Article: Twins Manager Paul Molitor Fired

[KGB]

It's good to have a scapegoat, especially when you look at the roster they fielded in September.

[Winston Smith]

 

Buck Showalter

I vote for Buck once he is fired.

[Strato Guy]

I wonder if Falvey was a little disappointed Molitor won the manager of the year award last year. He probably felt he had no choice but to retain him as manager for 2018, while really wanting to bring in his own guy. 

[Teddy]

I doubt there'll be a single in-house candidate. 

[twinstalker]

Nothing is going to be awkward. Molitor won't have any power, he'll just marketing and helping minor leagues this next year, probably. HoF guy talking to youngsters and giving them tips. In 2020 they'll probably even have him at spring training.

 

I could be very wrong here, but didn't they bring in Jeff Pickler to be the manager-in-waiting for 2018, only to be foiled by the Twins run in 2017? Unless he's proven himself to not be manager material or a golden boy has emerged in their eyes, I would think Pickler is the choice.

[djvang]

I guess they needed a scapegoat for Sano and Buxton being flops.

[wsnydes]

 

It's good to have a scapegoat, especially when you look at the roster they fielded in September.

September was their best month...

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

 

… and the re-arranging of the Titanic's deck chairs has begun.

feel free to tell us what you would do

[nicksaviking]

I want someone who is creative. I want someone who has new ideas, not someone who has to be taught all the new ideas. I want someone who is as foreign as possible to this organization so as not to have been burdened with our specific Upper-Midwestern mores and modest expectations. 

 

But mostly, I want someone who the young players can relate to and feed off of.

[laloesch]

wow i'm shocked! Wasn't expecting this. They should have grabbed Torey Lovullo instead of handing it to Molitor.

Edited October 2, 2018 by laloesch

[Jerr]

 

My first thoughts as well.

As a player, yes.

 

[Squirrel]

 

They have discussed other roles for him.....is that awkward? I'd think that would be awkward....

Depends on how it's handled.

[Mike Sixel]

Who is Manny Machado's best friend? He needs to be interviewed, at least.....

[Squirrel]

 

Who is Manny Machado's best friend? He needs to be interviewed, at least.....

I wasn't going to say it, but glad you did. I wasn't going to say it because that subject has made me a one-trick pony.

[Jerr]

Well, I just have got a big spark for some excitement for 2019!!!!!!!          

 

[DocBauer]

Shocked? No. Surprised? Yes. All the more so as it was quickly done. I wasn't sure he'd be back, but with all the injuries, and I think some genuine growth and improvement in his style, I thought he might get another year.

 

Injuries or not, there was questionable usage of the pen and frustrating lineup choices at times. Which confounded me as at times he was actually innovative. (Ex: Polanco succeeding so well as the #3 hitter).

 

I don't believe injuries or bad performances sealed Molitor's fate. It was the pen usage, odd lineups, playing certain veterans too much, and poor overall team fundamentals at times.

 

People talk about the "Twins Way" as if it was a bad thing. But one thing you didn't see from TK lead teams, and most of Gardy's, was a team that just beat themselves so much.

 

I really believe they will be going out of the organization for the next manager. I'm hoping for a little younger, and hoping for a stronger Latin influence on the staff.

[Linus]

Weren’t we just saying all the same things about Gardy? On the list of things that went wrong Molly was about 9th. There were many things outside his control including a bunch of free agents that were mutts. This fine in that we are reducing the number of scapegoats so Falvine can be the next ones out

[twinstalker]

Time and channel of press conference?  Well, fsn I'm sure if televised.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I wasn't going to say it, but glad you did. I wasn't going to say it because that subject has made me a one-trick pony.

 

Just trying to help a friend.....

[Number3]

A day late but it had to be done. It sends a message to the entire organization that there actually is accountability. Whether or not Molitor deserved to be fired is irrelevant. Now, who they hire to replace him is very relevant and I hope he is a take no prisoners type of manager.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Injuries or not, there was questionable usage of the pen and frustrating lineup choices at times. Which confounded me as at times he was actually innovative. (Ex: Polanco succeeding so well as the #3 hitter).

This is what drove me nuts about Molitor. He'd show flashes of innovation with the lineup and wasn't afraid to mix things up to find results.

 

Then he'd call on Addison Reed for the fifth time in six days later that game.

 

Just a wildly inconsistent manager in very baffling ways.

[RatherBeGolfing]

No shock, I wish Paul the best and I think guys liked playing for him but this was sealed a long time ago. FO wanted to make this move a year ago to be honest but couldn't after getting into the wild card game

[brvama]

This certainly surprised me. However, I think it was best for the Twins for all the reasons already mentioned. We are approaching the time period where the FO will have their own people, so they are on the clock, at least from my point of view.

[PseudoSABR]

[SF Twins Fan]

Is anyone else not able to see Page 2 of the comments?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

So you say that Molitor is friends with the Pohlad family? 

[jmlease1]

 

This is what drove me nuts about Molitor. He'd show flashes of innovation with the lineup and wasn't afraid to mix things up to find results.

 

Then he'd call on Addison Reed for the fifth time in six days later that game.

 

Just a wildly inconsistent manager in very baffling ways.

 

This. I never hated Molitor as manager, but I always felt like there were a few too many of those, "seriously?" moments.

[nokomismod]

Might Omar Vizquel get a look?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-molitor-out-as-twins-manager/c-296881192

 

Per Bollinger: “It's unclear how many coaches the Twins will retain next season.”

[Puckett34]

If they had parted amicably after last season, I'd say make a play for Dougie Baseball.   Managed Buxton and Sano in the minors I believe.  Doubt he'd come here now.  But I've been calling for him since Gardy was fired.