this up and throwing it the same basket as your Dozier trade verification.

[DaveW]

Dave, could you post your side of the email too, for more context?

 

It is very interesting. On one hand, it seems cool to get a seemingly down-to-earth response, but on the other hand, it does feel a bit unprofessional and perhaps dishonest. Are they blaming Mauer? Dissing Terry Ryan? Making a reference to the Vikings flying down to Brett Favre's ranch?

 

If I was a ticket rep, or instructing them, I'd probably advise similar empathy, but without some of the questionable details/assertions.

Since the Twins apparently have zero real plans of ever competing in free agency or putting a competitive team on the field I will be requesting to cancel my plan and requesting a 100% refund for my deposit.

 

Tell your bosses that once they invest some money into this club I will invest money into season tickets.

 

Let me know when it’s canceled and refunded.

 

Thanks (Redacted)

 

Sent from my iPhone

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Even if higher ups say that, it's highly unlikely that this is the kind of response the FO wants out there. I love the honesty about building the team and Darvish details however I can't believe that anyone in management in the organization would OK blaming Mauer or his contract for past failures in adding talent. I have to believe heads will roll for this response going public....

That's an interesting point too. The ticket rep is representing the Twins, but this message was probably intended for Dave only. I wouldn't want to risk reprimand for the person in question.

 

If not deleting the thread, maybe deleting the exact text of the message and including only a summary would help?

[twinssporto]

 

Even if higher ups say that, it's highly unlikely that this is the kind of response the FO wants out there. I love the honesty about building the team and Darvish details however I can't believe that anyone in management in the organization would OK blaming Mauer or his contract for past failures in adding talent. I have to believe heads will roll for this response going public....

Heads will roll is right!  Guaranteed there were a few additional "talking points" added by the sales guy.  Love the feedback from the sales department though.  You can always count on the sales guy to put the proper spin on things.  Very telling.  

 

I mentioned this in another thread but its amazing how quiet the Twins FO has been on the Darvish fall-out.  Haven't really heard a peep about it from anyone...Wonder what they have up their sleeves?  

[Doomtints]

 

It’s not fake.

I can fwd the original email thread to Brock or one of the other owners here if they need clarification/proof.

 

This is as "real" as your Dozier trade thread last year. I'm not sure why you do this stuff.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

That's an interesting point too. The ticket rep is representing the Twins, but this message was probably intended for Dave only. I wouldn't want to risk reprimand for the person in question.

 

If not deleting the thread, maybe deleting the exact text of the message and including only a summary would help?

 

 

But why? If the rep didn't want this information to get out to the general public they shouldn't have sent this as a response. If this is all true it's pretty tactless, especially the part about Mauer as he's still currently employed by the team and one of the all time best to play for the Twins. If this information isn't coming from the higher ups then this person deserves any reprimand they might get.

[DaveW]

That's an interesting point too. The ticket rep is representing the Twins, but this message was probably intended for Dave only. I wouldn't want to risk reprimand for the person in question.

 

If not deleting the thread, maybe deleting the exact text of the message and including only a summary would help?

I redacted the name, and also let’s be real, nothing that was said was controversial or going to get anyone in trouble.

 

Just found it interesting that this is more than likely the ‘line/script’ talking points that the season ticket team has. I’m guessing they have had to deal with quite a few people canceling or trying to cancel tickets over the last several years.

 

If they actually make a concerted effort to put a team that can win a playoff series (ie fix the starting pitching) I won’t cancel.

[John Bonnes]

I don't know if the moderators have the time to re-open this topic or not, as I expect tempers might run high on it and require moderation. If they do, I'd suggest this:

 

1) You can choose to believe it or not. If you don't, I'd suggest your time is best spent with other threads.

2) If you do believe it, understand that this is one person in the organization expressing their opinion, and it isn't necessarily a decision-maker. In fact, it sounds like it is not. He certainly does not speak for the organization. 

3) We'll be watching closely for uncivil discourse and ready to deal infractions/bans, so keep it VERY civil.

[DaveW]

Hey John,

 

I mentioned to asbury as well but more than happy to fwd you the thread with the contact info/proof.

 

Of course there prob would be a way to ‘spoof’ all of that, but frankly I wouldn’t know how nor would have the time.

 

I do appreciate the response from the Twins, but was surprised re: the Mauer comment. I tend to think people are reading a little too much into all of it, prob because it’s pretty rare to get anything from a ‘blunt’ take from someone in the Twins org (that’s not a pot shot, just an observation)

 

The nice thing is everyone is entitled to their opinions.

[bird]

 

I don't know if the moderators have the time to re-open this topic or not, as I expect tempers might run high on it and require moderation. If they do, I'd suggest this:

 

1) You can choose to believe it or not. If you don't, I'd suggest your time is best spent with other threads.

2) If you do believe it, understand that this is one person in the organization expressing their opinion, and it isn't necessarily a decision-maker. In fact, it sounds like it is not. He certainly does not speak for the organization. 

3) We'll be watching closely for uncivil discourse and ready to deal infractions/bans, so keep it VERY civil.

 

 

As to your second point, John, I'd  simply say that whether you believe it to be fake or real, we have Dave W's characterization that the person is spouting some sort of company line and is suggesting the organization is okay with the public hearing "from them" that they regard Mauer's contract as a regrettable albatross. I'd guess most of us, like you, have the sense to know this isn't the truth. Which means that suggesting it is either nonsensical or untruthful.

[DaveW]

As to your second point, John, I'd simply say that whether you believe it to be fake or real, we have Dave W's characterization that the person is spouting some sort of company line and is suggesting the organization is okay with the public hearing "from them" that they regard Mauer's contract as a regrettable albatross. I'd guess most of us, like you, have the sense to know this isn't the truth. Which means that suggesting it is either nonsensical or untruthful.

I didn’t say with certainty any of that, it could be one person or it could be more than one person. Just found the response to be pretty interesting, even if I disagree with the notion that Mauers contract hurt them and that because of that the reasons for not going Long on another player is ‘just’

 

Like I said everyone’s I sent entitled to their opinions and it’s not like im going to stop rooting for the Twins bc of this off season, but I will be thinking twice about commiting to so many games this season as a fan who lives 1,000+ miles away. (Maybe 2 trips to Minnesota this summer instead of 4)

[beckmt]

One of the items that has me believing this is that Jake Mauer left the organization.  Maybe there is something to this that Joe has heard internally that he will not be back next year.

Just my opinion. 

[Rosterman]

You would NEVER mention the magic name of Mauer, especially in anything that COULD go public. At the time, Joe WAS the franchise player. He was also a catcher. Overall, it wasn't a bad contract. If the Twins are hamstrung in anyway, it is finding the playing time and a place in the batting order for someone who is still a good, solid player, but not in the role or at the position that you currently desire. But, hey, stuff like this might make Joe want to go elsewhere in mid-season, or walk when he hits free agency again.

 

A free agent contract is a gamble. You have to say THIS IS WHAT I will pay for at least one solid season and hopefully more, or don't go there. I still wonder at the need of players to have length in their contracts (although many have the option of going back into free agency mid-contract) as at some point, don't you feel guilty NOT producing for a team that hired you as a gun, rather than developed and nurtured you and exploited you during your early quality seasons (okay, some are not always quality.

 

If responding, you mention the contract offer and that there are other fish in the sea. That you have added to the bullpen, a weakness in the season past. That there is promise in the system for mid-season, if not sooner. And that you DO have other options...yes, the team you see on paper todfay will NOT be the same team that comes north to Target Field in April!

 

 

[Twins33]

I don't really think an opinion of a Twins season ticket Rep is that important. There are lots of Mauer haters out there, big contract or not, and it wouldn't surprise me if some worked for the Twins as an usher or a security gaurd or sales person. You can't walk 100 yards without finding one of those people. Just because they work for the Twins doesn't mean they are a fan of the team or Mauer.

 

I'd file this under "someone who doesn't really give a rip about their job" category. As a Season ticket holder myself, it is their job to push the puppies and rainbows up our butts, but this person didn't do that. If you've ever worked with a person who truly doesn't care about their job, you'd know they'd have no problem putting out their own bad opinions, acting out in some way or put up a minimal effort every single day. This happens in all jobs. I'd put this person under that category.

 

I'll use twitter as an example. People can say whatever they want out there and there are quite a few people who put in their bio "Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer." The way it reads about the Mauer/Darvish connection that's exactly what this sounds like, their opinion. So either this person doesn't give a rip or they are bad at their job/not smart because there is no way the Twins would want anyone saying something like that, even if it had truth to it. They want their reps to shove puppies and rainbows up our butts.

 

So why would I or should we care about a random reps opinion? Go on twitter, you can find hundreds if not thousands of people who think the same. Sure, most aren't paid by the Twins...but this still feels very much like this persons personal opinion and it was not smart of them to use their Twins work account to relay that opinion when their job is to retain and gain season ticket holders.

[Riverbrian]

I'll bet a large sum of money that these are not circulated talking points for sales reps to regurgitate in their attempts at keeping or landing one of the 12,000 season ticket holders. 

 

If Dave St. Peter or Laura Day read Twinsdaily. Either or both of them have probably already reached out to Mike Clough to make sure that he is stabilizing the loose cannon in the Sales department. 

 

If this is legit... You got a hold of this guy. 

http://static.deathandtaxesmag.com/uploads/2016/07/hart-bochner-harry-ellis-die-hard-eyes.jpg

 

 

[D. Hocking]

Yes - I know a lot of people complain about the Mauer contract, and while it has not worked out as well as hoped (although I don't think it is the worst contract ever that people moan about), I don't think it hamstrung the team.

 

The bottom fell out and I think they did not spend any money because they decided they were more than one (or two or three...) players a way from being a contender, so they tightened the purse strings.  I think without the Mauer contract it would have been a similar roster during the lean years, but with $ 15 to 20 million less in payroll.