Rick Stelmaszek fired

[IdahoPilgrim]

The Star Tribune is reporting that bullpen coach Rich Stelmaszek has been let go.

 

I knew there would be shake-ups, but I'm a little surprised at this. The bullpen wasn't really the problem this year.

 

My guess is this signals a fairly substantial overhaul on the coaching staff.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

How deep will this overhaul go?

Wayne "Big Fella" Hattaway???

[Boom Boom]

Fired? Wasn't his contract up anyway?

 

I think it would be more accurate to say he won't be brought back. He's close to retiring anyway - isn't he about 120 years old?

[IdahoPilgrim]

Fired? Wasn't his contract up anyway?

 

I think it would be more accurate to say he won't be brought back. He's close to retiring anyway - isn't he about 120 years old?

 

When I made the thread title, I was "quoting" the Star Tribune headline, which used the word fired. In retrospect you are correct, but I don't know how to edit a thread title.

 

The end result is the same, though. If you read the Strib article, it sure doesn't sound like this was a voluntary retirement.

[Willihammer]

I also gaffed in the title of my last submission. Why can't submitters edit titles?

[Badsmerf]

My guess is this signals a fairly substantial overhaul on the coaching staff.

 

My hit list includes Rick McWane- Head Athletic Trainer, Tucker Lanning- Rehab Coordinator, Ron Gardenhire- Manager, Rick Anderson- pitching coach, Eric Rasmussen- Pitching Coordinator. None of these guys will end up getting fired, but all should be seriously asked about their role in this cluster ****.

[mikeee]

It will make the press conference more interesting!

[JB_Iowa]

My guess is this signals a fairly substantial overhaul on the coaching staff.

 

Or not ... we could just see a couple of token changes.

[JB_Iowa]

how deep will this overhaul go?

Wayne "big fella" hattaway???

 

 

p.o.d.

[jctwins]

This is unbelievable. This move is step 1 to a world championship.

[J-Dog Dungan]

My guess is this signals a fairly substantial overhaul on the coaching staff.

 

Or not ... we could just see a couple of token changes.

 

Token changes? Did YOU have any idea that Stelly's job was on the chopping block? This seems to me like the start of a coaching overhaul the size of which I myself haven't seen in my tender years as a Twins fan.

[Winston Smith]

It would seem you start at the top work your way down. If this is the top down move then Hattaway indeed could be next.

 

The bullpen coach probably has the least impact of any coach. His basic job is to answer the phone, get the right guy up to warm up and tell the pitching coach when he's ready. Now is it possible that Stelly has bad phone skills, possible, or is it possible he didn't keep enough sunflower seeds on hand, seems more likely.

[SweetOne69]

Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press believes the Glynn, Brunansky and Cuellar from Rochester will be promoted to the Twins' staff. In order to promote them they need to make room. With Stelly's dismissal and Liddle's rumored retirement they already have spots for Cuellar and Glynn. Now they just have to make room for Brunansky. Powers feels that Brunansky will replace Vavra as the hitting coach, but Vavra will remain with the organization in some capacity.

[PseudoSABR]

Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press believes the Glynn, Brunansky and Cuellar from Rochester will be promoted to the Twins' staff. In order to promote them they need to make room. With Stelly's dismissal and Liddle's rumored retirement they already have spots for Cuellar and Glynn. Now they just have to make room for Brunansky. Powers feels that Brunansky will replace Vavra as the hitting coach, but Vavra will remain with the organization in some capacity.

This makes sense.

[JB_Iowa]

Did YOU have any idea that Stelly's job was on the chopping block? This seems to me like the start of a coaching overhaul the size of which I myself haven't seen in my tender years as a Twins fan.

 

No, I did not see this coming. And it seems an odd place to start to me.

 

But I also remember last year when we had the 2 firings in Rochester (and the promotions of Glynn & Brunansky) and nothing else (until Bill Smith wanted to go on spending money & Pohlad said no). So I have a hard time drawing any conclusions from what we've seen so far.

[DaveW]

Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press believes the Glynn, Brunansky and Cuellar from Rochester will be promoted to the Twins' staff. In order to promote them they need to make room. With Stelly's dismissal and Liddle's rumored retirement they already have spots for Cuellar and Glynn. Now they just have to make room for Brunansky. Powers feels that Brunansky will replace Vavra as the hitting coach, but Vavra will remain with the organization in some capacity.

I like this line of thinking, having Cuellar helping out the pitchers as well should be awesome, ideally in 2013 he is able to work closely with Gibson, Hendriks and the other guys he has had in AAA recently. It wouldn't shock me if they are grooming him to take over for Anderson in a couple years.

 

Brunansky as the hitting coach is a nice breath of fresh air as well, though I do hope they keep Vavra around in some capacity. As far as a bench coach goes, I almost wish they would wait a bit to see what managers get fired in the coming days, if someone like a Ron Washington gets canned I would love to bring him or Ozzie in.

[Willihammer]

Sounds like they're going to use 2013 as a transition year.

 

Vavra re-assigned, Liddle let go as of a few mins ago, says KFAN

[Dilligaf69]

Not really a big deal is it??? He's a bullpen coach and the pitching coach still works with ALL pitchers so not exactly the sole reason the bullpen was improved...after all it sucked last yr and the same guy was there. I have no problem with these moves and I'm sure more will come. I would like to see Bruno as the hitting coach also and Glynn and Cuellar work as well if that's what they do. What isn't happening is Gardy getting fired so get over it.

[Dilligaf69]

Jim Souhan ‏@SouhanStrib I've heard Brunansky new hit coach,Gene Glynn 3b coach, Bobby Cuellar new BP coach. Paul Molitor should be on staff, but not sure will be

Retweeted

[IdahoPilgrim]

What I find interesting is they didn't even wait until the organizational meetings started. This has obviously been in the works for some time now.

[Mr. Ed]

it seems an odd place to start to me.

 

It would appear the changes are coming as each is meeting with Mr. Ryan, so Stelly was first to meet.

[Mr. Ed]

What I find interesting is they didn't even wait until the organizational meetings started. This has obviously been in the works for some time now.

 

New staff on board for org meetings so they can move forward immediately on plans, I would think.

[Winston Smith]

I wonder if the Red Wing job could go to Redmond?

[ashbury]

I will be interested in learning Gardenhire's spin on the coaching changes as they emerge. At some point, a manager says "hey, these are MY guys". I guess Gardy isn't going to go to the mat for them.

[JB_Iowa]

I will be interested in learning Gardenhire's spin on the coaching changes as they emerge. At some point, a manager says "hey, these are MY guys". I guess Gardy isn't going to go to the mat for them.

 

Ah, but the "Triumverate" of Gardenhire - Anderson - Ullger looks like it may remain intact.

 

More's the pity. I think he may have sacrificed the edges to save the core. We'll have to see if that's the way it plays out.

[Pius Jefferson]

I wonder if the Red Wing job could go to Redmond?

 

 

I was thinking Ullger is named manager at Rochester.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I wonder if the Red Wing job could go to Redmond?

 

They were speculating on the radio that Jake Mauer might get it.

[Willihammer]

I assume Ullger and Andy will follow Gardy to his next gig following the '13 season.

[IdahoPilgrim]

 

Ah, but the "Triumverate" of Gardenhire - Anderson - Ullger looks like it may remain intact.

 

More's the pity. I think he may have sacrificed the edges to save the core. We'll have to see if that's the way it plays out.

 

You make it sound like this is a ploy to pacify the fans while not making real changes:).

 

I think you are correct, though, that Anderson's job is probably safe. My guess is the reason for letting Stelmaszek go was they wanted to bring Cuellar up and needed a spot for him, and Stellie was considered more expendable than Anderson.

[ScottyB]

I'd love to see Molly replace Ullger as bench coach