Should Twins Prepare for Next Wave?

[ScottyB]

Should the Twins add an hispanic infield coach to prepare for the next wave of talent? Many of the guys coming up speak very little English - Sano, Arcia, Rosario, Vargas, Pinto, Berrios, Polanco, Santana, even Florimon and Escobar need interprepters. Wouldn't it make sense to hire an experienced multi-lingual coach. I realize Boby Cuellar was partially brought on for this, but having someone who was an infielder just makes so much sense.

 

Someone like Ozzie Guillen would be nice, but I think he's too high profile - especially with Gardy in a contract year. In place of Scott Ullger I wouldn't mind seeing either Edwin Rodriguez or Joey Cora come on board to work with our infield of the future. I have to admit that coming into the season I wasn't a big fan of Florimon, but he has won me over. With the recent promotions, as early as next June I could see an infield that includes Sano, Florimon and Rosario and I think they'd be more comfortable with another hispanic coach on staff.

[stringer bell]

Probably a good idea. I spoke to Berrios Saturday and his English is at least pretty good. Yesterday, he was sitting with three American pitchers and seemed to carrying on conversation so I don't think his English will be an issue. All the way through the organization, there should be more Hispanic coaches.

[johnnydakota]

To bad they didnt try that with Liriano....

[Twins Twerp]

To bad they didnt try that with Liriano....

 

An interpreter cant fix crazy.

[James]

Probably not a bad idea. I know that some of these guys are working on their English though. From what I've heard, Sano is spending a good chunk of his free time learning and improving his English skills. I have a feeling that others are probably trying to learn as well. That doesn't mean having a Spanish speaking coach wouldn't be a bad idea. There are those minor details that sometimes just don't get translated correctly.

[DaveW]

Honest question, are there a lot of hispanic coaches in the MLB currently? I get the want/need to have some on the major league roster, but it shouldn't be the main priority or come at the expense of hiring a less talented coach over a "better" one if the pool just isn't as large.

[twinkiesfan11]

Honest question, are there a lot of hispanic coaches in the MLB currently? I get the want/need to have some on the major league roster, but it shouldn't be the main priority or come at the expense of hiring a less talented coach over a "better" one if the pool just isn't as large.

 

Exactly, these players need to learn to talk American

[Tibs]

I'm really proud of Sano for always wanting to do interviews in English. He's definitely working hard at it.

[ScottyB]

Honest question, are there a lot of hispanic coaches in the MLB currently? I get the want/need to have some on the major league roster, but it shouldn't be the main priority or come at the expense of hiring a less talented coach over a "better" one if the pool just isn't as large.

 

Dave, the guys I mentioned Rodriguez and Cora both (plus Guillen) have extensive coaching resumes as well as managerial experience. Rodriguez managed the Puerto Rican team in the WBC as well as being interim manager for the Marlins. Cora has been a major league coach on and off since at least 2000 (mostly for Guillen) and has managed in the minors for several clubs. These would not be interpreter coaches, they have legitimate experience and both (all 3 with Guillen) were infielders.

[DaveW]

I realize that, but those 3 will prob be in high demand, also Gardy has always said he would

Like Ozzie on staff.

[Siehbiscuit]

As crazy as Guillen can be (and he's a lot crazy), he would be a guy that I would approve of. I don't even know why, but he seems like a guy that could jump start our organization with some energy. If only he learned to say, "Earmuffs!" before pressers.

[LaBombo]

As crazy as Guillen can be (and he's a lot crazy), he would be a guy that I would approve of. I don't even know why, but he seems like a guy that could jump start our organization with some energy. If only he learned to say, "Earmuffs!" before pressers.

He needs a smartphone app with a 3 second delay and a profanity/crazy filter on it.

[Willihammer]

Ozzie probably knows a thing or two about infielding anyways, but I like the idea more from an entertainment standpoint.

 

One of the all time greatest (referring to Dustin Pedroia):

 

 

"I never thought I would walk a jockey. I must be the worst manager in the history of baseball right now, walking a guy that just came from being on the top of Big Brown to beat the White Sox.

 

"The guy right now is on fire. No matter what you throw there, he's going to get it. I can't believe it. You can change professions from one year to another. To go from the Kentucky Derby to the Boston Red Sox ballpark and perform, that's amazing."

 

[kab21]

I don't see this as a big priority since many of those prospects (Rosario, Berrios and Vargas) are Puerto Rican and should speak English at a high level. Some of the others are MLB filler for the most part.

 

I'm not against hiring a Latin American coach but I don't see why you make it a priority. Especially since this might be Gardy's last year. Let the next manager build his staff.

[stringer bell]

To me, it is a lot more than just speaking the language. That a player would have someone with a similar background might help some of the younger guys. It shouldn't be the primary thing, but should figure in on personnel decisions.