Letter to season ticket holders

[Otto von Ballpark]

Berardino has the story here:

 

https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/06/twins-exec-derek-falvey-tries-to-soothe-emotional-impact-on-fans-of-recent-sell-off/

 

I like this part:

With the support of ownership, we completed five trades that netted us 12 players who will contribute to our future.

Yup, 12 -- they actually included Logan Forsythe in the count of "players who will contribute to our future".

 

I guess the next 2 months are technically part of the future, but still -- it's like the movie Spinal Tap -- "12 is better than 11."

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I am confident that great days are ahead for our baseball team. … Led by (manager) Paul Molitor and Joe Mauer, there is a great deal of talent and character in that clubhouse.”

 

I read this as both will be back in 2019.

 

I think they need to move on from Molitor, not because I don’t like him, but because he seems to be at odds with their vision. Mauer is an easy call to sign back, in my opinion.

[mickeymental]

joe mauer will still put asses in the seats next season. that's what matters come contract time.

[KirbyDome89]

“We believe in the players who are currently on this roster and so many others who are on the way."

 

That "on the way," group must not include any minor league relievers. Here's to the hope that Belisle is gone when Magill is reinstated Tuesday.

[Squirrel]

I am confident that great days are ahead for our baseball team. … Led by (manager) Paul Molitor and Joe Mauer, there is a great deal of talent and character in that clubhouse.”

I read this as both will be back in 2019.

I think they need to move on from Molitor, not because I don’t like him, but because he seems to be at odds with their vision. Mauer is an easy call to sign back, in my opinion.

I read that as PR/Marketing being PR/Marketing. But concur with the rest.

[Riverbrian]

 

I read that as PR/Marketing being PR/Marketing. But concur with the rest.

 

Falvey and Lavine have been very accessible recently. 

 

Seems almost strategic. 

[Blackjack]

 

I read that as PR/Marketing being PR/Marketing.

 

 

The best way to put fannies in the seats is with a winning team.  The second best way is marketing -- promoting what you have, Mauer, the young players coming up, etc.  But that only goes so far, you'll never fill up Target Field with marketing.  It takes a winning team.

[Blackjack]

Do you think that Dave St. Peter and group have statistics that tell what the average expenditure is per fan per game and how many fans they need per game to break even??  I'm guessing yes.

[ashbury]

'Listing the subtractions in the following order — Lance Lynn, Zach Duke, Ryan Pressly, Escobar and Dozier — Falvey added “it is challenging to see players go who have been integral members of our Twins family. Nothing will replace the impact they have had on this franchise and in our community.”'

 

I'll have to go ask the Community what was their favorite Zach Duke or Lance Lynn moment. I bet at minimum they bought half a dozen boxes each of Girl Scout Cookies outside the door at the grocery store, and donated to the local United Way instead of their previous towns.

 

I'm pretty corporate by nature, but marketing blurbs make me shake my head if I actually try to think the usual content through.

[Squirrel]

 

The best way to put fannies in the seats is with a winning team.  The second best way is marketing -- promoting what you have, Mauer, the young players coming up, etc.  But that only goes so far, you'll never fill up Target Field with marketing.  It takes a winning team.

I agree. As I said, it's PR/Marketing ... that's what I read, not that it's some big plan moving forward, as if the GM would actually tell the public what his plan is moving forward. But to get that winning team, I don't think it's with Molitor, and I think it's also with some big moves/acquisitions this off-season.

[gocgo]

"I do not take it lightly that an investment in the future often comes with pain in the present.”....I'd say losing 10-0 was pretty painful....but at least the guys looked like they were having fun,

[USAFChief]

 

I am confident that great days are ahead for our baseball team. … Led by (manager) Paul Molitor and Joe Mauer, there is a great deal of talent and character in that clubhouse.”

I read this as both will be back in 2019.

I think they need to move on from Molitor, not because I don’t like him, but because he seems to be at odds with their vision. Mauer is an easy call to sign back, in my opinion.

They're every bit as committed to Molitor and Mauer "contribut(ing) to the future" as they are Logan Forsythe, I assume.

[gocgo]

What isn't mentioned in the article is that this is the second year in a row that we sold off at the deadline.  Last year they underestimated the team.  Did they do the same this year?  I don't think we will get a chance to find out with what is left.  BTW, we batted two guys that are below the Mendoza line in last night's lineup.  When it's August and you have 2 guys batting below .200 in your lineup, you aren't winning many games.

[Vanimal46]

This tactic has been used time and time again. Just wait until next year! It's all going according to plan.

[bird]

For all the happy talk we've heard about good communication, I have to wonder. Molitor gets bushwacked by a reporter about the fan letter? I'm not sure what that tells us, but there's a message in there somewhere, right?

 

I suppose Falvey's pablum is better than Dave St. Peter prattling on about the ballpark experience on the way to a 100-loss season.

[zenser]

Does it say anything about keeping Matt Belisle on the roster next year?

[Number3]

The best job in all of professional sports is Minnesota Twins Manager. Job description; "No pressure, no expectations, no performance standard of any kind. Requirements-simply show up and don't make waves.. Salary $2mil per year plus huge expense account, hotel suites, private jet for travel, many other benefits, 3 year contract guaranteed. Hall of fame playing credentials considered but not required.

[ashbury]

The best job in all of professional sports is Minnesota Twins Manager. Job description; "No pressure, no expectations, no performance standard of any kind. Requirements-simply show up and don't make waves.. Salary $2mil per year plus huge expense account, hotel suites, private jet for travel, many other benefits, 3 year contract guaranteed. Hall of fame playing credentials considered but not required.

What is it you'd like to discuss?

[jkcarew]

 

The best job in all of professional sports is Minnesota Twins Manager. Job description; "No pressure, no expectations, no performance standard of any kind. Requirements-simply show up and don't make waves.. Salary $2mil per year plus huge expense account, hotel suites, private jet for travel, many other benefits, 3 year contract guaranteed. Hall of fame playing credentials considered but not required.

But, here's what you learn in your first year on the job (at least for the last 10 years)...

 

"Must accept roster with no chance of realistically competing for a pennant."

[jkcarew]

 

They're every bit as committed to Molitor and Mauer "contribut(ing) to the future" as they are Logan Forsythe, I assume.

I hope.

[yarnivek1972]

joe mauer will still put asses in the seats next season. that's what matters come contract time.

Are we certain that’s still true?

 

It’s been 5 years since he was an elite level player (bWAR above 3.5). Minnesota sports fans are notoriously fickle and “fair weather”.

 

I’d be interested to know if jersey sales, for example, still indicate he’s one of the most popular players.

 

What will put butts in the seats is a culture of winning. Probably need to get more than 115 OPS + (Mauer’s BEST number since 2013) from first base to help that along.

[gocgo]

Matt Belilse to the DL.

[yarnivek1972]

Including that in the letter to the fans?

 

 

[mickeymental]

 

Are we certain that’s still true?

It’s been 5 years since he was an elite level player (bWAR above 3.5). Minnesota sports fans are notoriously fickle and “fair weather”.

I’d be interested to know if jersey sales, for example, still indicate he’s one of the most popular players.

What will put butts in the seats is a culture of winning. Probably need to get more than 115 OPS + (Mauer’s BEST number since 2013) from first base to help that along.

yes, fans are fickle. so, no, not certain. but my hunch -- just a hunch -- is that lotsa kids and casual fans still think joe mauer IS the twins. a culture of winning will likely take at least a few years. in lieu of that, there's joe. (but i'd also be curious to know those jersey sales stats.)

[wsnydes]

 

Are we certain that’s still true?

It’s been 5 years since he was an elite level player (bWAR above 3.5). Minnesota sports fans are notoriously fickle and “fair weather”.

I’d be interested to know if jersey sales, for example, still indicate he’s one of the most popular players.

What will put butts in the seats is a culture of winning. Probably need to get more than 115 OPS + (Mauer’s BEST number since 2013) from first base to help that along.

To the casual fan, I think Mauer is still a draw. There are still plenty of Mauer jerseys at Target Field. I don't think that the casual fan realizes when the last time he was considered an elite player was and I don't really think they care much. He's a Twins and local legend, so that's good enough. Like you though, I'd be interested to know the jersey sales info.  

 

I also agree that putting a winning product on the field will do more. Attendance really didn't budge much late last season though, so it'll take a year or two of good baseball to see that I imagine. Had the weather been better early this season, I do wonder if attendance would have been better.   

[TheLeviathan]

Can someone confirm the trees are mentioned before I bother to read this claptrap?

[Major League Ready]

 

Berardino has the story here:

https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/06/twins-exec-derek-falvey-tries-to-soothe-emotional-impact-on-fans-of-recent-sell-off/

I like this part:

Yup, 12 -- they actually included Logan Forsythe in the count of "players who will contribute to our future".

I guess the next 2 months are technically part of the future, but still -- it's like the movie Spinal Tap -- "12 is better than 11."

 

What did you want them to say? We got 11 players that will contribute to our future and we also got Logan Forsythe? That would really motivate Forsythe to contribute and be a positive presence in the clubhouse and the rest of players also would not appreciate such a slight of a fellow player. If you don't name Forsythe, who is the player that you think has no future. You either have to publicly demean Forsythe or say 12 players. 

 

If this kind of unprofessional action is really what you want from the team, the problem is your expectations, not the language the F/O elected to use here.

[Otto von Ballpark]

What did you want them to say? We got 11 players that will contribute to our future and we also got Logan Forsythe? That would really motivate Forsythe to contribute and be a positive presence in the clubhouse and the rest of players also would not appreciate such a slight of a fellow player. If you don't name Forsythe, who is the player that you think has no future. You either have to publicly demean Forsythe or say 12 players.

 

If this kind of unprofessional action is really what you want from the team, the problem is your expectations, not the language the F/O elected to use here.

First of all, my post contained an explicit Spinal Tap reference. Don't worry about taking it too seriously.

 

Second, they could have said "prospects". That is what everybody here has been saying, repeatedly (including you, I think) -- "11 prospects."

 

Of course, the word "prospect" probably doesn't play well with the intended audience of this letter right now (disappointed MLB season ticket holders). I am guessing that is why the term was avoided, rather than a desire to include and motivate Forsythe.

 

Even switching the term to the more generic "players", though, they added the qualifier about players who will contribute to our future. It is implied that by contrast, the players we traded away were not going to contribute to our future. So saying Forsythe will sort of invalidates the logical premise of the statement. They could have said "11 players who can be Twins beyond 2018" or something if they really cared about it.

 

I don't think Forsythe gives a darn. I don't either. Frankly neither does the front office, they were just looked for some words to placate disappointed season ticket holders. I just thought it was odd when I read the number 12 there, remembered the number 11 from here, then looked it up to see if I missed some PTBNL or international bonus cash or something.

 

Then I thought of the Spinal Tap joke -- maybe they just felt 12 was better because it was one more than 11.

[gunnarthor]

All kidding aside, the FO has to make some changes next year. There is no reason Molitor should be manager any longer. If he's back, it's a really bad sign.

[jctwins]

 

Are we certain that’s still true?

It’s been 5 years since he was an elite level player (bWAR above 3.5). Minnesota sports fans are notoriously fickle and “fair weather”.

I’d be interested to know if jersey sales, for example, still indicate he’s one of the most popular players.

What will put butts in the seats is a culture of winning. Probably need to get more than 115 OPS + (Mauer’s BEST number since 2013) from first base to help that along.

 

Team without Mauer is a team that is "giving up." A team with Mauer is a team that at least has kept "their best player" to the average fan base. When you're considering whether to drive up from Mankato to go to one game or weekend set of games per year, this is how the fan base thinks.

 

With as many holes as the team has to fill, Mauer isn't their biggest problem, and taking a small shot at retaining fans has relative value.